How to Buy a Piano: ‘Keys’ to Help You Choose the Right Instrument

Searching for the right piano can be one of the most exciting, inspiring times for a musician. After all, this instrument will be an extension of your creative expression, and you want to make sure it fits your purpose and needs perfectly. We’ve gathered our most helpful tips based on our experience selecting and buying both new and used instruments, and we’re excited to show off the latest addition to Musicnotes headquarters, our very own recently purchased restored Steinway.

A piano is a major investment, and not one that you want to make without doing some research. By asking yourself a few simple questions ahead of time, you’ll have a good starting point when you do start vising retailers.

Questions to ask yourself before you buy a piano:

1. How much am I willing to spend?

Like all big purchases, the price range for pianos is huge and you usually get what you pay for. However, unlike a new couch or car, pianos maintain their value over time. (With proper maintenance, pianos can last upwards of 50 years.) Purchasing the highest quality instrument you can afford will ensure you retain the most from your investment, and that your instrument will continue to spark musical creativity.

2. What style do I want?

Pianos come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, but a very general rule is ‘the bigger the piano, the better the tone.’ Consider where you’ll be placing the piano and the scale of the other furniture around it, as well as your personal taste and style.

3. Do I buy from a retailer or a private individual?

The main difference when buying a piano from a retail dealer is that you’ll receive a warranty, whether the instrument is new or used. Most also include complimentary tuning. Shopping at a retailer lets you test many different instruments in one place, and you can be assured that the instruments you’re considering have been and professionally inspected and cared for. Often, a dealer will provide moving services at minimal or no cost.

If you choose to purchase a piano from a private individual, you can definitely save a bit of money, but it can also be quite a bit more work. Be sure to have an experienced tuner/technician inspect the instrument before purchase. Pianos are very complex mechanisms with thousands of parts, and a technician can advise if any repairs will be needed or if major structural problems exist.

Next steps toward buying a piano:

Along with the size and style, you want to choose an instrument that feels and sounds right to you. This can only be accomplished by testing a variety of pianos. Pay attention to how responsive the keys are. Beginning players are more likely to connect to a very responsive keyboard. Also, listen for a tone that you find appealing.

Now comes the fun part: play, play, play! Visit your local retailer and get a feel for how the store is laid out. This will help eliminate pianos that are out of the scope you specified with the previous questions. Next, simply move from bench to bench and try them out. Don’t be afraid to ask your salesperson to leave you to play without distraction. Gradually narrow down your choices to two or three at a time.

Finally, inspect your potential investment. Ask about the vital parts: the soundboard, bridges, pedals, etc.

Meet the newest member of team Musicnotes!

We were inspired to write out a simple piano buying guide after purchasing our latest addition to Musicnotes Headquarters: a beautifully restored 1912 Steinway Model O. The fantastic instrument was a generous gift for the whole Musicnotes team this holiday season, and we’ve enjoyed many impromptu concerts, after-hours practice sessions and group sing-alongs around it since.

A little bit about how the vintage Steinway was chosen, from Kathleen Marsh, our Vice Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder:

“We shopped for a piano that was not only a great instrument, but also reflects the character and values of Musicnotes. We looked at new grands (too expensive for us at that point) and older models. After trying many used pianos, we found this one, which was in superb condition and sounded great.”

“The Steinways built in the early 1900s were made of superior materials and have a sound that is hard to reproduce, even today. This piano was well cared for because it came from a convent that had it serviced over the years. The only problem with the piano? Someone had painted it black. It looked terrible.”

“Luckily, we bought the piano from a world-renowned piano restoration company right here in Madison, Wis. (Farley’s House of Pianos). We asked them to refinish the piano to its original satin black finish and the results were spectacular. It looks like new.”

“It is not only a wonderful instrument that looks great, it is also a good investment and reflects the values of the company (quality, tradition and value). We are proud to have a classic vintage Steinway in the office.”

It’s certainly true, whether at home or at the office, the right piano can really bring music to life. Have you recently purchased a piano? If so, what did you choose and why? Do you have additional tips for how to buy a piano? Please share in the comments section below.