Piano Instrument Information

A positive and successful experience depends on having a good quality & well-sized instrument. Do not obtain an instrument for your child before your teacher approves the size.

The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music does not sell or provide instruments.
How to Acquire A Piano

A real piano with strings and hammers (Upright, Baby Grand, or Grand) is REQUIRED. No electric keyboards or digital pianos – no exceptions; if the piano has buttons, and runs on batteries or electricity, it is not permitted. If space is an issue and you are not able to fit a real piano in your apartment please inform the director that you need to choose a different instrument. If the cost is prohibitive, please apply for our financial aid program. You may rent or purchase a piano. Some companies have a rent-to-own option, others have financing available. Another option is to find someone selling or giving one away (Craigslist, for example); usually you pay for the moving cost. In this case it is very important to have someone who knows pianos very well to look at it before you take it, so you know that it is in good condition.

Please refer to our comprehensive PDF list of Piano Stores for renting, purchasing, tuning and repair information found here.

Suzuki Piano FAQ

SUZUKI PIANO: WHY A REAL PIANO INSTEAD OF A KEYBOARD?

At the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, the Suzuki Division requires that families obtain a real piano for their home by the first week of class. The piano may be upright, baby grand, or grand. There are many options – to rent, to buy new, or to buy used. Information on where to obtain an instrument is available upon request.

TONE & TECHNIQUE

Although an electric keyboard may have weighted keys to more closely reproduce a grand piano touch response, your purchase or rental of an acoustic piano will provide your child with the experience of playing on an instrument built to their individual touch. An acoustic piano produces sound via a string-striking mechanism, or “action”. This action conveys the subtle nuances of finger movement to the hammer, allowing not only that string to vibrate, but to share this resonance with strings not directly struck. What an experience for a student to have the entire instrument act as a resonator, enabling them to develop a rich, full, and varied tone! The electronic keyboard will require more work from children to press weighted keys, without the benefit of tone quality. Pianos teachers have widely observed a disruption in progress in students who start on an electric keyboard when they switch to an acoustic keyboard. “Habits learned first are learned best” is a treasured mantra within the Suzuki community—beautiful tone, developed with physical ease, will be the foundation that serves them best throughout their musical development!

COST

Music education is an investment with ongoing costs, such as tuition, instrument, piano tuning, instrument repair, sheet music & supplies, etc. BKCM is committed to helping parents with these costs to the fullest extent possible. Please reach out to inquire about financial aid, or for support in finding an affordable piano, movers, tuners, or information about piano sizes.

MOTIVATION

The experience of learning to play an acoustic piano, which is built to respond to the developing nuances of your child’s touch, will be a source of ongoing inspiration and motivation. Tone and technique discovered and develop on an acoustic piano in their lesson will be more easily replicated on the home instrument!