The Kawai ES120 portable digital piano pursues the key touch feeling and rich sound of an acoustic grand piano, while also incorporating convenient functions and weighing just 12 kg. We asked Japanese singer-songwriter Ai Higuchi to play the ES120 and share her honest impressions about the instrument. Having grown up playing an acoustic piano from a young age, what does she think about the ES120?

* This interview was conducted in May 2022.

The Ideal Digital Piano, According To Ai Higuchi

A digital piano that can be played expressively, like an acoustic piano

- What do you look for in a digital piano?

I was exposed to "real pianos" from a young age, so the unique playing feel of acoustic pianos is ingrained in my body. I really want a digital piano that I can play expressively like an acoustic piano, so I try to choose one that's as close to an acoustic piano as possible. I like digital pianos that can fully reproduce the characteristics of an acoustic piano, not just creating a piano sound, but also the unique touch sensation of the keys, and the lingering resonance after the keys are released, etc.

 

A Chance Encounter With The ES120

The touch feel of an acoustic piano

- What are your first impressions of the ES120?

First of all, the touch is really nice! The key action doesn't feel too light or too heavy, and for someone like me who has played acoustic pianos for many years, it has a very familiar playing feel. The sensation from initially pressing the key until the sound is produced, the way the key returns to your finger when you release it, the lingering resonance after the sound fades away - it really feels just like playing a real acoustic piano.

 

Kawai's distinctive piano sound

- How about the piano sound?

The highs have a beautiful shimmering quality, while the lows have a solid, grounded feel that supports everything. The dynamic passages are vibrant while the softer parts are mellow and restrained. It's quintessentially the "Kawai" sound. The tones are well-balanced and rich enough to stand-out in a live setting. I think using this for live performances would really complement my musical style.

You often hear that digital pianos struggle with expressive soft playing, but the ES120's sounds are really nuanced, so I'm able to play even the softest notes with feeling. I'm really impressed.

 

A stylish design for the home

- What do you think about the ES120's design?

I never expected a digital piano with a design like this! The colour, the button design...everything looks so stylish and fashionable. You could definitely have this as part of your home decor. I'd happily have it in my house.

Fitting an acoustic piano into a home requires a lot of consideration about space, etc., but the ES120 is so compact and slim, you can have it look smart in your living room without having to rearrange furniture or move to a bigger house. Its portable size also makes it really convenient for playing live performances at smaller venues.

 

Instant playability - turn on, sit down, play

- Is there anything else you've noticed about the ES120?

The fact that you can just turn it on and start playing right away is really great. I think the biggest obstacle to starting something new is that "it's too much hassle" feeling. As a child, I really hated practicing because of all the preparation involved before I could start playing. But even for someone like me, just being able to sit down at the piano, hit the power button, and start playing straight away is fantastic.

The built-in Bluetooth audio feature is also incredibly handy. When I'm learning a song, I always have my computer playing the track while I analyse the chord progressions, different tones, and transcribe parts. With Bluetooth audio, I can just stream songs directly from my smartphone through the piano itself, which would be really convenient for covering or arranging songs.

There are various other features that allow you to indulge any "I want to play, right now" impulse. I wish I could have had a piano like this when I was younger...

 

A digital piano suitable for anyone

- Who would you recommend the ES120 to?

First, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking to start learning piano. It has the touch and sound of an acoustic piano, as well as features like Bluetooth connectivity that would be useful for beginners, so it seems perfect as a first piano. Of course it would also be great for children, but I'd also recommend it to adults who may have played piano when they were younger, and want to pick it back up again as a hobby, or single people who want to unwind from work by playing some piano. The convenience of being able to just sit down and start playing would fit really well with their busy work/school lifestyles.

And for professional musicians like myself, having a digital piano where you can just turn it on and play exactly how you want is incredibly valuable. If we want to record a vocal take or make a demo, there's so much hassle of turning on the computer, connecting interfaces, and so on that it often kills the impulse to quickly try out an idea. So it might be worthwhile for pros to have something like the ES120 as a secondary piano, separate from our stage pianos, that we can use anytime inspiration strikes, without any fuss.

 

Final thoughts

Being able to easily play the expressive and vibrant "Kawai sound" enriches one's musical ear and positively impacts performance. I think it’s beneficial even for small children to grow up hearing this sound, and I hope more people get to know about Kawai's pianos through the ES120.

 

Conclusion

From its authentic touch feel and rich tones, to its convenient built-in features, the ES120 impressed singer-songwriter Ai Higuchi, an acoustic piano enthusiast. Regardless of age or ability - whether a young child just starting their piano journey, an adult looking to return to the instrument as a hobby, or even a professional musician seeking a second piano away from the studio - Kawai's ES120 portable digital piano is a versatile instrument that can be recommended to anyone.