If you’ve already decided to pursue your desire of being a pianist or want to learn piano, then the foremost thing to do is to get the perfect piano for yourself – the one that will be extremely useful to you and accompany you throughout your piano learning or progressive journey. This is going to be a daunting task; being an experienced pianist or a beginner does not bring much of a difference to this fact.
Purchasing a piano shouldn’t be an instant decision; you need to think about it. You need to make a clear list of your requirements, and then contemplate the details part. Making only a clear preference between a piano and keyboard is not going to be of much help, so try being more specific.
If you feel you are taking a lot of time to decide which piano would be best for you, then no worries – you have all the time in the world to select the best one. Pianos are a bit of an expensive investment, so not everyone is able or willing to get another piano a few months after your first purchase. Go through the following tips to help choose a piano well suited for you.
The Basics
A piano is a large instrument that needs a good amount of space. So, you need to determine if its location will be a source of tension for those you live with. You need to be mindful of the size and location of a piano because this is the exact place where you will practice and learn from your instructor, online lessons, or offline DVDs.
Also, do not go for an enormous size if you are on the move on a regular basis. Shifting a heavy instrument repeatedly may damage it. Before actually setting out to purchase a piano, discuss it with other people in your family first. You should have an idea as to how many people will be using it on a regular basis so you know at what times the piano will be played throughout the day, and you can accordingly allot for all of them. Moreover, when a lot of people will be using the piano, they might have early morning or even late-night sessions. This explains whether you need to buy a piano or electronic keyboard that comes with a headphone set or not.
Things To Consider
There are many types of pianos and brands to choose from, so you need to be good when it comes to research. The time and effort you put into researching will free you up from any last moment hassles. In this way, you’ll also be able to explore the variants present in terms of form and design. This is a key time to decide if you would like to go for a more sleek and glossy piece or a wood-grain finished piece that will suit your taste better.
A few of the brands might be offering limited pieces with par quality and a very high price. While, on the contrary, some brands may have variable rates and design choices. Not a lot of people will pay attention to this, but the color of the piano is an important topic as well. Moreover, try choosing a color (whether a lighter or darker shade) that complements the rest of your furniture. In other words, select the color that is similar or fits in with the tones of the rest of the furniture.
If you have a clear mindset of your requirements, then it won’t be burdensome to settle down for a particular type. If you are keen on buying a digital piano or an acoustic model, then you should know what you’re getting. Digital pianos are usually made out of wood or any other material that looks the same. They are well equipped on the technological part; hence, they provide the conveniences of a keyboard and classic feel of a real acoustic piano. The keys are of a hammer action type and 88 in number. When compared on a monetary basis, digital pianos are a bit more expensive than keyboards but a lot cheaper than acoustic ones. Like any other keyboard, you get to experiment with a lot of instrumental sounds.
An acoustic piano is one of the most popular and more traditional instruments that doesn’t need any further aid or equipment like speakers or a mic to cater to a large audience. They’ve had a significant impact on the shape of present-day western music. Such good quality pianos are somewhat expensive but worth their price. However, you also need to consider the fact that they need regular tuning and maintenance.
Budget Considerations
It is imperative to keep a somewhat rough estimation of the money you are willing to spend on a piano. This will help you filter out the numerous choices available and narrow down to a particular piano. It will also guide you if there’s a need to raise your budget owing to your particular needs. Your budget will decide if the piano will be a mere instrument made for playing or if it is a decorative piece too. If you want to have newer technology and designs that stand out, you will have to pay a little more than what you’d do for a regular one.
The average cost of an upright piano varies from $5,000 to $10,000 dollars, while a grand piano will fall somewhere in the range between $10,000 to $50,000 dollars. These are the basic price ranges that will vary as you dive deeper into the specificities. Moreover, they do come with a regular maintenance cost as well. The initial additional charges will include the installation and transportation costs. You will have to invest in tuning at least once a year. Also, set aside some budget that’ll come in handy owing to climatic issues.
Before buying a piano, try connecting to a senior pianist or an instructor who has a good knowledge base of the subject matter. They can help in checking the sound quality and durability of the wooden base as well. The presence of an expert will also arm you against a salesperson’s persuasion and prevent you from buying something that you don’t need. They can also provide you with a few tips to help you go for a good one.
You should visit your local dealers and make sure they are legally registered. If not, they might hesitate to provide you warranties and other post-purchase services. This is because a reliable dealer will surely give you a warranty and a few other facilities that might help in reducing the overall cost. Moreover, if you purchase from a registered and reputable dealer, there is no need to worry about the quality and authenticity of the product; the market is already flooded with duplicate ones. You can do so by asking about their testimonials and if there are any other terms and conditions. You can also hire a piano restoration agency, which will help you examine the piano on multiple critical bases.
Conclusion
Ultimately, you should choose a piano with which you can feel a connection. But don’t worry if you are unsure initially; once you have the instrument with you, you will certainly fall in love with it.
