Find the Perfect Piano
by Meredith Laing
Next to a home and a car, a piano is one of the biggest purchases you can make. With so many choices, it can also be one of the most confusing. If you’ve decided that you want to bring a piano into your home, just remember that preparation yields perfection!
The first question to ask yourself is whether to look for a traditional acoustic piano or a digital piano. Professional pianists prefer acoustic pianos, which allow you to produce a wider variety of tone colors and provide better overall sound quality. On the other hand, digital pianos are generally less expensive, easier to transport, and require far less
maintenance. Whichever type you chose, be patient in your search and be sure to take the time to try out many different instruments.
Acoustic
Acoustic pianos have a hefty price tag—anywhere from $2,000 to $100,000. But the good news is, if kept in good condition, pianos retain their value very well and can even increase in value. For this reason, the general rule is to buy
the best piano that your budget will allow. Not only will a better instrument reward you with a superior sound, but it can be a good financial investment.
When it comes to pianos, bigger really is better: the larger the instrument, the more room there is for the sound to resonate. If you have five to nine square feet of floor space to spare, consider a grand piano, which will typically give you the best sound. If space is limited, an upright is a more compact option, since the bulk of the instrument stands vertically against the wall. Uprights come in three different heights: Which is right for you? Acoustic the 36- to 39-inch spinet, the 39- to 43- inch console, and the studio, which is 44 inches or taller. A larger, high-quality upright may actually match the sound of a small grand.
Once you’ve decided between grand and upright, ask yourself whether you want to buy your piano new or used. You can find used pianos for cheap prices, but often the damage to the instrument isn’t worth the discount. Whichever route you go, the following guidelines will help you make your purchase.
First, look for obvious signs of wear: chips in the finish, a musty smell, rust, mold, or cracks. Then, play every key individually and listen for a clear tone all the way up the keyboard. Third, check that all of the pedals—there may be either two or three—are in good working condition.
If the piano has passed those three initial tests, open the top and take a look inside. There should be a full set of 230 strings: two for each of the bass keys and three for each of the treble keys. Check that the hammer felt is thick, since worn felt can cause buzzing. Examine the soundboard, which is the large, flat piece of wood that amplifies the sound. It should be sturdy, free of cracks, and should not be laminated.
The bridge, which is attached to the soundboard and supports the strings, should also be free of any cracks, which can be another cause of buzzing. Finally, inspect the pin block, the piece of wood that holds the strings in place. If the
strings don’t seem to be held tightly, or if the pins are not lined up evenly, the piano can easily fall out of tune.
The tone of a piano may be mellow, bright, or somewhere in between; find your own personal preference by trying
out many different instruments. Keep in mind that a carpeted, curtained room will mellow out the tone a bit.
Finally, remember that an acoustic piano is not only a musical instrument, but also an elegant piece of furniture. Although it shouldn’t be your primary concern, you will probably want to consider the appearance of the piano and whether it will fit in with the rest of your décor. You want to be able to enjoy your new piano for many years to come.
Digital
Unlike the synthesized electric keyboard, a digital piano can be used for serious piano study. At about half the weight of an acoustic piano, and virtually maintenance free, a digital piano is a convenient option if you move frequently or if you don’t want to deal with expensive tunings and upkeep. Or, if you are buying the piano for a child, who may or may not stick with piano lessons, the digital piano is a good way to test the waters without breaking the bank.
You can find a decent model for around $500, with top of the line models priced around $5,000.
A digital piano uses digital samples from acoustic pianos to produce a realistic sound. You’ll want to make sure that the digital model imitates an acoustic piano as closely as possible in every regard. Choose one with the full 88 keys and at least a damper pedal with the ability to half-pedal. Make sure the keys are weighted, or in other words, have some resistance, like an acoustic piano would. Preferably, the keys should have graded weighting, meaning that lower keys are heavier than higher keys.
Digital pianos use sensors to detect the force with which you strike the keys, allowing you to play with different dynamic levels and articulations. When you test out the piano, you’ll want to make sure that it has a wide dynamic range. Also, be sure to play each key, one at a time, starting at the bottom of the keyboard. Listen carefully and check that there is no sudden change in volume or tone as you move your way up.
Now, listen for whether the sound source is natural: do the lower notes sound like they are coming from the left and the higher notes sound like they are coming from the right? Listen to the decay when you play both single notes and chords: does the sound cut off too quickly or linger unnaturally long? Always test the sound against that of an acoustic piano.
One downfall of the digital piano is that it can only play a limited number of notes at one time. The better models use acoustic “masking,” meaning that they drop the notes that will be least noticeable acoustically. Keep in mind that if you’re playing chords and using the pedal, or if you are using a sequencing function, the number of notes that you need adds up quickly.
Just like an acoustic piano, the most important thing you need to ask yourself is whether you like the tone and the feel of the piano. The sound quality will be most obvious in the lowest and highest notes: the bottom register should be deep and resonant, and the top of the register should be clear and not at all harsh.
Many people choose digital pianos for the ability to play with headphones and avoid bothering anyone else at home. If you fall into this category, bring your headphones with you when trying out pianos to check that the sound quality remains consistent.
When looking at speakers, follow the same rule given for acoustic pianos: bigger is better. Even if you don’t need a lot of volume, bigger speakers will produce a better sound.
If you like bells-and-whistles, digital pianos have plenty of features that will be music to your ears. Decide which ones will be useful for your own musical
purposes.
MIDI capabilities allow the piano to play back MIDI data from your computer or even other electronic instruments.
Sequencing functions allow you to record different tracks and then layer them together, ideal for composers and songwriters. Teaching tools such as light-up keys and built-in rhythmic aids are great features for beginning musicians.
Remember, while it’s nice to have the opinion of a salesperson or a professional pianist, you are the one who is going to be playing and listening to the instrument; only you can decide which one is just right for you. Happy shopping!
