How to Choose the Right Acoustic Piano for You

Buying a new acoustic piano is more similar to buying a car than it is to buying a new toaster. Pianos are a big investment, so it is very important to educate yourself in the subject so you can make the best possible choice in quality and price. First ask yourself what you need. There are plenty of choices in both price, size of type of pianos, so knowing your needs before buying will narrow down your candidates and will help you make a better buy.

Think about the use you are going to give to your piano. Many people decide to buy a piano for taking lessons either for them or for their kids. If this is your case, then a vertical piano will be enough for you. A vertical piano can have a good sound quality, they look good, and most importantly, it isn't nearly as expensive as a grand piano. It is true that a grand piano looks much better and its sound quality is superior as well, but if you don't have a big budget and all you want a piano for is to practice, then the investment of a grand piano is too much; go for a vertical instead.

Another important factor to consider when buying a piano is to know how much space you have available for it. Even if you have deep pockets and want to spend your money in a grand piano, it is a really bad idea to do so if you have a tiny living room or music room. When the space is constrained your best choice would be a vertical piano. If you have a medium-sized space to display your piano you might want to consider a baby grand piano and if you have a large area, then a grand piano will look outstanding.

The price of a piano might be the determining factor in your final choice, so it is worth to mention. A piano is a large investment so you have to keep this in mind. A vertical piano will cost over $2000, baby grand pianos would start in the $10000 range, and quality grand pianos can go from $20000 up to $100000.

A good alternative is to buy used or refurbished instruments but you must be careful. A semi-new piano will save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars and you will get an excellent instrument only if you buy smart. Make sure the instrument is tunes and in great condition, an out-of-tune piano is worthless unless you tune it, and that is very expensive. Try to find a reputable dealer if you want a refurbished piano.