Should I rent or purchase a piano for my child?

Each dealership that sells pianos has their own policy about renting an instrument. Most charge the same amount of rent than it takes to make payments PLUS a cartage fee (usually $200 each way) In reality, they want to sell whatever they have in inventory. If you add up the cartage fees and a few month's rent, there will be at least $600+ spent on a temporary instrument that is rented. Sometimes you can receive credit for the first six months towards the purchase of a new piano (or the one in your possession). Once the rental period is over, you have nothing, and they have your money.

My suggestion would be to purchase a digital keyboard (with 88 full sized, velocity sensitive, weighted keys). Many companies are producing nice digital pianos that you could purchase for around $550. I've seen a few at Sam's Club and Best Buy a few Christmas' ago that would do the trick. Listen to the sound, and feel the action when you go to buy one. Make sure you like it and would be able to enjoy it for many years. If it is not a good quality sound, your child will soon get bored and lose interest. I was impressed with the Casio Privia. Here is a link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Casio+-+Privia+Full-Size+Keyboard+with+88+Hammer-Weighted+Keys+-+Black/9619225.p?id=1218140195132&skuId=9619225

The last item is: True Interest. Practicing a musical instrument is not always fun. It is sometimes work. Before you make a purchase for any young person, be sure they are overwhelmingly biting at the bit to commit to it. Have them promise to give it at least a year. If they will not commit, they are not truly interested in working at it. Once they are past a year, they are more apt to want to continue on their own. If they have given it a good year, you'll feel that at least they tried, and your investment was at least helpful during that time period.

I hope this was helpful. Save my email address to contact me, in case you have any additional questions.

Blessings,

Bruce Bergh

bruce@drmidi.com