Purchasing a piano may become a confusing situation. You have so many brands and features to choose from. So to help you take the right decision, here is a basic piano buying guide:
Finance- Determine how much you are willing to spend on a piano. Decide if you can afford a new or a used piano. Bear in mind that a piano is a durable instrument with a lifetime of about 40 years in average. Purchasing a piano with a higher quality can become a good investment because it can hold its value quite well as long as it has been properly maintained.
Proficiency Level- It Is recommended to buy a piano with a higher quality than you think you deserve. This way you can grow with the piano. Don't buy a cheap old used piano. You certainly won't enjoy playing on a piano with a poor quality and it might easily lead you to give up on playing the piano.
Space and Location- Measure the area in your house where you plan to place the piano. The upright pianos needs a space of 5 feet wide x 2 feet deep (plus an extra 2 feet for the pianist and bench). The Grand pianos need a space between 5-7 feet wide to 4.5-9.5 feet deep, depending on the model (plus 2 feet for the pianist and bench). Bear in mind that the change in humidity and temperature next to the piano affects its tune. That's way it is better to place the piano next to an interior wall and away from sources of heat and cold such as direct sunlight, air conditioners and radiators.
Finding your piano- You should visit several piano stores before you make the final decision: Take your time- Don't be tempted to purchase a piano on your first visit at a piano dealer. Take your time and play on as many pianos as possible. Be familiar with the differences between each pianos quality, touch and tone. In that way it will be easier for you to decide which piano you like best. Piano Inspection- After you checked several pianos, made notes, and narrowed down your choices to 2-3 pianos, make another visit but this time bring with you a certified piano technician to do the final check. This check is important and can save you a lot of money and frustration in case where the piano is not as good as you thought it would be. Warranty, Maintenance and Delivery- Check out the duration of the warranty does it include parts and also labor ? is the warranty transferable in case you decide to sell the piano ? verify whether the seller renders piano maintenance services. Lastly, negotiate a price and make sure that it includes the bench the delivery and at least one free tuning.