How I know which piano to buy?

Choosing the right piano for yourself, or your child can be a challenging task.

With so many variables like discrepancies in price, size and even the aesthetics, it might feel paralysing to know which type of piano to invest in.

Here are some tips that may help:

1) Decide if you want an acoustic or a digital piano

The two main types of pianos are acoustic and digital. Here are some key differences between the two to give you a better idea:

• Acoustic pianos produce sound through a physical mechanism, tend to be more expensive, require more maintenance (e.g. tuning). Acoustic pianos are often larger in size, hence take up more space. In saying this, they produce a wonderful sound, and can become a beautiful piece of furniture in your home too.

• Digital pianos on the other hand, use electronic technology to simulate sound. They are more compact in size, don’t require tuning (as they are electric) — and can be used at night time as you can either adjust the volume or plug headphones in. Digital pianos are often more affordable and can be portable (depending on the make and model).

Read more about the key differences between acoustic and digital pianos here.

2) Consider age and skill level

For younger children, a smaller keyboard or digital piano may be more appropriate, as their fingers may not be able to reach the keys of a full-size piano. Their fingers will naturally be shorter, and the fully-weighted keys of a traditional 88 key digital or acoustic piano may be too challenging for them to practice on at home. This might especially be the case if they are just starting to learn the piano.

For older children, teenagers and adults, a full-size, weighted keyboard or acoustic piano will be more appropriate. The weighted keys will train your fingers to strengthen. Having the full size keyboard will also give you the range to play some of the lower and higher notes that at smaller keyboard may not include. A higher-quality digital piano or acoustic piano may be necessary to accommodate your skill level.

3) Set a budget

Pianos can range from a couple of hundred dollars to a fair few thousand. Purchasing a piano is an investment so it’s important to be realistic with your budget and stick to it. It’s also important to consider the initial cost of purchasing the piano as well as any ongoing maintenance costs (e.g. moving, tuning, etc).

4) Test the piano

Before purchasing your piano, it's important to test the piano to ensure that it has a sound and feel that you, or your child enjoys. It could be a great idea to head into a music store on the weekend to try out different pianos and get a sense of what you prefer.

If you’re leaning towards purchasing an acoustic piano, it’s okay to take your time and go into the store a few weekends in a row to test and see how your preferred pianos feel. As mentioned above, buying a piano is an investment. Like with any other investments, it’s important to make a well-thought out, calculated decision.

Overall, choosing the right piano for you, or your child requires careful consideration of age, skill level, preferences, as well as your budget and available space. By taking the time to find the right instrument, you can develop a love of music that will last a lifetime.