Many of us have thought about buying a piano before. They’re one of the easiest instruments to learn (although arguably the most difficult instruments to master), and can be used to play almost any style of music from classical to jazz to pop. Unfortunately, pianos aren’t the cheapest or the most compact instrument. As a result, there’s a lot to consider before you commit to buying a piano. Here are just a few important questions to consider when thinking about purchasing one of these instruments.
Rent or buy?
Renting a piano has become a popular option in recent years. It’s much cheaper upfront to rent a piano, and if you decide you no longer want to play the piano, you can simply return the instrument (although some rental services may come with a minimum term). That said, you’ll need to be extra careful not to damage a rental piano, plus it could work out more costly over several years.
Used or new?
Used pianos are a lot cheaper than brand new pianos. However, you need to carefully inspect the condition before buying a used piano. Old pianos that haven’t been cared for may have tuning issues or keys that don’t work. This is something that you need to check in person.
Photo by Anderson Cavalera
Acoustic or digital?
Acoustic pianos are the most traditional form of piano. They require more maintenance, can be more expensive and tend to take up more space – but many people love the natural dynamics that these pianos provide. Digital pianos don’t need to be tuned, can be played through headphones, can be cheaper to buy brand new and can also be very compact (they’re the best option if you haven’t got a lot of space). That said, you have to pay a lot to match the tone control and polyphony of an acoustic piano.
What size?
Pianos come in two main styles – upright and grand. Upright pianos take up less floor space and are generally a lot more affordable. The smallest upright digital pianos typically come on a stand making them very compact. Grand pianos are only likely to be an option for those with a lot of free space. It’s worth noting that grand pianos have their own size ratings ranking from baby grand (below 5’2”) to concert grand (above 9’).
What brand?
Pricing and quality can also depend on the brand you buy. The three most expensive piano brands are Steinway, Bluthner and Fazioli – such pianos typically cost upwards of $20,000 when bought brand new. Other brands are designed to be budget-friendly such as Kawai and Yamaha – brand new models can be bought for less than $1,000.
How will you get it into your home?
You’ll likely need to hire professionals to transport the piano and carry it into your home. Given that pianos are pretty rigid and cannot be dismantled, you’ll need to be certain that you can get the piano into your home. Take measurements and look for pianos that are within these measurements. Be prepared to also hire a removalist who is qualified to move pianos if you decide to move house.
Too many people buy a piano only for it to gather dust. Make sure that you are passionate about learning the piano if you’re going to buy one. Taking a few taster lessons first could be worthwhile before you commit to buying a piano for your home. This will give a good idea as to whether you have the patience and motivation to learn this instrument.
Many of us have thought about buying a piano before. They’re one of the easiest instruments to learn (although arguably the most difficult instruments to master), and can be used to play almost any style of music from classical to jazz to pop. Unfortunately, pianos aren’t the cheapest or the most compact instrument. As a result, there’s a lot to consider before you commit to buying a piano. Here are just a few important questions to consider when thinking about purchasing one of these instruments.
Rent or buy?
Renting a piano has become a popular option in recent years. It’s much cheaper upfront to rent a piano, and if you decide you no longer want to play the piano, you can simply return the instrument (although some rental services may come with a minimum term). That said, you’ll need to be extra careful not to damage a rental piano, plus it could work out more costly over several years.
Used or new?
Used pianos are a lot cheaper than brand new pianos. However, you need to carefully inspect the condition before buying a used piano. Old pianos that haven’t been cared for may have tuning issues or keys that don’t work. This is something that you need to check in person.
Acoustic or digital?
Acoustic pianos are the most traditional form of piano. They require more maintenance, can be more expensive and tend to take up more space – but many people love the natural dynamics that these pianos provide. Digital pianos don’t need to be tuned, can be played through headphones, can be cheaper to buy brand new and can also be very compact (they’re the best option if you haven’t got a lot of space). That said, you have to pay a lot to match the tone control and polyphony of an acoustic piano.
What size?
Pianos come in two main styles – upright and grand. Upright pianos take up less floor space and are generally a lot more affordable. The smallest upright digital pianos typically come on a stand making them very compact. Grand pianos are only likely to be an option for those with a lot of free space. It’s worth noting that grand pianos have their own size ratings ranking from baby grand (below 5’2”) to concert grand (above 9’).
What brand?
Pricing and quality can also depend on the brand you buy. The three most expensive piano brands are Steinway, Bluthner and Fazioli – such pianos typically cost upwards of $20,000 when bought brand new. Other brands are designed to be budget-friendly such as Kawai and Yamaha – brand new models can be bought for less than $1,000.
How will you get it into your home?
You’ll likely need to hire professionals to transport the piano and carry it into your home. Given that pianos are pretty rigid and cannot be dismantled, you’ll need to be certain that you can get the piano into your home. Take measurements and look for pianos that are within these measurements. Be prepared to also hire a removalist who is qualified to move pianos if you decide to move house.
Will it get played?
Too many people buy a piano only for it to gather dust. Make sure that you are passionate about learning the piano if you’re going to buy one. Taking a few taster lessons first could be worthwhile before you commit to buying a piano for your home. This will give a good idea as to whether you have the patience and motivation to learn this instrument.
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