Buying a Used Piano

[Ken London]

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.

Learning to Play the Piano: http://www.pianomihv.tk/