What Piano Is Right For Me?
Acquiring a piano can be a daunting task, particularly if you’re just starting out, and haven’t played the piano before. This piece sets out some advice for the prospective buyer.
There are two main choices in buying a piano: (1) an acoustic (traditional) piano or (2) a digital piano. A few general (purist) observations. First, my opinion is that if you’re serious about playing the piano and would like to progress to a good level, an acoustic piano is better than a digital piano, and within the acoustic pianos grouping, a grand piano is better than an upright. The second observation is that acoustic grand pianos are more expensive than acoustic uprights, which in turn are generally more expensive than digital pianos.
Each piano has its own advantages and disadvantages:
Digital Piano Advantages:
- cheap
- don’t require tuning
- generally have an option to plug in headphones, makes practicing at ‘unsocial’ hours much more bearable for family members, or neighbours if you live in a flat
- much easier to move within the home, transport over longer distances or store if required
- generally have a record function, so you can record and playback your own playing - great for improving your playing
- reproduce the sound of an acoustic piano pretty well (with some important caveats - which I’ll detail in a separate piece)
Digital Piano Disadvantages:
- they don’t last as long. My first digital lasted 10 years (of some fairly intensive playing), my next one has lasted around 15, but is showing signs of its age, and may start to fail shortly
- don’t hold their value at all. After 10 years, will have little to no re-sale value
- don’t provide the same sound experience as an acoustic. This includes the action of the pedals, sympathetic vibration (although digitals have got better at replicating this - will explain what sympathetic vibration is in a separate piece), as well as getting the piano to “ring” (advanced players)
Acoustic Pianos Advantages:
- “perfect” piano sound (grand pianos better than upright, larger grand better than baby grand, and then Steinway the leading brand, with the following group of Fazioli, Bosendorfer, and Bluthner also superb pianos. Yamaha also very good quality, and also very good value for money).
- they last for a VERY long time. With good care, an acoustic piano can last for 100 years or more. It is relatively common to come across refurbished pianos from the late 1800s / early 1900s that produce a wonderful sound, are in great working order, which retail for thousands of pounds
- they can hold their value, and in some instances you may actually be able to sell for more than you bought for. Steinways in particular are well known to hold their value, or even producing a financial return. You should probably consider the purchase of a Steinway as akin to an investment decision, as opposed to a simple expense. [But a decent Steinway grand piano will typically start at an asking price of £50,000 or (much) higher]
- increasingly incorporate a silent option for using headphones, as well as a recording feature
- can become a feature piece of furniture in your home (especially if you have the space)
- very active second-hand market. You can pick up really good acoustic pianos second hand, or can use the second hand market to sell yours. There are many dealerships specialising in this, especially in London.
Acoustic Piano Disadvantages:
- cost. More expensive than digital, but bear in mind re-sale value can hold up, especially if the piano is a good make and is well cared for
- enormously heavy. This makes moving it around your home difficult (if not dangerous). You’ll need a specialist piano removal company to move it between locations, or within your home. Also, your floors may need reinforcing if the piano is particularly heavy.
- requires regular tuning and care. I’d recommend tuning at least every six months, but quarterly tuning is preferred. An acoustic piano gradually moves out of tune, and your ear can get used to the piano being out of tune. This can, in turn, cause problems when you play another in-tune instrument, as well as causing your ear to be “less good” than other instrumentalists who have to tune their instruments (violinists, for example).
Some further thoughts on digital pianos:
- there are some top-quality brand digital pianos available. These top brands include Roland and Clavinova (Yamaha). These cost north of £1,000 (my Roland cost me £2,300 back in 2009, but it’s been well worth it).
- cheaper digital brands will probably last less long, may have poorer sound, and may develop problems earlier.
- given they’re electronic, spilling water (or liquids) on them may render them completely useless. An acoustic piano can handle a water spill, although you need to take immediate remedial action to ensure no major damage
Another quick word on acoustic pianos:
- it is possible to rent an acoustic piano. A number of dealerships deal with renting, and many will include the first year of rental payments as partial payment if you do decide that you’d like to buy.
If you’re starting out playing the piano, and would like to dip your toe in the water, I’d recommend the digital route: cost and flexibility are the two main advantages. If you get to intermediate level and have intentions on developing your playing further, I would recommend getting an acoustic piano. Your piano playing will benefit, and you’ll also potentially struggle if you have to perform on an acoustic instrument.
If you’re a serious pianist, an acoustic is a must. I’ve got a very good digital piano, but I make sure that I spend time regularly on an acoustic grand piano (there are studios in London where you can hire a piano by the hour).
If you need any more help in deciding what to buy, or if you need advice on a specific piano, please get in touch – I’d be more than happy to help!
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