Are you asking yourself whether to purchase a piano? If so, it’s essential to take things slow and be methodical in your selection process. You’ll benefit from this approach in the long run, so don’t walk into any old piano retailer and buy the very first shiny thing you see.
If this blog, we’ve outlined some of the steps required to make the most of your piano shopping, so you can enjoy your purchase for many years to come.
Table of Contents
Selecting the Right Piano
Are you looking for a piano or a digital keyboard? It’s essential to answer this question at the outset, as nothing quite beats the tones of an authentic piano – although keyboards are cheaper, lighter and can replicate the sounds of other instruments.
It’s important to really consider what size and sound you want from a piano. The larger the instrument, the better the sound. Each time you hit the key on a piano it moves a hammer that strikes the chord, and the larger the piano the more room there is for the chord to vibrate.
Space
Consider carefully the amount of space you have available – there’s no point in spending big on a large piano if you are at a premium for space.
You may not have room for a grand concert piano in your home, but uprights can range in size and height, so be sure to measure up before you choose anything.
Also, don’t forget to consider your living situation, if you are, or are planning, moving shortly, just remember you’ve got to haul this thing with you, and professional piano movers can be expensive.
Who Will Use the Piano?
If you or your children are just starting, then there’s no need to break the bank. The best option is an upright piano since they are cheaper, and if you or your children lose interest in the instrument, you haven’t invested thousands upon thousands.
On the other hand, if you are an experienced musician, grand pianos are your best bet, if you’re looking to sharpen your already proficient skills.
Designs & Finishes
Are you looking for a glossy finish or a painted exterior? Once you’ve studied which finishes and designs you like the look of, you can narrow down your search.
Most only consider the size and sound quality, but you don’t want to buy something that sticks out like a sore thumb against everything else in the room.
What’s Your Budget?
Upright pianos can set you back anywhere between five and fifteen k on average. Grand pianos come in at between 10 to 50 k. Of course, this is only an average; it’d be very easy to find products that vary wildly up and down the pricing scale.
While it’s important to consider your initial outlay, don’t forget the costs of maintenance, repairs and even transportation over time.
Think about your local climate, wood and wire both expand and contract during fluctuations in temperature, which can affect the frequency of tunings.
Unlike other purchases, like cars, pianos maintain their value when kept in good working condition – so even if your family does eventually go off the idea of learning, then it’s worth remembering this and keeping up with required maintenance.
Research
As with just about any industry, the piano industry has some absolute top of the line names such as Steinway and Yamaha.
Of course, every piano company is different, and therefore, so is their product offerings. Some are more modern and contemporary, while others rely on more time-honoured, classic designs.
Research each piano you like the look of and check out the website, this should give you a good feeling for size, price and design before you’ve even left the house.
Visit Piano Dealers in Your Local Area
Even if you intend to purchase online, it’s still worth heading out to visit some dealers in your area – you should never buy a piano without at least seeing a few in person.
It’s also a good idea to take a look at any deals. In fact, many dealers will have a stock of floor and secondhand models at reduced rates for you to take a look at.
The other benefit of seeking the help of a dealer is the fact that many of them are family-owned a rather traditional in their ways, which means they wouldn’t be happy to sell you a product that didn’t fit with the way you play or your lifestyle. In this sense, this kind of advice is absolutely priceless.
Investigate the Company Before Purchase
Before you buy anything, from a family-owned business or otherwise, it’s absolutely crucial that you research the company you are planning to buy from. If this company has a terrible reputation online with bad reviews and the like, it’s probably a good idea to stay away from them.
Ask questions such as:
- How long has your business been operating?
- What are your warranty policies?
- Do offer aftersales parts and repairs?
- What are your purchase and return policies?
Any reputable dealer will be happy to help you during your purchasing decision, especially since they are keen to make an eventual sale.
When you purchase a new car, it’s often recommended that an expert inspects it. Pianos should get the same treatment. Sometimes professionals may spot something that wasn’t initially disclosed during the sales process.
Always stay away from pianos which require major restoration, while you may be attracted to the rustic appearance, it’ll break both your heart and your bank account.