Don't
make a chore out of it, the main thing to look for is an instrument that pleases
you, stay away from the spectacular bargains and beware of attempts to discredit
other manufacturers or businesses.
Perhaps you have always imagined that
selecting the right piano calls for some special knowledge or advice that would
not be necessary in buying an automobile, a computer, furniture, or a diamond
ring. People who don't know anything about those products buy them by the
thousands every day. They simply walk into a reliable store that sells such
things and pick out what suits their tastes and pocketbooks, and that is exactly
what you should do if you want to buy a piano.
For some curious reason, many who
attempt to find a piano for their home soon acquire a distinct inferiority
complex then wind up in a state of utter mental confusion. Most people who feel
that way about it seem to have the erroneous idea that the quality of a piano
tune is definite and measurable, like that of gold; that a jury of experts, or
perhaps laboratory tests, might demonstrate that one piano has 14-karat tone, so
to speak, another an 18-karat tone, while the 24-karat tone is supreme.
Don't Believe It!
Nothing could be further from the
truth. The appeal of piano tone is one of personal preference, A piano purchase
is not a logical choice, it is an emotional decision. Many of the top concert
artists, even those who play the same make of piano, differ in their opinion of
the tone best suited to the virtuosity of each piano. It may surprise you to know that
two identical pianos may have different tone characteristics by the technical
process known as "tone regulating", as well as by mere pitch adjustment, or
tuning. The instrument which you choose should bear a name that indicates it's
enduring qualities of tone and stability. The trademark on the fallboard alone
should be your assurance of its distinction and musicianship.
Each piano has a
characteristic
of its own. The pedigree that sets it apart even from other instruments of the
same make, model, and style is inevitable. No two trees ever grow exactly alike.
Grain and densities differ between different species and between individual
trees of the same species. Plastics and other materials used in keys differ in
color. Wool from which hammer and dampers felts are made vary in texture and
length of fiber. Such variations are present in all materials from which pianos
are made.
You are buying a piano for your home,
for yourself, your children and musical friends to play, You are going to live
with the instrument and it is you who should be pleased. Don't discount your own
ability to judge the tone that pleases. You might want to take a friend to
assist you in your selection, and not a technician or a teacher whose judgment
might be swayed by the hope of a commission. Some, but not many, technicians and
music teachers are a bit on the commercial side. Fortunately, the best music
stores don't pay commission anyway, they don't have to. They simply want you to
listen to the piano, not the salesman or a technician.
We have seen it a thousand times, a
well meaning piano teacher goes into a piano store and after much playing and
looking, decides this is the piano for you, the one you really can't afford or
you don't even like the looks of. The poor piano teacher hasn't a clue about your finances
or your decor. If you take 100 people, all musicians, technicians, piano
teachers, and put them in a room with 10 pianos, you will wind up with 100
different opinions.
What Pleases You?
While the
piano is basically a musical instrument, a percussive instrument, with 88 notes
and keys, bulk makes it a piece of furniture. You want your piano to please your
ear, but you also want to please your eye, and no third party can select the look
of the piano that pleases you anymore that they can select a painting for the
wall of your home. The third factor, of course, is the price. But the two most
important words in the first two requirements are "PLEASES YOU".
Piano Shopping
When you decide that you want to go
piano shopping, go to the store that has the reputation for reliability in your
community. Look with suspicion upon one that is constantly advertising bargains.
The salesperson, if he or she is a
professional, may ask you several questions before he even tries to demonstrate
his pianos. The factors to be considered are size, new versus used, tone quality,
action, appearance and durability. You must consider the beauty of what you see,
the beauty of what you hear, and the value of your investment. The final answer
to each of these considerations depends largely on each personal situation. Here
are a few guidelines and resources that can be helpful when making those
decisions. Don't resent his or her questions. The salesperson is simply trying
to select the piano best suited to your purse or purpose. The questions may
include if you have children who are expected to study the piano or they may
want to know the approximate size of your living room and type furniture. Frank
answers will save you much time.
Qualifying Your Needs
The
salesperson is genuinely interested and wants you to be happy with your
selection for years to come. The dealer who helps you select the piano hopes you will tell everyone how much you "love" your
piano! The dealer knows that the name on the piano is easily seen by everyone
who visits your home and chances are their store is
the only one who sells that brand, and hopefully will receive customer
referrals. Real bargains in new pianos are rare. The more expensive the
instrument, the lower the discount. To our knowledge no one is giving away
Steinway, Yamaha, Bosendorfer, Beckstein or any other great piano.
FINALLY
It is wise to buy from local dealers
to whom you have access should there arise necessity for explanations of
service. The piano dealer is familiar with the instruments, and you may depend
upon what he tells you concerning them. Having once decided upon your piano, do
not permit yourself to be disturbed by the contradictory talk of any other
person who may decry your choice or declare that you have not made a good
bargain. In ninety-nine out of every hundred cases, discontent is the result of
disappointment born of a competitors defeat, and such attempted interference is
unworthy of consideration.
Don't make a chore of buying a piano.
It should be fun. You will never forget the person who helped you with your
selection. If you find the piano that pleases you at the price within your
budget, buy it with confidence in the full knowledge that the seller, if he is a
respectable merchant in your community, he is very committed to your happiness with
your purchase forever.
