Buying or Renting a Piano
To make lasting progress, it is essential to have a piano at home and to practise regularly. An upright acoustic piano can be rented from CHF 50.– per month.
In this article
Why choose an acoustic piano?
A digital piano can be a temporary solution, particularly when budget or neighbour-related constraints make it necessary. However, to develop sound technique and genuine musical sensitivity, nothing replaces an acoustic piano.
- An authentic action: the touch, weight of the keys and responsiveness of the instrument offer richer, more nuanced sensations.
- Real work on sound: the student learns to shape tone colour, dynamics and sound quality. On a digital piano, the sound is recorded or sampled.
- Better technical development: the natural resistance of the action progressively helps strengthen and develop flexibility in the hands and fingers.
How do you choose the right piano?
For an intermediate or advanced pianist, a visit to the showroom is essential. It makes it possible to try different instruments and compare their sound, action, touch and tonal character—whether bright, rounded or mellow.
For a beginner, an upright piano is generally an excellent choice. It provides all the qualities needed to begin in good conditions. The choice will depend mainly on your budget, the space available at home and, of course, your sound preferences.
Renting allows you to start without making an immediate investment. If your needs change after some time, it is often possible to move to a higher-range model. If you decide to purchase, the rental payments already made can generally be deducted from the price of the instrument, depending on the shop’s terms and conditions.
What if you need to play quietly?
Many upright and grand pianos can be fitted with a “silent” system. This prevents the hammers from striking the strings and allows you to play through headphones. It is particularly useful for practising early in the morning or late at night, or where sound insulation is limited.
Where can you buy or rent a piano?
Several specialist shops sell, rent and maintain pianos in the Lake Geneva region:
- Schmidt Pianos — Nyon and Saint-Sulpice
- Pianos Service — Geneva
- Kneifel — Geneva
The most important thing is to choose a shop that provides sound advice and also offers delivery, tuning and ongoing support for your instrument.
An advantage for students enrolled at the school
Students enrolled at the Michel Muller Piano School benefit from a 10% discount on piano rental from Schmidt Pianos.
We also recommend Schmidt Pianos for its generally competitive prices and the quality of its service. The technicians at all three shops mentioned above are highly competent, both for piano maintenance and tuning.
What budget should you allow for renting a piano?
In addition to the monthly rental fee, there are a few other costs to consider:
- Delivery: approximately CHF 300.– to 400.– by a specialist company (from CHF 165.– at Schmidt Pianos).
- Monthly rental: from CHF 50.– for an upright piano, up to several hundred francs for a grand piano.
- Tuning: at least once a year, ideally in spring or autumn, at approximately CHF 200.–.
A well-maintained piano retains its musical qualities for longer and brings greater enjoyment every day.