After decades of dealing with pianos and with people searching for one, we are increasingly convinced that choosing the right piano is mostly an emotional decision. Of course, rational aspects are also essential – but time and again we see the proverbial spark jump across and the choice fall on a particular instrument. So we can only recommend approaching the searching, discovering and finding in a way that allows a really good decision to develop.
Nevertheless, a few concrete questions should be considered in order to focus the search and the selection. The more you try out, the clearer the picture becomes. So: upright or grand, baby grand or concert grand, acoustic piano, digital piano, USB/MIDI keyboard on the PC? Used or new? Which brand, which manufacturer? Buy, finance or rent? What kind of sound? What price range? What quality is hidden behind the many brand names, including those that sound German?
These questions may help with your initial orientation.
• Who will mainly play the piano – and how?
• Will the instrument be used for piano lessons?
• How important is what for the instrument: quality? Sound? Touch? Value and value retention? History? Size? Condition? Brand? Purchase price? Follow-up costs? Mobility?
• Which sound do you like best?
• What budget can be invested?
• What follow-up costs are acceptable?
• Where will the piano stand, and what is the room climate there?
• Are you likely to move frequently?
• …
We strongly recommend looking at many different instruments and trying them out. Even though no two instruments are exactly alike, preferences will emerge. A process of elimination often helps, too. Seeking expert advice also makes sense. The condition of the instrument, as well as the quality of the preparation and adjustment to individual and spatial conditions (voicing and regulation), are decisive for the sound and the playing characteristics. An instrument of choice only becomes a dream instrument once it has been prepared to meet individual wishes.
In the end, the road to a dream instrument often leads via almost-dream instruments. And it is worth it. Some of our customers have two or more pianos, because not all dreams can be united in one instrument.