Buying a piano

Do a lot of research. Price is just one part of the equation. madre was hired as a consultant for a local school district to facilitate a piano purchase. She plays professionally, so she knew what she was looking for in terms of sound quality and the feel of the action. She's rather spoiled considering her regular piano is a Steinway...

• Where is the piano going to be used? A spinet may sound okay at home but weak in a large auditorium.
• Are you leaning toward a pure acoustic piano or one with some sort of electronics.
• What is the reputation of the dealer? Service, warranties, delivery, etc.
• Visit your local schools and ask the music folks what they are using. One local school just got rid of their digital pianos and returned to acoustic.
• Ask some of your pastor friends what they have in their churches. Not all churches use 125 year old pianos with cracked soundboards.

madre and the school's music director looked at over 50 different pianos and they settled on this Yamaha U1 48" Acoustic Upright. The actual piano they purchased had been used for a piano competition (about three days in all) and they were able to buy it for under $5000 delivered and set up. It came with the new instrument warranty also. It is used in the main auditorium. The 48" height allows the accompanist to see the stage and director. The sound board is still large enough to project well without amplification.

PM me and I can connect you with madre.
7.5' Steinway Concert Grand Model C

 

We recently purchased a Yamaha electronic piano. The price was great (compared to a standard piano), the sound is excellent, and there are so many sound options that you can't get with a standard piano. The keys are designed to mimic the feel of a traditional piano (specifically a grand). Here's another great thing. It doesn't way a ton. I hate trying to move a standard piano. Piano. Oh yeah, you don't have to pay $150.00 a year for bi-annual tuning.

My church has an electronic piano too that looks just like a baby grand and sounds excellent. When our piano player has to miss a Sunday and we can't find a sub she simply records the songs on the piano for us to use while she is away.

 

Take an accomplished pianist with you. Touch is so important. And color of the tone....also, get a well known brand. Don't get plastic, get real wood. Do you want spinet, upright grand, or what? Decide ahead of time, and also decide whether you want it to match your furniture or not. My Mother bought me a limed (blonde) oak piano, and it doesn't match my darker oak furniture, but I love the piano, because I remember when I was 6 years old, peeking out to see all my Dad's fellow deacons hauling this piano inside the house.

 

I carry my piano in both arms.....my Casio 410 Keyboard! I can take it anywhere plug it in an away I go..I can even have several accomplices play along with me. Love it when I get to bang the key. I can even just chord my music and let the electronics fill in the blanks when I goof.......

Cheers,

Jim

 

While there is no doubt that an acoustic piano is best for sound quality, it does cost a whole lot more than a good digital piano.

I think that some have been referring to digital pianos as electric pianos, however there is a difference between the two, with a digital being much better.

I have payed a lot of pianos, I started playing around 12. Back then digital pianos where no where near the sound and touch of an acoustic, but much has changed. I just bought a Casio Privia px 120. The sound is rich and full, and the touch is amazing. I could not believe that a digital piano could sound and feel so well. Plus I get then benefit of MIDI ports and the ability to connect to my laptop.

If you are looking for a first piano, take a look at the digitals that are on the market today. I never thought I would say this, but they are a very good option to consider especially if you are on a tight budget.

 

Steinways appreciate in value:

 

The best thing I could suggest would be to get on the phone to the music departments of all of the colleges in your area. They frequently sell their pianos for next to nothing. That's how we got ours. We bought a Steinway Parlor Grand (like new) for next to nothing from the University of Maryland. Our church went back and bought one of the others for a song (no pun intended).