Piano, Accordion or Harpsichord? Your Decision Guide
AI-generated (EU AI Act, Art. 50): the voice and text in this video were created with AI assistance.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: Piano, accordion and harpsichord are all taught by one teacher, Mirco Lieber, MMag., a concert musician with concert-major degrees in accordion (Ljubljana) and harpsichord (Vienna), who also teaches piano, organ and melodica, with more than 30 years of teaching experience. Lessons are live and one-to-one on Zoom (online only, in English, German, Slovenian or Portuguese), and the free 30-minute trial lesson is a good place to decide between the instruments. After the trial, fixed-term packages cost EUR 145 to 229 per month (USD 168 to 265, incl. 16% VAT, plus a one-time EUR 5 joining fee) and single lessons start at EUR 32. To start, book the free trial in the English calendar, use the no-JavaScript request form or email info@ml-musikschule.eu.
Quick Comparison: Three Keyboard Instruments
| Criterion | Piano | Accordion | Harpsichord |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key mechanism | Hammer action (weighted) | Buttons/keys (light touch) | Plectrum (spring, very light) |
| Polyphony | 10 fingers = 10 voices | Melody + bass (2 hands, 2 systems) | 10 fingers = 10 voices |
| Dynamics | Via touch (pp-ff) | Via bellows (pp-ff) | None (registration changes) |
| Entry instrument cost | Digital piano €400-800 | Beginner accordion €500-1200 | Digital piano w/ harpsichord register or harpsichord access |
| Repertoire breadth | Huge (classical, jazz, pop, film) | Folk, classical, tango, klezmer, Balkan | Baroque, Renaissance, early Classical |
| Learning curve start | Medium (2-hand coordination) | Medium (bellows + 2 systems) | Easy (less force, but articulation) |
| Portable | No (digital: partly) | Yes (excellent) | No |
| Online lesson suitability | Excellent (camera on keys) | Excellent (3 cams: keys, bellows, posture) | Excellent (articulation visible) |
Prices are indicative for beginner instruments (2026, based on music retailer data).
Decision Questions: What Fits You?
Choose PIANO if...
- You love classical piano literature (Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy)
- You also want to play jazz, pop, film music
- You want an instrument for home that's "always there"
- You might later play in bands/ensembles (most versatile accompanist)
- You value weighted keys and dynamic control
Choose ACCORDION if...
- You love folk music, tango, klezmer, Balkan music
- You want a portable instrument (travel, sessions, festivals)
- The unique bellows breathing as musical expression fascinates you
- You want to play bass accompaniment AND melody simultaneously (one-man orchestra)
- You want to learn diatonic (Styrian) OR chromatic (bayan)
Choose HARPSICHORD if...
- You love Baroque music (Bach, Scarlatti, Couperin, Rameau)
- Historical performance practice fascinates you (articulation, ornamentation, temperaments)
- You already play piano and seek a "historical branch"
- You want to learn the clear, articulatory language (non-legato, overholding, inégalité)
- You have access to a harpsichord (church, music school, own instrument)
Can You Combine or Switch Instruments?
Many students combine: Piano + Harpsichord (understand historical roots), Accordion + Piano (deepen harmonic understanding). Mirco Lieber teaches all three, switching is seamless.
Free Trial: 30 Min to Decide
Still unsure? Book a trial for your preferred instrument, or try two in one session. Book now<
Piano Teacher Profile - Online Piano Lessons →
Related Comparisons
- Piano vs Keyboard: Which Should You Learn?
- Accordion vs Piano: Which Is Easier?
- Online vs. Präsenzunterricht
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I learn piano first and switch to harpsichord later?
Excellent path. Piano technique is the best foundation for harpsichord. The switch enriches piano playing (articulation, ornamentation).
Is accordion harder than piano?
Different, not harder. Bellows control instead of touch dynamics, two independent systems (melody/bass). With good guidance, equally fast to learn.
Do I need my own harpsichord to start?
For beginners, a digital piano with harpsichord register or access to a harpsichord (church, music school) is sufficient. Mirco advises on finding one.
Can one teacher cover piano, accordion and harpsichord?
Yes. Mirco Lieber, MMag., teaches piano, accordion, harpsichord, organ and melodica, so you can combine instruments or switch later without changing schools. The free 30-minute trial lesson is a good place to decide.
How much do online piano, accordion and harpsichord lessons cost?
After the free 30-minute trial lesson there are fixed-term packages without automatic renewal: ML-ECONOMIC is EUR 145 per month for 4 months (USD 168), ML-SERIOUS is EUR 189 per month for 6 months (USD 219) and ML-AMBITIOUS is EUR 229 per month for 6 months (USD 265), plus a one-time joining fee of EUR 5. Single lessons without a package cost EUR 32 (30 min), EUR 42 (45 min) or EUR 56 (60 min) with no joining fee. Prices include 16% VAT; packages are billed in EUR, or in USD for customers in the USA (fixed amounts); single lessons are billed in EUR.
Is there a free trial lesson?
Yes. The first 30-minute trial lesson is free and without obligation. You can book it in the English calendar, request it with the no-JavaScript form at ml-musicschool.online/request-trial, or email info@ml-musikschule.eu.
Who teaches the lessons?
Mirco Lieber, MMag., a concert musician with more than 30 years of teaching experience. He holds concert-major degrees in accordion (Academy of Music, Ljubljana) and harpsichord (University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, MDW) and also teaches organ, melodica and piano. All lessons are live and one-to-one on Zoom.
Find your instrument & book trial lesson
Further reading: Accordion vs Piano: Which Instrument Fits You? · Cembalo for Piano Players
How to start
- Book the free 30-minute trial lesson in the English calendar.
- No JavaScript or no calendar access? Use the plain request form or email info@ml-musikschule.eu.
- After the trial lesson, choose single lessons or a fixed-term package. All packages and prices are in the shop (the shop interface is in German; every package has an English description).
Related: Piano teacher online · Accordion teacher online · Harpsichord teacher online · Accordion teacher on FreeKeyLessons · Harpsichord teacher on FreeKeyLessons
Your teacher: Mirco Lieber, MMag.
Mirco Lieber is a concert musician (accordion, harpsichord, organ, piano) and music educator with two completed master's degrees in the concert subject: accordion at the Academy of Music, Ljubljana and harpsichord at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW). With more than 30 years of teaching experience he teaches students worldwide online.
Read the full biography