| Acoustic Versus Digital: | | | | you know what to look for. Because this is a vanishing |
| There are benefits to both acoustic and digital pianos. | | | | commodity, there is lasting value in these instruments |
| However, if the primary purpose is learning to play the | | | | and it can be worthwhile restoring Mason & Hamlin, |
| piano, an acoustic piano is best. A digital piano has | | | | Knabe, Sohmer, Chickering, Baldwin and many other |
| many features that are useful for other purposes such | | | | great American pianos. |
| as working with music software, practicing with | | | | Used: Rebuilt Versus Reconditioned: |
| headphones, and playing a wide variety of sounds. But | | | | Unlike people, pianos don't age unless acted upon by |
| the piano action of an acoustic piano has nearly 100 | | | | outside forces, namely environment and use. A piano |
| parts for each key which provides a much higher level | | | | that isn't played very much and has spent its life in a |
| of performance. The subtleties of touch and pedaling | | | | stable environment in regards to temperature and |
| enable much more expressive performance on an | | | | humidity may only require reconditioning in order to |
| acoustic piano. | | | | achieve a high level of performance. This is true of |
| Upright Versus Grand: | | | | some high quality pianos 50 or 75 years old! Other |
| An upright might be a good choice if space and | | | | pianos much younger may require rebuilding which |
| budget are limited. However, a grand piano offers | | | | involves removal of the strings and plate, and complete |
| superior touch and tone. The vertical motion of | | | | restoration of the 10,000 parts throughout the |
| hammers in a grand piano offers faster repetition than | | | | instrument. While this is very costly, the high price of |
| the horizontal hammer motion of an upright piano. Also, | | | | new hand-made pianos makes this investment |
| the length of the keys beyond the fall board is greater | | | | worthwhile for the right instrument. |
| on a grand piano than on an upright offering better | | | | Size Matters: |
| leverage when playing black keys and between black | | | | With pianos, all things being equal, bigger is better. This |
| keys. Finally, the sound of a grand piano projects into | | | | is due to the longer strings and bigger sound board |
| the room, not into the wall. You may be surprised at | | | | which offer enhanced tone. However, it is important to |
| how easy it is to place a baby grand piano since it | | | | match the size of the piano to the room. A larger |
| looks good on all sides and can be placed in a corner. | | | | piano produces more volume. So you must assess the |
| New Versus Used: acoustic-piano | | | | acoustics and purpose of the piano to determine what |
| If budget is unlimited, buying new can be a good choice. | | | | size is appropriate for the space. |
| However, it comes with risks. A piano doesn't reach its | | | | Think Long Term: |
| full potential until it has had a chance to season and | | | | Unlike almost everything else you buy, you buy a piano |
| become broken in. So, it is difficult to assess the quality | | | | only once if you make the right decision. This is |
| of a new piano until years down the line. Also, if there | | | | because a piano can last a lifetime if it is properly |
| are any major manufacturing defects in a piano, it will | | | | cared for. So you should think beyond your current |
| almost always evidence itself within the first few | | | | family situation and home and project far into the |
| years. Used pianos can offer tremendous value but | | | | future when making a purchasing decision. |
| you must have knowledge in order to make the right | | | | Piano as Instrument and Furniture: |
| buying decision. Factors include the quality of the | | | | While a piano is a musical instrument, it is also one of |
| manufacturer, as well as the history of the specific | | | | the most significant pieces of furniture you invest in. So, |
| piano in question. | | | | consider the look of the piano so that you are happy |
| New: Handmade Versus Production Pianos: | | | | living with it. Black pianos are the most popular, offer |
| Asian production pianos cost a fraction of hand-made | | | | the easiest resale, and also are most versatile. But you |
| American and European pianos. They are best bought | | | | should ultimately get what you like to be happy. |
| new or nearly new because once they wear out, it | | | | Intellect Versus Emotion: |
| doesn't pay to restore them because they are so | | | | While it is important to make the right decision when |
| inexpensive to begin with. American pianos are a dying | | | | getting a piano, ultimately it is about satisfying |
| breed. We have gone from over 300 manufacturers | | | | aesthetics. You must not over think it. If you feel an |
| prior to WWII to 3 companies producing pianos in the | | | | attachment to the sound and look of a piano, it is |
| United States today. While everyone knows Steinway | | | | probably the right one to get. Because then you will |
| is a great piano, there are several other piano | | | | want to play and hear the instrument. Educate yourself |
| companies that produced pianos equal to Steinway | | | | as to what to look for, but ultimately make the decision |
| which can be purchased for a fraction of the cost if | | | | based upon what you love. |