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Purchasing an acoustic piano is a big investment, so you need to research it well before buying. There are several factors, like size and expense, to consider so that you choose the best instrument for your needs. You also have a couple of different instruments to choose from - verticals of different sizes, baby grand and the grand piano. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself as you look over your options:

* What is the instrument going to be used for?
You may be purchasing an instrument for taking lessons either for you or your children. You don’t have to go out and buy the most expensive one for this, but you also don’t want to skimp on quality. If it is for lessons, you want a decent instrument that is in good working order and tuned.

A vertical is sufficient for this purpose. The grand piano is a popular investment piece because of its appreciation values. Others simply like the look it gives to a room. So, is it for lessons, an investment or as an elegant piece of furniture?

* What are your abilities?
Whether you are just starting out or you are a concert pianist, you need a good instrument. However, if you are a professional or have aspirations to be, investing in a quality grand piano makes sense. Though you can produce similar quality sounds with a vertical, the grand gives you better control of tone and faster repetition.

* How much space can you dedicate to the instrument?
An upright takes up much less space than a baby or a grand piano so if you have limited space, one of the vertical instruments will be better. There are four sizes - the spinet, console, studio and full-size. They are about 2 feet deep and 5 feet wide with the height ranging from 3 to 5 feet tall. The grand piano ranges from 4.5 feet to 9 feet long. So, while all you really need for a vertical is free wall space, you need an open space for the grand.

* How much can you afford to pay?
Financing an acoustic piano is no small thing. Verticals start out at about $2500 and go up from there. A grand piano will start at about $10,000 for a baby and can go as high as $100,000 for higher quality instruments. If you choose to purchase a refurbished piece, make sure it comes from a reputable dealer.

This option can save you money and you still get a fine instrument. You don’t want to break the bank on something that your kids are not going to stick with, so it might be a good idea to let them start lessons to see how things go. Otherwise, you could be stuck with a big piece of furniture that is nothing more than a catch-all for dust.

There are so many sizes, styles and price ranges to choose from, you should have no problem choosing an acoustic piece that suits your needs perfectly. If you consider the purpose, your abilities, available space and affordability, you can decide between a vertical and a grand piano for your playing needs.