Many friends interested in buying second-hand pianos are likely concerned about the quality of the piano. How long can these second-hand pianos, which have a lifespan of 20-30 years, or even 40-50 years, still be used? In Europe, a large number of pianos over 70-100 years old are kept at home and used occasionally, as they are not broken but have an ancient sound. This indicates that high-quality pianos are very durable. So, what are the points to consider when selecting a second-hand piano?

The tone should be even. Whether it's brighter or darker, it must be even and uniform. Avoid having one part bright and another part dark. Or, within a predominantly bright passage, a few "muffled" sounds, and within a predominantly dark passage, a few particularly bright notes popping out.

(2) Avoid overly bright or dark tones. Overly bright tones can seem monotonous with limited variation, making it difficult to control when playing deep, dim melodies. With prolonged use, some pianos may even become overly piercing. Dark tones can be oppressive, as if a needle can't draw blood, failing to express passion and enthusiasm freely. These pianos also have a narrow range of tonal variation. It's best to have a balanced tone with good plasticity.

(3) Avoid overly heavy or light keys. Heavy keys can cause stiffness in the palms and wrists, leading to a loss of flexibility, which is particularly uncomfortable for young beginners with their delicate little hands. Light keys often have a limited range of force variation, which is also not conducive to training finger strength. Therefore, it's best to have keys that are neither too heavy nor too light.

(4) The tactile sensation should be pleasant. Tactile refers to the feeling between your fingers and the keyboard. It's the sensation you experience while playing. This feeling should be comfortable, making the keys feel "friendly" and "understanding," easily forming a close connection with your hands. It should not be like playing the piano where the keys feel awkward or as if there's something between them.

(5) The sustain needs to be longer. Once the piano note is played, it begins to diminish. This is more evident in the higher register, where the sound fades quickly. This is a drawback of the piano. When selecting a piano, opt for one with a longer sustain compared to others.