Monday 29 December 2014

What to Look for When Buying a Piano?

If you’re looking to buy a piano then it’s important that you know what it is you’re looking for. If you simply walk to a music shop and ask to buy a piano you could easily be sold something that you’re not completely happy with.

Below is an explanation of the different types of piano that are available and how to decide which is right for you.

Type of piano

Grand piano – If you’re looking for the best possible sound and don’t want to spare any expense when it comes to playability then a grand piano is the best choice. Grand pianos are not in everyone’s price range and their large size can make them quite a challenge to get into smaller rooms. However if you have the space and budget available, they’re a superb choice.

Upright piano – If you’re looking for an acoustic piano that has a great tone but don’t have the budget or inclination to buy a grand piano, than an upright is a great choice. Upright pianos do have a couple of disadvantages when compared to grand pianos however. Firstly they don’t have full sized keys, which means subtle musical expression can be harder to achieve. The sound is usually as rich in comparison either, since it comes from the back and upright pianos are nearly always placed against a wall.

Digital piano – If you don’t have the budget for an upright or grand piano, then it’s still possible to get an authentic playing experience with a digital piano. Digital pianos come with a few key advantages over acoustic pianos that make them very appealing, not least of which is that they’re considerably cheaper. They can also be used as MIDI controllers, which means you’re able to use them to create a wide range of sounds from strings and guitars to drums and wind instruments.

Yamaha silent grand piano – The last type of piano is Yamaha’s range of silent pianos. The name might be somewhat confusing at first but a silent piano is basically a full size grand piano that gives you the ability to play it and hear the sound come through a pair of headphones. This is a huge bonus as a lot of people who first start playing piano will be self-conscious that other people will be able to hear their mistakes.

How to decide which is right for you

When deciding which type of piano to get you should really take three things into consideration. First is the amount of money you have to spend. If you don’t have a lot of money then you can rule a grand piano out immediately. This leaves upright pianos and digital pianos.

The second thing to think about is how much space you have. Lastly you should think about what your intention for the piano is. If you want to be able to record digitally and use your piano as a MIDI controller then a digital piano is the obvious choice.

Author Bio:

Freya Lewis is a specialist writer on the best yamaha silent grand piano as well as accessories. Her articles inform readers of the options available when buying a piano.