Kaspermusic » buying-a-piano

Dec 21, 2024

Nashville, TN

Jocelyn helps you decide which is best for you.

When looking for an instrument for your child who is taking lessons, an acoustic piano is always preferable to an electronic keyboard.

The touch, sound and visual sense of a real 88-key piano is needed for the full appreciation of studying and making music. Also, a piano looks beautiful in your home, often increases in value over time and becomes a family heirloom.

Shopping for an Electronic Keyboard

That said, an electronic keyboard can still be an affordable option for a beginning student. The word keyboard refers to the black and white keys on a piano, organ, harpsichord or other keyboard instrument. This word is also used to indicate the entire electronic instrument.

Make sure it is not a "toy." The keys must be the same size as a real piano. A "full-size keyboard" is often a misnomer; the individual keys may be full-sized, but the length of the keyboard is often only a few octaves compared with the acoustic piano's 7+ octaves. (The distance of an octave can be measured with an outstretched adult hand.)

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While a professional musician may need the many features that an expensive keyboard offers, a child's needs are simpler. You can invest less than $150 in a 4- or 5-octave keyboard (3 octaves are just not enough). Casio and Yamaha make good 49- and 61-key models (you won't need 88 keys to start).

Plan on additional costs for the following optional accessories:

AC adaptor
batteries
headphones
foot (sustain) pedal
X-stand and bench

Electronic keyboards are portable and can be used on vacation or at a relative's home. Your child will have fun with all the extra effects and features that come built in

Chris (pictured above) showed me two good keyboards in the $80-100 range. He or anyone else at Guitar Center (615-297-7770) near 100 Oaks can help you.

Shopping for an Acoustic Piano

If you decide to purchase a real acoustic piano, you have two choices:

vertical (upright) pianos range in height from spinet, console, and studio to upright grand;
horizontal (grand) pianos range in length from baby, parlor and so on up to the 9-foot concert grand.

Most people are surprised to learn how easy it is to find an excellent used piano. Pianos are not like mattresses or even cars. You can find a beautiful pre-owned instrument that meets your family's needs without much risk.

Pianos range from less than $100 to $80,000 and higher. A middle-income family looking for a decent upright could find one for $750 - $1200. Expect to pay more through a store or dealer (for sales tax, moving, tuning, guarantees, etc.). You can also rent to own.

If you're shopping for a used piano by telephone, ask the seller these specific questions:

Which make?

Research the best manufacturing eras of the several well-known top brands (Steinway, Yamaha, Baldwin, etc.)

What size?

Larger usually indicates higher quality, but not always.

How old?

Similar to fine wine, an older, antique instrument is sometimes more desirable and valuable than newer models.

What does the piano look like?

Pianos come in a variety of furniture styles, finishes and colors.

What condition is it in?

Minor scratches may not be important, but day-glow orange and broken legs are.

Do all 88 keys work?

Sometimes an indication of quality, but not always.

Where was it stored?

Humidity and temperature extremes are of great concern.

Is it tuned to A-440?

The three strings which make up the A above middle C should be tuned to vibrate at 440 cycles per second. Click on the A-440 button while asking seller to play this note over the phone. Does it match?

How often was it played? When was it last tuned?

All clues as to how easy it will be to bring and keep up to pitch.

In person, make sure you like the way your piano looks, feels and sounds. You may prefer to hire a technician to help you shop. You will probably also need to hire a professional piano mover and tuner once the piano has settled in the environment of your home.

Rick Fretter of Fretter's Piano Services (615-227-3062) can do all three. He also has good used pianos for sale from time to time. We also highly recommend Jonah Kraut of Jonah's Piano Tuning Service (615-686-6886) for specialized piano work.

Please feel free to call me at 615-383-8516 if you need help or have any questions.

Good luck and enjoy your musical instrument!

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You have always been a constant in my life for the past 11 years. I am so grateful for all you have taught me, not only musically but in life as well. Taking lessons with you has helped me break out of my shell and become more confident in myself.
- R. M.

[Joceyn Kasper] was such a great teacher and always so wonderfully positive! Never judged. I still remember things she taught me all those decades ago..these years I’ve found my voice again. Singing makes a person healthy and happy!
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You are such a resource and inspiration to my being.
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I got a book a while back: "A Classical Approach to Jazz Piano." I looked closely at it in the store, to be sure that I could deal with it, and thanks to my brief tenure with Jocelyn Kasper, I saw that I could.
- B. T.

I loved my lessons with Ms. Kasper. She always made me feel like a good piano player, even though I wasn't!
- A. J.

Thank you so much for teaching Jackson. He loved you as a teacher and he learned so much. He loves the instrument as a result and you were great with the kids! Thanks again,
- L. S.

Many thanks for your great teaching ability!! Carter very much enjoyed your class!
- A. C.

Glad to see that Graham enjoys this and is actually learning something (thanks to you!). I'll need to be better about helping him stick to a practice schedule. Thanks again,
- R. I.

Thanks for a great year. Kiran really enjoyed it and… is keen to buy an electric guitar.
- M. T.

Thank you so much for working with Mack this year. He has improved so much and he loves guitar! You do a great job with him. He needs direction and consistent discipline and he repsonds VERY WELL to you! It is amazing to see his interest and focus as you…
- B.F.H.

Thank you for a wonderful year!
- K. H.

Thank you so much for teaching my son… the guitar. Will loved taking lessons and I enjoyed watching his growing appreciation for music. I enjoyed the recital and appreciate all the hard work you have done. Thank you so much for all you added to our lives.
- J. H. H.

Landon loved his first lesson. I was amazed how much he learned in a 30 minute lesson. :)
- M. C.

You are the best teacher ever and if I am doing well it is due to YOU!
- S. M. R.

Ethan would love to continue guitar lessons with you in the Fall. Thank you for all that you've done. I am amaized at the results, considering how little Ethan practiced at home! Thanks again,
- M. T.

Thanks so much for teaching Henry this past semester. He really enjoyed it.
- J. Mc.

Thanks for a great lesson today… just when you think you have a piece down pat, there are so many more ways to improve it and make it ever more musical!
- D. N.

Thanks for your very clear explanations and instructions and your encouragement and great enthusiasm for life and MUSIC!
- H. S.

Thanks for teaching Will. He loves your class.
- C. M.

After one short lesson, MacGregor jumped into the car and played the theme from Mission Impossible ALL THE WAY HOME! Thank you for opening the world of music to him - by teaching him the guitar!
- J. M.

I am a former voice student of Jocelyn Kasper. I can say without a doubt she helped me to become a more confident singer. I wholehearted recommend her to anyone.
- T. W.

I sang some this morning for the first time since my last lesson and it was so relaxing, it is amazing what singing and music in general can do for one's psychology!
- D. N.

Jolie really loved music class and absolutely loves to sing.
- C. S. G.

I have enjoyed seeing olivia progress over the year. she's more confident, she sings from her diaphragm, proudly projecting! it's great to see her enthusiasm. i'm grateful for your instruction and guidance.
- A. N.

Your relationship with Fiona is very special. She admires you very much.
- N. M.

Thank you so much for all your support and understanding yesterday, it helped very much to just be able to talk to you about it.
- D. N.

I've learned so much from you, not only about singing and music, but about life! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
- H. H.

Thank you for teaching me how to sing better! I've had so much fun during voice lessons.
- J. M.

Cannot express my gratitude at having you in my life!!
- G. F.

I enjoyed our summer lessons with Schubert. You opened up a treasure trove for me I never even knew existed.
- D. N.

Jocelyn, you've taught me so much. You're a great teacher and I'm going to miss you.
- M. W.

I asked him yesterday if he wanted to keep taking guitar and he said "yes mam' as long as I can I want to!!" That is very encouraging!
- B. F. H.

Thank you for never giving up on me! You are the best :-)
- A. S.

... a wonderful voice lesson ... I feel I am learning so much ... about what singing really means!
- D. N.

Thank you for your encouragement. I feel like I have a voice after your excellent, precise, professional instruction. You are a master ...
- S. M. R.

Buying a Piano or Electronic Keyboard