| With so many brands of pianos, for the beginner it | | | | volume control. Many also have other instrument |
| could be a daunting task that awaits them - choosing | | | | sounds available to the performer. A good digital piano |
| the right piano. Choosing a piano which isn't right for the | | | | will be approximately $1,000 starting. They often have |
| purpose could be detrimental to the player and the | | | | the same keys weighted as you would find on Grand |
| sound the player is making, let alone your bank | | | | and Upright pianos. Some of the best are Yamaha, |
| account. Therefore, I have written this article to provide | | | | Kurzweil, Roland, Alesis, and Technics, but this list is not |
| a good understanding of what to look for in each type | | | | limited. |
| of piano. | | | | How to find the best piano |
| Grand pianos, Upright Pianos, Digital Pianos | | | | Different materials means different timbres or sounds, |
| Range in size from approximately 4 foot to 9 foot long | | | | and as pianos are made throughout the world, the |
| and contain about 8'000-10'000 intricate parts. With a | | | | sound they make can vary. Steinway and Fazioli are |
| curved right side, a flat left side and a lid that can be | | | | considered by many to be the best, but ultimately the |
| raised, they are generally considered top of the range | | | | most expensive. Pianos made by Yamaha and Kawai |
| for pianos however I have grand pianos that are not | | | | in Japan are considered closely behind but the cost is |
| as good as upright pianos. | | | | far more versatile. Personally, I prefer the touch, feel |
| Grand pianos vary in sizes. Known as Concert Grand, | | | | and sound of the Yamaha. |
| this is largest of the Grand piano and the smallest is | | | | When buying your piano I would suggest 3 things. |
| the Baby Grand. | | | | Cost - set a budget and stick with it. Most dealers are |
| The two primary types of grand pianos are Concert | | | | happy to negotiate especially on a good 2nd hand |
| Grand pianos, the largest of grands reaching 9' and | | | | model. Personally, I would buy a second hand Yamaha |
| over, and Baby Grand pianos, any grand piano that is | | | | than a new unknown brand. Don't always think that |
| smaller than 6' tall. | | | | new is going to be better. |
| The other well know piano is the Upright Piano (some | | | | Sound - Very important. A harsh sound will be bad for |
| call it a Vertical Piano). They have less parts than the | | | | you and the neighbours. It needs to be strong, delicate |
| Grand piano - no more than about 5'000-6'000 and as | | | | and pleasant. Hit a key hard and if it sounds harsh or |
| a result they are considerable cost less. The general | | | | your cant control the harshness, move on to another |
| rule of thumb is the taller the upright, the better the | | | | model. |
| action. | | | | Comfort - what feels correct when sitting at the |
| Digital Pianos have recently flooded a market. Many | | | | instrument. The height of the keys from the grounds, |
| years ago, the quality of sound that digital pianos | | | | the amount of keys, 88 in most cases, how to the |
| produced was not very good, however, as the market | | | | keys feel, are they hard, easy to feel to the touch, |
| has developed so has the digital piano. Many have | | | | what about control, spacing. You need to find the right |
| internal speakers which mean that you can hear | | | | comfortability as playing the piano might not be |
| everything you are playing so you don't have to | | | | enjoyable for you if you play regularly. |
| connect them to PA systems and the good old | | | | |