| ally speaking, when looking for a new piano, buy the | | | | When you look at pianos, keep in mind that longer |
| best piano you can afford. The first thing is to decide | | | | strings in a piano generally produce a better sound. If |
| how much you can afford to spend on a piano without | | | | you’re looking at uprights, look for a taller one. If |
| breaking your budget. Remember, a piano is an | | | | you’re looking at a grand piano, the strings are |
| investment. A good quality new piano will cost | | | | horizontal so a longer piano will typically produce a |
| upwards of $2,000-$3,000 (easily several thousand | | | | better sound but will also take up more space. |
| dollars more if you want to spend that much), but that | | | | Some of the more expensive pianos such as |
| piano will also last you a long time. If it’s | | | | Steinways, Bosendorfer, Bechstein, and Mason and |
| well-taken care of, a good piano will last about 50 | | | | Hamiln will better retain their value better than a |
| years before needing to be rebuilt. | | | | less-expensive piano although most pianos retain their |
| If your budget is tight, consider purchasing a used piano. | | | | value fairly well ( Some pianos, such as Steinways, |
| They can be a good value. The best bet when | | | | typically appreciate in value over time. That’s |
| purchasing a used piano is to buy from a reputable | | | | one of the reasons to consider purchasing the best |
| dealer so that you don’t end up with a piano | | | | piano you can afford. You’ll also typically have |
| that needs a lot of work to make it play and sound | | | | less repair issues on a better quality piano. |
| good. If you’re buying from a private party | | | | What are some of the differences between an |
| consider having a piano technician check it out before | | | | expensive piano and a less-expensive piano? Yes, |
| you purchase it. The small investment to have it | | | | sometimes it seems like you’re paying more |
| checked out can save you serious dollars down the | | | | because of the “name” or |
| road. Remember that a piano may look good on the | | | | “brand” of the piano. While that may be |
| outside but need a lot of work on the inside (strings | | | | true in some instances, it’s not the norm. Less |
| may need to be replaced, pins may need to be fixed | | | | expensive pianos usually have manufactured wood |
| or replaced, etc.) so it’s best to have a | | | | material underneath the veneer and the veneer itself |
| professional look at it before you purchase. | | | | will be of a less-expensive wood. They also may have |
| If you’re purchasing a piano for a child who is | | | | synthetic materials in the piano action, and have high |
| just learning how to play and you’re not ready | | | | tension stringing scales, to name a few particulars. |
| to invest a lot of money into a piano, an older used | | | | Higher quality pianos will have hardwood underneath |
| piano in good condition may work just fine. When I first | | | | the cabinet veneer, lower tension stringing scales, wool |
| started playing piano I played on an older piano. My | | | | cloth in the piano actions, and are typically tuned and |
| parents didn’t invest in a new piano for a few | | | | regulated before leaving the factory. But, there are |
| years because they wanted to first be sure I was | | | | instances where fancy beautiful cases are holding |
| interested in learning how to play and was going to | | | | interior parts that are of sub-standard quality. To avoid |
| use a piano. They didn’t want a big object | | | | getting “taken,” do research before you |
| sitting in their living room that was only collecting dust. | | | | shop and use a reputable dealer. |
| But they did make sure the older piano we had was in | | | | If you’re not sure how much your new piano is |
| good working order and was kept in tune. | | | | going to be used, you might want to consider a MIDI |
| If your budget is tight, my suggestion is that you opt for | | | | piano. A MIDI piano is both an acoustic piano and an |
| sound quality over the look of the piano – | | | | electronic piano. They are today’s version of |
| especially if the piano is going to be used by someone | | | | the roll player pianos. You can play these pianos if you |
| who is learning how to play it. A beautiful piano case | | | | want but can also have them play music for you |
| can add major dollars to the cost of the piano and can | | | | whenever you want. |
| have the same sound quality as a lower-cost piano | | | | Space is a big consideration when purchasing a piano. |
| that doesn’t have a case made with expensive | | | | Pianos are approximately five feet wide and two and |
| wood. | | | | one-half feet deep. You’ll also need an |
| If you find you truly can’t afford a new or good | | | | additional two feet of depth so the piano bench can |
| used piano right away, then consider renting rather | | | | be moved out to sit on comfortably. Grand pianos |
| than purchasing a poor-quality piano. An option is to | | | | usually take up most of a room because people have |
| see if you can arrange to use a piano at a friend or | | | | a tendency to showcase them and not put them |
| relative’s house, or possibly at school or church. | | | | against a wall like most vertical pianos are. |
| But, if the piano is for a child who is taking lessons, | | | | Shopping for a piano can be a fun experience. Enjoy |
| renting may be the better choice unless the piano | | | | the process. Look at and try out several pianos at |
| you’re using is easily accessible nearly every | | | | several dealers before making a purchase decision. |
| day. A child may quickly lose interest in learning how to | | | | Get a feel for the piano. Pay attention to the feel of |
| play the piano if the piano isn’t easily accessible | | | | the keys and the sound of each piano so you can |
| for him or her to practice on. | | | | decide which piano is best for you. |