There truly isn’t a genre of music that doesn’t benefit from the piano. Whether it’s your first instrument or your fifth, you’ve made a wise decision to learn one you can use for a lifetime. Now, it’s time to pick the right one for you, and that can be a little tougher due to the number of excellent choices. We have some tips for choosing your first piano to help you out.
Set a Budget
A common thread in life, right? Well, you should still set a budget when hunting for a piano. Piano prices range drastically. You may love baby grands, but your budget says, “look for a free upright piano that someone is desperate to move.” Don’t go into a piano store and get sticker shock. Know your budget and begin your search with it in mind.
What Kind of Space Do You Have?
Measure the area in which the piano will stay. You need room to move around it if necessary and also for a piano bench. If you are tight on space, you may need to consider a digital piano. You can get every accessory needed for a digital piano, just as you would for an acoustic. Plus, digital pianos come in smaller sizes so that you can fit them anywhere. You can even take them with you on the go, unlike an acoustic.
Give It a Try
Please don’t purchase a piano without trying it first. Everyone is different, and so is each piano. Your best bud may really love a certain brand, but when you give it a try, you just don’t feel it. Keep trying until you find the one within your budget that feels natural for you.
Styles
There are three styles of pianos, and prices and sound vary within each group. Let’s look at what those three are.
Vertical
Also called upright, the vertical piano stands about five feet wide and only two feet deep. The size makes it a great choice for many. A well-built upright piano lasts a lifetime when cared for properly.
The Grand
Certainly, the most impressive to look at, the grand piano is commonly five feet from the keys to the back but can reach up to nine feet in depth. So yes, please measure accordingly. Plan on at least five square feet of area for a grand to sit comfortably in your home.
Digital
As mentioned, the digital piano is smaller and great for homes that don’t have room for a full-size piano. As well, most have an accurate number of keys that feel like the real thing. This makes them a great choice when wanting to learn and eventually switch to acoustic.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our tips for choosing your first piano. Whatever you choose, remember, practice equals progress, and enjoy what you’re doing. Happy playing!
