A piano is a beautiful instrument to play. They can play anything from jazzy music to classical. You can attract a lot of attention and develop great skills by learning how to play the piano. So, how much does a piano cost?
A piano is not going to be cheap to purchase because a lot of work goes into making them and these instruments are heavy. They have different wood finishes and they are going to be an investment. If you are interested in learning how to play the piano or are already a player you should look into the cost of owning a piano and furthering your musical skills.
How Much Does a Piano Cost?
The cost of the piano is going to vary based on the type that you are looking to purchase. They are all going to be expensive so it is best to do some research first to find the piano that is right for your needs and musical abilities.
1. Acoustic Piano
The acoustic piano has a medium to a high-tier. This piano is going to cost between $3,000 and $10,000.
This piano holds is value for a longer time and many feel that this is one of the best investments that you can make if you are looking to purchase a piano.
2. Baby Grand Piano
There are different prices for the baby grand piano based on the manufacturer you are purchasing from and the finish that you are looking to get on the piano.
No two baby grand piano dealers are the same so you need to conduct your research before making a purchase.
The cost of the baby grand piano often ranges from $9,000 to $100,000. If you are looking to have a satin finish and the polished ebony look you can expect the prices that are on the higher end.
These do offer a great sound and as long as you take care of it this should be the only piano that you will need to purchase. While it is expensive not much can beat the look or the sound of this piano.
3. Digital Piano
The digital piano is one of the more modern types of pianos and had some adaptations made so it will produce a slightly different sound.
This piano has electric speakers and a feature for playback recordings. These recordings were taken from the acoustic piano. They are known for having a quality sound system. The price for the digital piano is one of the lower-priced pianos.
If you are just starting playing maybe the piano choice for you. The digital piano can be priced as low as $300.
The average price is $600 but it can be priced higher based on the features. The depreciation value is the greatest for the digital piano. This is because a newer model is released every year with new technology.
>>Recommended Digital Piano for Beginners – Yamaha P45<<
- Includes the P45 Digital Piano, power adapter, sustain pedal and music rest
- 88 fully weighted piano style keys simulate the feel of an acoustic piano and provide a quality playing experience
- GHS weighted action is heavier in the low end and lighter in the high end, just like an acoustic piano
- Contains 10 different voices, including digitally sampled tones from real Yamaha acoustic grand pianos
- Dual mode lets you combine 2 voices together, like piano and strings, for an inspiring new playing experience. Tuning- 414.8 - 440.0 - 446.8 Hz
>>Recommended Digital Piano With More Advanced Features – Yamaha YDP144<<
- Your purchase includes One Yamaha Arius Series, YDP144 model | Bench, 50 Classical Music Masterpieces Book, Owner’s manual & Quick Operation Guide
- Piano dimensions – 53-7/16” W x 32-1/16” H x 16-5/8” | Weight – 83 lbs. | Number of pedals – 3 | Max polyphony – 192 | Number of voices – 10 | Headphones – (2) Standard Stereo phone jack | With Recording and Playback capabilities
- GHS weighted action is heavier in the low keys and lighter in the high keys, just like an acoustic piano
- Half-damper pedal control allows for continuously increasing amounts of sustain as the pedal is depressed
- The CFX Premium Grand Piano Voice recreates the power and tone of the flagship CFX concert grand piano from Yamaha
- The special matte black key tops are designed to absorb moisture and remain tactile after extended use without becoming slippery
4. Keyboard Piano
The keyboard piano is one of the smallest pianos and is good if you do not have a lot of space.
There is a keyboard and it makes the same great sounds like the piano. There may or may not be a stand included with this piano.
It will have the same placement as the keys on any other piano. These pianos types are inexpensive too.
A person can purchase a keyboard piano for as little as $100. If you are looking for some more advanced features and capabilities the price will be around $700. This piano often runs off electric and will need to be plugged into an outlet.
There may also be synthesizers and other add on features that can be used. You may be able to get the classic sound of the piano but you can add a modern feel to it.
Additionally, there are amplifiers too that will add to the music. You may also be able to add samples from other high-end pianos so that you can recreate their sounds.
If you are to see how you do on the piano before spending a lot of money this may be a wise choice. Once you get the feel for it you may want to spend the more and invest in another type of piano to get that classic sound.
>>Recommended Keyboard Piano for Beginners – Alesis Melody 61 Key Keyboard With Everything You Need<<
- All-In-One Digital Piano for Beginners – Portable music keyboard with 61 responsive full-size piano-style keys and built-in speakers to practice and perform in front of your friends and family
- Hundreds of Electric Keyboard Sounds - Includes 300 voices: Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano, Strings, Organ, Synth, Drums and more. Develop your skills with the intuitive Dual and Split modes
- Practice Makes Perfect - Enjoy 40 Demo songs, 300 built-in rhythms and a "Record" feature for capturing your performances. The headphones with a 1/8” jack mute the speakers for private practicing
- Powerful Educational Features - Easily advance your skills with a 3-month premium subscription from Skoove for interactive online piano lessons
- Everything you Need - Includes an easy-to-assemble keyboard stand, bench with adjustable height settings, headphones, sheet music stand, microphone with 5ft. long cable for singing along while playing and a power adapter
- The sheet music stand is ideal for holding either the sheet music or tablet devices so you can read music or attend lessons while you are playing
Why Are Pianos So Expensive?
There are several reasons why the piano is an expensive instrument. It takes a lot of time and effort into the construction of the piano and getting the sound just right.
The typical piano can cover between seven and a quarter octaves and 88 keys go into the construction. The keys will need to strike a hammer and copper wiring is often needed which is expensive on its own. The hammer will also strike steel strings which are not cheap to make either. They need to be attached to a plate made of cast iron and there is often spruce wood used in the construction too.
The people that make the pianos need to be skilled and they need to make sure all the notes are accurate. The piano is large and a lot of wood and metal are used in the construction. This is enough to drive the price up.
If you are looking for a piano made of the best wood you are going to need to pay a high price. Not one piano is made solely by a machine and most of them are still made by hand making them expensive.
How Much Does it Cost to Tune a Piano?
From time to time even the best piano will need to be tuned. It is recommended to have the piano tuned regularly by a professional to keep it sound great. The national average to have a piano turned ranges between $100 and $120. This may vary based on the type of piano and the exact rate that the professional is charging.
If the piano is played often it will not be as much work to have it tuned and this will be on the lower end of the cost.
However, if the piano is older or if it has not been played in many years it will require additional service and will take more time to have it sound good.
And, if you have neglected your piano it is going to cost several hundred to allow it to sound good once again as a lot of work will need to go into it.
How Much to Move a Piano?
Moving a piano is not going to be an easy job. If you are looking to have an upright piano moved you can expect to pay the movers between $125 and $250 for each hour of work they put in.
If you are looking to have a grand piano or a baby grand piano moved the cost will be around $600. That is the price for a local move.
If you are going to have the piano moved a long distance it will cost between $2.5 and $10 per mile and based on the location and the packing up of the piano.
If the piano is going to be moved upstairs it can range between $2.5 and $10 for each step. Some companies may charge a flat rate of $100 to carry a piano up a set of stairs. Included in this price are protective measures such as wrapping the piano in blankets for protection.
Final Words
A piano is a nice instrument to play and will make great music. The piano is not going to be cheap and it will require maintenance such as tuning to keep it sounding good.
If you have a passion for playing the piano it may be worth the investment. You need to look into the different manufactures and types of piano that you are looking to play. Once you do your research and make an informed decision a piano is going to be an expensive investment for you but it may be one that was well worth the upfront cost.
