person playing piano

A Detailed Buying Guide to Help You Get the Right Piano

So you have decided that you want to purchase a piano but are not sure which one to choose. There are plenty of things that you have to consider in order to get the right instrument for you. Oftentimes, there will have to be some sort of balancing act between playability, sound, and budget, but that is up to you to decide.

The Type of Piano

The first thing you have to look at when buying a musical instrument is to determine what kind you want. Are you looking for a portable electric keyboard, or a grand piano? Maybe you are interested in something in between like an upright piano. You have to consider how much room you have in your home for the instrument and where it is going to go. 

A grand piano will definitely have the best possible sound when it comes to a standard piano, however, they are the most expensive and the biggest. The experts at musicalhow.com/upright-piano-types-sizes/ state that upright pianos come in a variety of different sizes and therefore can accommodate most room types. If you are looking for something that is extremely portable and won’t take up much room in the home, then consider getting yourself an electric keyboard. The other benefit it provides is that it can function like many other instruments. Consider how much room you have in your home and what type of piano you want.

The Playability of the Instrument

The instrument you choose to purchase has to be one that you enjoy playing. It doesn’t matter how great the sound of it is if you are uncomfortable. The first thing you should look at once you have determined the type of piano you want is how comfortable the instrument is for you to play. Feel the keys and see how your fingers sit on them. How much force is required to press each key down? High-quality instruments will have a wide dynamic range allowing you to press very gently while still achieving some sound. The instrument has to be one that you enjoy playing and feels comfortable for you.

The Sound Quality of the Instrument

Next, it is recommended that you sit down and play the piano before choosing it. Depending on the wood and strings used, the sound of the instrument differs. Some will have a much deeper sound to it that is mellow and relaxing. Smaller upright pianos will create a much brighter sound. When comparing a bright sound to a darker sound, there is no winner and it is a matter of opinion. Take your time to play these types of pianos and see which one you enjoy listening to more. The other thing that should impact your decision regarding sound quality is the type of music that you will be playing. Modern-day ballads for example generally have a very dark and mellow tone while upbeat tracks will feature a bright and vibrant piano. Finding out what works for you is important for choosing the right piano.

Budget

The final thing to consider when it comes time to buy a piano is how much money you are willing to spend. Unfortunately, we always have to consider the budget when choosing. This means that some tradeoffs will have to be made depending on how much you plan on spending. For example, a piano that feels very comfortable to play, might not sound as good as other pianos at the store in the same price range. 

When looking at budget, consider which aspects of the piano are most important to you and which ones you can live without. Looking back at playability for example, with enough practice and technique you can learn to play on a piano that is not as comfortable to play at first. Proper technique will iron out all of the playability problems you will have with a piano. At the same time, the size of the piano will also greatly affect the price along with the type of wood.

When you are looking at purchasing a piano, the best recommendation is to go into a music store and give them your price range. From there, they will show you the pianos that you have and allow you to test them out. This will allow you to get a good feel for each piano to further reinforce your decision.

These are all important factors that you have to consider when it comes time to buying a musical instrument. No matter what piano you decide on getting, make sure that you are able to get it into your home. From there, have fun practicing and learning new songs.