4 Tips to Choose the Best Piano For Your Home
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Having music in your life can get you through a lot. While many instruments can safely be stored in a closet, the piano stands proudly as a centerpiece of your favorite room. It can have a therapeutic value for you and your family members and help you bond through song and music. This is why people find it so difficult to make the right choice. Read about certain things which can help you decide and prepare to invest a lot of time in the process.
Plan before you purchase
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When you consider the process, purchasing a piano is a lot like purchasing a car. First of all, you need to be aware that buying a perfect piano for your home does not happen overnight. Think about the reason you are buying it. People usually buy a piano because they either play the instrument, or they want to learn to play. Buying a top quality one is always the right choice. However, the purpose itself will help you determine how much you can compromise.
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The second thing you need to establish is the budget. Look up the prices and the offer. While purchasing an online piano means you can find a greater choice and a better price, you need to know that there are slim chances of getting the right one if you do not test it. Also, even if you somehow get that part right, there are great risks of it getting damaged in the move. A proper move will cost you an arm and a leg. Definitely try to find and buy a used piano on sale locally. It does not hurt to have a look, as it may be a better alternative for purchasing something with a reduced price.
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The last thing to consider is the size of your home. A small-scale apartment is better suited for an upright piano. Even if your home is fairly large, you need to have enough space in the right room with the right conditions.
These three combined will help you focus on a certain type and look for models in that range.
Test before purchasing
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Once you narrow down your choice, start testing the instruments. Do not feel embarrassed to spend a lot of time doing it and not buy them after you are done. You absolutely cannot make a purchase until you know what each one has to offer. Make sure, though, that you treat the instruments you try out with respect. Make it an imperative to find a local registered piano technician who is willing to come and assist you with the purchase, particularly if you cannot play. In order to test properly, apart from playing a tune to get the emotion from it, you need to test each key individually. This will help you recognize any potential issues.
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The issues you are listening for, however, are more often found in used pianos. Low-quality instruments and those that have not been kept properly. First of all, make sure there is no mold and serious dust build-ups. Second, by playing and sound of individual keys, you will know whether there are any loose strings can imply that the pinblock is bad. Other issues the piano will be able to tell you about is a cracked soundboard, that the bridges have split and felt of the hammers has worn off. You do not have to worry too much about it as all of these issues will easily be recognized by the professional you are taking with you.
Find the perfect conditions
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The physics of a piano greatly depend on the materials it is built out of and how they react to the elements. Your piano is very tender and it requires stability. Any oscillations in temperature and humidity will have an impact. You need a room which is constantly at 21-22° C, that is, 70-72 ° F. This means both day and night. To ensure that the piano truly is at that same average room temperature, place it further away from exterior walls, any sources of heat or ventilation, doors, and windows. I understand that not all windows are drafty, however placing a piano in that area can expose it to direct sunlight, which is another thing you want to avoid. The right humidity levels are at 35%-45%. Pianos do not particularly like dust, smoke or pollen. Gently clean it frequently in order to avoid residue build-ups.
The bottom line is that the room accommodating the piano should be well insulated so you can easily control the conditions in it.
Matching styles
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The room and the piano have to have matching styles. There are various décor styles a piano can match. Make sure the instrument blends in nicely. In addition, the acoustics of the room you choose for your piano is of vital importance. An instrument with a bright and mildly piercing sound will require something to absorb it. This is why you need a smaller room with a lot of carpeting. Generally, wooden floors are the best option, with an addition of a rug for both acoustics and protection from cold. Once the instrument is in your home, you can play with acoustics and try out what works the best. You can add or reduce carpeting, curtains, and wall hangings as you please.
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Having said that, I need to remind you that you still have to have a fairly good idea of what the sound will be like as you need to be able to predict which room and position are the best suited. The piano does not like being moved around. If you have to, take everything but the piano from the room and bring things back one-by-one until you get the right sound.
This is a fabulous instrument which will probably cost you a lot but it will be worth the price. You should not compromise it by saving on things such as proper transportation and maintenance. Every instrument has a sole and if you treat it with respect, it will reward you.
