Did you know that research has shown that piano lessons enhance the working memory of older adults and can significantly improve the self esteem of children?
Whether you are young, old, or somewhere in between, learning to play the piano is a journey that is rewarding, enriching and, above all, fun.
If you are a parent hoping to nurture the musical talent of your child, a student looking to practice at home, or an adult embarking on the journey of learning a new instrument, choosing the right piano is crucial.
The piano you select will ultimately shape your musical experience and influence your progress, which is where our long-term piano rental comes into play.
We are proud to offer a flexible and cost-effective solution for those seeking to improve their piano skills in the comfort of their own home.
In this comprehensive guide, we will be exploring the process of selecting a long-term piano rental and how to find an instrument that perfectly matches your needs.
The Importance of Selecting the Right Piano
There are several reasons why selecting the right piano is key to achieving successful piano lessons at home:
Impact on the learning experience
While everyone wants a beautifully designed and crafted piano, ultimately, it is the quality and size of the piano that will play the biggest role in shaping your learning experience. Choosing a piano that matches your skill level and aspirations will inspire you to practice regularly and progress at a faster rate. This has been particularly evident in children who are able to benefit from the convenience of practising consistently in the comfort of their own home.
However, a piano that does not suit the needs and skill level of the player will inevitably act as a barrier to their musical development. Children who become frustrated with playing will quickly become discouraged and lose interest, which is why choosing the right model is so important.
High-quality instruments
Pianos are designed and constructed to last a long time, and if you find a high-quality piano, it will produce the rich, expressive tones that will fuel your love of music with each practice session. However, poor craftsmanship will inevitably affect sound and playability, and with the wrong model, you will find an uneven and disappointing sound that will hinder your development and discourage learning.
Things to Consider When Renting a Piano
Long-term piano rentals are an ideal way to bring music into your home and adapt your piano to your evolving needs without the initial upfront cost of buying.
That being said, it is important that you consider a range of factors before committing to the rental period.
The size
When it comes to choosing your ideal rental piano, bigger isn’t always better. The size of your piano can significantly impact your piano lessons from home, and you will find that different piano sizes cater to different needs and skill levels.
Grand pianos
Noted for their impressive size and design combined with their rich sound and responsive touch, grand pianos are the go-to choice for many seasoned pianists and professional musicians. However, their size can be impractical for smaller spaces, and unless you have a large room in your home just waiting to be filled, it might not be the right choice for you.
Upright pianos
Upright pianos are amongst our most popular sizes when it comes to domestic piano rentals. Uprights are more compact and, therefore, better suited to smaller spaces in the home. They are popular for beginners and the favourite of parents looking to interest their child in a new instrument. Their size makes them incredibly versatile and great for placing in houses and flats.
Whether you opt for a grand or an upright piano, when selecting the size, we always advise customers to consider the available space in the home, the age of the player and their skill level. For children or those just starting out on their piano journey, we tend to recommend upright pianos, but if you are looking for superior sound, the grand is the better option.
The Quality
As mentioned above, the quality of the piano you choose should always be taken into consideration, as it will directly affect the instrument’s sound and playability.
A well-built and high-quality instrument should always produce a rich and vibrant sound that enhances the overall playing experience. If the piano has been well cared for and maintained, the tone should be balanced across the entire keyboard, allowing for expressive playing. You should also be mindful of how responsive and consistent the keys are in order to develop proper technique and control. Any piano worth its weight should have well-regulated actions that ensure each key responds as it should to your touch.
Each of these factors should facilitate high quality piano rental experience, ensuring you can explore a wide range of musical styles and techniques and be inspired to continue playing.
Rental Terms
Another key factor worth considering is the rental terms available for long-term piano hires.
The three key areas to bear in mind are the rental duration, the fees and clarifying who is responsible for piano maintenance.
Rental duration
Depending on where you choose to hire your piano from, the term ‘long-term piano rental’ will mean different things.
For example, at Markson Pianos, our minimum period for a long-term hire is six months, but we have many customers who choose to rent for much longer. We even offer an Option to Purchase Scheme whereby a percentage of the hire fees you have paid can be offset against buying either the piano you are hiring or any other piano.
The most important thing to consider is how long you plan to play when choosing a rental direction that’s right for you.
Cost
Piano rental fees will vary between businesses as some rentals may have monthly fees, whereas others may offer discounts for long-term higher commitments. Generally, however, there is no direct correlation between the price of the piano and the relative higher fees.
Our prices for hiring a piano start from as little as £35.00 per month, with piano hire fees being paid initially in advance for second-hand pianos for the first six months.
Again, it is important to factor in the total cost when comparing piano hire options.
Maintenance
Pianos require regular care and maintenance, which is why, when looking at piano rentals, it is important to clarify who is responsible for piano maintenance, including tuning and repairs. At Markson Pianos, we offer maintenance services as part of our long term piano rental packages to ensure that your piano remains in optimal condition.
Evaluating Piano Rental Options
The next step in choosing your long-term piano rental is to carefully evaluate your options.
This includes researching providers, comparing offers, and finally paying a visit to their showrooms to try the pianos in person.
Researching providers
Choosing a reputable piano rental provider can be just as important as choosing the piano itself, which is why the best place to start is by searching for online reviews. Whether it’s a Google review or Trustpilot, customer reviews and testimonials are the best way to gauge the experience of previous renters.
If, however, you aren’t convinced by what you’re reading online, the next step is to seek recommendations from a piano teacher or even a local music store. They are much more likely to have insights into the best and most trusted rental providers in your area.
Once you have your recommendations, you’ll want to explore the websites of the providers you’re looking at. The key information you’ll want to keep an eye out for is their rental options, maintenance support services and details on their rental terms.
As soon as you feel confident that you found a reliable and trustworthy provider, the next step is to contact them with a list of questions and offer additional information on their services. Whether it’s over the phone or by e-mail, their responsiveness and attitude to addressing your inquiries will give you a good sense of their customer service and, by extension, the quality of their pianos.
Comparing
Once you have a handful of piano rental providers in mind, it is important to compare their rental services.
Here is a list of the key factors you should consider:
Rental terms and requirements
Each provider will offer differing durations for long-term piano rental, and some will have monthly fees and additional costs, which are important to clarify before agreeing to anything. Often, the best providers are very transparent and assure that there are no hidden fees.
Piano maintenance and support
All pianos require regular maintenance and tune-ups, which is why it’s important to examine the support services offered by each provider. This should include any tuning maintenance and repairs.
Customer reviews
Always take into account the experiences of other customers who have rented pianos as often this is the best indication of how a company operates.
Piano selection
It is important to assess the different pianos available to rent, as providers with a diverse selection will be able to better accommodate your needs and preferences.
Location and delivery service
Safely transporting and delivering a piano is no small feat, so it is important to consider the location of the provider and their delivery options. Pianos require specialist delivery service, so it is important to choose a company that always prioritises the instrument.
Visiting showrooms
We always recommend that our customers pay a visit to our piano showroom so that they can get a feel for the pianos in person and, most importantly, have a play!
So before finalising a decision, the best piece of advice we can give you is to visit piano showrooms as this will give you the best impression of the company and the piano.
You should spend time playing various pianos to get a feel for their touch and responsiveness, paying particular attention to how the keys respond and the overall comfort of playing.
Time should be taken to listen to the sound produced by each piano so you can evaluate the tone, resonance and clarity of the instruments. Finally, as we’ve mentioned, you must always consider the size and whether it will fit in your home as well as the aesthetics.
Visiting showrooms allows you to make a more personal connection with the instrument and its sound to ensure it suits your playing style and preferences.
Learn more about our Long-Term Piano Hire
At Markson Pianos, we understand the importance of selecting the perfect instrument for your journey.
Bringing a piano into your home is no small matter, and when it comes to undertaking piano lessons at home, you should have everything you need to succeed right from the start.
That’s why, for more than 100 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing not just world class pianos but also support, expertise and commitment to our customers.
When you choose Markson Pianos, you acquire more than just an instrument but a world of musical possibilities tailored to your needs.
We are proud to call ourselves London’s leading piano hire and rental company, supplying instruments across the capital and nationwide.
So, whether you’re interested in a small but mighty upright or a breathtaking grand, we have a wide variety of pianos for you to choose from.
If you are looking to rent a piano long term to have in your home, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team on 020 7935 8682 or email us at info@marksonpianos.com to learn more about hire costs and more.