How Much Money Should I Spend on a Piano?
JUNE 12TH, 2020
Picking your first piano or keyboard is no different than choosing your girlfriend or boyfriend…
It is good to be selective so you don’t end up with a loser, but you don’t want to be too overly picky or you will end up with a musical instrument that costs more money than your car.
The key is to get a piano that is good enough to get you started without going overboard and spending too much money.
The three key points to consider when deciding how much to spend on a piano are:
Determining Your Level of Commitment to Learning Piano
Starting Small is Better than Starting Big!
Setting Your Budget for Your First Piano
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Determining Your Level of Commitment to Learning Piano
Before buying your first piano, you need to determine your level of commitment to learning piano. Most people imagine that they are more committed to learning piano than they truly are. They think they are all-in, ready to go all the way, when in reality they are only exploring. They are attracted to the thought of being able to play piano but they are not fully dedicated to the process. For an in-depth understanding of the process of learning piano check out my previous article on the 4 Proven Ways to Successfully Learn Piano.
As with anything we want to learn in life, when there is misalignment between a person’s commitment and their reality, there is a high likelihood that they will fail.
The Dangers of Overestimating Your Degree of Commitment to Learning Piano
Too many people get the urge to play piano without being fully committed. As soon as they get the itch to learn piano, they go out and buy the something expensive with tons of features they will never use. They think that by making a costly purchase they have somehow proven their commitment. When reality sets in they soon realize that they have an expensive piano that they have no idea how to operate. The next phase is frustration where they give up trying to learn piano and the piano ends up collecting dust for the next 5 years.
You can probably tell that this is exactly what happened to me, not just once but two times before I learned my lesson.
I Learned this Lesson the Hard Way!
My mistake came when a friend of mine who had decided to stop learning piano offered to sell me his fancy Yamaha S90, a 61-pound digital piano with 88 keys. It seemed like an offer that I could not refuse. Great deal on a high-quality studio digital piano. Why start on the low-end when I can start with pro-level equipment from the start right?
The timing was amazing. He was quitting piano and I was starting piano. At a price of $400 for a professional studio keyboard, it seemed like an offer I could not refuse.
So, I did it. I fully committed. I bought the nice studio-grade digital piano.
As you could probably guess, this was a horrible decision. I am sure the keyboard was awesome, but I never understood how to use it. Since it was a professional studio keyboard, it did not come with built-in speakers, so the next unexpected thing I had to buy to use the keyboard was external speakers and connectors. Then of course, I had to figure out what to do with all the buttons it came with.
So please learn from my big mistake. Do not buy anything expensive or fancy with the intent of growing into it.
These are the Questions You Want to Ask Yourself to Make the Best Decision
When considering how much you should pay for your first piano or digital piano, ask yourself:
“How committed am I to learning piano?”
“Is this just a phase that I am going through?”
“Will I actually stick to this or will I my piano or keyboard end up in the corner collecting dust?”
If the answer is yes to the first question, if you are truly committed then go for it!
The only way to learn piano is to play piano, so get yourself something basic so that you can get started.
On the other hand, if you are not truly serious about learning how to play piano, then make a choice that fits your level of interest. Start small. Gain a little experience with playing piano, then as your interest and commitment increases, you can adjust later as needed.
Starting Small is Better than Starting Big!
No matter who you are or how much money you have available, if you are just getting started learning how to play piano, don’t get carried away buying something that is too big or too expensive for your level of experience and skill. All that you need to get started playing piano is a low-priced quality instrument that is easy to use. The smaller the size and the less buttons and features the better.
You do not need the latest and greatest piano on the market. When you are just starting off, the extra buttons and features are wasted because you will not use them, and they end up distracting you from focusing on the basics of learning how to play piano.
Here is What you Should Focus on
Focus on buying something small rather than something that is larger. You do not want to end up with a huge piano that takes up a big amount of floor space in your home. There are many starter piano options that work well and fit in a small space and give you more than what is needed to start learning piano.
Many people make the mistake of purchasing a big fancy piano or keyboard and end up overwhelmed. Doing this only leads to confusion and discouragement, which ultimately leads to people giving up on learning piano.
Don't Get Distracted
Be modest. Commit, but do not overcommit. Rather than going for fancy go for functional. Upgrade your piano or keyboard later when you are ready to advance and only after you have proven that you are dedicated to learning piano and will stick to learning piano through the ups and downs along the way.
Setting Your Budget for Your First Piano
There is a keyboard out there to fit any budget. I have found a few very nice keyboards in pawnshops for $40-70. So, if your budget is extremely tight, or if you’re commitment level to learning piano is still low, dig around in a local pawnshop or thrift store and I guarantee you will find many great deals on quality used keyboards that work as if they were brand new!
For those just beginning to learn, looking for a great starter keyboard, if you can afford it, I recommend the Casio CTK-2550 which costs around $130 on Amazon.com
This keyboard is highly rated especially for beginners and will provide you with the basics and enough quality to begin your piano learning journey. The price is nice. The sound is decent, and it is ready to use out the box. For a video review of this budget-friendly keyboard checkout the following review from Sam Ash Music.
How much should I spend on a piano or keyboard?
After reading this article and considering your level of experience, your degree of commitment and your budget, you should know how much you to spend on a piano or keyboard.
The short and quick answer for most people is $100 at the low end and $250 on the high end. Spending too much more that that for your first piano will lead you down a long path of distractions and disappointments.
Your Thoughts & Comments Are Welcome!
Still have questions about which piano to buy specifically? Comment below and I would be glad to help you find the right digital piano to get you off the ground to playing piano quickly.
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