How to Buy a Piano

When I started writing this article I thought it might end up a bit lengthy.  As I often do, I asked my beautiful bride to look over my work and give her thoughts.  Her first words were, “How many installments is it going be?”  It appears this is the first in a series of  articles to appear over the next few months.  I will attempt to keep it organized but do not be surprised if paragraphs cover several topics and wander through fields of disjointed thoughts. 

Ten Steps?

As I said last month, this is not going to be an article giving you ten steps to follow when purchasing a piano. Nor will we try to convince you one brand has a great advantage over others. Those topics are covered in a number of sources.  We give you some solid information regarding the process, manufacturers we like, and thoughts you may wish to consider when looking for a piano. 

An Ear Full

If you have visited a piano store, read Piano World reviews, or asked your favorite technician which piano you should buy, it is likely you have received an ear full. They may support the notion that brand A piano is much better than brand B. Houses, cars, and many other big-ticket items often compete for what the market deems ‘the best‘ and will regularly disparage competitors in order to gain an advantage.  There are a number of very fine pianos that compete for the high end market.  There are also a number of manufacturers that build quite nice instruments for the middle of the market.  And then there are a number of mediocre instruments, designed and built to separate you from a considerable sum of your money.  If anyone tells you that a given manufacturer is above everyone else in the market, run.  Don’t ask questions; don’t consider their words; just RUN! 

Just as some insurance companies sell fear while others attempt to help you protect your assets, there are a number of manufacturers, yes, even high level ones, that attempt to use marketing ploys to sell you on their method, materials, and/or musical notions. A number of manufacturing firms, many of which were started in the 1800s, produce high quality instruments.  Others have been quite successful marketing their brand while producing pianos not much above average.  Still others are fairly new in the marketplace but produce pianos of very good quality and continue to improve.  Then there are some who have decided to jump in, produce something that looks like a piano, but have no intention of making anything but a shiny piece of furniture that sells at a profit. 

What is Important?

Before we discuss brands we need to address what is important in a piano and how it will add to your life.  In other words, “What do I expect/need from a piano?”  Purchasing a middle to lower level instrument for use in a performance venue will not work.  “We don’t use the piano that much” does not mean much to musicians attempting to urge something of value from its sound.  Conversely, buying a high quality grand piano to play Chop Sticks once every three years is not a wise use of your resources.  Here are but a few of the questions that should be answered before you begin your research:

• How will the piano be used?  Be careful in answering this question.  How it is used today and how it will be used seven years from now can be quite different.  Pianos can be expensive and very few enjoy a resale value that will help the next purchase.
• What am I expecting from its performance?  Trying to play an extremely technical piece on the average piano will not be enjoyable for anyone.  Asking a student to practice a particular technique on an instrument incapable of producing the proper results is frustrating.
• How much do I expect to play and at what level?  Going to the Lamborghini dealer can be instructive as to how fine sports cars are made.  However, taking $500 with the expectation of purchasing one of these wonderful machines is a bit presumptuous.  Good instruments have a price.  So do bad instruments.  Learn the difference and expect to pay a market price for your choice.  Reputable dealers are in a business that needs to make money to survive.  Just because your aunt found a deal on an old Steinway does not mean that she paid the market price.
• What will maintenance cost?  As with automobiles, those that are well made use high quality parts and construction methods and will last much longer.  However, the time will come when your piano will need maintenance and/or replacement of consumable parts.  Hammers and felts are made of wool that dries out over time.  Wooden parts that were once in alignment have changed size, shape, or position and need to be regulated.
• Is this to be an heirloom passed down to subsequent generations?

The Right Piano

Agreeing on the reasons to buy a piano will go a long way to helping you select the ‘right’ piano. Limit the scope of the available instruments to those that will meet your requirements.