Piano Guide: Which piano is right for you and what should you consider when buying one?
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The recommendations on this page are based on my personal experience from over 2,000 performances. I do not receive any commission from manufacturers.
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Gordon November
Gordon November
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Realtalk. A piano is a high investment. So high that it’s quite painful to spend so much money as a beginner on an instrument that you don’t even master yet.
What if you don’t like the instrument after all? If the keyboard instrument doesn’t bring you joy? You don’t have the progress on the piano that you want? In short: What if you invest a lot of money in a piano, but playing the piano isn’t fun?
In the worst case, you’ve spent thousands of euros on a keyboard instrument that is now gathering dust in the corner. Ouch. That hurts the wallet.
How good that you can ensure the joy of playing the piano with a simple trick. That there is a way to guarantee you will get better at the piano and with which you will be completely absorbed in the music.
Shall I tell you what I mean? Drum roll please! The intuitive piano playing.
I promise you: If you really want to play the piano, get better and better at it and never lose the joy of it, then you should definitely take a closer look at this.
Making music according to intuition is the best way for me to achieve rapid progress. And on top of that, you will also be rewarded. Because: When you free yourself from sheet music and make music intuitively, you are completely yourself on the piano. Can switch off from everyday life. Be in your own world. Forget your problems.
But before you venture into intuitive piano playing, you need a piano, an e-piano or another keyboard instrument. In this article, I’ll show you how to find the right solution for your needs – and your budget.
How much does a good piano cost?
You expect me to give you THE price that a piano should cost now. Right? Pianos are as different as we are. And so are their prices.
But what I can tell you: In which price range we are moving. A good, used piano is already available from 500 euros – but the price can easily go into the thousands. Of course, it also depends on the quality of the piano and the manufacturer.
Some ways to save when buying a piano:
- Compare manufacturers. There are manufacturers who can charge more for a piano just because of their popularity.
- Get advice on entry-level models from the manufacturers. These are usually cheaper, but still have good quality.
- Buy a used piano. These are usually surprisingly cheap – even if you have to take over the transport of the instrument. Often you have to have the piano tuned again afterwards. However, you also have to do this with a new instrument. Because the strings of a new piano are not yet fully grooved in, you even have to tune it more often at the beginning than a used, played-in piano.
A small rule of thumb, if you need clearly speaking numbers: If you want to buy a good, used piano, the investment should be at least 2000 euros.
With this investment, you are sure to have a high-quality instrument with solid hammer action as well as a lively sound and good response at the start.
Important: The costs for the purchase of the instrument are only part of the total costs. In addition, you should also consider the costs for a piano stool, regular tuning and maintenance.
For sheet music players, the purchase of sheet music and pieces of music is added on top. If you learn intuitive piano playing with me, you can save these costs forever.
And remember: The price of an instrument is only justified if you play it! Therefore, look for a learning method that is fun for you in the long term and fits your goals.
What kind of piano is suitable for beginners?
If you are a beginner, you should not immediately afford the most expensive instrument. In the classified ads there is a good piano from 500 euros. Whereby I have to say here: Piano is not the same as piano.
You have the choice of a wide variety of keyboard instruments, which are all based on or at least similar to the structure of the classic piano. But which play in completely different leagues in terms of price.
What does that mean for you? You should first consider which type of piano you want to buy. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I want an acoustic or digital piano? Both pianos have their advantages and disadvantages. Acoustic pianos are generally more expensive than digital pianos and require more maintenance. Digital pianos are generally cheaper and easier to maintain. So the electric version of the piano does not have to be tuned. However, both pianos have their own unmistakable sound. And I want to be very honest: No e-version comes close to the wonderful sound of a piano. Although there are very good electric pianos that have a super great sound.
- If you decide on the cheaper e-piano or a Clavinova, make sure that the key action is based on a real piano. A keyboard also does it theoretically – but the touch is not even close to that of a real piano or grand piano. The description should mention “hammer action”.
- Do you want to buy a new or used piano? Used pianos are a good choice if you want a high-quality instrument for a comparatively small budget. However, you should make sure that the piano is in good condition and has been tuned or treated with care regularly. You probably won’t get a guarantee with a used instrument.
- New pianos usually offer the best quality and durability. In case of doubt, rather take an expert with you when buying used.
- Another decision you have to make: Do you want to buy a piano (i.e. a piano, a grand piano or an e-piano) or a keyboard? A piano is usually more expensive than a keyboard, but it also offers a better sound and an authentic key action.
- A keyboard is usually cheaper, but it simply does not have the same touch as a piano.
Tip: A digital piano is a good option for beginners. Most digital instruments have different voices and orchestral sounds that can offer you variety here and there. You can also use your e-piano with headphones.
If you are a night owl, you also have the opportunity to practice in peace at the witching hour without disturbing others. That’s definitely not possible with a classic piano or grand piano!
Play Piano by Intuition
What should you look for when buying a piano?
I know you are still at the very beginning of your pianist career. But if you plan to play professionally or participate in competitions at some point, I recommend an acoustic instrument: it has a better sound and more dynamics than digital instruments.
So the keys of a classic piano can capture all the fine nuances of your piano playing – from quiet to loud – which is indispensable for professional musicians.
My tip: Take your time when choosing the right beginner piano. It is worth it for you to try out different models in corresponding piano stores and instrument stores on site.
If you want to buy a used piano: From when is a piano too old?
Do you know why used pianos are usually super cheap? Or even given away? They are annoying. Sounds bad. But when someone has inherited the instrument or simply does not play it, they just want to get rid of it. And since classic pianos and grand pianos are very heavy and bulky, getting rid of them is not that easy.
That’s where an aspiring pianist or a motivated piano beginner comes in handy. Anyone who gets a grand piano or similar as a gift will gladly take over the costs for the transport. You certainly too.
As the saying goes: Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. In this case, however, you should take a close look at the teeth – or rather: the keys – of your used piano. And also check the sound.
To do this, sit in front of the musical instrument and strike all the keys one after the other. Play a few chords. Maybe even a melody, if you can already do that. And? Do all the tones work? What is the sound like? How do the keys play? Is the touch pleasant?
Believe me: You will notice when the used instrument is rubbish. Even if you don’t have much experience on the piano. But be careful: If the piano is only out of tune, give it a chance.
A detuning is only worrying if the piano has strongly detuned individual tones. The cause is often damage in the pin block – and these are almost impossible to fix.
For illustration: The strings on the individual keys are suspended on tuning pins. The tuning pin is stuck in the wood behind the cast iron plate, in the pin block. If the pin block has cracks, the tuning pins have different hold. This creates the crooked tones.
Whether the tuning pins are actually sitting differently firmly, you can not see. A professional checks this with the tuning bolt. In case of doubt, it is better to consult a piano expert.
How do pianos differ?
Grand piano
Full sound and incredibly much style. I’m talking about the grand piano. For me, it is the status symbol among pianos. It owes its name to its shape, which is reminiscent of a bird’s wing. Its predecessor was the harpsichord, which was also built in the grand piano shape.
I love the grand piano for its incredibly full sound. This is of course due to the structure of this instrument. Because: the body is large and made of a complex beam construction. And the soundboard made of spruce also contributes to the sound of the grand piano.
Inside it is a cast iron plate, which – now it comes – has to withstand a tensile force of up to 25 tons. This comes from the piano strings. Likewise, in the front part is the pin block with the tuning pegs. You have certainly seen them when you have watched someone tuning a grand piano.
And last but not least, you will find the grand piano mechanism including the hammers, keys and dampers in the grand piano.
Classic piano
In this article, I have written several times about the classic piano. Strictly speaking, this meant the pianino or the acoustic piano.
In contrast to the grand piano, the pianino is much smaller. In addition, the strings of this piano are stretched vertically. In the grand piano, they are stretched horizontally.
The most striking distinguishing feature is the body. Instead of an imposing grand piano shape, we have a square box that reaches to the floor with the classic piano. This structure also affects the mechanics. The hammers do not strike the strings from below, but horizontally.
Even if the sound volume cannot keep up with that of a grand piano, the classic upright piano can certainly be heard. By the way, it has – like the grand piano – a keyboard with 88 keys.
Digital piano
The digital piano or e-piano is the modern version of the piano. The biggest difference to grand piano and acoustic piano: the mechanics behind the sound generation.
You remember? With the grand piano and the pianino, small hammers and their touch on the strings are responsible for the tone. So the sound is generated mechanically. This is not the case with e-pianos.
But what I have to say very honestly: Good and contemporary e-pianos can certainly keep up with a fortepiano in terms of sound. It is not the same sound, but the tones that come out of these instruments are quite remarkable.
I do not want to advertise concrete e-piano models here. But there are a few well-known manufacturers where you can be sure of the quality of your electronic keyboard instrument. Examples are Yamaha, Casio, Roland, Korg and Kawai.
Interesting to know for you: With a digital piano you can definitely learn to play the piano. The keyboard is based on that of an acoustic piano and usually has 88 keys.
Also the touch is very reminiscent of that of a classic grand piano or piano. Plus: If your budget is limited, the e-piano is a sensible choice. Because due to its design, it is usually cheaper than an acoustic piano.
Keyboard
Looks like a small piano. Has a keyboard like a small piano. And yet it doesn’t have much to do with it. Although the keys of a keyboard are based on a piano. But touch and number of keys show strong differences.
Even if you might think so: With the invention of the keyboard, one did not want to reinvent or even rebuild the piano. One simply wanted to offer the artists and interpreters a wider range of sounds and effects.
If you have ever used a keyboard, you probably know what I am writing about here. On the instrument there are samples, sound effects and drumbeats that you can include in your music.
I as an intuitive piano player get along on almost any keyboard instrument. And yes, you can also make music intuitively on a keyboard. However, the keyboard only has 61 or sometimes 76 keys.
The smaller tonal range is not a disaster. But the playing feel is already different. Keyboards do not have hammer action. This would also be disturbing if you play organ sounds, for example, and drive over the keys.
How often do pianos have to be tuned?
The relationship between me and my piano is very special. I would go so far as to say that I love it. After all, it has accompanied me – in the truest sense of the word – for many, many years.
It is my refuge. My retreat on stressful days. And it is a medium with which I can express myself in a special way.
Ok, that sounded a bit cheesy now. But if you yourself ever call a piano your own and have played on it for countless hours, you will also take it to your heart.
And as it is: Things that we love, we take care of. Just think of your neighbor, who cleans his vintage car every weekend as if it were a sanctuary. Even if I sometimes have to smile about it: it makes sense.
The loving care not only pleases the neighbor. It also preserves the value of his car. His efforts will certainly make the good piece drivable for many years to come.
So it is also with the piano. You should have it tuned once a year, ideally after the heating period, to preserve the original tone and sound.
This is especially true for pianos that are played a lot and are also exposed to special situations such as humidity or strong temperature fluctuations. In this case, I would even advise you to have your piano tuned twice a year. However, if you only use the instrument rarely, you can wait a year or longer with tuning.
By the way: An out-of-tune piano can affect more than just the sound quality. It can also give you an unpleasant feeling and hinder your playing progress because you think you’re playing badly – when it’s the piano that sounds bad. Therefore, in case of doubt, have it tuned more often than too little.
Note: If you decide on an electric piano – be it a Clavinova, a stage piano or a keyboard – you do not have to have the instrument tuned. Only mechanical keyboard instruments are tuned.
Master Keys Without Sheet Music
With the new turbo training, you'll be proficient in every musical key within a few weeks.
(no sheet music knowledge required)
Play freely. And happily. On your new piano.
Now you have learned so much about the piano itself. You know the structure of grand pianos and acoustic pianos. You can name the differences to the electronic versions of the keyboard instrument. And you have learned the pros and cons that speak for or against buying the respective piano type.
If you go to a specialist shop with this knowledge and get advice, you can’t go wrong. At least almost. The question then arises as to how you would like to learn the instrument in the future.
I have explained the options available in my article on online lessons vs. piano lessons with a piano teacher.
You may already know how I practice playing the piano. Or do you? I prefer to play intuitively. After years of stubbornly playing from sheet music, I had enough at some point. I wanted to play freely and independently. Without being dependent on expensive sheet music. But instead, be much more with myself and put my personality into every song.
With intuitive piano playing I have achieved that. I share the knowledge I have acquired on my way to becoming an Intuonaut with you in the Masterclass Intuition at piano.university.
Here you will learn to play the piano freely from scratch. You will learn to feel, love and use your instrument for your purposes. And soon you will be able to play your favorite songs without sheet music.
Dare to. Thousands of Intuonauts before you have already gone down this path. And they are all thrilled. Whether you’re a complete beginner, a newcomer or an old hand – as an Intuonaut you’ll become a confident performer who always returns to their instrument with joy.
And one thing I can promise you: With me and the other Intuonauts by your side, the joy of playing the piano will never fade. Then you will never regret buying your piano.
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Play Piano by Intuition
Master Keys Without Sheet Music
With the new turbo training, you'll be proficient in every key signature within just a few weeks.
(no knowledge of sheet music required)
