Buying a piano is a big step and an indication that you're serious about your music. Upright pianos remain the most cost-effective although they don't sound as full or magnificent as a baby grand or grand. The advantage is that uprights take up less room in your house. No matter what kind of piano you buy, new and used pianos from reputable merchants will usually serve you well. Still, it is best to watch out for fast-talking salespeople who may be looking to make a hefty commission off of you.

When browsing in any piano showroom, make sure that you come prepared. This means telling sellers that you have sought and will continue to seek the advice of a registered piano technician. This will help you get a fairer price since you are also less likely to get pigeonholed as an ignorant buyer. For quick reference on techs, be sure to visit the Piano Technicians Guild Web site listed in Appendix B. There you will find invaluable advice on technicians plus information on how to care for, maintain, and service your piano.

You need to be especially cautious when purchasing a used piano from the guy down the street. If you read an advertisement in the classifieds section of your local newspaper that uses the words a deal, or even worse, a steal, you need to be particularly vigilant. People try to sell unusable, unplayable pianos all the time. Again, the first step is to seek the advice of a registered piano technician. But don't just rely on his or her expertise. Educate yourself as much as possible about what to look for in a quality instrument.

Broken keys, bent hammers, worn-out felt, cracked sounding boards, rickety lyres, and even fractured plates (cast-iron piano frame) are all signs of a piano in disrepair. When examining a piano, of any kind, look and listen for these three signature problems:

• Worn felt on hammers

• Cracked sounding board or ribs on sounding board that have become unglued

• Rotting wooden pinblock

If the felt on the hammers is totally worn away, the piano is a goner. Replacing the hammers can be very cost prohibitive. If the sounding board is cracked, the piano will buzz and hum when played. Again, this is a very expensive repair. Finally, if the wooden pinblock is in disrepair, the piano will not stay in tune, so it won't be worth a dime to you. Broken keys can be fixed without breaking the bank, but often these sunken keys reveal additional problems lurking inside.

There are many other mechanical problems that can diminish the value of a piano, but these issues are particularly ominous. Remember, too, that purchasing a piano from an individual seller will mean that no warranty will be attached to the sale. For this reason alone, it is probably best to stick with reputable dealers.