At my wits end and looking for some good advice. My 8 year old son is starting lessons in September and I have been told he must have a piano at home for practice by week 2 of lessons.

Er thats it ... what now?

Upright, grand, electric? Buy new, buy secondhand, hire. I do not know where to start and I am worried that I will go to expense of new one and my son will decide its not for him - probably unlikely because he sticks at most things but there is always a first time and this would probably be it.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Personally I'd look into Freecycle- there are lots of pianos that are in need of new homes out there- and as a starter piano a cheapie upright would probably do the job perfectly.

Don't entertain the idea of an electric piano unless your son's teacher agrees with you buying one- they have a totally different feel to mechanical pianos so it's confusing to beginners to try practice on both.

Whatever you decide to do, please remember that you'll probably need specialist movers (or a transit van and at least 4 strong people!) and whenever a piano is moved it will need to be tuned afterwards.

do you know a good tutor....

Izabella....whatever you choose please be aware that modern pianos have a metal frame and older (victorian) types can have a wooden frame. The frame is the part on which the strings are affixed and a wooden framed piano is more likely to be difficult to tune due to any warping over the years. A piano with ornate decoration and candlesticks may look charming but it may just be unplayable. :)

Probably a second-hand upright would be the way to go. If you get a reasonable instrument you can probably sell it again for the same amount as you paid for it if necessary, instruments don't really lose value unless they get particularly worn-out or damaged.

Can I suggest that you speak to the person who will be teaching your child.....they may be able to suggest what type of piano you should be looking for.

I have just had a browse round the well known auction site and there are many cheap pianos but mostly they are wooden frame or simply don't say. Avoid at all costs. There are a couple of basic good quality British built pianos, built in the 1980's, that are on for about £1000. You would then have to organise transportation. Of course I am not suggesting you go for these....its just a starting point for your search for the right instrument.

I don't play....I used to work for one of the oldest British piano makers. :)

Just been in contact with someone connected to the company I worked for....whatever you get it would be advisable that it is post 1930's metal framed, overstrung, underdampened. Avoid wooden frame, straight strung and overdampened.....whatever that means!!!

Best of luck on your search. :)

C.PAUL FOX -2630121

Paul is a very good and established piano tuner and whatever you buy, there's a fair chance it will need tuning. May I suggest you give him a ring and ask for his advice? I'm sure he'll help you if he can. Whilst I was looking down the threads, I noticed a piano offered for sale (in June) for £150.

thanks for everyone's comments so far will make a couple of calls tomorrow. i am in the market for ear defenders as well!!

Did you ever get yourself a piano? And do you need a piano tuner? If so you could do worse than try me!

I've had 17 years experience, mostly in Liverpool, with concert halls, theatres, churches, schools and private homes. Current charge for local visits £35.

Check me out on my web site at ThePianoSpecialist.co.uk. We moved to Sheffield last year for family reasons.