If you are looking for a new piano for your home or place of practice, then you may be struggling where to begin. With thousands of models for you to choose between, what are the most important aspects to consider before you invest in your next instrument? Below, we’ve rounded up what you need to look for when you buy a new piano.

Do you have space?

It’s easy to add a piano to your home, but you should carry out all of the necessary measurements before you buy your next instrument. Lay out a plan of where in your home you want your piano to sit – using chalk or masking tape to ‘block off’ your home can give you a great sense of whether or not it will be able to fit. You need to find a space that you won’t bump into, that is well aired and is away from direct sunlight. The more you do in advance, the better prepared you will be.

Consider whether you’d prefer a grand or upright piano

There are clear differences between grand and upright pianos, with both offering unique benefits. When it comes to finding the right piano, consider whether or not you have the space that a grand piano would require – and then calculate whether or not you have the budget! While grand pianos are considered more authentic and traditional, they’re also more expensive and can eat up space in your property, which can be a drawback if you live somewhere small or want to work with an arrangement of instruments to create your music.

The benefits of upright pianos, on the other hand, are focused on space-efficiency and affordability, but such models are more than capable of providing a high-quality sound to the musician. If you’re on a budget or you’re tight on space, an upright is certainly more appropriate.

Think about your budget

Although there are a whole host of discounted models on the market, a good quality piano will inevitably set you back. Because of this, it is essential that you stick to your budget and factor in whether or not you’re getting a high-quality, long lasting product for your money. Piano specialists Coach House Pianos argue that the expensive maintenance and repairs that are associated with cheap or second-hand models mean that investing in a brand new piano makes financial sense.

Decide on digital or acoustic                                                                            

Acoustic pianos produce their sound through felt-covered hammers which hit steel wire strings, while digital pianos produce sounds through electronic speakers which playback high-quality sound recordings from traditional acoustic pianos. It’s up to you whether or not you opt for an acoustic or digital model, but advancements in technology mean that digital pianos are now a lot more realistic than they used to be. Digital pianos can now simulate the weighted keys of an acoustic piano, and many models allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the keys to suit your exacting requirements – something which cannot be done on a traditional acoustic piano.

Other benefits of acoustic pianos include their appearance, timbre, resonance and touch responsiveness, while arguments for digital pianos include the fact that they are more versatile, do not need to be tuned and they can be used while wearing headphones.

While it is clear that some models of piano are superior to others, the majority of the features are down to personal preference. If you would like more information about finding the right piano, click here.