Buying a piano...
Finding the right piano requires careful consideration, given the level of commitment involved. In addition to the cost of purchasing, there will be the removal and periodic maintenance (tuning) of your piano over, quite possibly, a good few years. It is therefore a process you will not want to repeat too frequently!
Ultimately, you will want the instrument to be in good condition, comfortable to engage with and sound pleasing to the ear, so that it will become like a good friend and member of the family. Forming a good working relationship with your piano will promote your desire to spend time with it, and enhance the quality and ease with which results will be achieved. Nothing is going to put you off wanting to play it more than a piano that sounds terrible or is awkward to handle. Therefore if you are buying for someone else, it’s probably a good idea to take along the person who will be playing it the most and ask them to ‘test drive’ it.
Would a piano be a good investment nowadays?
As with any acoustic musical instrument, a piano of good quality, especially a well-known brand, will generally hold its value at least, and can be a good investment. If you have the space and a higher budget, a grand piano would be the more sought-after option. See this article from the Daily Telegraph. Unfortunately though, lesser known second hand pianos have lost much of their appeal in today’s digital culture, and the typical old family heirloom might even be difficult to give away!
Acoustic or Digital?
An acoustic piano would always have to be the superior choice over a digital for tone and feel. Even though some of the later models are quite authentic-sounding, there is nothing like the real thing. There are however, a number of things to consider before venturing out and buying one. Acoustic pianos:
- Have considerable weight (between 300-800 pounds) and size
- Need regular tuning - ideally every 6 months, which can cost around £60 a time
- Should be kept at an even temperature and in an atmosphere that isn't too dry or damp, to stay in good condition
With most products, buying new is almost always best. When it comes to acoustic pianos though, aside from being more expensive, a new one will often need some adjusting to improve tone quality and take time for the felts to 'bed in’. There is therefore an advantage in considering a not too old, second-hand or re-conditioned piano. If you are looking at private sales, it would be best to take along someone with some knowledge and experience. In any case, here are a few things to look out for in an upright piano:
- Though you will inevitably be looking out for a piece of furniture that fits well with the room design, looks can sometimes be deceiving. A clean, tidy casework is always important, but could hide a multitude of sins beneath. Beware of inlaid woodwork and candlesticks for example. Whilst this, to an antiques enthusiast, may well represent a beautiful piece of history, to a musician or learning pianist, it's quite likely that it wouldn’t take them past the first grade, and could harm technique and not least, dampen their enthusiasm. As with any piece of furniture, check for damage such as woodworm, moth eaten felts or water marks and evidence of spillages, especially inside, as this could affect the action.
- Only consider a piano that has an iron frame, not wooden; is overstrung as opposed to straight strung; and is under-damped. In an overstrung piano, the strings lie diagonally across the frame, crossing over about a third of the way along, giving greater length and therefore richer tone, to the lower pitched strings. On lifting the lid, you will see a gap in the tuning pegs and hammers at the cross-over point (as pictured). In a straight strung piano, the tuning pegs are lined up evenly, and the strings run vertically. ‘Under-damped’ means that the dampers lie just under the hammers, resting on the strings. This is a more modern type of action and much more efficient. If you can see a wide wooden structure on top of the hammers, it is over-damped and most probably straight strung as well.
- Check that the frame is in good condition i.e. has no cracks. Even a hairline crack will cause it to go out of tune quickly. Similarly, with the soundboard, if you can see it, as a split soundboard can cause an annoying buzz or vibration when playing.
- The felts should be clean and in good condition and action neatly lined up. Check that the keys all play evenly.
- Ask about its history, for example, its age, where it has been kept and when it was last tuned. Be wary of getting a piano that was built before 1930, has been kept in an outhouse or been exposed to extreme temperatures, or if it was tuned more than 10 years ago.
- If you want a full-bodied sound, the taller and deeper the case, the better. Tone quality is largely a matter of taste, so do try it out or have someone play it for you. Bear in mind that the acoustics of the room will play a part and it may sound quite different in your home surroundings. It is possible for a piano technician to alter the tone, but this can be costly.
You may find these links helpful- the Piano Shop gives a comprehensive guide to buying a piano, and also gives a rating of different piano makes.
Choosing a Digital Piano
As well as the considerations listed above, the sound of an acoustic piano can travel through walls and often more easily through floors, which may make life awkward if you live in close proximity to people who may be disturbed by the noise. If any of these aspects are likely to make it impractical for you to consider an acoustic piano, then going for a digital one might be a more favourable option.
Again there is huge choice available nowadays which can leave you wondering where to start. A wealth of useful information can be found at the UK Pianos website. Graham Howard, the proprietor of UK Pianos, is available to contact for advice and you can download for free, his Digital Piano Buyer's Guide, an impressive 75-page document that is always kept up to date. This contains an exhaustive list of just about every digital piano on the market!
Unlike an acoustic piano, when considering a digital piano - the newer, the better. Technology is ever continuing to advance in the authenticity of sound and touch, but prices if anything are lower than they were a decade ago. If you are still considering a second hand one, here are a few things to look out for:
The term ‘weighted keys’ has a variety of meanings! For example, ‘semi-weighted’ keys have a lighter and shallower feel than an acoustic piano, and often lack depth of sound too. Semi-weighted keys would be satisfactory for a child or beginner up to about Grade 2. Beyond that, something with more resistance under the fingers will be desirable, such as ‘fully-weighted’, which offers greater control when playing, especially at speed.
At the other end of the scale, if the keys are too heavy (‘heavy-weighted), though the instrument may be built to emulated a Steinway grand and have a full tone to match, be aware that you could end up with a repetitive strain injury if practising on it exclusively over a period of time!
Most recent digital pianos (manufactured in the last ten years or so) have several layers of sampling in response to various degrees of touch. The more times each note is sampled, the more realistic the sound. If you are trying out pianos, listen to the tone produced from playing with different amounts of weight and velocity.
Also, take a note of whether the sound rings on while you are holding a key down. In some of the earlier or cheaper pianos, the sound may decay quite rapidly. Try this experiment at different registers of the keyboard. You should find that the top notes sound bright and ring on after being released, as with the upper range of an acoustic piano beyond the highest damper.
Looking at the keys themselves – are they smooth and solid looking, or do they look plastic and have sharp corners? And can you hear clicking key noise when playing? There will always be a bit of dull thudding, but it shouldn’t be intrusive. This experiment is best done with the volume turned down.
This link may also be helpful; used digital pianos.
Accessories
Make sure you have a piano stool, preferably, or a flat seat that is the correct height. If you are buying a stage piano, you will need a stand and probably speakers as well. Headphones are a useful addition, and a sustain (damper) pedal if these are not included. There will usually be a socket for a soft pedal too, which is useful but not necessary at early grades.
Finally, good luck in your search for the ideal piano... take time, and choose something that you’ll enjoy and be proud of!