Guide to Purchasing a Piano for Your Piano Lessons

The most authoritative guide to help you find your piano:

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF PIANOS?

Spinet – this piano is similar to an upright but usually much shorter. The sound quality is below the uprights and grands, but so is the price!
Upright – this piano sits vertically (the strings are mounted vertically) with a “cabinet” that can be almost five feet tall.
Grand – this piano sits horizontally (the strings are mounted horizontally)

HOW MUCH DO PIANOS COST?

Spinets and cheaper uprights can start around $2000 brand new – possibly less if used. High quality uprights could be closer to $8000 brand new.

Grand Pianos can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 brand new. The price difference depends primarily upon the brand and size of the piano.

WHAT PIANO BRAND NAMES ARE AVAILABLE?

There are many brand names out there. Below are listed some of the most well-known:

Baldwin
Bechstein
Bosendorfer
Boston
Bechstein
Essex
Estonia
Everett
Hobart M. Cable
Kawai
Kemble
Mason & Hamlin
Pearl River
Petrof
Samick
Steinway & Sons
Story & Clark
Yamaha
Young Chang

SHOULD I BUY A USED PIANO OR A NEW PIANO FOR MY PIANO LESSONS?

This depends mostly upon the condition of the piano. A high-end used piano might be better than a lower-end new piano for the same amount of money. However, the opposite might be true as well – if the used piano is in poor condition, then buying a lower-end newer piano might be a better deal. When buying any piano, it is a good idea to consult a piano technician first. Ask him/her questions about what brands they would recommend, and offer to pay them to inspect any piano before you buy.

WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN BUYING ANY PIANO?

Tone. How does the piano sound to you? How does it compare to pianos in a similar price range?
Functionality. Do all of the keys work? Do the pedals work?
Key Touch. You should also consider if each key sounds just as loudly and clearly as all the other keys (this has to do with “voicing”).
Tuning Stability. It would be nice to know if the piano you are considering buying will stay in tune fairly well. All pianos must be tuned at least twice a year in order to maintain their peak operating condition.

For more information, visit the National Piano Foundation
(The American Manufacture’s primary organization) at:

http://www.pianonet.com