All About Choosing and Buying Pianos
-
heyhoe:
Hello, old pianos can be tricky to buy, especially in Singapore climate. More so if he hasn't been playing it regularly and doesn't use a dehumidifier. There can be a variety of problems ranging from small ones like tuning to more complicated ones like mechanism/springs of the key not working, broken strings, or termite infestation.Hi,
My colleague is asking if I'm interested to take over a piano that is about 15-20 years of age. He also mentioned that it needs tuning.
Just wondering if it is worth taking over or it is better to purchase a new one.
Appreciate any advise/feedback on this matter.
Thanks and regards,
Be sure to check thoroughly!! -
merclim:
is it worth to get the silent function ones if prac after 10pm is only adhoc??I have only been looking around in town and in the west coz it is nearer for me.
Use the una corda for playing later in the night. Or get a newer piano with silent function.smakul:
Forgot to ask, how to avoid being noisy playing Acoustic Piano in HDB after 10pm ... closing all doors ?
how much more expensive than the regular piano is the silent one? is it considered as digital piano already? -
FQW:
thanks! how thick should the rug be? can use those type of cartoon rug for children?
Nope, HDB or private apartments, it doesn't matter at all. I know of people who even put their 6-ft grands into their bedrooms.jedamum:
Any HDB dweller owning an upright piano?
Will it be very loud?
If you're concern about the vibration, just put a thick rug under the piano and it'll be alright. -
jedamum:
is it worth to get the silent function ones if prac after 10pm is only adhoc??merclim:
I have only been looking around in town and in the west coz it is nearer for me.
Use the una corda for playing later in the night. Or get a newer piano with silent function.
[quote=\"smakul\"]Forgot to ask, how to avoid being noisy playing Acoustic Piano in HDB after 10pm ... closing all doors ?
how much more expensive than the regular piano is the silent one? is it considered as digital piano already?[/quote]It's quite a bit more expensive, we are talking about a couple thousands more. A lot of times I have to practice from 12-4 AM in the morning. For my studio, I put double layers of carpet below the piano and also very thick curtains for my windows. And for good measure I also use the muter on my piano.
Yes, silent piano is basically a digital piano when you turn on the digital component of the piano, otherwise it functions as a proper acoustic piano. Another options that pianists like to use are buying a cheap no frill digital piano (can get a good one below 1K) or a hammer-weighted MIDI controller hooked to a PC (also below 1K). -
Dreamaurora:
It's quite a bit more expensive, we are talking about a couple thousands more. A lot of times I have to practice from 12-4 AM in the morning. For my studio, I put double layers of carpet below the piano and also very thick curtains for my windows. And for good measure I also use the muter on my piano.
is it worth to get the silent function ones if prac after 10pm is only adhoc??jedamum:
[quote=\"merclim\"]I have only been looking around in town and in the west coz it is nearer for me.
Use the una corda for playing later in the night. Or get a newer piano with silent function.
how much more expensive than the regular piano is the silent one? is it considered as digital piano already?
Yes, silent piano is basically a digital piano when you turn on the digital component of the piano, otherwise it functions as a proper acoustic piano. Another options that pianists like to use are buying a cheap no frill digital piano (can get a good one below 1K) or a hammer-weighted MIDI controller hooked to a PC (also below 1K).[/quote]Thanks for the feedback.
Seems like I have to twick my ds2's practice hours as he likes to prac after dinner n I read that it is not good neigbourliness to play piano after 7pm. Not sure if getting him to switch between piano in the morning n keyboard at night will affect his finger control as he is only a beginner. -
jedamum:
Is it not neighbourly to play the piano after 7pm? :yikes: My son always plays at 8:30pm or thereabout and it'll last for 1/2 hr each time.
Seems like I have to twick my ds2's practice hours as he likes to prac after dinner n I read that it is not good neigbourliness to play piano after 7pm. Not sure if getting him to switch between piano in the morning n keyboard at night will affect his finger control as he is only a beginner.
However we keep to the rule that no playing after 10pm. I thought that's reasonable enough. If cannot play after 7, then basically it means that he has to give up piano cos he reaches home past 8 daily (as he's in pm session).
Btw, the rug I bought is a real thick one - one of those you see in carpet shops along shopping malls. That's what my piano dealer recommended and I took his advice.
Edit: It'll be interesting to do a survey to see what time most KSP kids practise playing their piano. :evil: -
FQW:
Wah, I must be a neighbour's menace then since sometimesI practice after midnight, and my sessions normally last from one and half hour to 2 hours. :sad: Some concert pianists I know of also practice after midnight. So if you are looking for a new home, better check that your neighbour is not a professional pianist. :evil: Ok lar, but I did a noise test before. With carpets, curtains, and muter the sound is quite minimal and the sound is already quite soft even if heard from within my own home.
Is it not neighbourly to play the piano after 7pm? :yikes: My son always plays at 8:30pm or thereabout and it'll last for 1/2 hr each time.jedamum:
Seems like I have to twick my ds2's practice hours as he likes to prac after dinner n I read that it is not good neigbourliness to play piano after 7pm. Not sure if getting him to switch between piano in the morning n keyboard at night will affect his finger control as he is only a beginner.
However we keep to the rule that no playing after 10pm. I thought that's reasonable enough. If cannot play after 7, then basically it means that he has to give up piano cos he reaches home past 8 daily (as he's in pm session).
Btw, the rug I bought is a real thick one - one of those you see in carpet shops along shopping malls. That's what my piano dealer recommended and I took his advice.
Edit: It'll be interesting to do a survey to see what time most KSP kids practise playing their piano. :evil: -
FQW:
I read elsewhere that ideally should keep prac hours before office hours unless one is a talented pianist n people don't mind music accompaniment for dinner.
Is it not neighbourly to play the piano after 7pm? :yikes: My son always plays at 8:30pm or thereabout and it'll last for 1/2 hr each time.jedamum:
Seems like I have to twick my ds2's practice hours as he likes to prac after dinner n I read that it is not good neigbourliness to play piano after 7pm. Not sure if getting him to switch between piano in the morning n keyboard at night will affect his finger control as he is only a beginner.
However we keep to the rule that no playing after 10pm. I thought that's reasonable enough. If cannot play after 7, then basically it means that he has to give up piano cos he reaches home past 8 daily (as he's in pm session).
Btw, the rug I bought is a real thick one - one of those you see in carpet shops along shopping malls. That's what my piano dealer recommended and I took his advice.
Edit: It'll be interesting to do a survey to see what time most KSP kids practise playing their piano. :evil:
as I am a sahm, my ds2 has the luxury of morning prac n I read that ideally we should try not to be earlier than 9am. I am such a good neighbour u see.
my boy currentlydoing 30min pract in morning n 30min prac late afternoon (used to be after dinner). Will have to consolidate them to 45min~1hr prac in morning next yr when he goes to afternoon session. -
FQW:
must qualify stay at landed property or HDB as it makes a lot of difference.
Edit: It'll be interesting to do a survey to see what time most KSP kids practise playing their piano. :evil: -
Dreamaurora:
My next door neighbour is a part-time piano T and she makes very nice music. I don't mind staying next to pianists like you or her. In fact, I think the sound of music - piano/sax/violin if one is good - makes the neighbourhood 'classy'.
Wah, I must be a neighbour's menace then since sometimesI practice after midnight, and my sessions normally last from one and half hour to 2 hours. :sad: Some concert pianists I know of also practice after midnight. So if you are looking for a new home, better check that your neighbour is not a professional pianist. :evil: Ok lar, but I did a noise test before. With carpets, curtains, and muter the sound is quite minimal and the sound is already quite soft even if heard from within my own home.
Btw, what is a muter? You mentioned it twice before.