10 Tips for Buying an Acoustic Piano

1. Sample as many pianos as you can There are many brands, shapes, sizes, styles that all take a while to get to know and understand. Now is the time to branch out from the piano company that you grew up playing on to try something new! Every piano has it's own very unique features that are geared towards a particular kind of pianist. It is very unlikely that the first piano you play is the best one for you. Try some pianos out slightly above and below the price-point you are looking at just to see what the differences are! 2. Look at new and used Though used pianos can be a more research intensive option, don't eliminate used pianos from your choices. Relatively young used pianos, and professionally rebuilt pianos will often give their new counterparts a run for their money! Used pianos are often cheaper, and have already been broken in by their previous owners. If you have fallen in love with a model or brand, but find it out of your budget, look to find it used and see how you like it! It is important to understand the history if you are considering used. A used piano sitting for decades in a dark, humid basement could be more trouble than its worth. - Via Coltharppianoworld.com 3. Test out every key and pedal Before making a major decision on a piano, be sure to check every key and pedal to check the working condition. Even if you've never played piano before, most people can still hear out of tune notes, and notice when keys stick! Don’t be embarrassed to play each key at different volumes and lengths, and test the foot pedals on different octaves. Via- About.com 4. Keep in mind where your piano will reside Will it fit? This is something best to measure rather than estimate. Making a big piano purchase only to find that it does not fit in your living room is incredibly frustrating. Measuring the width of all halls and doorways the piano must pass through to get into your home. The size, shape, and furniture of the room a piano sits in will impact the overall sound quality of your piano. Do your homework and decide if that room could really fit the piano you are looking for. 5. Who is moving your piano? When buying a piano from a dealer, the piano move will usually be included with the piano, and delivered by a specialty piano moving company. However, when buying from a private seller, the piano move is often up to you. Using a piano specialized moving company will be more expensive than your average 2 men and a truck kind of operation, but it is worth the investment. It can’t be jostled and thrown into the back of a truck the way you would move a couch or a table. And try getting a grand piano up five flights of stairs; difficult for even the professionals. For the safety of [...]

The post 10 Tips for Buying an Acoustic Piano appeared first on Merriam Music - Toronto's Top Piano Store & Music School.