How to Choose the Right Piano for Beginners

This is a long-debated topic among piano teachers as well as instrumental teachers. How much money do we expect families to spend on an instrument for a beginner? We hear all the time that families want to “wait to see if lessons will stick.” Other families have inherited a low-quality instrument. I hope to provide a middle-of-the-road approach to choosing an instrument for your beginning or intermediate student.

When students start school band they often get what are called “starter instruments.” String instruments usually start on smaller instruments too. Does the piano work the same way? Yes and no.

There can be no replacement for the real-life acoustic sound of the piano. While there are many different sizes and price points for choosing an acoustic piano, I do want to emphasize that, eventually, to have the optimal lesson experience students need an acoustic piano.

So, what if we start on an electric keyboard first, then switch to an acoustic when the student reaches a certain level? For me this can be agreeable with some conditions. One problem piano teachers face is that families often do not actually end up making the switch as agreed at the start of lessons.

If you will plan for the eventual purchase of an acoustic piano, some teachers will allow students to start on a digital piano. But after about a year of lessons, the switch to an acoustic should be made.

Choosing an Digital Piano

My favorite digital pianos for piano lessons are usually called stage pianos. Stage pianos usually mean that the keyboard is a full 88-keys, weighted, and have built in speakers. Built in speakers are very important. My top brand is Roland because they have the best touch, best piano sampling (which means a real piano has been recorded at various touches and volumes), and the best key weight. Check out the FP Series. Steinway is typically the dealer of Roland pianos.

My second favorite is the Yamaha digital pianos. I would stay away form the lowest one or two models. They tend to have poor sampling and do not allow students to play with lots of keys at the same time.

Digital Piano Requirements for Piano Lessons

1. 88-keys, fully weighted

2. Sustain Pedal (not a square switch)

3. At least the second model up from the least expensive model

4. Piano Stand

5. Piano Bench

6. Music Stand

7. Built-in Speakers

Choosing an Acoustic Piano

There is no way to completely prepare you fro purchasing an acoustic piano, but there are a few guidelines to consider.

First, if you already have a piano or are acquiring a piano from a relative or friend, it’s best to share pictures with your teacher and have a piano technician look over it for quality. We love Kelly’s Piano Services for Nashville Piano students. Our students benefit from in-home piano lessons since the teacher can actually play the student’s piano and give you feedback about it’s quality.

Types of Pianos

• Spinet Piano – 36 to 39 inches in height (not recommended)

• Console Piano – 40 to 44 inches in height (Great beginner piano)

• Studio Piano – 45 to 49 inches in height

• Upright Piano – 50 to 60 inches in height

• Grand Piano — vary in length, stick with grands that are at least 5 feet

*An upright piano is a fine way to begin with piano lessons. Usually high achieving students want to upgrade to a grand piano by the mid to late intermediate level.

Facebook Marketplace/Personal Seller

If you are preparing to purchase an acoustic piano you probably already realize there is a wide range of price points and quality. You can find acoustic pianos on Facebook marketplace, from family members, or from a dealer. If you find something from a serious seller on Facebook you should always have a technician look at it if you can. At the very least, you and your teacher should look at it.

You want a piano that has been maintained in a controlled climate with humidity around 45-60%. If the piano is more than 20 years old, I recommend making sure it has been played and tuned regularly. Acoustic pianos are made of 100s of wood, steel, and felt pieces so they tend to have damage in wet environments or environments that change constantly throughout the year from wet to dry.

Stick with name brands: Steinway, Boston, Essex, Yamaha, Kawaii, Baldwin, Bosendorfer, Bechstein.

Working with Piano Dealer

Piano dealers are typically trustworthy. Some dealers haggle, others don’t. I always recommend telling the dealer you are a serious buyer and buying for a serious student. I recommend staying away from newer models such as hybrids, since many of them have features you do not need. Most dealers run sales, so ask about them. Make sure to sleep on your decision.

Ask your piano teacher or piano technician if there are any trusted piano salesmen they can recommend.

We are so excited for you to begin piano lessons in Nashville, TN or wherever you are!