What Should You Look For When Buying A Piano?
With a growing number of piano brands and retailers, it can be hard to know what to look for when purchasing your first piano. In this blog, we will offer some tips and advice on how to ensure a lifetime investment in your piano buying journey.
1. Things To Ask Yourself
2. Types of Pianos
3. Different Brands
4. Features and Functions
5. What To Look For In A Piano Store
Things To Ask Yourself
When considering the perfect piano, remember the five ‘W’s; who will be playing it? What will it be used for? Where will it go? When (how often) will it be used? Why do I need it?
This can help you determine if you need something basic, more advanced, more portable, more ornamental, or more functional.
Types of Pianos
Firstly, you should determine if you would like an acoustic piano or an electric piano. Then, you can decide if you want your piano to be upright or grand. Here are some of the pros and cons of each type:
Acoustic Upright Piano
- Particular look and feel that’s difficult to replicate, but often only noticed by classically trained/experienced players
- Smaller footprint, better for smaller spaces
- Ongoing investment; will require regular maintenance in the way of tunings, string replacements, etc.
Acoustic Grand Piano
- Particular look and feel that’s difficult to replicate, but often only noticed by classically trained/experienced players
- Classic and luxurious look, especially with the exposed harp
- Ongoing investment; will require regular maintenance in the way of tunings, string replacements, etc.
Electric Upright Piano
- Multitude of features and functions that can replicate almost any piano or sound and be used in a variety of ways. Some pianos can even very closely replicate the sound and feel of an acoustic (see brands section)
- Smaller footprint, better for smaller spaces
- Lifetime investment; will never require maintenance or tunings
Electric Grand Piano
- Multitude of features and functions that can replicate almost any piano or sound and be used in a variety of ways. Some pianos can even very closely replicate the sound and feel of an acoustic (see brands section)
- Classic and luxurious look, especially with the exposed speakers
- Lifetime investment; will never require maintenance or tunings
Different Brands
In our 21 years of experience in the piano industry, we have seen a lot of brands come and go. The brands that we currently stock regularly in our retail store were based on these years of observation and were determined with the following factors in mind; dependability, reliability, quality, playability, functionality, affordability, craftsmanship, and overall customer satisfaction.
For acoustic pianos, we stock both Pramberger and Samick.
For electric pianos, we only stock Roland. Why?
Roland is the only brand with the advanced technology that they have to best replicate the sound and feel of an acoustic piano while still being able to offer numerous amounts of features and functions unique to the electric option.
Features and Functions
Roland pianos specifically have the option of the advanced keyboard, like the PHA-50 keyboard, with a full key and hammer action, to better replicate the feel of an acoustic.
They also include advanced modeling technology - no sound is pre-recorded. Every time you hit the key, a new sound is written, allowing for nuanced playing with a full range of dynamics.
The speaker systems inside Roland pianos are top notch and deliver incredible, balanced sound.
Electric pianos also have the benefit of being Bluetooth connected, which means your piano can also become a speaker. It also means you can connect your piano to the Roland app and specifically customize your unique piano sound.
Electric pianos can also be used for production, recording and live performance. They offer an endless supply of versatility with your creativity.
Acoustic pianos may lack in features and functions, but they make up for it in the exquisite grandness of their hand-made craftsmanship. If you’re looking for something more traditional or nostalgic, this is a great option. There is also something very unique in the build of an acoustic and all it’s parts that offers a specific touch and feel that some say a digital piano could never replicate.
In the end, no choice is a wrong choice. You just have to determine which is best for you!
What To Look For In A Piano Store
Purchasing a piano is a big decision, and very important to you and your family. It will become a cherished pastime, a beautiful piece of furniture in the home, and encourage growth and development educationally and socially.
As a buyer, you want to find a store that understands this is not a decision to take lightly, with associates who will take the time to ensure you are fully informed and educated about your decision. A retailer should go the extra mile and make sure you not only have chosen the perfect piano option for you, but that the service goes beyond the sale. They should help you set the piano up in your home, make sure it’s still perfect when it’s there and functioning properly, and offer a direct point of contact should anything not be to your preference.
At Octave Music, we always offer free local delivery and set up. If you’re purchasing an acoustic piano, the first tuning is always on us! We don’t want you to have to worry about anything other than when you’ll get to play your beautiful new instrument!