Mumsnet Talk

What's the opinion on clavinova's versus pianos, in this scenario? I am assuming you're not going to be a concert pianist, otherwise I wouldn't suggest it. I also live in London and this means you don't have to worry about the neighbours so much. No tuning costs. Seem to be able to get a pretty decent one for a grand. Just a thought?

Worth checking eBay and gumtree websites also, as long as you know how to check whether the instrument is OK when you view it!

I just got a lovely piano from Piano Lobby in Forest Hill, they have loads of secondhand pianos:
pianolobby.co.uk

Marksons of course!

Try J Reid Pianos - jreidpianos.co.uk . Large assortment of second hand pianos for sale and for rent.

We got ours here: www.hanna-pianos.co.uk/

We shopped around but got the best service from them. They were really knowledgeable and keen to find out about us in order to match the best piano for our needs.

One of my piano students is selling a lovely piano, it's a Reid-Sohn upright, about 12 years old.

se22pianoschool.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/reid-sohn-upright-piano-for-sale-900-excellent-condition/

i really appreciate it, thanks.

Where in London are you? I went to Markson's and liked one of their Kemble but because of timing etc at the time didn't manage to buy it. Also Jacques Samuel on Edgeware Road - they sell Kawais. I also went to Little and Lampart in Ruislip, Aaron pianos in Ruislip too - across from Little and Lampart. One of them does imported reconditioned Yamahas - I tried a few that were very nice indeed. I also went to Plaza Pianos in Hanwell - owner is a tuner too. But I bought my piano from the piano warehouse in Surbiton.

Go to Markson Pianos
http://www.marksonpianos.com

Very knowledgeable, honest and great advice etc. They have new pianos and a large (rolling) selection of good used and reconditioned pianos. Also you can rent a piano from them for a while with an option to buy later, in case you're unsure and want to try one out.

Good luck!

I bought Yamaha U1 with money left to me by my dad - its a lovely thing to do and every time I play it makes me think of him and my DM.

Don't live in London, so can't help on the 'where' part, but I know that mine was an ex-school piano from Japan, where apparently they don't 'do' second-hand, so once something gets old, they just get rid and buy a new one, so there are/(were at the time) plenty of them around.

Any recommendations? It's not actually for my children, but for me to learn. I used to play lots of music when younger (grade 8 violin and trumpet) but dropped it and really regret not learning the piano (was told when a child i had too small hands, which IS true) Plus my great great grandfather was a famous composer and I feel a bit sad that I don't even play the piano!

I've been left some money by grandfather and would like to spend 2-2.5k on an upright. I have heard that Yamaha practice ones (U1s and U3s) are good and reasonably priced second hand. Although bright. The piano would have to sit on a wooden floor. And I don't want to have to retune it all the time.

I obviously don't play very well so am not the best person to try out the piano and I don't really have anyone I can take with me to try for me.

Just wonder if you have any recommendations of piano dealers in London?

Also, where's good to find a piano teacher, preferably one who will come to my house (have two small children and both me and husband work part time)

I am brushing up my music reading in the meantime!

Thanks for any advice.