Buying a Piano

I am often asked about what instrument to buy.

Here are some things to consider.

• Do you want a keyboard or a piano?
• Do you have room for a piano?
• Where are you going to put it?
• How much can you afford to spend?

Pianos

It may be tempting to buy a piano second hand, but it is very important to have it checked out by a technician first.

There are bargains out there but you have to know what you are looking for, as what may look good may not sound good.

I would suggest you go through an established retailer so you will get a guarantee.

Other considerations to take into account when choosing a Piano is they require tuning every 12 months to sound their best and can be expensive to move.

If you like the idea of a piano rather than a keyboard but you aren’t sure if you or your child will stay in lessons, you could consider hiring one.

Digital Pianos and Keyboards

Getting starting need not be expensive. Having a small 61 key keyboard is fine to practice on at first and can be upgraded later, as you continue lessons.

The great advantage of buying a digital piano or keyboard is that they are great for small spaces. Both keyboards and digital pianos are more portable than pianos and neither needs to be tuned.

Have a look online and get familiar with the different types of keyboards on the market. Go to a music store and try out a few to get a feel for what you want before you buy one.

Here’s what to look for:

• Minimum of 61 regular sized keys (full sized have 88)
• A sustain pedal (not a sustain “button”)
• Touch sensitive keys
• A good solid adjustable stand
• Adjustable stool