Grand pianos and a pro’s eye: buying tips

When buying, don’t rely on brand alone. A piano’s real quality comes from how it’s regulated, voiced, and prepared by a skilled technician. Prefer a grand if possible, because its action and sound respond more consistently to regulation. Bring a trusted piano technician or bring in one for a pre-purchase assessment. Have them check the touch across the keyboard, the consistency of tone, pedal response, and the instrument’s ability to stay in tune as you practice at different dynamics. Look beyond “out of the box” sound—ask to hear and feel how the piano responds after a thorough regulation and voicing session.