| You're ready to tackle the challenge or learning how to | | | | suited for slower piano techniques, but still can produce |
| play the piano, but first you have to tackle the | | | | amazing sound when well-cared for. |
| challenge of choosing one. Sometimes the answer | | | | Digital Keyboards |
| depends completely on how much space you have | | | | If you have minimal room and you are looking for |
| left in your living room, but other times the decision | | | | something portable and inexpensive, then a digital |
| might be more complicated than that. Check out these | | | | keyboard is your best option. In terms of affordability |
| three different types of pianos and evaluate which will | | | | and convenience, they can't be beaten. They are |
| fit with your goals, budget, and space. | | | | excellent for beginners or weary parents who aren't |
| Grand Piano | | | | sure if their children will stick with the hobby. |
| A grand piano is a beautiful, large, and very expensive | | | | If you want to learn how to play the classics and get |
| musical instrument. They generally come in three | | | | to a professional level, a digital will keep you from |
| different sizes-small, medium, and large. A baby grand, | | | | reaching your goals. They lack the resonance found in |
| or small, is the most common choice for a household, | | | | string instruments. New technology has greatly |
| but it will still take up a big chunk of space. Large grand | | | | improved their sound, and they are even able to do |
| pianos are what you see at concerts and in churches. | | | | many things that traditional pianos cannot, but they are |
| Unless you have a lot of empty space, they aren't | | | | definitely not for a purist. |
| practical for home use. They also come in a variety of | | | | When choosing an instrument, it is important to discuss |
| finishes, from oak to lacquered white. | | | | with the salesman about your piano techniques, |
| Sound quality will vary among piano types as well. | | | | ultimate goals, budget, and space issues. If you dream |
| Your chosen musical technique will help decide which | | | | of composing your own music and you want to make |
| piano is the most suitable. Grand pianos have horizontal | | | | a commitment, it might be better to move the furniture |
| strings and the hammer hits them from below. This | | | | around and splurge on a grand, than sell yourself short |
| makes them ideal for faster playing. Their long, | | | | with an upright or digital. If your ten-year-old son |
| stretched strings create more pleasing tones than | | | | suddenly decides he wants to become a concert |
| upright pianos. | | | | pianist, go for the digital and wait on the baby grand. |
| Upright Pianos | | | | There are also rental options available at many piano |
| Vertical pianos are more economical for small spaces. | | | | dealers if you're unsure of which will work best for |
| They can fit in most homes easily and often come in a | | | | you. |
| variety of finishes like the grand piano. Unlike the grand, | | | | Take your time to decide the type of piano that you |
| the strings are vertical and the hammer hits them at | | | | will purchase for your child. After all it's the future of |
| the side, making them less harmonious than the | | | | your child. |
| gravity-controlled horizontal strings. They are better | | | | |