BUYING A PIANO OR KEYBOARD

I am often asked about what instrument to buy.
Here are some things to consider.

  • Do you want a keyboard or a piano?
  • Do you have room for a piano?
  • Where are you going to put it?
  • How much can you afford to spend?

PIANOS

Grand PianoIt may be tempting to buy a piano from the paper, but it is very important to have it checked out by a technician first. What may look good may not sound good. There are bargains out there but you have to know what you are looking for. I would suggest you go through an established retailer so you will get a guarantee. Pianos need to be tuned every 12 months and can be expensive to move. If you like the idea of a piano rather than a keyboard but you aren't sure if you or your child will stay in lessons, you could consider hiring one. The yellow pages is a great place to start looking into buying and hiring both pianos and keyboards or looking for a piano tuner.

KEYBOARDS AND DIGITAL PIANOS

The great advantage of buying a keyboard or digital piano is that they are great for small spaces. Keyboards are more portable than digital pianos and neither needs to be tuned.

There are many different keyboards on the market at the moment, and with modern technology, more coming onto the market all the time.

KeyboardHere's what to look for:

  • Minimum of 61 regular sized keys (full sized have 88)
  • A sustain pedal (not a sustain "button")
  • Touch sensitive keys
  • A good solid adjustable stand
  • Adjustable seat (optional)

Nick Davis at Melody Music in Leederville offers discounts for Simply Music students. www.melodymusic.com.au