New to the Piano - advice please!?

Question

Hi,

My partner has bought me piano lessons as a present which I am very excited about as I have been wanting to learn for some time. I need to buy a piano but don't have a clue where to start! Ideally I don't want to spend too much more that £250 being a new learner and all, and would like an upright piano that won't take up too much space.

Can anyone give me advice on the best makes, what to look for etc etc?

Thanks!

Answer 1

As a piano player myself I prefer a real piano, but the fact is that electric pianos have come a long long way. There is now good touch sensitivity and realistic pedal action (which was always a problem) and good clear piano sounds available. (not to mention a whole host of rather nice non-traditional features)

Since you are new to it, I would recommend renting an electric piano to start. If you like it then experiment by playing other people's pianos until you can make up your own mind what kind of piano you want and if the money and space committment of owning a real piano is appropriate.

250 quid is not enough to get a good piano. Even though I prefer real pianos, I would prefer an electric to a tinny sounding cheap upright anyday. A free piano is generally worth its asking price. (though I suppose one could get lucky)

I sold my old Heintzman upright piano two years ago and while I do miss it, when I played my friend's new electric piano that he bought for his son to learn on (he's well off and could easily afford a good real piano) I have to admit that I actually liked playing on it.

Answer 2

keyboads and electric pianos are not really pianos. You can't really get from them what you can a standard piano. I would consider getting the best used piano you can afford, an upright is good but it is really heavy and you will pay for the moving costs, don't try to have your friends move it somebody will strain something. A spinet is ok but you don't get the same resonance from it, but the space you have would probably accommodate an upright as well as a spinet because the size difference is chiefly in height. All pianos have the same size keyboard. I would inquire at churches and music schools, such places routinely keep their pianos tuned regularly. A piano that has not been kept in tune and neglected will never keep in tune very long, pianos from private homes are not usually cared for unless they were owned by a professional musician. There are many good brands out there, but you wont get a stineway for the money you have, even used. How a piano has been cared for is the most important thing. You can always get the outside of the piano refinished to look nice, but the instrument is the important thing, not how it looks.

Have your piano tuned after it has sat in your home for a couple of weeks and gotten used to the humidity and temperature. A hall or large room where it has been formerly has different environment.

Answer 3

Check each key to make sure it plays a sound and doesn't stick, bits from the 'end' ones may have been 'nobbled' for spares. Pianos don't like central heating , if it's right up against a radiator it could be damaged. It shouldn't even be placed where there is a rad on the opposite side of the wall. When you've bought one let it settle down in it's new home for a few weeks before you have it tuned, that'll cost you about £30 It'll be much cheaper from the small ads, bear in mind delivery probs, pianos are very heavy. Also check out dealers to pick there brains and try out a few, no two ever sound the same! For starters consider a second hand Yamaha electric keyboard, great value. My piano is a Kwai I love it!

Answer 4

I own two perfectly good upright pianos, both of which I got free. Check around, sometimes people will let you have them for nothing if you just haul them away. Go figure.
You want a spinet (a shorter version of the old upright.)

Answer 5

I play piano since i was 11 years old. but i still dont have piano just practice with my long keyboard.I think the best thing is buy a piano(upright piano is better) for your self.And choose a good music teacher.First you have to pay attention on your fingering and the position of your hand.It's good to learn something by your self but i think for music you have to go to a music teacher.

Answer 6

Not to spend more than £250 on a piano?!!!! You have to be kidding!!!!

On the other hand, look on the classified adverts of your local paper, many people give them away free as long as you take it away yourself. Check the FreeAds paper too.

Answer 7

if your a beginner, best just to look in your local classified ads and then find a tuner in the yellow pages

Answer 8

My wife's got one shes playing it wright now and that's why I'm on Answers