Acoustic by day, silent by night
A Silent piano is a full acoustic piano, with an additional mode for playing on headphones. By day you play it like any upright, with strings, hammers and live sound in the room. In the evening you switch on silent mode and play on headphones, on the same acoustic keyboard.
At the Zohar Pianos store and gallery, 28 Ben Atar, you can play both modes, compare with a digital piano, and choose what suits your home.
How it works
With silent mode off, a Silent is an acoustic piano in every sense. When you switch it on, a gentle rail stops the hammers just before the strings. Sensors capture every keystroke and turn it into sampled piano sound in the headphones. Your hands feel the touch of a real acoustic action, and all that remains in the room is the soft sound of the keys.
Switching between modes is simple, so you can move from live sound to headphones in the middle of an evening's practice. The digital options - additional voices, recording, connection to a computer - depend on the system installed in the piano. A Silent system can come factory-fitted or as an upgrade to an existing piano, so we check the specific piano and what is installed on it. Stock at Ben Atar is renewed regularly, and we will gladly update you on the Silent pianos available now.
Silent and the practice pedal
Many uprights also have a middle practice pedal, and on some pianos it locks in place for extended practice, lowering a strip of felt between the hammers and the strings. The sound stays acoustic and becomes softer and quieter in the room. Silent takes this a step further, sending the whole sound to the headphones.
Who it suits
Silent suits anyone who wants acoustic touch and live sound by day, and headphone practice in the evening and at night. It is especially suited to apartments, to students who practise a lot, and to families where everyone plays at a different hour, as well as to adults returning to the piano after a day at work. Its great advantage is the natural transition to any other acoustic piano, in a lesson, an exam or on stage, because the hands practise on a real action.
A good digital piano with 88 keys and hammer action suits those who practise mainly on headphones, a temporary apartment, or anyone looking for a piano that is easy to move. A digital piano for the home usually comes with three pedals, and a portable digital piano needs a stand. More on this: digital piano · a piano for an apartment.
Silent at home
In an apartment, Silent lets you plan playing around the home: acoustic sound in the afternoon, and headphones in the evening and early morning. Students preparing for a lesson or an exam can repeat a passage again and again at any hour. And like every acoustic piano, a Silent loves an interior wall, away from a sunny window and the air conditioning draft.
The same acoustic piano
A Silent is first of all an acoustic piano, so it benefits from the same care: tuning after a move (one to two weeks after arrival), then usually once a year, and stable humidity in the room. Every piano move we do is fully insured from start to finish with comprehensive coverage, at no extra cost - so you are covered, protected and completely at ease. Details: piano tuning.
What to check during a visit
Bring headphones you like, or use the ones in the store. Play the same short piece in normal mode and in silent mode, and feel that the touch stays similar. Play for a few minutes with headphones, to see that practice feels natural. And if you are undecided, play a digital piano straight after - the decision usually becomes clear within minutes.
Next step
Book a visit to the store and gallery at 28 Ben Atar, message us on WhatsApp, or call 050-7750691. You can also start with rental from the store, with no commitment. We are here for you.
Links: Upright pianos · Digital pianos · A piano for an apartment · A piano for beginners · Piano rental
Frequently asked questions
What is a silent piano?
A full acoustic piano with a quiet mode for playing on headphones. In normal mode it plays like any upright.
How quiet is it in Silent mode?
The hammers stop before the strings, and the sound goes to the headphones. All that remains in the room is the soft sound of the keys, which lets you practise in the evening and at night too.
What is the difference between Silent and a practice pedal?
The practice pedal softens the acoustic sound in the room. Silent sends the whole sound to the headphones.
Does a silent piano need tuning?
Yes, like any acoustic piano: after a move, and then usually once a year.
Can I try a Silent in the store?
Yes, when a suitable piano is on the floor. Stock is renewed regularly, so it is best to arrange in advance on WhatsApp or at 050-7750691.