Whether its on the Christmas wish list of your teenage son, or its been on the bucket list of your spouse for years, why not make this the year you surprise him or her with a brand new piano?
Pianos come in all different shapes and sizes, with many different options, and at many different price ranges. Which means before you begin looking for the perfect piano for your loved one, its important you determine needs first. Start with a few simple questions:
- Do you prefer an upright or grand piano?
- Do you prefer an acoustic or a digital?
- Would something portable be more beneficial, or will it hold a special place within your home?
- How much are you willing to spend?
By answering those few questions, you can easily have all you’ll need to make the perfect choice.
Uprights come in all different types of heights, finishes and cabinets. The height is measured from the floor to the top of the piano; the overall size being the most important factor in determining tone quality and volume. The taller the piano, the longer the strings, the bigger the soundboard, the louder the sound. There are some professional or full size upright pianos that may have larger strings and larger soundboards than some small grand pianos.
Grand pianos also range in size, style and finish. The length of a grand piano is measured from the front of the keyboard to the very back of the piano when the lid is closed. Piano teachers, music schools, universities and serious amateurs often prefer a medium grand piano because of its tone and its volume. The largest grands – concert grands – are mostly used in concert halls, auditoriums, churches and public performing locations.
Choosing an upright versus a grand is usually a personal choice based on space. Both can look beautiful and play equally well, depending on your final selection. Other than the most common characteristics – finish, style, size, shape – the most important aspect in choosing a piano is the action of the piano. In grands, the strings are horizontal, with the hammer hitting the string from below and dropping back into place. The movement is the same direction as gravity, allowing for faster repetition and better tone quality. In uprights, the hammers hit the strings from the side, so slower sound repetition is produced. Depending on your desires, a higher quality upright can meet higher standards in sound compared with the smallest of grands. Be sure to test and know what you’re getting to avoid disappointment later.
Digital pianos are purchased for a variety of reasons, and may be the perfect choice for the budding musician in your life. They don’t require tuning, can easily be moved from place to place, have a lot of functionality with them, and can offer both recording and playback features you won’t find with acoustic pianos. Although they cannot compare with the quality sound of an acoustic piano, they do provide opportunity for creating sound in many different ways. And for the price, its often a good choice for teens playing in bands or starting up other musical groups.
Whether you only have an idea of what type of piano you want, or know the exact model and brand, stop by today. We can help you select the perfect piano, and help you keep it a surprise right up until the big day.
