The information that I give on this page is meant to help you when buying a piano.
Unfortunately I get a lot of clients who buy a piano from eBay or "free to a good home" which I have to condemn because the piano cannot be tuned due to loose tuning pins or is beyond repair! This is not meant to scare you off buying, but to help you avoid falling into the same trap. Cheap isn't always good!
BUYING A TRADITIONAL ACOUSTIC PIANO
The piano you choose will depend on:-
Who it is for,
How often it will be played
It's appearance, and
The amount of money you wish to spend, which will determine the quality of the instrument.
But a good piano is seldom if ever a bad investment.
Every piano has an individual character of tone and touch, so choose one which feels and sounds right for you.
BUYING A SECONDHAND PIANO FOR A BEGINNER
If you are serious about learning to play the piano or have children who wish to learn, don't be tempted to buy a "cheap old piano". This won't encourage you or your children to keep practicing
When you are learning to play you need a piano that responds accurately. Very old pianos can have sluggish mechanisms which will put any beginner off practicing. It's a bit like learning to drive a car which has worn brakes or dodgy gears!
Getting past grade 2/3 can take forever, if you are learning on a poor instrument. Children learn so much quicker on the right piano, which can be good news if you are paying for lessons! The piano should be at concert pitch, this is important for children.
Buying privately from the internet should only be done with the advice of a qualified piano tuner, who for a fee, can assess the piano and ensure that it is mechanically sound, he/she will check that the Soundboard, Tuning Pins, Frame and Mechanism are in good order.
Buying a New Piano
Find a reputable retailer, offering a guarantee, delivery and first tuning. If you are in the Exeter area I can recommend you visit "pianoroom" on Sidwell Street. They have a nice selection of pianos and keyboards and have a wealth of experience.
If you have any questions about buying a piano email me at pianocare@aol.com or telephone 01392 464946, and I will be happy to help!