new or second hand for a 4 year old

[njwaterhouse]

Hi there,
My 4 year old came home one day wanting to have a Piano (hurray!! I've always wanted him to play the piano), but shall I buy a brand NEW one or a second hand one? I know he may lose interest after few hours but I can play it -- learnt at school but not played for long time as we don't own one. My sense says to buy a second hand one -- took a quick look on ebay, there are numerous choice from cheap as a peanut to over £500. saw a post on your forum about "Eavestaff Mini" -- the one I was quite keen to get but don't want to end up with a "box of match". is the Lestel piano a better choice? Can any body give me some advice?
Many thanks in advance.

[Barrie Heaton]

Hi there,
My 4 year old came home one day wanting to have a Piano (hurray!! I've always wanted him to play the piano), but shall I buy a brand NEW one or a second hand one? I know he may lose interest after few hours but I can play it -- learnt at school but not played for long time as we don't own one. My sense says to buy a second hand one -- took a quick look on ebay, there are numerous choice from cheap as a peanut to over £500. saw a post on your forum about "Eavestaff Mini" -- the one I was quite keen to get but don't want to end up with a "box of match". is the Lestel piano a better choice? Can any body give me some advice?
Many thanks in advance.

Don't buy the Eavestaff Min. Buying new is nice if you can afford it and if you are planing other children then a good buy, but if you do buy new it could end up that the only person who plays it is the cleaner with the duster if you 4 year old get board

Barrie,

[MarkGoodwinPianos]

If you have less than £2500 I would buy second hand
You can get a professional grade piano for the price of an entry level piano that way.

[Colin Nicholson]

I agree with Barrie.... keep away from Mini Eavestaff if possible.... tuning them are usually OK, but servicing & adjusting one or repairs can be quite time consuming - so extra costs involved. The 'drop mechanism' takes alot longer to remove than a conventional mechanism.

Dont often say this.... but for a 4 year old (mainly?) .... perhaps start with a digital piano for now, then upgrade later. I also suspect that the piano would just be used for tinkering.... and some teachers dont teach until the age of 6-7 is reached. Hand span, concentration levels are usually quite low. Have a look at Yamaha Clavinovas and the Kawai CN and CL range.... then in a few years time, if your child is making progress - then think about an acoustic piano. Also digital pianos often offer other instruments such as organ, harpsichord, strings etc.... and more fun for kids.... and I reckon at half the cost of a new upright piano.

Although some parents may prefer the 'traditional' approach to piano lessons/ owning an acoustic piano etc.... times have changed.... although digital pianos are not recommended for a Grade 5 - 8 student, requiring delicate pedalling & proper use of the left soft pedal...... for a 4 year old (with respect)...... they will enjoy the aspect of the lights, rhythm, metronome & various other instruments to choose from. Some teachers take on kids as early as 4.... but their learning skills are limited, and lessons rarely get over 15 mins before they lose concentration and start wandering off looking for mummy!!.... also consider lessons in your own home. Also, keep away from the bargains on Ebay.... they are virtually free for a reason!!.... if in doubt just ring a piano tuner, or visit your local piano shop for more advice.

Hope that helps.....

Colin

[NewAge]

I agree with Barrie.... keep away from Mini Eavestaff if possible.... tuning them are usually OK, but servicing & adjusting one or repairs can be quite time consuming - so extra costs involved. The 'drop mechanism' takes alot longer to remove than a conventional mechanism.

Dont often say this.... but for a 4 year old (mainly?) .... perhaps start with a digital piano for now, then upgrade later. I also suspect that the piano would just be used for tinkering.... and some teachers dont teach until the age of 6-7 is reached. Hand span, concentration levels are usually quite low. Have a look at Yamaha Clavinovas and the Kawai CN and CL range.... then in a few years time, if your child is making progress - then think about an acoustic piano. Also digital pianos often offer other instruments such as organ, harpsichord, strings etc.... and more fun for kids.... and I reckon at half the cost of a new upright piano.

Although some parents may prefer the 'traditional' approach to piano lessons/ owning an acoustic piano etc.... times have changed.... although digital pianos are not recommended for a Grade 5 - 8 student, requiring delicate pedalling & proper use of the left soft pedal...... for a 4 year old (with respect)...... they will enjoy the aspect of the lights, rhythm, metronome & various other instruments to choose from. Some teachers take on kids as early as 4.... but their learning skills are limited, and lessons rarely get over 15 mins before they lose concentration and start wandering off looking for mummy!!.... also consider lessons in your own home. Also, keep away from the bargains on Ebay.... they are virtually free for a reason!!.... if in doubt just ring a piano tuner, or visit your local piano shop for more advice.

Hope that helps..... Colin

Excellent advise here from Colin. A four year old will have a ball with a good DP, but avoid a cheap keyboard because not only do children grow out of them quickly but you won't like it either to take up where you left off years ago.
Stay with a well-known make such as Yamaha and you can't go wrong.
If you must have an acoustic piano to start with, try renting one for a year and see how your son gets on.
Let us know how you decide.

[njwaterhouse]

Many thanks for all your kind advice and very much agree with all you've said -- it's cheap for a reason! Guess I just have to stop browsing on eBay (nearly bid on a 15 year old lestel piano as it looks so lovely!) will take my son to a piano shop and see what he says there and a key board is a starting point!
Will report his progress, you never know he might be the next "langlang"--the most famous Chinese pianist who started his lessons when he was barely 3!!

[Colin Nicholson]

Good luck with that, and yes, I have taught a few chinese children, including one now - he's started with me last year (aged 7) and was already at Grade 2 standard in his playing.... but didnt' know what a crotchet was !!! amazing. Since then, he passed is grade 1 (piano & theory) wil flying colours and also Grade 2 piano earlier this year, and is about to sit his Grade 2 theory exam next week.

You may notice a slowish start with a 4 year old, and lessons must be very gradual & progressive to start with (eg certain theory skills are too advanced, even at beginner - grade 1 level).... and when he reaches the age of about 6-7.... then watch out!!.... I would also recommend piano festivals, and they have very early beginner classes for most competitions.

Good luck with your piano, let us know how you get on..

Colin