A Music Store that Loves Pianos - and Making Pianists

Posted on May 10, 2012 | Comments Off

I love a piano, I love a piano
I love to hear somebody play
Upon a piano, a grand piano
It simply carries me away
                      - Irving Berlin

There's something to be said for a musical instrument that has its own theme song. When it came to the charms of the piano, Irving Berlin clearly tapped into something universal in the human spirit. So if you've been thinking about adding more music to your household, stop into Houston Piano Company. We're a piano store that loves pianos, and we have a passion for helping others learn to play.

Pianos

At Houston Piano Company, we've been in the piano business since 1943. We're passionate about connecting experienced and aspiring musicians with the pianos they need to make great music. We offer an amazing selection of new and used pianos at affordable prices, as well as a host of other resources to meet all of your piano needs. We don't use gimmicks; we just know our store is the best one in town.

Buying a piano is a major decision. With so many brands, styles, and features to think about, you want to be sure you're getting the right instrument at the best price. It helps to have informed, friendly experts at hand who are willing and prepared to discuss with you which instrument will meet your needs, whether you're in the market for a traditional, quality upright; a high-tech instrument that's designed for learning, or a statement baby grand. We offer a host of new and famous brand pianos including Steinway, Yamaha, Bechstein, Brodmann, Mason & Hamlin, and many others. We also carry a variety of organs and player pianos.

Piano Lessons + Piano Classes

Lots of piano and music stores can connect you with private piano lessons, but how many of them have their own music school? At Houston Piano Company, we're so serious about the benefits of learning how to play an instrument - especially the piano - that we are committed to making it easier to do so. Whether you're seven or 70, the rewards of learning how to play the piano are innumerable, and the Houston Piano Company School of Music exists to expose as many people as possible to the joys of playing.

But we're not out to take business from dedicated music teachers and private instructors in Houston. Just the opposite - we're your allies in saving music education. We partner with music teachers in opening up as many avenues for piano classes and private lessons as possible. To that end, we've created a piano teacher locator directory for anyone looking for a qualified piano instructor in their own neighborhood. We invite music teachers to list their services for free and become eligible for teacher discounts and special offers.

Piano Rental

Planning an occasion or event? We offer quality rental pianos for just about any special event, whether your need is a small-scale upright or a concert grand. If you're thinking of adding a piano to your home but aren't quite ready to purchase one, with our rent-to-own program you can try out piano ownership for as little as $35 a month.

Piano Sale

Do you have a used piano to sell? We get lots inquiries from people asking whether or not we buy used pianos. Yes, we absolutely do! Call us today to discuss your used piano, and let us make you an offer.

Piano Movers

Moving a piano requires precise skills and equipment. Before you try to undertake this challenging task yourself, give us a call. We've partnered with some expert piano movers in the Houston area who'll apply their professional skills and experience to get your piano from point A to point B with a minimum amount of stress to you and your instrument.

We at Houston Piano Company love everything about the piano. And we'd love to help you learn to love it, too. So if you're in the Houston area and are in the market to purchase, rent, or sell a piano, or if you're looking for affordable piano lessons for beginners of all ages, intermediate or advanced pianists, give us a call or stop in today.

Houston Piano Company
1600 W. 13th Street
Houston TX, 77008
(832) 231-8810
Lessons: (832) 495-4150

Sharing our passion for pianos with the world, one note at a time

Posted on Aug 3, 2011 in News & Events, Piano Blog | Comments Off

Piano Store in Houston

Sometimes the right instrument is all you need to make good music sound great. At Houston Piano Company, we’re passionate about connecting experienced and aspiring musicians with the pianos they need to make great music. We offer an amazing selection of new and used pianos at affordable prices, as well as a host of other resources to meet all of your piano needs. We don’t use gimmicks; we just think our store is the best one in town when deciding where to buy a piano. Here’s why:

Exceptional Variety

We sell and deliver the highest-quality in digital and acoustic pianos from all the best-known brands, from Yamaha to Steinway to Baldwin and more. We are also the exclusive Roland digital piano dealer for Houston, and our stunning display of player pianos will take your breath away! Don’t know how to play but want to learn? We offer year-round lessons for a variety of ages, and our facilities even include a recital hall where you can perform once you’ve developed your musical skills. Our store is truly a one-stop shop for both purchasing and playing this extraordinary instrument.

Learn about the various Houston Piano Makes & Models we offer.

Professional Expertise

We don’t mean to brag, but our piano experts are the best in the business for all types of pianos. Our store is owned and operated by Steve and Sue Merrill, the third owners since 1943. Steve grew up in Houston and has managed three different piano companies since 1974. Several members of our staff have two, three and even four decades of experience working with pianos. When you visit Houston Piano Company, you can take comfort in knowing that our company didn’t spring up overnight. We have the enthusiasm and know-how that comes with decades of experience in the business, and we’re ready, willing and able to put that knowledge to work for you.

Read about the history and experience of Houston Piano Company.

Service to All of Houston

Our phenomenal, retro-fitted warehouse showroom is centrally-located in Houston’s beautiful Heights, but no matter where you live in the city, we’re committed to making your piano shopping experience a pleasant one. Whether you’re from Sugarland or Katy, Cypress or Missouri City, when it comes to pianos, we’ve got you covered. But don’t just take our word for it. Call or visit us today and find out for yourself!

Find out more about the areas our Houston piano store serves.

Buying The Right Used Piano

Posted on May 24, 2013 in Piano Blog | 0 comments

The world of used pianos is a varied world in terms of both price and quality. Buying a used piano is a task that requires a certain degree of piano knowledge. Going out and buying a used piano from a secondhand store or a classified ad is risky. There is always a chance of buying a pyrite (fool’s gold) piano; shiny on the outside, worthless on the inside. While it is a sign of piano professionalism to know the difference between a good and bad used piano, it is rather difficult to determine the potential longevity of any piano. Going to a reputable piano store will allow you access to professionals who can offer the best used pianos at affordable prices.

Most frequently, the purchase of a piano is inspired by the beginning of piano lessons. This is dangerous because the people who are just starting out on the piano have the hardest time distinguishing between a piano that will last and one that will quickly deteriorate. If this is the case, I would caution against buying a used piano from anybody other than a certified piano dealer or a piano technician. If you do decide to buy from a private seller or secondhand store, it is often a good idea to pay a piano technician for their time to help you choose a reliable instrument. I promise this will be cheaper, in the long run, than having to pay the same technician to repair a severely damaged piano.

If you are set on buying a used piano, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself and the seller in order to make a confident decision.

• Why are they selling the piano? If it is because they simply “never play it,” this implies that the instrument has been neglected, and there is a low probability that it has been recently tuned. If he/she is a responsible piano owner who is getting a replacement piano or moving soon, this could signify a potentially good purchase.
• How often was the piano tuned? If the piano was tuned twice a year, you are probably safe. Once a year is pretty good, too. If the piano hasn’t been tuned recently, or is currently out of tune, you’ll probably be paying for several special tunings. Purchase an untuned piano at your own risk: it may not be tunable at all.
• Who maintained this piano? If it was tuned by somebody who did not know what they were doing, there is a good chance that the piano was not tuned or voiced correctly. Only a registered piano technician can be trusted to reliably maintain and tune a piano. It takes years of training and a bag full of tools to deal with a piano’s inside, so take note of who is working on yours.
• Where was the piano stored? A garage or basement implies varying temperatures and humidities, which warp the piano’s wood and jeopardizes the integrity of the instrument.
• After playing the piano, how is the action and feel? Responsive or slow? How is the tone? Is it crisp and pure, or metallic and rusty? Listen for two strings being hit at once. This is a big deal. Also, listen for any rattles or buzzing noises. This implies a jeopardized soundboard, which is a fatal problem.

If the piano sounds good to you, and you are confident that the owner has taken good care of it, you might be making a good decision. Be careful! It is always a safer choice to buy from a piano dealer with specialized professionals dedicating their time to ensuring proper upkeep of beautiful sounding pianos.