FAQ Category: Buying a piano

Someone’s giving a piano away for free, or there’s a cheap model of piano on Amazon or at Costco – is that good enough for a beginner?

It depends. Without knowing how weighted the keys are, the quality of the sound, the brand, age, maintenance of the instrument etc., it can be difficult to tell without trying it out. If it’s used, similar to buying a used car, it’s important to have a licensed piano technician come with you to check out…
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I can’t afford an expensive instrument. What can I do?

Typically, if budget is an issue, I recommend renting an instrument on a monthly basis first and saving up to buy a higher quality instrument for when you’re ready. There is an added benefit to renting first before investing in something big: It allows beginners time to consider whether learning the piano is something they’d…
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How much should I budget for my piano?

As much as you can afford. With pianos, you typically get what you pay for. In other words, the more expensive the instrument is, the more likely it will be of a better quality. Learning on a bad instrument can be like learning to drive on a golf cart. Of course, it will drive…but it’s…
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What kind of piano should I buy?

It should have 88 weighted keys, a damper pedal and an adjustable bench. Weighted keys means that the volume of the sound from the piano will increase or decrease depending on how much force is used to strike the keys, rather than relying entirely on a volume dial.