Was it the 1 million dollar Yamaha Grand that Elton John was playing at that concert you went to? Or maybe it was your grandmother’s beautiful upright and the warm, clear sound of her playing Christmas carols while everyone sang along. Wherever and whenever, the dream was planted in your heart.

Now, you’re ready to pursue that dream! Where to start, what you need to know, who you should talk to. Let’s start here. Dickerson’s Tri-City Pianos has been helping people answer those questions for over 40 years and we can’t wait to help you too!

Here are 10 Ways to Help You Find Your Dream Piano 

1. Play Everything from New Grands to Used Digital Pianos  

If you have a dream, but don’t know where to start, first try out a variety of pianos so you get a feel for what you like. At Dickerson’s Tri-City Pianos, we have a wide range of pianos that you can play, test out, and listen to. We recommend starting with our best acoustic grand and work your way through the uprights, digital keyboards, and hybrid pianos. Since each one has a different feel, experiencing a variety of pianos will help you learn what sound and feel you prefer.

2. Understand the Features You Need/Want 

Whether you’re a beginner, enthusiast, or a concert pianist, the next step is to consider what you will use the piano for, and the features you need. Are you looking for a piano that can record what you play, provide a full backup band to accompany you, or transpose to another key? A digital piano will do all this plus much more. (1) Or are you dreaming of the full, rich sound of an acoustic piano echoing through your home, performance hall, or worship space? In that case, an acoustic grand or upright would fit your needs the best. (2)

Or perhaps you want the best of both worlds. The Yamaha AvantGrand series (3) are hybrid pianos that combine the digital features with true acoustic action, meaning the pianos are entirely digital but  use the action components and design from an acoustic for the same level of responsiveness to your touch as an acoustic piano. 

Yamaha also offers acoustic pianos with the Silent mode feature that allows you to switch the piano to a digital voice and play the instrument using headphones.

When you know how you will use your piano, it gets easier to narrow down your options, and find exactly (or as close as possible) what you want.

3. Set a Goal for Yourself (or Even Your Students) to Develop Your Skills & Talents 

Another thing to consider when buying a new piano is what ways you want to grow and develop your piano skills in the future. It is important to choose a piano that will motivate you (or your students) to keep practicing and perfecting your performance and help you grow in the ways that are important to you. 

Many Yamaha digital pianos can pair with a piano-learning app, such as Smart Pianist or Flowkey on your phone or tablet. These apps help you learn the notes of a new song or to teach you new techniques as you play. Digital pianos also have a recording option for those who want to expand their music-writing skills. At Dickerson’s, we believe that life’s more fun when you know how to play, and the right instrument will make learning how to play a fun experience.

4. Bring a PDF Quote to Get the Best Value at Dickerson’s 

In a world becoming more and more digital, it can be tempting to go with the cheapest option on the internet and order a piano at the click of a button. Because the feel and response of each instrument varies, we are here so you can experience these elements before you buy. Also, the piano you buy online will be shipped to you in a box and it will require you to deal with assembling the parts and positioning the heavy instrument in your house. 

At Dickerson’s Tri-City Pianos, we are willing to match the price with an internet ad or PDF Invoice showing the offered price you found, plus we can deliver it to your house already assembled at no extra charge. Just bring in a copy of the quote you found so we can verify and honor the amount.

5. Start with Your Most Important Needs, Knowing You Can Trade Up As You Grow

If you or your child is just starting piano lessons and you need a good piano to get started, there are many options available for beginner players. As you consider the options, keep in mind that whichever piano you choose now can be traded up to a piano of higher value later on when your child is farther along the path to becoming a music-loving pianist. With our amazing trade-up policy, we are already planning to grow with you as you move into different seasons of life.

6. Pick a Piano That Invites You to Play It Longer and Talks to Your Soul

There is something special about finding your perfect piano. When you sit down to play, the right piano will make it hard to tear yourself away. It is such a satisfying experience when expressing yourself through music becomes effortless and when the connection you have with the instruments speak to your soul in a unique way.

No one can experience a piano for you. Take the time to look, sit down at the keys, and play the piano yourself to help you find the most clarity on which piano you love. 

7. Make Sure it Fits in Your House & Decor 

A piano is just as much a piece of furniture as it is an instrument. There are many options when it comes to piano size, color, and design. How to choose what fits best in your home will ultimately be up to you, but here are some things to consider as you look for your dream piano. 

a. Colors & Wood Tones 

You can’t go wrong with classic polished ebony, but many pianos also come in white or a variety of wood tones, so you can choose a piano that best compliments your decor. Examples of the most common wood finishes are walnut, mahogany, rosewood, and oak. 

Pianos also typically have either a polished or satin finish, so you can choose how shiny and reflective you want the finish to be. A glossy finish will help your piano stand out as a focal piece in the room, whereas satin finish blends well in many decors because it is less dominant.

Many of the new Yamaha grand pianos are built with a sleek, modern design, but if you are a romantic at heart, check out the French Provincial or Georgian GB1K (4), which feature elegant, curved music stands and legs with decorative accents. 

b. Size 

For many pianists, the space available at home to keep a piano is one of the major factors in deciding which piano to buy. If you live in a tight space or need a piano that can be easily moved from place to place, you might consider a portable keyboard, such as the Yamaha P225 (5) or Yamaha DGX-670 (6). A third great option for a digital piano is the Yamaha YDP-S55 (7), which has a particularly compact design that is a perfect fit for more narrow spaces. 

An upright piano will also save a lot more space than a grand, but keep in mind that most uprights only vary by a few inches in width and depth. Upright pianos vary the greatest in the height, and can be classified into four different size ranges. 

• Spinet pianos are normally 36-38 inches tall

• Console pianos range from 40-42 inches

• Studio pianos are 45-48 inches

• Upright pianos are greater than 52 inches tall. 

The taller the upright, the richer the depth of sound can be in the lower notes.

Grand pianos have horizontal strings, so the length of the instrument affects the length of the lower strings, and thus the quality of sound. The shorter grand pianos that range from 4-5 feet long are often categorized as baby grand pianos, classic grand pianos range from 5’6” to 7 feet, and concert grands measure upwards of 9 feet. 

Shorter pianos may not have the same depth of richness or power in the sound as concert grands, but they are a popular choice for homes and smaller venues.

When you visit our store, you’ll find a wide variety of finishes and sizes to choose from. As a Yamaha dealer, we can also order a Yamaha piano in the size and color of your dreams if you don’t find the perfection one in our gallery. 

c. Fit in the Room 

If your heart is set on a grand piano but you are unsure of whether it will fit in your room, you are welcome to borrow a template from us to get an idea of how different-sized pianos will fill the space in your room. The ideal placement for your piano at home is away from windows, vents, and direct sunlight.

8. Let Yourself Daydream About Your Piano 

Most importantly, allow yourself time to daydream about your perfect piano! There is nothing like owning a piano you absolutely love. We want you to find the piano that will inspire you to live your dreams and share the joy of making music with others. 

9. Picking a Quality Piano That Will Last 

When selecting a piano, it’s important that you pick something that will stand the test of time. Something that you can enjoy as your skills evolve and change, as you move homes, or as you grow as a family, student, or teacher. 

The advantage of piano makes such as Yamaha is that they are well-known for their quality and for staying on the cutting edge of the piano industry. Not only does Yamaha build their instruments with care and precision that withstands the test of time, they also push the limits of piano design by pairing technology with their instruments in innovative ways. At Dickerson’s Tri-City Pianos, we are an authorized Yamaha dealer because of the reliable quality and affordable price that few piano makers can match.

10. Reach out for Expert Advice

We hope that as you search for your dream piano you will remember that it is a journey. Some people know right away what they’re looking for, but many others walk into our store with no clue where to start. It’s okay not to have all the answers, that is why we are here! Start here at our piano gallery, and we will walk alongside you each step of the way to finding the answers you need. 

Ultimately, we believe that finding your dream piano can be exciting, and fun. When you give yourself the opportunity to really experience all the options, it allows you to find and fulfill that dream. 

We love it when we can serve our customers and help their dreams come true. Feel free to walk in and play our pianos any time. Our team is here to listen, help answer your questions, and help you find your dream piano. You can find our storefront on the Jadwin side of the Richland Uptown Mall.