Your Guide to Buying a Piano

So, you have decided to take the plunge and purchase a piano. Brilliant news!  However, making sure you get the right instrument takes a lot of dedication, and is something that you need to dedicate some time to. It’s not quite as simple as looking in the local paper at the pianos for sale listings.

Finding the right piano for you is a little like finding the right car. The first thing you need to consider is your actual requirements (rather than just what you would like to have in an ideal world).

While we might all like to drive around in a Porshe, if you have five children and a large dog to transport, this is not going to be practical.  Likewise, if you live in a small top floor one bedroom flat a grand is probably not going to be of much use to you (and your neighbours are unlikely to thank you).

When it comes to having such an instrument in a domestic setting many people will opt for an upright, as these do take up considerably less room. However, they are still likely to remain the focal and most dominant feature in any home setting.  If you do go for an upright it is essential to bear in mind that the noise is going to come out of the back of the instrument, so consider the neighbours if you are going to place it on an adjourning interior wall.

Once you have decided what room it is that your new piano will live in, take a moment to consider how you are going to get it in there. There is nothing worse than finding the instrument of your dreams, only to realise that you can’t get it in through the front door or down the hall. Pianos do not come apart, and you may not want to rip your house apart to save the expense of returning it.

You will also need to consider the function of your piano – are you going to be using it as a performance piece, or is just for practicing?  The answer to this will affect what it is that you are looking to get out of your new purchase so it is worth being honest about the answers.

Equally, be honest about your budget. Again this comes down to wants over needs. You may like the idea of that brand new, baby grand but if your budget doesn’t stretch to it, then there is nothing wrong with a second hand upright.  Especially if it ticks all the other boxes that you need ticking off.

Finally, speak to experts, or even people you know with some knowledge of playing pianos to get an idea of what makes and models they would recommend. An expert can help match a specific brand of instrument to your individual requirements to make sure you stick to your budget and location constraints.