Take note of any keys that move sluggishly or get stuck at any point in their movement. Have the lid of the piano open while you do this and keep an eye on each hammer as it strikes the strings. Play each key several times in quick succession and at varying volume. The first thing to do when checking out a piano is to play every key on the keyboard, starting from the bottom and moving along all the way to the top. Once any fasteners have been removed, the front panel can be lifted away from the piano in order to get a better view of the action. Be sure to carry a flathead and a Philips-head screwdriver with you in case the panel is held by screws. The front panel is often held in by two clips, screws, or pins one on each end near the top edge. Start by opening the lid and looking inside of the front panel of the piano. If this is a piano that is only going to be used for your own enjoyment in your own home, you can probably get along with a lower quality piano just fine, even if it has some imperfections. Keep in mind that there are technicians who spend most of their time working with high quality pianos that are worth tens of thousands of dollars and that they may push you to purchase a high quality piano and consequently spend more money than you are comfortable with. Paying a piano technician to accompany you while you look at a used piano can be a great way to get a better idea of a piano's value and condition. If you find something that doesn't look right in a piano, you want to be able to communicate about it in a way that another person will know what you are talking about. I recommend familiarizing yourself with some basic piano anatomy. You want to make sure that you know of any serious problems before you open up your wallet and bring a 600+ pound piece of furniture into your home.

With over 5,000 distinct parts in an upright piano action, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Be diligent about doing your research before purchasing an instrument. In addition, there are countless different piano manufacturers that have existed over the past 100 years, some of which can be very hard to find any helpful information about. Between the hundreds of pianos on Craigslist, at piano dealers, thrift shops, estate sales, and furniture liquidators, it can be hard to know which style you want and which piano is worth your money. If you are looking to purchase a used piano, your options can be a bit overwhelming.

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