Read all about my recommendations for Pianos, Keyboards, Benches, Books, Stands, Lights, Manuscript Paper and more!
Pianos
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There's still no substitute for an upright piano and it remains the best learning piano around. There are remarkable piano shops in most every city - here's my favorites in Portland, OR. Even if you're not in the market to buy one immediately, I highly recommend touring each of them. ...it's my favorite way to spend a rainy afternoon.
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Classic Pianos - This place is incredible. Three floors of pianos and some are upwards of $200k. They carry more world class piano brands than any other store on the West Coast and their service is incredible. - particularly their trade up program.
Steinway & Sons - I was lucky enough to have a Steinway for many years and can attest that they are incredible to play. The soundboard in a Steinway is made in such a way that the resulting sound tends to be louder than any other pianos in their class. The one Portland location is in Lake Oswego.
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Michelle's Pianos - This lovely southeast shop is as local as it gets - which is saying something here in Portland. They live in Portland, gig in Portland and display local Portland artists work in their shop on SE Stark. They sell new and used and do repairs, too.
Guitar Center - I almost didn't add this one as I much prefer the local options. And to be honest, the service here can be really awful. But they offer some terrific digital pianos at excellent prices and have financing options that can't be beat - and sometimes that's the highest priority.
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KeyboardsDigital pianos are very different than the old electronic keyboards (though they certainly look similar). They reproduce recordings from top notch pianos rather than electronic representations of a piano and many contain features such as weighted keys and hammer action (both of which I very much recommend). Wooden pianos are my favorite, but digital pianos continue to woo me with the following bonuses: they require less space than a wooden piano, they never need to be tuned, most can be connected to a computer and the volume is adjustable (plus there's typically a spot for headphones). I especially like Yamahas and Casios and the following are some particular favorites:
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BenchesThe right bench is more important than I ever realized prior to teaching. To practice regularly and comfortably and to prevent injury, one really needs a bench that is the right height (elbows even with or above the keys). If the person is growing, an adjustable bench is best case scenario. The On Stage bench is my all time favorite but the others listed are terrific, too.
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BooksI use the Faber and Faber Method - and I adore them - so that is the bulk of what you'll see here. I've listed a few other favorites as well!
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GearLights, pedals, stands and other favorites.
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