Buying a Piano
Part 6

The piano lessons hints on the previous pages should help you to choose the best quality piano for the price you can afford. Here are a few other things you should bear in mind when you go to buy your piano:

Insist on buying the actual piano you have seen and played in the store.
You know how good this piano is, and can be sure it has had time to settle down in normal surroundings. Do not be persuaded to accept any instrument which you have not seen and played. The 'perfect piano which is still in its packing case' could be sitting in a damp warehouse, or could take months to arrive from the manufacturer!

Have the tuning checked.
The piano should be in tune to 'concert pitch' when you buy it. Ask for the tuning to be checked while you are there - it is easy for dealer to do this with a tuning fork.

Make sure the piano comes complete with a suitable piano stool or bench.
Make sure you are given a printed 'guarantee' for the piano.
Every new piano should come with a printed 'Guarantee' and a booklet from the makers which explains how to take care of your piano. Read these carefully when you get home, and make sure you conform with all the requirements, or you may invalidate the maker's or dealer's guarantee.

Ask for a written receipt.
Insist upon a full written receipt when you buy a new or secondhand piano, and keep it in a safe place - you may need it for insurance purposes.

Arrange delivery and re-tuning.
Ask for the piano to be delivered quickly so you can start playing and enjoying it for your piano lessons. Also arrange for it to be re-tuned one month after delivery when it has had time to settle in its new surroundings. Ask if this first tuning and any initial adjustments are included in the price of the piano - they often are!

(After the first tuning, the piano should be re-tuned every three months in its first year - unless the maker's booklet states otherwise.)

Increase your household insurance.
When you get home, give your insurance company full details of the piano, including the price, and have it added to your household policy to, make sure it is properly covered. Alternatively, your piano dealer may be able to offer you a special piano insurance.

last but not least, keep the piano from dusty places and use it well and wisely for your piano lessons

Please continue to the next piano lesson page on checking your piano before you play for the first time Next

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