| If you plan to play piano, the first thing it requires is to | | | | about pianos. It can be intimidating and that's why |
| have a piano or keyboard, whichever the case may | | | | people think shopping for a piano is so unpleasant. I |
| be. | | | | would suggest that you take someone with you who |
| One thing you will discover when shopping for a piano | | | | has been playing a piano or knows what to look for in |
| is that salespeople and dealers generally don't give you | | | | a piano. |
| price information over the phone. | | | | There are many beautiful looking pianos, although |
| Don't be discouraged by this, and you can ask | | | | some they may not be what you really want. But once |
| anyway. There are many places you can buy a piano. | | | | you spend your cash and get it home you and play |
| It depends on several factors. You may wish to buy | | | | with it for while you discover it does not have the |
| new, or used. If you are buying for yourself or for a | | | | sound you like, the keys don't feel right, or other things |
| child, it may beneficial to buy used and save some | | | | may not be conducive to practicing long periods of |
| money. That way if it doesn't work out, say you | | | | time. So take someone with you and be prepared to |
| change goals, or the child loses interest then you are | | | | spend sometime shopping and when you find |
| not out a lot of money. I have been to many homes | | | | something that may work for you, don't be afraid to |
| and they have a beautiful, practically new piano just | | | | take all the time you need to sit and play and have |
| sitting there and no one plays because they lost | | | | someone else play also and get their opinion. (You can |
| interest. | | | | have the salesperson to play, but they are salespeople |
| If you are buying for a youngster you may look at a | | | | and want the sale, so don't make a decision on what |
| keyboard, which could be very economical. They don't | | | | they say). |
| take up a lot of space and can be moved around to | | | | If you need to think about for a day or so, then come |
| different spots in the house. For the most part used | | | | back or maybe don't come back, depending on how |
| keyboards are very plentiful on Craigslist, eBay, thrift | | | | you feel the next day. There's always another store |
| stores or even yard sales. Just make sure you play | | | | close by. And don't forget the yard sales and thrift |
| before you buy and take your time and make sure all | | | | stores. I lived in Pasadena, California for many years |
| the functions and buttons work. Keyboards can be a | | | | and they have a hospital named Huntington Memorial |
| lot of fun. Some have songs programmed already, | | | | Hospital and across from the hospital is the "Huntington |
| many different sounds, drum beats, keys that light up | | | | Collection" which is a thrift store of sorts. They have |
| to show you what to play and lots of other interesting | | | | nice pianos most of the time and I would go in there |
| features. | | | | and just pick a piano that caught my fancy and play |
| Keyboards generally come in 61, 76, or 88 keys. I | | | | until it was time to move on to the next stop. And |
| would not get anything with less keys, they are just | | | | when I stopped playing I could hear this clapping and |
| toys and not for learning purposes. The 61 key types | | | | applause from all over the store from patrons and |
| are generally the least expensive and easier to move | | | | salespeople alike. It is such a good feeling to hear and |
| around. If it appears that practice is going very well and | | | | know that you have brightened someone's day just a |
| this is going to be a fruitful and continuing goal, then | | | | little. |
| perhaps the 88 key portable keyboard or console | | | | In conclusion, if you have the urge and you want to |
| piano is next in line. | | | | play, then don't put it off. Get into action right now and |
| If you just must have an 88 key console piano or | | | | take the first step. And if you have a piano already, |
| larger, then by all means go for it. | | | | then you have completed the first, so take the second |
| What to look for in a piano. Actually, shopping for a | | | | step and began to play. |
| piano is an important part of the process of learning | | | | |