10 quick tips to purchasing your FIRST piano!

If you haven't read up on what the different types of pianos there are and what to look for before you buy your first piano, please read our blogposts here: What to look for before buying your FIRST piano and New Students: What to look for a piano?

The reason why I put FIRST is because most likely you will purchase another type of piano in the future. For now, here are my QUICK 10 tips to think about before you make that FIRST purchase. 

Does my piano require or have...

1. Touch-Sensitive Keys: Test out every key and pedal. How about weighted keys? Is ivory an option if on a digital piano or keyboard?
2. ​Re-sale Value: Look online to see if other people are selling the same item and if there is still demand for this. With pianos in demand, you can feel good about your investment.
3. Reliable Branding: Look at all pianos and keyboards. Go for known name brand such as Yamaha, Kawai, Roland, Casio, etc... Ask your teacher or a trusted pianist for help! Send them links if you are buying second-hand and get a second opinion. Bring your child with you and ask them to play on the acoustic piano. They will be practising piano and each piano has it's own unique resonance.​
4. Buttons: Limited buttons and knick knacks on the keyboard: Less distraction for new beginners
5. Rent-to-Own or Trade-In: A great way to test out the piano or keyboards
6. Flaws: or a history? Check to make sure there is no prior damage on the strings, pedals, board, keys...
7. Moving Costs: ~ $300 to 800: Where will you place your piano?
8. Upgrades: How long will you keep your keyboard for? Will you upgrade? Most students who begin Grade 1 RCM and above will enjoy playing the piano with an acoustic piano or a digital piano.
   
9. Tuning: Keep in mind, if you have an acoustic piano to factor in tuning fees which can be 2 times a year. You may need to find a piano tuner or have a year of free tuning services. 
10. Look at new and used: You never know what gem you might find. Try and sample everything you can. 

Lastly, be patient in this process. Sometimes keyboards are back-ordered due to high demand...and other times, you might need something for a year and then work towards upgrading or trading in.

I've seen students become demotivated simply because they didn't have the right type of instrument or they started with a keyboard that does not serve them...and instead ruin their fingers and technique. This usually happens because they are using an outdated or a keyboard that is beyond beginner's piano level. For this reason, I highly recommend all students to begin with atleast a digital piano and/or if must, a keyboard that has weighted sensitive keys. This is a must. Otherwise, you risk playing on a toy piano and that will not help you with staying motivated to create the beautiful sounds.

For parents who are considering learning the piano for the long run, an acoustic piano is the way to go! Any acoustic piano is better than any digital piano and/or keyboard. However, for convenience, I would recommend a digital piano as the next best piano for your child. While I don't endorse any brands, I must say that the Kawai brand of digital pianos is the way to go. For students who are serious about piano and don't have room for an acoustic, I recommend the Kawai piano brand. 

If you want some help, leave me a message below and I'll do my best to guide you to finding your FIRST piano!