Buying a Used Piano
Most music teachers agree that piano is the best first instrument for a young child. Most elementary age children have enough strength in their fingers to play the instrument, it does not require an ear for tuning the instrument, and pianos are one of the best ways to teach basic music theory and note reading. If you are looking to purchase a piano but cannot afford a new one, consider buying a used one. If you do, keep these tips in mind.
Use a Tuner If you can, hire a tuner-technician to look at the piano you are looking to buy. Most tuning problems can be fixed, but there are some problems that will haunt you as long as you have the piano. For instance, you might not notice a hairline crack inside the instrument that will be a fundamental flaw as it is played. No matter how well you know pianos, you will not be able to spot these types of flaws without the help of a qualified tuner.
You will pay for this service, so make sure you are fairly serious about a purchase before you hire the tuner. Take some time to shop around and see what appears to be a good deal. Once you find an instrument that you are serious about buying, hire a tuner to look at it.
Be Thorough in Your Inspection Before you hire the tuner, make sure you have thoroughly inspected the piano on your own. Press every key and make sure it works and does not stick. Be sure to try all of the pedals. Watch for hammers, pedals, or keys that squeak. Look inside the piano. Any missing hammers or strings are a red flag that will tell you not to buy the piano. However, you also want to make sure that the hammers are not damaged. Sometimes they are moth-eaten or have been worn away by the strings. If a hammer breaks, it will be an expensive fix, so do not buy the piano if the hammers look worn.
If the piano looks good, ask about its history. The more serious the owner was as a pianist, the better the instrument has been cared for in most situations. A tuner can take the brand name and serial number of the piano and give you its age. Avoid buying a piano that is over 20 years old, because it will not hold up well.
Getting the Piano Home Once you have found a piano, have had it inspected, and are ready to buy it and take it home, you will need to make the proper moving arrangements. Before you finalize the arrangements, make sure the piano will fit through your door. Some people will remove the keyboard in order to fit a piano into a home, but this is a bad idea. If the piano will not fit, find a smaller one. Believe it or not, serious damage can occur to a piano if it moved improperly. Consider hiring a moving company that is certified to move pianos. This will ensure that as little damage as possible occurs during the moving process.
Once you have your piano in your home, call your tuner again and have it tuned. The moving process will knock the best piano out of tune, so this is a necessary step before you begin playing. Ask the tuner about proper care for your piano to ensure that it lasts many years in your home.
Buying a used piano will save you money, but you need to make sure you get a good one that will last as long as you need it to. By carefully inspecting the piano you want to buy and enlisting the help of a professional, you will be able to find a real gem.
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