Buying a piano is unlike any other purchasing experience. A piano is both a musical instrument that will bring hours of enjoyment into your home, and an important part of your home's furnishings. To help put you at ease during the process of finding just the right piano, here are some questions to get you started:

1. How will the piano be played?

Consider your needs--you may have children who are taking lessons, or you may simply want to pick up playing again yourself after a long hiatus. If you are buying for a school, church, or music club, your specific needs should be taken into account.

2. Should I buy a grand or vertical piano?

Pianos come in various sizes, styles, and finishes, and you may need to shop a little before you know what your preferences are.

Grand pianos are shaped like what you will see on a concert stage, as large as nine feet in length (concert grand), or as short as about five feet (often called a "baby grand"). In very general terms, a baby grand of about five to six feet in length is acceptable in a home, and six feet or longer is necessary for audiences larger than one would expect in a home setting. Even a medium-size baby grand only takes about the same amount of floor space as a six- by nine-feet area rug, so keep an open mind about what may work in your setting.

Vertical pianos are strung as the name implies, and most often sit against a wall or partition. The shortest verticals are about 36 inches in height and are called spinets, and while most manufacturers no longer build spinet pianos, some of the older models are well built with good tone and playability.

Taller verticals, called consoles, are easier to find than spinets in most localities, and range in size from about 38 to 46 inches in height. For a more serious player a console is preferable to a spinet.

Should you consider Great-aunt Emma's "old upright", built in the 1920's or 1930's and towering an imposing five feet or more above the floor? Some uprights are still usable, but some have outlived their life expectancy. However, a piano may have "sentimental value" which is only for you to decide. Many times the "family piano" is the only connection between generations, as it is passed down through the years.