Piano Buying Guide Singapore 2026: New, Second-Hand, Upright & Grand

Step 1: Upright or Grand?

The most fundamental choice in piano buying. Here is a practical comparison:

For most Singapore homes, an upright piano is the practical choice. A good upright by Yamaha, Kawai or another quality manufacturer provides excellent musical development opportunities from beginner through to Grade 8 and beyond.

Step 2: Choose the Right Size

Upright Pianos by Height

• Spinet (90–100cm) — very small action, generally not recommended for serious students
• Console (100–110cm) — acceptable for beginners; limited tone depth
• Studio (110–120cm) — a good compromise; suitable for students at all levels
• Professional (120–135cm) — the Yamaha U3 (131cm) and Kawai K-300 (122cm) fall here; excellent for all students and home use
• Tall upright (135cm+) — closest in quality to a small grand piano

Step 3: Recommended Brands for Singapore

Most Recommended (Reliability, Service, Parts Availability)

• Yamaha — the industry standard. Consistent quality, excellent resale value, universal parts availability. The U1 and U3 are the most reliable upright pianos ever made
• Kawai — excellent quality, innovative action design, warm tone. The K-300 is an outstanding instrument at its price point

Good Options

• Pearl River — good value for budget-conscious buyers; adequate for student use
• Samick/Young Chang — Korean brands offering reasonable quality at lower prices
• Boston — designed by Steinway, made by Kawai; excellent quality at a premium

Premium Options (for serious players)

• Steinway & Sons — the world standard for concert performance
• Bechstein, Blüthner, Fazioli, Bösendorfer — finest European instruments

Step 4: New or Second-Hand?

A quality second-hand piano can offer far better value than a new entry-level instrument. Our recommendation:

• If budget is under S$5,000 — consider a used Yamaha U1/U3 or Kawai K-300 in good condition, professionally assessed
• If budget is S$5,000–S$10,000 — a new Yamaha U1/B3 or Kawai K-300 is achievable
• If budget is S$10,000+ — new Yamaha U3/YUS or Kawai K-500/K-800 offers excellent value

Always have a second-hand piano assessed by our technician before purchase. See our Second-Hand Piano Buying Guide for what to inspect.

Step 5: After You Buy

Once your piano is delivered:

• Allow 4–6 weeks for the piano to settle in its new location before tuning
• Schedule tuning 4–6 weeks after delivery
• Plan for quarterly tuning in the first year (new pianos settle faster)
• Consider a Dampp-Chaser system installation for optimal climate protection

Contact Singapore Piano Shop to arrange a pre-purchase inspection or to discuss your first tuning after delivery.