Buy piano... Which one?Buy piano... Choosing the right one is very important when learning music. If you are thinking of buying one but have little or no idea where to start, you have come to the right site! Sadly, many people unknowingly buy poor quality ones at high prices. Of course, once you read on and learn a little more, you will make a wise choice when buying yours! Buy piano... Does it matter if I have a good piano?If the student is talented, he will excel no matter what. Right? Not really...The instrument you choose will have a long-term impact on learning. Listening skills are important to a musician. Therefore, the sound or tone quality of the instrument must facilitate that learning. It must be responsive and able to produce a wide range of sound qualities when played differently. Poor quality instruments usually still look good on the outside but are unresponsive and limit learning. When taught to listen well on a responsive instrument, the student will be able to develop a sensitive touch and ear for music! How do I choose a good piano?Choose a piano with an established brand name.It should be responsive to touch and offer wide tonal variety. When played: 1. the keyboard should not feel too stiff or loose 2. the tone should be clear with some singing quality 3. the tone should not be too dark, too light nor muffled 4. soft to loud tones should be produced without excessive effort Which country of make?The piano is very complicated! Rightfully, countries that have a long history of making instruments of excellent quality boast the most highly-prized instruments.European countries known for their fine quality include Germany, Austria and France. Eastern European countries like the Czech Republic make very good instruments as well. European makes are usually responsive to touch with a rich, full sound. Good Asian makes are usually from Japan or Korea. In the initial years, these instruments had a thinner tone that lacked character and expressive tonal control. However, since then, with much improved production quality and research, good Japanese and Korean instruments have gained the trust of many musicians worldwide. In recent years, China has made an increasing number of pianos. Most of these cannot compare to the Japanese or Korean makes. A poorly-made instrument may have difficulty keeping its tuning stable and have limited tonal qualities. I would not advise any student to use such a piano. Note however, that recently, one China brand has actually stood out among others to be quite a good quality. Beware!When I started teaching music, I was quite concerned that some serious music students unknowingly bought overpriced instruments of poor quality.These brands often have stiff keyboards, muffled tone or deteriorate very quickly. Brand names that simply appear as "XXX-Poland" for example, may not be made in Poland at all. Also, a German-sounding brand may really be made in China. That's tricky, isn't it?! If you are thinking of buying a piano of a relatively unknown brand, it really pays off to do your research. Buying the right piano is a worthwhile investment. What else to consider:Buy piano: Acoustic or electric?Buy piano: New or second-hand? Old or reconditioned? Beginner, amateur or advanced student? Private seller or dealer? Which ones are Clara's favourites? If you would like me to suggest a piano that may be good for you, simply fill in the form below and click on Send it! Otherwise, follow this link to read an overview of piano makers. |