You're thinking about buying a piano. It might be your first, or it could be a replacement for an older instrument. Either way, a piano is a significant investment -- like a fine painting or exquisite jewelry. Before you make that investment, you need to make sure you're investing wisely. 

You may be looking at the most respected piano in the world.  But if the tonal quality doesn't satisfy your ear, the piano won't satisfy you.  

• Listen to the piano. Tune in to the range and character of the tones the instrument produces. Even if you've never paid much attention to tone before, you'll be able to hear and "feel" much about the piano's tonal quality.  
• A good piano must be capable of accommodating many different kinds of musicians and the variety of music they play - from boisterous honky tonk to the haunting strains of a sonata. And it must project a multitude of musical styles and colors, the performance elements borne of practiced technique.  
• Avoid a harsh tonal quality. The highs and lows should be as pleasing as the mid-range tones, without sharp "edges" or a metallic personality. In the mid-range, the piano's tones should carry a feeling of depth and expanse, qualities that deliver full, rich, balanced sounds.  
• Balance is important in a piano's tone. Your instrument should be able to project power that doesn't overtax the piano's inherent capabilities, yet it should be just as able to deliver lightness and roundness to the most delicate, sensitive music.  In other words, a piano's tone must be uniform over its complete range.  
• Keep in mind that the size of the piano is a major determining factor in the instrument's tonal quality. The larger the instrument, generally the better the tone.  
• This does not mean, however, that you can only get fine tonal quality from a concert grand piano. Many modern uprights are capable of producing truly beautiful, rich tone-some matching the fullness and majesty of a grand.  
• You know the kind of should you like. If you follow the basic guidelines reviewed, you'll be able to choose a piano that will please you, your family, and your friends for many years.

A fine piano can be a source of unlimited musical pleasure. But if the action is inconsistent, awkward, or too heavy, the piano will frustrate even the most accomplished musician.

• After you've listened to the tonal quality of the instrument, sit down and touch the keyboard.  Play the piano. Or if you don't know how, play individual notes across the full range of the keyboard.
• Is it easier to push the high-note keys than it is the low ones?
• Do you have to press uncomfortably hard to produce louder sounds?
• Do the keys feel loose or wobbly?
• Is it difficult to play pianissimo with very light pressure?
• Do the black keys feel stiff or sluggish?
• If you answer yes to any of these questions, you need to look at a different piano. Because touch is the key to proficient, satisfying play.  Certainly, a beginner does not have the finger strength or sensitivity of an experienced pianist. But a good piano will feel comfortable from the very start, regardless of the player.
• Your piano's touch should encourage you, help you to explore the instrument's capabilities. It should not have a touch so heavy that it interferes with your efforts to learn or progress. 
• And as in tonal quality, uniformity in touch also is important. Your piano's action must be consistent and efficient across the entire length of the keyboard - from the lowest low to the highest high. Any variation will make playing and learning an unnecessary challenge.
• Response is a basic characteristic in reviewing a piano's touch. The kind of response that lets you discover the endless frontiers of keyboard music performance. 
• Choose a piano that responds to you - the way you want it to.

Nothing is more aggravating than a piano that won't stay in tune. If you're a beginner, you depend on a well-tuned piano to help you develop your musical ear. And if you already know how to play, an out-of-tune insults your performance and ruins the enjoyment a piano can bring. 

• Certainly, no piano will stay in tune forever, no matter how good it is. But a well-made, well designed instrument will hold its tune for a substantial length of time.
• This is where your selection process gets into some highly technical matters: tuning stability and scale design.  
• Does the scale design allow the piano to be tuned beautifully in the first place?
• How long will it stay in tune, given a stable environment?
• Is the piano made out of quality materials known for their strength and stability?
• The best way to get the answers to these and other questions is to ask to speak to your dealer's piano technician.
• Talk to the technician about his or her experience with the piano you're considering. You'll get an expert opinion on the instrument itself (and probably some valuable insights into the basic construction of good pianos!). 
• Overall, you'll want to learn about piano size, string length, sound board, bridge, and frame, and how they work together to produce harmonic balance - an extremely important feature in any fine piano.
• You'll also want to discuss the actual materials and design techniques used in the manufacture of your instrument - the preparation and application of the various woods, the character of the metals, the crafting of the joints, the pin block construction, and how the piano's components are assembled. 
• This may seem unnecessary. It isn't. Because the quality of your piano's design and construction has a direct bearing on the quality of tone your instrument can produce and on the piano's ability to stay in tune. 
• Take the time to study the inner workings of your selection. It will be time well spent...time that will return your investment with lasting enjoyment and personal pride.

You are about to invest in one of the most prestigious and potentially enriching musical instruments available: a piano.

• You should be assured that your investment will enjoy a substantial longevity. Good pianos last a long time - or they should. It all depends on the original quality of the piano and the care you give your instrument. So where do you start?
• If you study the construction elements you learned when you examined tuning stability, you'll get a fairly good picture of the piano's potential lifespan. And the piano's tonal quality and touch will give you an accurate feeling for the overall enjoyment you can expect.
• Now you need to consider the dealer's reputation.
• Does the dealer have an experienced service department?
• Some dealers offer their own service programs, usually at a nominal additional cost. If your does, be sure to review the program carefully. Some manufacturers also provide service programs, most often as part of the warranty coverage. You'll want to know about these service opportunities, too. 
• Next, read the manufacturer's warranty. Be sure to read the entire document, not just the heading. Some limited warranties provide more coverage than some full warranties. The only way to determine a warranty's protection is to study the document thoroughly - ask the dealer about any statements you do not fully understand.
• However, you also should discuss the quality of the piano - and its long-term service requirements - with your dealer's piano technician. He or she can tell you far more about your selection's potential life than any warranty program.
• With proper care and maintenance, your piano should last you for many years.
  A thorough examination of the piano's quality and the dealer's service capabilities will help you make sure the worthiness of your investment is equally enduring.

We've talked about the tone, touch, tuning stability, and life of your piano.  These areas are all extremely important.  But the image of your piano and its manufacturer will have considerable impact on your satisfaction and personal pride in the years ahead. 

• The piano you select needs to be more than simply a keyboard instrument.
•  Whether you want a magnificent grand or a stylish decorator console, your piano should rest on a sound foundation of satisfied owners, established music instructors, and professional performers. 
• And it should come from a manufacturer who has exhibited an in-depth understanding of both piano technology and the many modes of musical pleasure. 
• As you look at pianos, ask your dealer these pertinent questions: How well established is the manufacturer? 
• Is the brand name known?
• Does the manufacturer have a recognized reputation for quality, integrity, and commitment to musical excellence?
• Are there any written customer comments about your piano you could read? 
• Do any professional musicians or performers play this brand of piano?
• Does the manufacturer follow the "spirit" of the warranty and not just the "letter" of it...or is the warranty merely a sales ploy?
• Is the brand used in any conservatories, universities, or other educational institutions?
• You'll also want to talk to music instructors to find out their attitudes. And discuss your selection with as many piano technicians as possible.
• If the answers give you confidence in your choice, you can be reasonably assured that you're on the right track toward the right piano for you - a piano built on the image and reputation of a manufacturer whose instruments have withstood the tests of time, circumstance, and musicians of every type.

Like quality and playing pleasure, a piano's beauty also should endure.

• In your home, a piano becomes an exquisite piece of furniture as much as it is an exciting entertainment center. Your choice should blend well with your decor, complementing the atmosphere of the room and the quality of your furnishings.
• Look at the lustre and finish of the cabinet. Does it invite touch? Is it smooth?
• Does it have any blemishes or flaws?
• Appearance may not affect the instrument's playing quality, but it can have a dramatic effect on the overall look of the room - and ultimately your feelings toward the piano.
• Go over the details of the craftsmanship. Are the joints fitted snugly? Do the lines augment the symmetry of the piano? Are the edges thoroughly finished? Is the finish itself durable?
• Some pianos are finished with a rugged, lasting polyester coating that protects and seals the entire piano body. If you select a piano that has this type of finish, you'll be choosing an instrument that will hold its beauty for many years. 
• Naturally, you are the best judge of beauty. And if you look carefully at the piano you're considering, you'll choose an instrument that can remain as pleasing to the eye as it is to the ear.

Tone. Touch. Tuning Stability. Life. Image. Beauty.  Important points to consider when you're thinking about investing in a piano. Because that's what a piano is - an investment.  And like any investment, you need to be assured of its value. A lasting value that can be a source of pride and pleasure for many, many years.

• After you've reviewed the previous 6 points, you need to come to the final analysis: What is the piano worth?
• Worth is not only a matter of dollars and cents. It includes your potential for enjoying the piano, its appearance in your home, the music it can bring to your friends and family, and the confidence that what you spend today will be returned to you in enduring satisfaction in the future.
• Most fine pianos, if well cared for, hold their value for many, many years. In fact, some quality pianos are worth more now than they were when they were brand new.
• It all depends on you. On how carefully you make your decision. On how well you maintain the musical quality and appearance of your piano.
• If you treat your piano with respect and concern, the investment will be well worth it. Because a fine quality piano can deliver to you one thing that defies any monetary valuation: The amazing, exciting, limitless world of music.