How To Buy a Piano

Here's How:

1. Know What You Want

   Should you buy an electric piano or an acoustic one? If you have room, acoustic pianos are better. You can't beat the real thing, and unless you spend a lot of money an electric piano will never sound as good as an acoustic model.

2. Make a Budget

   Pianos can cost anything from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to your budget.

3. Study the Market

   Check newspaper want ads for new and used pianos to get an idea of the price you'll have to pay. Make a list of local showrooms that you can visit when you're ready.

4. Visit Showrooms

   Drop in to stores that sell pianos and ask the salespersons for advice. Find out which pianos offer the best value for money and which might be suitable for beginners.

5. Play and Listen

   Advice is great, but don't take anyone's word for how good a piano is. If you feel comfortable, sit down and play a few notes. Try the bottom keys, the middle keys and the top keys to see if you like the sound. Or ask a salesperson to demonstrate it for you.

6. Ask an Expert

   When you find a piano you like, get an expert to view it for you and give an opinion. Ask your piano teacher (if you have one), a local music teacher or a piano tuner for help. This is especially important if you opt for a used piano.

7. New or Used

   Used pianos are an excellent buy. If you don’t want to fork out for a brand new piano that might not get played regularly, consider buying second-hand. But make sure you get someone to check it over for you first. Chances are that even the people selling the piano won’t be able to tell you if there are any serious problems with it.

Tips:

1. Stick to your budget.
2. Make sure you have room in your home.
3. Get as much help and advice as you can.

What You Need:

• Time.
• Money.
• Patience!