Your guide to buying a piano
/What should you think about when buying a piano?
When buying a piano, there are many elements to consider. To start with, there are two main choices; digital or acoustic. Let’s start by looking at the differences between a digital piano and an acoustic piano.
Buying a digital piano
A digital piano is essentially a smarter version of a basic keyboard. It will have a better sound quality than a keyboard though, and you will be able to vary the volume of each note depending on how hard you press the keys. Digital pianos also include a variety of extra features, such as an in-built metronome, automatic transposing, and a useful replay function so you can work out how to improve. Another benefit is that you can plug in your headphones, so not everyone has to hear you run through your scales every day!
The keys on a digital piano can range from those that have a slight resistance (semi-weighted), to keys that imitate the feel and resistance of an acoustic piano’s keys (weighted). We ideally want weighted keys. This increased resistance will help the student to strengthen their muscles. However, very young students (under 5) or those who are more experienced (over 75) may need a keyboard with a lighter touch to accommodate their physical needs.
Digital pianos are normally sold without a piano stool, stand, pedal and case but package deals can be found. It is best to inquire as to what is included with the purchase. All digital pianos vary in size but can normally be packed away discreetly.
How much does a digital piano cost?
As you can expect, the instruments vary in quality and price with the spectrum being £50 – £14,000+. You can get a good digital piano for £300, brand new, from one of our partners.
Buying an acoustic piano (also referred to as a “piano”)
However, digital pianos do not have the range of expression that an acoustic piano has. The touch can be emulated up to a certain point but I have yet to feel one that is 100% convincing.
Why is this? When a key is pushed down on an acoustic piano, it lifts a piece of felt which has been resting on the strings. This also triggers a number of levers and mechanisms which make a felt-tipped hammer strike the string/s. This makes the famous noise. This noise now echoes around the casing and soundboard of the piano. When the key is released, that original piece of felt now returns to dampen the vibrations of the strings which stops the sound.
There are thousands of different makes and models of piano. All of them, although similar or even the same in design, will always be varied by the very nature of their construction; and the materials that are used to build it. Not everybody will like the same piano.
To find the one you like, the best thing to do is to sit and play or have someone do it or you if you are short of experience. It’s a personal thing. Even two of the exact same make and model would be very different in tone and touch from each other. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some have light keys and some have heavy ones. The heavier an acoustic piano’s key is, the more it will strengthen the user’s muscles. However, we still need to take into account the age and strength of the student, as previously discussed.
The wall of sound produced by an acoustic piano is not currently able to be replicated by a digital piano. To imitate the vibrations of an acoustic piano, would require a very large and complicated speaker; as the sound is created from such a large body of strings, wood, and other resonant materials.
There are two main types of acoustic piano. The grand piano and the upright. The grand piano is a lot bigger and only suitable if you have loads of space.
You may also get a piano with a digital system added to it, giving you some of the features a digital piano has. All pianos can be fitted with this system to some extent.
How much does an acoustic piano cost?
As you can expect, acoustic pianos vary in quality and price with the spectrum being from free up to £300,000+. I would be confident in saying that we can get you a good or great upright piano for £700 second-hand.
A summary of what to consider when buying a piano
Why buy a digital piano?
Compared to acoustic pianos, digital pianos are generally less expensive when you buy them brand new. Second hand, the prices vary a lot but on average they probably cost about the same.
Most models are smaller and considerably lighter, but larger ones exist.
They have no strings and therefore don’t need to be tuned.
Depending on the model they will have a number of other sounds that you can play.
Learners with weaker muscles will find it easier to play on semi-weighted keys.
It is a lot more likely that a digital piano will be compatible with a computer via midi or USB (this is useful for recording, producing music, and other more complicated functions).
You will be able to practice quietly on almost all models of a digital piano using headphones or by turning down the volume.
The delivery cost will be lower and perhaps free. If you are buying an acoustic piano, then you need to consider the size and how often you may be moving as it costs £50-£250 to move it, depending on how many floors it needs to go up.
Why buy an acoustic piano?
The sound quality on most acoustic pianos is superior to that of a digital piano. This in turn can promote practice and greater enjoyment from using the instrument.
There are techniques that are taught on an acoustic piano that can’t be replicated on a digital piano.
With that in mind once a student gets to a certain level I’d recommend that it’s beneficial for all students to learn on a piano eventually.
Acoustic pianos have an aesthetic value that digital pianos don’t.
It’s much easier to find a piano that you will really love playing. Each piano sounds different due to their varying materials and methods of construction.
You can also buy a piano which has a silent system put into it. This system enables the user to play it either as a digital piano or an acoustic piano. Once installed you will be able to use headphones. This system can be fitted to any piano (so I’m told!).
A piano very rarely goes wrong. If something is spilt on it, then it will survive (not recommended). Most pianos last for a hundred years or so.
An acoustic piano doesn’t need electricity to work.
What is the best digital piano to buy?
Semi-weighted keys
These instruments are probably best suited for someone with a limited budget; or of a very young age. These instruments have lighter keys and as such are easier for younger learners to play. This is probably the cheapest digital piano you’ll find of good quality without weighted keys.
Weighted keys
If you can spend more, say £300+, I’d go for a digital piano with weighted keys – Yamaha digital pianos are great. The P series has a good selection of instruments at different prices.
GAK are Brighton based and they will match any price you find online. They also offer a 0% finance deal, so you can pay small amounts monthly. We also get a discount on their digital piano range. If you want to go for this option let your Headteacher know and they can arrange a reference code for you. A great starter instrument is the Yamaha P-45.
Second-hand digital pianos
When you purchase a digital piano second hand, it will be cheaper; however, you often won’t get a warranty. You will find these on Gumtree, Friday Ad, and eBay. Again, if you spot something in your budget let us know and we’ll advise as to whether we think it’s a good purchase.
What is the best acoustic piano? A new piano
There are thousands of piano brands but the industry standard is Yamaha. Almost every music school in the world will have a Yamaha upright piano. The key action is excellent. The U series is the most common and is of excellent quality. Yamaha’s build quality is very consistent but every piano has its unique character and will sound different. New, they are quite expensive and unless you have a lot of money we would suggest that you buy a second-hand piano.
Second-hand acoustic pianos
There are hundreds of them out there and with our expertise, we can find you something that in a shop would cost you £1500 for about half of that price. We will go and try the piano out for/with you and arrange delivery and tuning too. If you contact your Head Teacher with a budget, then we can definitely find something to suit. The more well-known pianos such as Yamaha and Kawai are harder to find a deal on but there are many really great pianos that people don’t know about.
Delivery and tuning
We’d recommend that all acoustic pianos are delivered by an expert with insurance. Anything other than a ground floor delivery will require 2 people. You will also need to tune the piano two weeks after it’s been delivered. The piano’s tuning will change in accordance with the new temperature and environment of your home. An expert can also do a setup to improve the action and key response.
The average price for these services: Delivery £50 - £250. Tuning £60. Setup £60 (not always necessary).
Although we know a lot of people that can provide this service, we don’t do it ourselves.
Buying a piano in installments
In Bristol, Mickleburgh offers 0% finance on acoustic pianos as well as digital ones.
In Brighton, the Piano Warehouse also does a government-funded loan scheme as well which is worth checking out.
This scheme from UK Pianos allows you to pay the cost of your instrument in installments.
As a rough guide, I’d recommend that the following groups of people purchase the following instruments.
Young pianists (under 5): Yamaha Piagerro NP11 with semi-weighted keys (or something similar) or a piano with lightly weighted keys
Aspiring midi composers/producers & pianists: Midi keyboard and a piano (weighted keys)
People with not much space (or who are moving soon): A digital piano with weighted keys
Anyone else: An acoustic piano (although this is a pretty good option for anyone)
Good luck, and if you need any further assistance we’d be delighted to help. You can also contact me at contact@pianolessonsuk.co.uk or find out more about our free online piano lesson.
Written by Kevin Matthews - Director at PLUK.