If you’re in the market for a piano, one of the first questions you might have is, “How much does a piano cost?” The price of a piano can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including the type of piano, the manufacturer, the size, and the materials it’s made from. Understanding the cost of pianos is an important step in making an informed decision about what piano to buy, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pianist.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the cost of pianos in 2023, including information on why certain pianos cost so much more than others, and when it’s actually worth it to spend that extra money. We’ll discuss the different types of acoustic pianos and digital pianos, and provide some examples of pianos at different price points. We’ll also talk about the additional costs to expect, such as maintenance and tuning that inevitably come with owning a piano. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the prices of new pianos today, and why they cost what they do, as well as what you can expect to pay for the piano that meets your needs as a musician. If you don’t feel like reading through the bulk of this article, here is the short version.
How Much Do Pianos Cost?
For a new upright piano, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000. For a new baby grand piano, you can expect to pay between $15,000 and $35,000. Grand pianos cost anywhere from $20,000 and $100,000. And concert grands can cost anywhere from $80,000 to $300,000.
Types of Pianos & Their Costs
Vertical Pianos
Vertical pianos, often referred to as upright pianos, are acoustic pianos where the strings run vertically, as opposed to horizontally like in grand pianos. They are the most compact pianos and are an extremely popular option for homes, small music studios, or apartments. Vertical pianos fall into four classes: Spinet, Console, Studio, and Upright.
Spinet Pianos
Spinet pianos are the smallest of the vertical pianos, typically measuring in at less than 40″ tall. Spinet pianos are no longer in production, but you can still find them in piano stores or for sale on marketplace services for very little money. Their small design makes them great for saving space, but it unfortunately takes a toll on the sound quality.
Spinet pianos are very cheap, running anywhere from free to $5,000. That price varies depending on the brand, age, and condition. You may think that the price would go up for spinet pianos since they are no longer being produced and becoming more rare. But, the reality is, they are not sought after and have a very low demand. Also, it’s important to note that, due to their super compact size, spinet pianos have a different key action than the other types of vertical pianos referred to as “drop” action, which makes the keybed very light to press on and actually gives you less dynamic control. So, if you’re low on space and want a small piano just for fun, a spinet piano may be your best option. Just don’t expect to make a hit record with one.
Console Pianos
Console pianos are a little taller than spinet pianos, measuring in at anywhere from 40″ to 44″ tall. The action of console pianos sits directly on top of the keys, so it feels much better to play than spinet pianos. Console pianos are very popular and are suitable for music hobbyists and most pianists. You wouldn’t want to do professional recordings with most console pianos, though.
Console pianos are typically very cheap, costing anywhere from $500 to $6,000. Console pianos are still being made by some manufacturers, such as Yamaha and Pearl River, but have fallen drastically out of popularity. You’ll find most options for console pianos in the used piano market. Yamaha’s B1 console piano is going to be the best option for a professional player.
Studio Pianos
Studio pianos measure anywhere from 44″ to 48″ and have a richer sound and feel thanks to their larger soundboards, longer strings, and full size action. Studio pianos are ideal for beginners and experienced players alike, and can be found for reasonable prices, especially in the used piano market.
Studio pianos are a great option for beginners and experienced pianist, and can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 or more for a nice used piano. New studio uprights run anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more. Yamaha’s P22 is a very popular option in the studio piano classification.
Upright Pianos
Upright pianos are the tallest of the vertical pianos, measuring in at 48″ or more. Upright pianos are sometimes referred to as professional uprights since they often rival the sound and touch of some baby grands. Uprights are a very popular choice for music schools which need many pianos for practice rooms and offices, as well as music teachers and even professionals.
Upright pianos are the best option among the different types of vertical pianos for a professional player. You can expect to pay anywhere from free to $1,000 for low-end or used uprights and anywhere from $1,000 to even $50,000 for new and professional uprights. There are a wide range of upright pianos to choose from with a wide range of price points based on brand, quality, and condition.
Grand Pianos
Grand pianos are the crème de la crème in the world of pianos. Unlike vertical pianos, grand pianos’ strings run horizontally, stretching across the length of the body of the piano. This longer string length allows for a noticeably richer sound, deeper bass, and an overall better quality of sound in comparison to vertical pianos. Grand pianos fall into three classes: baby grands, grands, and concert grands.
Baby Grands
Baby grand pianos are the smallest of the grand pianos, typically measuring anywhere between 4’9″ and 5’5″. Baby grands are an attractive option for people who want premium sound quality without sacrificing too much space in their house. There is a large market for new and used baby grands for every budget.
New baby grand pianos typically start at around $15,000 for an entry-level model and can go up to $100,000 or more for highest tier models from top manufacturers. The price of a new baby grand piano also depends on the size, with smaller pianos generally being less expensive than larger ones. There are many good brands of baby grands, and price is very much tied to the quality of the manufacturer. We always recommend going for Yamaha, Steinway, Boston, or Kawai. Here are a few options that we recommend for new baby grands.
Used baby grand pianos can be found at much lower prices than new models. The average used price for a baby grand piano is around $5,000 to $15,000, with some older or less well-known brands going for less and certain premium brands retaining their value over time. When buying used, we recommend sticking to some of the more trusted piano manufacturers, such as Yamaha or Steinway. Also, these makes hold their value and can actually increase in value over time compared to lesser-known brands. To find used baby grand pianos for sale, check out Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Craigslist, and local music stores.
Grands
Grand pianos typically measure anywhere between 5’6″ and 6’11”, and have a number of subcategories based on smaller groupings of sizes. Grands are an attractive option for people who want premium sound quality and have a good bit of space to house an instrument.
Grand pianos, put simply, are bigger than baby grands and smaller than concert grands. It’s your “middle of the road” option when it comes to pianos. If you’re a professional musician, a grand piano may be for you. You’ll get a richer sound than a baby grand without having to spend $100,000+ on a concert grand. Honestly, we recommend going for a grand piano over a concert grand, even if you somehow had the cash for a concert grand. Grand pianos will cost you anywhere from $20,000 to around $100,000 or more. Yamaha has a great option for around $31,000 called the GC2. Check out some of the most popular grand pianos below.
Concert Grands
Concert grand pianos measure in at 7′ or more. Concert pianos are very large instruments that require proper care, including regular tuning and maintenance. As the name suggests, concert grands are intended for professional performance, and aren’t really designed for home use, though that doesn’t stop some people from snagging a concert grand for their home.
Concert grands are the biggest of the grand pianos. Their large size allows for very rich sound, high clarity, and and overall premium experience. But, you pay for that premium experience. Concert grand pianos can cost anywhere from $80,000 to $300,000 or more. The Yamaha CFX and the Steinway D are the two most popular concert grand pianos today.
Electronic Pianos
Electronic pianos make up a large chunk of the market share for pianists for many reasons. Electronic piano options tend to be priced much more attractively than acoustic pianos. And, with major technological advances in the electronic instrument market, there are some impressive options for electric pianos that don’t sacrifice a lot in terms of sound quality, weighted keybeds, or overall build quality, while maintaining competitive pricing. There are several categories of electronic pianos, with very important distinctions that you should understand before considering a purchase. Let’s look at the different types of electric pianos.
Upright Digital Pianos
Upright digital pianos are electronic pianos that are designed for home use and look like a slim version of an upright piano, and often come with a wooden stand/frame and a triple pedal. They can replace bulky acoustic pianos, allow users to play with headphones, and they can be considerably cheaper than an acoustic piano.
Upright digital pianos can run anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the brand and quality. Some brands have strived to make very good upright digital pianos that very closely resemble the mechanical keybed action of acoustic pianos. For example, Yamaha has a popular digital piano that has actual hammer action and optical sensors that measure the velocity of each individual key and outputs the corresponding volume. With something like this, you get the benefits of acoustic key action and the benefits of an electric piano (such as headphones, digital recording, and no maitenence costs) all in one.
Compact Digital Pianos
Compact digital pianos are very similar to upright digital pianos, only they tend to be smaller and lighter. These pianos may not come with a nice wooden stand and will often be played on an X style keyboard stand. These are for pianists who want a good at-home piano but may not have the adequate space to dedicate to an upright digital piano.
Stage Pianos
Stage pianos are electronic pianos designed specifically for live performance, and are typically quite expensive, often running in the thousands. The Nord brand is of the top selling manufacturers of stage pianos. These types of pianos go for around $3,000 to $6,000 for the piano by itself, not including pedals, accessories, stands, etc.
Stage pianos are used by your hometown cover band and professional touring bands alike. I own my own Nord stage piano for home recording, streaming, and the occasional gig, and also used a Nord stage piano on a headlining tour with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. They are incredible instruments used for professional recording, live performance, and more. Expect to spend anywhere from a couple thousand for a used professional stage piano to $6,000 or more for the top-of-the-line options. Here are a few of the most popular stage pianos.
Keyboards
The term “keyboard” can sometimes be used as a very broad term that encompasses any kind of electronic piano. But, keyboards are really an electronic piano that is used to emulate other instruments, such as horns, strings, and a myriad of sound effects. Keyboards don’t have weighted keys because they aren’t designed to be used as a piano-sounding instrument, but rather as a secondary instrument for a keyboardist to cover other types of sounds.
Keyboards vary wildly in price, and are offered by tons of different brands. Keyboards are made as toys, and as professional touring instruments. You can find keyboards for $50 and keyboards for thousands.
Other Costs of Owning an Acoustic Piano
In addition to the purchase cost of a piano, there are other expenses to consider and be aware of when owning an acoustic piano. The biggest and most common expense will be tuning. Typically, you should have your piano tuned at least once a year, though every six months is preferred and will keep your piano in the best possible shape. Tuning normally costs between $100 and $200 per session.
To Sum Up
In conclusion, the cost of pianos can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the type of piano, manufacturer, size, and materials. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced pianist, understanding the cost of pianos is an important step in making an informed decision about what piano to buy. The price of a new upright piano can range from $2,000 to $15,000, while a new baby grand piano can cost between $15,000 and $35,000. Grand pianos can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000, and concert grands can cost anywhere from $80,000 to $300,000. It is also important to note that additional costs, such as maintenance and tuning, should be considered when owning a piano. When deciding on a type of piano, it is essential to consider factors such as sound quality, key action, and space available. Ultimately, choosing a piano is a personal decision based on individual preferences and budget. By understanding the cost of pianos and their various types, you can make a well-informed decision when selecting the right piano for you.