Buying a Piano
Part 5

PEDALS. All pianos have at least two pedals, and some have an extra third middle pedal. Check that each pedal works smoothly and silently. Note: It is not normally worth paying extra for a piano because it has three pedals instead of two, as the middle pedal is not often used by most pianists especially if they intend to do your first beginners piano lessons.

HOW IT SOUNDS. How a piano sounds is most important, because the sound is the end result by which everything else is judged. A good piano has a mellow rounded tone - a piano should not sound bright or jangling, you may not be able to tell the difference in the beginning as you learn to play or playing at your first piano lessons, however you will notice it as soon as you are more familiar and become better at it.

Ask for a demonstration of several pianos of the same type and size, and listen with the top of each piano opened. The difference in sound quality between pianos is most obvious in the very lowest and very highest notes. The low notes should sound deep and resonant, the high notes should sound clear but not at all harsh. The piano with the clearest sounding bass and treble notes and the most mellow tone is probably the best to use for your piano lessons.

A piano should have an even tone throughout the keyboard. Play all the notes on the piano. Start with the lowest notes at the left of the keyboard and move up one note at a time to the highest notes at the right of the keyboard. There should be no sudden change in tone or volume (loudness) from one note to the next.

Also compare the volume of the lowest and highest notes with the volume of notes in the middle of the keyboard. There is always some difference in volume, but pianos with the least difference are likely to be better instruments.

THE PIANO CASE OR CABINET. This is a good piano lesson to learn, always remember that the outside 'case' of the piano is last on the list of features because it should be a less important consideration when buying a new or a used piano than any of the other parts. The 'case' has no real effect on the piano as a musical instrument. It is a piece of furniture which can be modelled on almost any style - modern, classical, French, and so on. The more elaborate the design, the more the piano will cost - but the outside case will not make the piano any better as a musical instrument.

So when you buy your new/used piano for your piano lessons, choose any design you like, but do not be fooled by a piano which has a goodlooking case covering up a poor quality instrument - it may cost more than a far better piano inside a plainer case. Also beware of elaborate furniture designs which may go out of style during the life of the piano and reduce its value.

The quality of the finish of the case is important, because it must stand up to years of use. The best cases are made of solid wood covered with two or more layers of veneer for strength and finished with several coats of varnish or lacquer.

Please continue to the next piano lesson page on the summary of things to consider when buying your new or used piano'sNext

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