Newby buying a piano for myself and my son

[dizzymom]

I am in the market of buying a piano. I used to play piano 15 years ago but had stopped since then, long story......now that my son is starting to play, I've decided to join him. I want to buy a piano but I don't play good enough to test the pianos in the showrooms. I used to have a second hand Pearl River which I recall bad memories from it, it was too bright for me. My piano teacher used to have a very mellow Yamaha upright that I really liked but I also recall having a hard time playing out fff with his piano. I am definitely not buying Pearl River again but there are so many brands out there. I don't know anyone close to me who can help me shop for piano. Can you give me suggestions of an expressive piece of music that most salesperson will know how to play on demand which will also allow me to compare different ranges of the key (bass, middle and high notes)? Is it true that playing a Kawai will help build finger's strength? I am looking for an upright piano to start and our budget is below 20K. We live in Southern California.

[keys60]

Really, you need to get out there and play as many different pianos as you can, regardless of your abilities. From old rebuilds to new, all within your budget and some beyond and below your budget.
By the way, Pearl River has made extraordinary improvements with their Baby Grands. Not the cheesy little grand from a few years back. They Asian builders are hiring many American techs for their design and development departments, so China and Korea have some products that are forces to be reckoned with. 20K can get you a real nice piano. I would name a few, but there are so many varying opinions. California doesn't exactly have a shortage of quality pianos. Smaller Steinway M, Mason Hamlin A, Knabe, Yamaha, Baldwin, Kawai's that have recent rebuilds are some of my favorites. You may find some larger pianos in that price range in good shape.

As for an expressive piece, depends on what style you'll be learning. Jazz, contemporary, classical, etc. etc.  I like the Brahms Rhapsodies myself, but some good bluesy Ray Charles style can't hurt either.

Really, one can fill pages of dialogue on the subject, so all the best for now.

[lostinidlewonder]

You really can't go wrong with a Yamaha or Kawai. Yamaha generally I find is better for classical piano and Kawai more for later styles. Yamaha is generally very crisp which allows close attention to the evenness of scales/arpeggios which is generally focused on in Classical, it also has a characteristic metallic bass, quite big. The Kawai has more of a warm brooding sound which suits styles such as Jazz. I own concert grands of both Yamaha and Kawai. Generally I think Yamaha is easier for children to learn on since its key action is generally lighter. I would avoid buying a baby grand if that crosses your mind, go for a concert upright you will get a much better sound.

Just ask a salesman to play the piano, I wouldn't request something in particular. You should test the piano yourself, strike some bass octaves and listen to how it resonates through the instrument, take note of the room that you are in because if you are in a cluttered room it may sound louder and if it is in a large room it might sound softer. Ask your son to even try to play the pianos and ask him which ones feels easier for him to play on. You really do not want to get a piano with a heavy action, I grew up on one and although it has its benefits it really is tiring for a young hand and could dishearten him.

[ignaz]

Hello, I am also a Southern Cal resident and know that you have one of the best available selections of pianos anywhere.  If you like to read buy, larry Fines "The Piano Book" this book should be able to unclutter the many confusing names and give you a direction as to the quality and price ranges of the many pianos available. Please take your time shopping at all the dealers.  Tell them you will not make a purchase today.  Play notes on a very inexpensive/ cheap upright and grand piano to hear what bad sound likes. (less than $4K).  Then find the most expensive piano thay have, usually a Steinway, Bosendorfer or Bechstein and hear those notes played.  Do you hear a difference now? Play the Asian pianos (Yamaha,Kawaii, etc) they tend to be brighter in sound due to their construction, not bad sounding but just a bit different. Now here is my opinion, The best value for your dollar are the Asian Pianos. The better quality and for resale is Steinway and the Western European brands but you will pay a premium for that.  Usually the bigger or taller the piano the better the tone. if you have your heart set on an upright, 46 inches tall should be the minimum but try the 52 inch pianos and you should hear a better tone.  Good luck and keep us posted.

[toner22]

Well if you played some before you prolly still know a lil bit. Just do some regular tests. Feel the keys, texture, weight, release.  The feel of any piano weather it's acoustic or electronic is as different as the fish in the sea.  So find the right feeling one.

Next when you find that right feeling one, play with it a lil, play a couple of small tunes see if you care for the sound. If you feel it might be for you, you mark it down. Do it with all the piano's in the store. When you have your list of piano's you feel you like and are in your price range, then get one of the dealers and have him earn his paycheck. Stand back a ways and listen to how it sounds as he playing something. (Particularly something you like. Always easy to judge every lil thing when you love a song and your hearing it played.)

It's gonna be a pregnant dog. But then again the tags also gonna be quite high as well. Best to be absolutely sure.