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Beginning Piano Players: What Type of Piano to Buy

One of the biggest obstacles to taking piano lessons is buying a piano. Pianos are notoriously expensive and they can take up quite a bit of space in your home. Whether you're just starting to explore the idea of piano lessons or you've been considering it for years, it can be difficult to justify the expense and the trouble associated with a piano purchase. At the same time, you cannot master the skills and really get value out of lessons unless you have a place to practice regularly. Fortunately, there are options for those looking to buy or rent a piano.

Do You Need to Buy at All?

Contrary to popular belief, it isn't required to own a piano to take lessons. As long as you have regular access to a piano (or even a good keyboard) - and you practice on that piano for at least the minimum amount of time recommended by your piano instructor - you should be able to get by.

Consider relatives or friends who may have a piano they are willing to grant you access to. Schools, community centers, and nursing homes also often have unused or rarely used instruments just sitting around. As long as no one objects to your practicing (especially in the beginning when you'll make quite a few mistakes), you might be able to simply borrow someone else's. Piano rental is also a viable option for those not willing to make the long-term commitment of a piano purchase.

Should You Buy a Piano or Keyboard?

Many beginning piano players skip the piano altogether, opting instead for an electronic keyboard. Keyboards, which can range from $50 to $5,000, can provide a short-term solution but should typically not be used in place of a piano. Most of them don't have weighted keys or foot pedals (both of which provide control over sound), and many versions actually only supply a small range of the keys found on a traditional piano.

While keyboards might be a good way to "test the waters" of piano playing - if, for example, you aren't quite sure if you want to play or if your child will stick it out - they cannot compare to the real thing. An inexpensive upright piano or even a digital piano is almost always a better choice. If you look for good deals or used pianos, the cost is often close to the same.

Which Piano to Buy

Most starting out players use upright pianos. These are less expensive, take up a smaller amount of space, and still provide a high quality of sound and touch. They are also easier to find used. (Piano players tend to "trade up" as they develop their skills, which means that the starting pianos are more abundant and easier to find for less.)

Grand pianos (or baby grands) are geared more toward professional musicians or those who are serious about their future musical careers, so unless you have an excess of money and an unused room in your house, they aren't really for beginning players.

Digital pianos offer a sort of middle ground between upright pianos and keyboards. The keys look and feel just like regular keys, giving players the ability to play with sound in the traditional way. They don't require tuning, often have headphone and audio capabilities, and are more easily moved. However, the sound tends to be less rich, and they oftentimes lose some of the magic of a traditional acoustic piano.

Buying a Piano

If you're just starting out as a piano player, you might not be able to distinguish between the sounds of a good piano and a mediocre piano. Going to a shop might not help, since the salesperson may care more about the sale than aligning your needs with the best piano.

If you are shopping for a piano, take someone who knows what to look for or even your piano instructor to help you make the best decision. If you're looking at a used piano, it is probably best to bring a piano tuner along, since he or she will be able to determine what the cost of any repairs or structural flaws will be.