Selecting the Perfect Piano for Your Home

Tips from Piano & Organ Distributors...

You hear more about the emotional and physical benefits of music making and how studying piano can strengthen your child’s academic performance. You’ve finally decided to take the plunge. How do you begin? Like any major purchase, the process of selecting a piano will take you through a series of decisions. By investing a little time and knowing the correct questions, you can find just the right piano.

Why Am I Buying A Piano? It may sound obvious, but it’s essential to define why you’re interested in purchasing a piano. Are you interested in its stress relieving benefits? Do you entertain frequently and wish to augment your home entertainment system? Perhaps your children are taking lessons? Maybe you’ve begun playing piano again after a hiatus? Are you seeking to use the piano to enhance your home décor?

How much should I spend? The first step is to decide upon a budget. Believe it or not, most pianos are comprised of the same parts. It’s the quality of the materials that accounts for why one piano might look identical but costs more. It’s important not to economize too much, especially if you have a child taking lessons. A quality musical experience requires a quality instrument. Yamaha offers retail installment financing to customers that make owning a top-quality Yamaha piano more affordable than you think.

Upright or Grand Models? This decision may depend upon the space available. Be sure to know the dimensions of the space the piano will occupy. Generally, the larger the piano, the better and more resonant the tone. Grand Pianos are measured by their horizontal length; with the smallest being less than five feet but those ranging from 5’3” to 6’1” are the most popular. Remember that a piano will also be part of your home décor. There are often several choices of cabinet style and color within the same model. Just as important as the aesthetic and visual placement of the piano is the acoustic placement of the instrument. If you place a large piano in a room that’s too small, the sound won’t resonate properly.

High-Tech Options That Expand Your Home Entertainment Possibilities. Imagine enjoying live piano music even if you don’t play! A great way to get additional use out of your piano is to take advantage of an advanced performance-reproducing piano. For example, the YAMAHA DISKLAVIER is a concert-quality grand piano which has a built-in electronic system that enables it to play on its own with remarkable fidelity. An onboard sound system lets the piano reproduce vocals and other instrument sounds to go along with the “live” piano performance. Users can even record their own piano playing to hear again later, or they can select from a broad catalog of Yamaha software featuring the works of popular performers.

What about Warranties and Service? It’s important to be clear on the terms of your warranty which usually comes from the manufacturer on a new piano. How long will the warranty remain in effect?

Which Brand Should I Choose? Since buying a piano is a new experience for most customers, choosing an established brand, such as Yamaha, can raise your comfort level. Don’t hesitate to call your local Yamaha dealer, Piano & Organ Distributors, to get professional assistance. Seek out friends and educators who own pianos or consult a piano technician. Don’t be bashful about playing and examining the piano. From the feel of the action to the gleam of the cabinet finish, feedback is going to be part of your ownership experience, so it should be part of your shopping experience, too.

A Long and Rewarding Relationship. As with any other investment, the purchase of a piano involves a considerable amount of research. But there are few investments that will prove as gratifying. The effort you put into selecting the right one, and keeping it properly maintained, will reward you many times over as your piano brings beauty, culture and musical enjoyment to your home for many years to come. Piano & Organ Distributors has a Yamaha Certified piano consultant on staff to assist you in getting started.