Choosing the best piano for your home is a thrilling yet complicated process. You can’t wait to welcome your new baby, but there is a myriad of things to consider to ensure you’re making the right choice. So how can you bring home the top piano? Here are a few factors to keep in mind.
Acoustic vs digital
The first choice you’ll be faced with is whether you should buy an acoustic or a digital piano. There are a lot of pros and cons for each kind, and it all comes down to your preferences, budget, and needs.
Generally speaking, acoustic pianos are known to produce a superior sound, although some high-end digital pianos can come pretty close. If you have to choose between a low-end acoustic piano and a high-end digital one, you should definitely go for the digital piano.
Acoustic pianos also have much more sensitive keys, and that gives various levels of sound depth depending on your touch. Meanwhile, most digital piano keys give only one layer of sound when pressed. On the other hand, acoustic pianos require a lot of maintenance and tuning. That’s something you won’t have to struggle with when using a digital piano.
Another advantage of digital pianos is their versatility. They compensate for their lack of sound quality with their various features of utility and portability. Using a digital piano, you can play other instrumental sounds, connect various devices, record your session, control the volume, and carry it around with you.
Price is another significant factor. Acoustic pianos are generally much more expensive than digital ones. However, digital pianos depreciate much faster than acoustic ones, making their resale value lower.
Piano type
There are two kinds of acoustic pianos: grand and upright. Meanwhile, digital pianos come in three types: grand, upright, and portable.
The first choice of any professional musician will almost always be an acoustic grand piano since it produces a much richer and more dynamic sound than its upright or digital counterparts. However, some acoustic uprights make an exception to the rule with their broad range of sonic tonalities.
Grand pianos often look more high-end and luxurious, while uprights are great for small or limited spaces. Uprights are also less expensive, making them a student’s favorite choice. Nowadays, silent pianos, a hybrid of acoustic and digital pianos, are becoming increasingly popular as well.
The sound
After deciding on the type of piano you’d like to use, take the time to play various models to determine whether you like their sounds. The same type of piano can produce different sounds depending on many factors, and the choice is subjective in the end. Some people like mellow tones, while others prefer brighter ones.
If you’re unsure where to start, getting a professional’s opinion can prove to be rather beneficial. That’s especially important if you need the piano for a specific purpose other than using it for training or as a hobby.
The keys
There are a lot of things to consider when pressing the keys. For starters, the piano’s keys should be smooth and void of any cracks.
However, they should also provide adequate resistance when you’re pressing them. If you’re able to press them as easily as you press keyboard buttons, that means they lack enough resistance. Moreover, the keys should provide enough cushioning to reduce the shock impact on your fingers.
The placement
Where exactly you’ll place the piano is a crucial factor you can’t overlook. If you have limited space, you’d be wiser to choose upright pianos over grand ones. You’ll find portable pianos a better option if you need to have them on the move.
On another note, acoustic pianos are generally sensitive to weather conditions. You shouldn’t place an acoustic piano in a humid or hot environment, nor should it be subjected to direct sunlight.
The warranty
Acoustic pianos are no small investments. They also require a lot of maintenance, so be sure to get a piano with a warranty of at least 5 years. Most reputable brands will offer long-term warranties for their pianos, so be wary of private retailers who don’t offer these warranties.
Unfortunately, used pianos rarely come with warranties, so keep that in mind if you’re considering getting a used one.
Choosing the right piano for your home takes considerable research and effort. You have to decide on your preferred type while weighing the options, cost, and features. You shouldn’t forget to consider their placement either. Once you decide on your preferred model, make sure it comes with a long-term warranty to cover its maintenance needs.
