All About Choosing and Buying Pianos

[plum-cake]

jce:

88 keys or not, doesn't matter. What is important is the SIZE of each key. Make sure it is the big ones and not the narrow ones.

:? talking about exams / leisure ?

[BeContented]

MaryDaisu:

hquek,


Thanks for the detailed tips..

I am also trying to google / research as much as possible.
Likewise, i have no music backgrd..
Would a layman be able to understand the difference when u go down to the dealers to \"test\" it out?
Worry not sure what to test and to watch out for... also the credibility of the salesperson..especially i am a \"outsider\"

Just spoke to a colli, she too got hers from Century. But she too didnt make alot of visits/try, cos she is like me an outsider...

Doesnt help when husb thinks otherwise about investing in a piano now..

Is China make good?
Is there a thread on China brand pianos... will check..

Hi MaryDaisu,
Like you, I have no music background and also tried to google/research and asked around. Finally realised that even if someone plays the piano and has music background, most do not really know very much about piano. Eventually, requested a cousin (a piano teacher) to recommend a shop and went there to purchase one based on trust. The piano teacher helped by playing on the piano there and then tell us about the sound, pitch, key-feel etc, and of course, which does she like. The rest of the info came from the shop owner.

Outcome : I bought a 2nd-hand, 30+ year old, Yamaha U3 at S$4.5K (2 years ago) at a shop Zadok in Balestier. From what I gathered is .... the older ones are made in Japan and imported from Japan and normally are in better condition due to weather, quality of wood/workmanship etc. While there are newer ones which may be cheaper, those less than 20 years old are likely to be made in Indonesia/China and has been used in SG for a longer time. So far, I have not regretted the purchase.

Also, just to share....when my girl first started at 4yrs old in Yamaha JMC, I got a Casio keyboard (~$200) to start with. Bought the U3 Piano after her JMC 2 years later and having that piano at home fueled the interest in my older boy. So both are still learning now....

[jce]

Talking about leisure - the issue here is buying a keyboard as a means to trying out whether the child is interested or not before investing in a proper piano. If one is going to plunge into exams right from the start, no need to consider keyboard at all

[smurfy]

yes, talking abt 4yr old who just started to learn piano..


reluctant to start on keyboards.. so went to look at digital pianos last wk, brand new ones frm yahama and casio were like 2k. then teacher telling me err 2k can get good kawaii 2nd hand piano.

but i dunno how to explain. getting a real piano is a big commitment. whereas a dig. piano is like err still play thing (can run offf easily type). in the end, back to square one.. nothing at all

[ANobleNerd]

Like I said Smurfy, you ought to look at ebay.com.sg for 2nd hand full size keyboard. They are usually only about $200, so it's a good cheap investment.


Even if you do get a piano later, the keyboard is portable and good for putting in your kid's room when they are older. Also, selling the keyboard is easy because there is no need for tuning etc.

Get the keyboard first for your son to practice. It helps a lot to maintain his interest.

[MaryDaisu]

Cwc,

Tks for your reply.
I’ve decided & went ahead to get a brand new china made hailun piano, based on reviews fr other mums & having to test it.
Have yet to take delivery…
With this big commitment, we will just have to get my DS interest sustainable keke…

[swimironkids]

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=369760#369760


Hi I got a used portasound electrnic piano? for kiddy wth 24keys (small in size and easy to carry around)
Bog it for my kid to try out but didnt went tru with them so collecting dust for few years.
If interest sms me jeff 93887383

[BeContented]

Hi MaryDaisu,

Just curious, how much does the newly bought piano cost?

Good that you have decided on something. At least, they play whenever they have the mood and probably can help to sustain their interest. Like my son's case, he refused to take up piano initially. However, after watching the younger sis practised on it, I caught him trying alone. Well, it's a no-return journey for him too, now the BIG committment is shared by 2 kids

Have fun. Even if you can't play, cannot read the notes, do not know if they are playing correctly or not.....just be around to support while they practise. The kids will be more motivated. After a while, you probably can vaguely detect when the wrong notes are played.

Cheers.

[plum-cake]

jce:

Talking about leisure - the issue here is buying a keyboard as a means to trying out whether the child is interested or not before investing in a proper piano. If one is going to plunge into exams right from the start, no need to consider keyboard at all

Leisure keyboards comes with all side buttons like different voice/ style selection, rhythm conrtol. these will get the child's attention. so there are advantages and disadvantages too. they try to play with thoes buttons but not practice the piano.

[Musee]

I was going to get my son to learn piano at 4 yr old, but my dad said it is not good for his fingers cos the keys will be too hard for his developing fingers. I think it makes sense, so I have decided to start him on keyboard instead as the keys are softer.


Most keyboards are 61 keys. I also don't think the number of keys matter, so long as they are standard size keys. Keyboards is definitely a cheaper way to see if the kids are interested enough to invest in a proper piano and it is just as good as a piano for learning the techniques.

Yamaha does 88 key keyboard but there is a cheaper 76 key keyboard http://mypianokeyboard.com/yamaha-ypg235-the-ultimate-piano-keyboard-around/ which I think is good enough and not that ex.