: Buy a Piano or Learn More About Pianos
Buying, Owning, and Caring for a Piano
So your’re thinking of buying a piano, but you aren’t sure where to start?
Choosing a piano can be exciting, but it can also be exasperating. So many styles, so many models, and so many manufacturers.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. What brand? What size (spinet, console, studio, upright, baby grand, grand…)? What style, which wood, what finish?
Should I buy new, or used? If used, should I buy it privately, or from a dealer, or from a specialist in piano restoration?
What’s the difference between reconditioned, rebuilt, restored, and customized? Will I get a warranty on a used piano? For that matter, what is the warranty on a new piano?
If I’m just starting out, should I buy the cheapest piano and step up later, or buy the best piano I can afford? (answer: buy the best piano you can afford, it will be more enjoyable to play).
There are thousands of moving parts in a piano, how do I know what makes one better than the other?
Learn Before You Leap
Like any major investment, it’s best to do some research first. So where do you start?
There are a few good books that will help educate you about what goes into making a piano what it is, and will also teach you what to look for when comparing pianos.
The Piano Book, by Larry Fine The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano is considered one of the best resources for learning about pianos and manufacturers. The annual supplement to the Piano Book 2007-2008 Annual Supplement to The Piano Book : Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano (Annual Supplement to the Piano Book) lists “suggested” pricing for thousands of pianos, along with the latest developments.
There is a new book out now called Grand Obsession, by Perri Knize Grand Obsession: A Piano Odyssey that makes a great read even if you weren’t into piano. Grand Obsession takes you on an adventure with the author in her search for the perfect piano and the perfect sound. On the way you’ll learn a lot about what makes one piano play and sound different from another, and learn quite a bit about the piano business.
For history about the first 300 years of the piano, check out Piano Roles Piano Roles: Three Hundred Years of Life with the Piano
If you’d also like to learn more about the construction and care of a piano, Piano Servicing, Tuning, and Rebuilding, Second Edition: For the Professional, the Student, and the Hobbyist Arthur Reblitz’s book is a great source.
To get live opinions and feedback from other people who have gone through what you are going through, join the Piano Forums on Piano World (disclaimer: I’m the founder/host of PianoWorld.com). You can post questions, or find answers from tens of thousands of registered members (who have created nearly 1 million piano/music related posts). www.PianoWorld.com
Once you’ve armed yourself with some knowledge, it’s time to venture out and try the pianos, lots of pianos. Keep playing different instruments (it’s best to keep a little notebook to keep track). You will know when you’ve found the one for you.
And remember to have fun! We’ll be looking forward to meeting you on the piano forums, and hearing about your adventure.
Frank Baxter Founder/Host PianoWorld.com Home of the world famous Piano Forums.
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