Jan 13 2025

All about buying a second-hand piano in Singapore

By Vinnie Mah Music Articles No Comments

All about buying a second-hand piano in Singapore

second hand piano singapore

Buying a second-hand piano in Singapore for your child’s piano lessons can be quite a daunting task! Unlike first-hand piano shops, which are often located in sleek shopping malls, second-hand piano stores tend to have a less polished appearance. Some may look dim and uninviting, with sales staff casually dressed in worn-out t-shirts, shorts, and slippers. For many families, this might seem like a red flag, leading them to lean towards purchasing a brand-new piano for peace of mind. Recently, we visited five different second-hand piano shops and gained valuable insights from the experience. Now, we’re confident in sharing what to look out for when buying a second-hand piano in Singapore.

3 unique second-hand piano shop in Singapore

Before we share what we have learned from our shopping trip, here are the Google map links to the 3 second-hand piano shops we have visited.

(not in any order, these are not sponsored listings)

Piano lessons can help you shop for the right second-hand piano!

Signing up for piano lessons in Singapore can help you make better purchasing decisions. Piano teachers are the best people to seek advice when considering buying a piano for practicing after piano lessons!

We are a music school offering guitar lessons at Upper Thomson Road, Singapore. Signing up for piano lessons with us means learning from a team with over 10 years of experience running a successful music school in Singapore. Over the years, we have refined our teaching methods to ensure they are engaging, effective, and tailored to suit students of all ages and skill levels. Our commitment to excellence goes beyond lessons—we organize annual recitals! It provides our piano students with the opportunity to showcase their progress, build confidence, and experience the joy of performing.

Pricing: Do your homework first!

Second-hand piano prices can be surprising, often still costing several thousand dollars. For parents with no experience, choosing one can be tough since pianos look similar. Researching new piano prices beforehand can help. Remember, price alone doesn’t tell the full story—here are the factors that affect a piano’s cost.

Brand – Typically Japanese are cheaper than European brands.
Grade – Pianos are often made with a wide range of quality to target players of specific grades.
Orientation – While grand and baby grand pianos may look impressive, they are significantly more expensive than upright pianos. However, an upright piano can still deliver excellent sound quality.
Manufacturing country – Just like cars, Japanese-made pianos will cost more than Indonesia-made pianos of the same brand and model

Pianos sound different in various environments

second-hand piano Singapore

The sound of a piano can vary greatly depending on its location. Many second-hand piano shops are essentially large warehouses with high ceilings and little to no acoustic treatment. This causes the piano to echo and feel thin or hollow. In contrast, first-hand piano shops are often designed with acoustic optimization in mind, featuring low ceilings, carpets, and other sound-absorbing materials that enhance the instrument’s tone. This difference in environment can make it challenging to assess a piano’s true sound quality when shopping second-hand.

Without a doubt, this was one of our biggest challenges when shopping for the right second-hand piano for piano lessons. But what we have also learned is to try the pianos with a mindset about the potentially better tone in the right environment. Especially so for us when we shifted our piano to our piano studio at Vinnie Classroom along Upper Thomson Road Singapore.

Prepare your playing materials

playing piano using ipad for score

Preparing your piano scores on an iPad and practicing your pieces thoroughly before piano shopping can make a big difference. Being able to play confidently allows you to assess the piano’s touch, tone, and responsiveness, giving you a better understanding of which instrument suits your needs. This level of preparation ensures you choose a piano that complements your playing style and musical goals. Taking piano lessons at Vinnie Classroom can further enhance your skills! Our experienced teachers can provide personalized guidance and knowledge to make a well-informed piano purchase.

Ask about the condition

piano repairs singapore

The condition of pianos in second-hand shops can vary widely, ranging from models just a few years old to vintage pieces from the 1970s. These pianos may have been previously owned and used locally or imported from countries like Japan, where piano culture is deeply rooted. Interestingly, most second-hand piano shops are run by expert piano tuners and repair technicians. Their skill and craftsmanship allow them to restore pianos to near-brand-new condition, ensuring that even older instruments can deliver excellent sound and performance. This expertise adds tremendous value to the second-hand piano market. Of course, you are free to choose from any of their collection!

Find out more about aftersales support

piano recital singapore

After-sales support is key when buying a second-hand piano. Reputable shops often include delivery, tuning, and minor adjustments, with some offering limited warranties. Run by skilled technicians, these shops can also provide ongoing maintenance, ensuring your piano remains in great condition.

Arranging for the right Piano Movers

piano movers singapore

Our experience with piano movers has been nothing short of impressive. Despite being in their 60s, these seasoned professionals expertly handled a 250kg piano, carrying it up a flight of 22 steps with precision and care. They skillfully navigated tight spaces, ensuring every step of the move was smooth and hassle-free. Choosing the right piano movers is crucial—not only for their expertise but also for the peace of mind that comes with insurance coverage. In the rare event of damage during the move, proper insurance ensures your valuable instrument is protected.

Note that there is typically an additional charge of around $200 for every flight of stairs.

Conclusion

If you are just starting and do not wish to buy an acoustic piano just yet, read this article about our Guide to buying your first Piano for lessons in Singapore. Or read this if you are wondering When is the best age for Piano Lessons in Singapore.

Overall, our second-hand piano shopping experience has been very pleasant. Every one of these shops is run by friendly and knowledgeable owners. Unlike the unsually quirks of guitar shops in Singapore, there is nothing to worry about when shopping for a piano. So long as you are well prepared, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about when shopping for a second-hand piano in Singapore.

Alternatively, talk to us! We are here to help. Or, take a Trial Lesson with us!

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Nov 04 2024

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Adults taking piano lessons in Singapore

Can an Adult Learn Piano?

By Vinnie Mah Music Articles No Comments

Can an Adult Learn Piano?

The question is not “Can an adult learn piano?” It is about the challenges and benefits. Based on our decade of experience as a music school in Singapore, we can confidently address this age-old question. So if you are an adult looking for some answers, let’s dive in and get you sorted out.

Singapore Uncle playing the piano

Why do Adults want to Learn the Piano?

It is on most adults’ bucket list to learn the piano. The reason for learning can vary quite a bit! Based on our experience offering piano lessons in Singapore, here is a list of reasons.

They believe learning the piano can help them shift their focus and reduce stress.
Learning the piano feels like an excellent workout for their stiffening fingers.
It can help fight dementia.
Piano music is too beautiful and listening to it is not enough.
Something they could not afford time and money to learn when they were younger.

Our perspectives shift as we move through different stages of life. While understanding why we should learn to play the piano is important, it’s often not enough. Starting something new requires courage, discipline, and determination. Many people worry about the possibility of failure and wasting their time, even before giving it a try. Whatever your reason for hesitating, we’re here to support you. Let us share the inspiring story of an adult who took the leap of faith to learn the piano with us. We will also explore the benefits of embarking on this piano journey.

Encik, the adult piano student who became our inspiration!

James, or Encik as we affectionately call him, is one of our most dedicated adult piano students. Even though he has been with us for many years, his passion for music continues to inspire everyone around him. Despite being surrounded by younger students, he never finds it awkward to share the stage with them. He embraces every performance opportunity with confidence and enthusiasm. He works tirelessly on his pieces and always striving for excellence! His commitment shines through in every performance. His hard work and unwavering determination set a wonderful example for our entire music school, proving that the love of music transcends age.

James is the best example of how an adult benefited from learning the piano. As an adult, he understands the true meaning of practicing, is able to plan his schedule well, and has discipline. In short, adults can see the bigger picture that children simply can’t process. Adults also have more learning experiences to help them apply it to their piano lessons, ensuring they benefit the most from every lesson.

piano lessons relief stress

What can an Adult benefit from taking Piano Lessons?

One of the most rewarding benefits is finally being able to check off the goal of “I can play the piano.” Overall, learning the piano as an adult can be a fulfilling and enriching experience that enhances both mental and emotional well-being.

Stress Relief: Playing the piano can be a therapeutic escape from daily stress, helping to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Musicians love being “in the zone” during their practice sessions. It is a feeling where the world around you seemingly disappears, time is irrelevant and every note you play creates a blissful experience.
Cognitive Improvement: Learning music enhances memory, problem-solving skills, and overall brain function, as it engages multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. Playing a musical instrument, like Mahjong, has the benefit of fighting dementia.
Improved Focus and Patience: Practicing piano requires concentration and patience, fostering a sense of discipline and mindfulness that can be applied to other areas of life. It also develops our sense of humility, enhancing our humbleness and helping us improve.
Boosted Self-Confidence: Mastering a new skill brings a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance, especially when performing for others or achieving personal milestones. Most of our students feel a sense of achievement after they take the stage during our annual recital. They feel very good about themselves!
Creative Expression: Playing the piano allows adults to express emotions and creativity, offering a fulfilling and enjoyable way to communicate through music.
Enhanced Coordination: Similar to certain types of computer games, piano playing improves hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, which are beneficial in maintaining dexterity as one ages. The spider-sense in us deteriorates as we age, we must sharpen it through various activities, and piano playing ranks at the top of the list.
Social Opportunities: Joining recitals or group classes can open up social connections with others who share a passion for music, building a supportive community. Like James, many of our students made new friends through various events. Such opportunities reinforce the first benefit of our list, stress relief!

Conclusion on piano lessons for adult

If you are ready for all these benefits, we are here to assist you with your piano lessons. If you need something better than a chat, take a Trial Lesson with us! Regardless, we would like to share that it is a wonderful experience to be able to play the piano. The joy of music creation is hard to describe but it keeps us happy.

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piano lessons for adults