Thinking about buying a piano? Great idea! But if you’re going to get the most out of your investment, there are a few important things you need to consider first…
The Type
Picture a piano, and the image that springs to mind for most people is the silhouette of an iconic grand. Impressive, yes, but also a little overwhelming – especially for those buying a piano for the first time.
The reality is there are heaps of different pianos on the market – grands, baby grands, uprights, digital, and so on- so don’t make the mistake of defaulting to a certain type without doing your research. Learn how they differ and what the different models can offer you before making your decision.
The Size
A big part of finding the right piano is being clear on where it’s going to go and how much room you have available.
An upright piano takes up far less space and is often a more practical choice. If size is a real issue take a look at digital pianos, favoured for their even more compact frame.
The key here is to be realistic. There’s no point buying a piano that doesn’t fit comfortably into your home.
The Quality (And Your Budget!)
Much in the same way that a Ferrari would be wasted on a learner driver, if you’re just starting out on your piano-playing journey, you certainly don’t need to buy a top-of-the-range piano.
There’s an abundance of well-known and respected manufacturers out there offering excellent entry-level pianos at pocket-friendly prices.
If you’re already an accomplished player and want more from your instrument, you’ll find that most brands – even those at the higher end of the market – offer collections pitched at different price points.
So before you start shopping, it’s important to think carefully about what you want and need from a piano and how much you can realistically spend, then limit your search to those criteria.
New Or Used
Feeling restricted by your budget? Then how about buying second-hand? Opting for a pre-owned piano can open up more choices within your price range.
Buy from a reputable dealer and many will be fully serviced and still come with an impressive guarantee. And whilst your pianos won’t officially be ‘new’, aside from the price tag, you’ll be hard pushed to know the difference.
Renting
Another option for those concerned about financing a piano is renting.
Not only can this make owning a piano a more affordable option, but it’s also a great way to test things out before you commit long-term.
So, if you’re worried enthusiasm will wane after the first few months, why not consider renting first? That way, you can be confident that buying a piano is the right move for you.
The Neighbours
Want to stay on good terms with the neighbours? Then you need to think about the capabilities of your instrument, such as opting for a piano with volume control or that allows you to connect headphones for silent playing.
Features like this would also be great if your piano lived in a communal room like the lounge, allowing everyone to enjoy the space while you still put the practice in.
Where Your Shopping
Even with thorough research about the piano you’re buying, one of the biggest considerations is where to buy from.
It’s important to be able to shop with confidence, so look to buy from a trusted retailer offering fair and competitive pricing.
Not just this, though, but you also want guarantees and plentiful choice – with new and used models – from all the big-name brands, alongside digital and acoustic options.
It’s worth looking at what else they can offer you, too. Is there a returns policy if things don’t work out as you expected? Can they deliver? Is there any tuning or technical advice available to support your future purchase? A great way to get a true feel for the quality of service on offer is to read the client reviews and check out what past customers have had to say about their experience.
Finding all this from a piano dealer can be nearly as hard as deciding on the piano itself, but luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you. Richard Lawson Pianos is one such retailer offering all this and more.
Trust the expertise of their team, and you’re guaranteed to be a happy shopper.