Before you buy your first Piano

Posted by nabeelshaukat on October 13th, 2010

Piano is one of the most prominent, beautiful, and versatile musical instruments in the music industry. It is an ideal solo instrument and can easily mingle with other musical instruments. Pianos with different features and prices are available in the market, but you should consider following guidelines while buying a piano.

Budget:

Pianos are much more expensive than any other musical instrument simply because they are durable. Pianos from different brands with different prices are easily available in the market so you should set your budget first and then select the one which suits you and falls in your budget.

New or Used:

Piano is not like other musical instruments in terms of life and decrease in value. Its value depreciates very little over time and it has an average life of 40 years. Though you have to spend high amount on buying a piano, but your investment is safe because of its durability. Hence, you should determine first that whether you will go for an old piano, or you can afford to purchase a new one. Moreover, don’t forget to bring along a piano technician, pianist, or piano teacher for proper inspection of the piano especially if it is a used one.

Styles of Piano:

Pianos come in different styles and sizes. When selecting a piano, look at the style of piano cabinet, its leg design, the music rack, the type of wood used, and the overall look of the piano. There are many people who buy pianos by matching it with their other home furnishings.   

Size of Pianos:

Considering the size of piano is very important. Determine how much space you have to accommodate it. If you have sufficient floor space available, you can go for a grand piano as it is more responsive and larger as compare to others, but requires a big investment. It ranges from 5 to 9 feet. Vertical pianos are also available that range from 36 inches to 51 inches in height. If you do not have much floor space available then you can go for a spinet piano which is very popular due to its small size.

Where to go:

Piano is not like other musical instruments which you can purchase online, pianos should be seen and touched to determine the quality. Do check the classified section of your local news paper to get the prices of new and used pianos. Visit different piano dealers, and try to bring a piano expert or piano teacher with you to determine whether the piano sounds and performs well.  

Don’t be afraid to Ask Questions:

You are going to invest a big amount, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. You have right to ask anything that is bothering you. Ask about its sound, performance, durability, brand, functions, and aesthetic and internal construction.

Warranties, Repairs and Other:

Ask about piano warrantee like its duration and what does it cover. Also ask about the repairs and maintenance of the piano like where will you go for piano repairs? Ask the dealer whether the purchase price includes the delivery and bench cost or not? Ask the dealer to give discount and check the tuning of piano.