If you’re considering buying a piano and investing in your own talents, it’s natural to be confused about how much to invest. Pianos can cost anywhere from hundreds of dollars to even a million. You don’t want to go overboard and drop a thousand dollars on a piano to develop your skills when you could have done the same for less than half.
So whether you’re new to pianos or an experienced practitioner, here’s a comprehensive guide to how much a piano costs and how much you should invest.
How much does a piano cost?
The cost of a new piano varies by size, type, and brand, but there are two main types of pianos you should be aware of: vertical and horizontal.
Horizontal pianos are specially designed for concerts and large auditoriums because they are designed and built to produce a more refined sound. These pianos are usually too big to make room for at home.
Upright pianos are short and have vertically aligned strings. They are easier to make room at home.
Here is the approximate price range for different types of pianos.
#1. upright pianos
Also called “grandmother’s pianos”, upright pianos are the largest upright pianos. They have a classic design and can range from 50 to 60 inches in height and length. If cared for properly, upright pianos can retain their sound quality for decades.
On average, upright pianos cost between $3,000 and $6,500. High-end ones, which are used in studios, can cost up to $70,000.
Here are the types of upright pianos.
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The Spruce is the smallest upright piano you can buy. They are usually under 38 inches tall and price starts at $3,000.
Image source: Pinterest
Console pianos are slightly larger than Spinet pianos. Their price ranges from $4,500 to $22,000, depending on the brand.
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Studio pianos are approximately 45 inches tall. They are designed for recording and have a soundboard comparable to grand pianos. They start at $4,000 and go up to $48,000 depending on the brand.
#2. Grand piano
Grand pianos have horizontally aligned strings and produce much thinner tones. They come in different sizes, but are usually too big to fit inside, with the exception of small grand pianos and small grand pianos. On a grand piano, when you press a key, a hammer strikes the string it is connected to and produces a very crisp sound. This feature gives professional pianists greater control over the keys.
These pianos are usually purchased only for concert halls and used by professionals. Here are the different sizes they are available in and the price range.
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Small grand pianos are the smallest of the horizontal pianos, usually between 4 and 5 feet in height. They can fit into your living spaces, although you probably need at least 6 square feet of space. The average price ranges from $10,000 to $20,000, with the higher end ones going up to $100,000.
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Small grand pianos are slightly larger than small grand pianos. They generally range from $9,000 to $120,000 depending on the brand. If you have a large house, you may be able to fit a grand piano in it.
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Medium grand pianos are between 5 and 6 feet long and have a large soundboard that produces enhanced tones. Pricing starts at $12,000 and can go up to $127,000 for higher end models.
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Parlor grand pianos are about 6 feet tall and average close to $95,000.
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The concert grand piano is the largest grand piano you can buy. They range from 9 to 10 feet in height and average $80,000 to $280,000. The sound quality you get from concert grand pianos is unequivocally and unanimously voted the best.
#3. Digital pianos
Digital pianos, sometimes called “keyboards”, are electronic pianos. They are made from entirely different materials and function differently from regular pianos.
Digital pianos can be used to produce a whole range of sounds. They also include features like metronome, beats, and recording that make the experience more educational and fun. Pricing for a digital piano starts at $500, and if you’re looking for a high-end model, it can go up to $7,000.
5 factors that affect the price of the piano
The price of a new piano depends on the following factors.
#1. Type
Horizontal pianos are generally more expensive than upright or upright pianos. Digital pianos are the cheapest.
#2. Brand
Did you know that the most expensive piano in the world costs $3,220,000? It is a crystal concert grand piano made by the German manufacturer Heintzman. The brand you buy can significantly affect the price.
#3. Size
Grand pianos, of course, cost more because they are more expensive to manufacture.
#4. color and shape
Some piano manufacturers like to incorporate art into their products by offering unique colors and shapes. Pianos with exotic finishes like walnut or spruce will likely cost you more.
#5. The materials used
Pianos made from rare, high-quality hardwoods like mahogany, spruce, rosewood, and maple will cost more.
What to consider when buying a piano
#1. Space
If you are buying a grand piano, you will need at least 10 square feet of unoccupied living space to store it.
#2. Interview
Some pianos require more maintenance or cost more to maintain than others. This is something you should factor into your budget.
#3. Your level of expertise
If you have only recently started learning the piano, it would be better to opt for an entry-level piano at a low price. Once your skills improve, you can invest in a more expensive piano for better sound.
How much should you spend on the piano?
It depends on your budget. As a general rule, when it comes to all musical instruments, be it guitars, pianos or drums, it is always best to invest according to your level of expertise. You should also take into consideration if you are playing and what the gig requires.
Becoming a professional pianist takes time, even for prodigies. And sometimes people tend to lose interest along the way. That’s why, if you’re new to learning, buy mid or lower brands. And only invest more when your skills reach a point where you can make returns through gigs.
Cost of accessories
Here are some of the accompanying accessories you might need for your piano and how much they cost.
#1. Piano stand – $25 to $100
#2. Piano stool – $20 to $50
#3. Adjustable piano bench – $50 to $70
#4. Metronome – $40 to $100
Future Costs – Maintenance and Repairs
Once you’ve purchased a new piano, here are some of the additional costs you’ll likely incur. These costs vary by type and brand.
#1. Hiring piano movers – $150 to $200
#2. Tuning costs – $65 to $225
#3. Repair – Can sometimes cost more than the piano itself. The cost of the repair depends on the condition of the piano.
How to choose the one you want
#1. Inspect the piano to make sure it is properly tuned and has no broken or missing parts. If you don’t know much about pianos, consult a technician or ask your music teacher.
#2. Grand pianos provide the hammer action needed for advanced piano playing. Buy based on your expertise and the kind of performance you expect to play.
#3. New pianos sound better than older pianos and have lower maintenance costs. The life of a piano, in general, is about 25 years, after which it does not sound so good.