Piano Rental
‘Rent To Own Programme’ – we deliver anywhere in the UK.
Choose type of piano:
Digital pianos for rent
Upright pianos for rent
Grand pianos for rent
If you’ve always wanted a piano or you’d like your children to learn but you’re worried about making an investment until you’re sure that piano lessons are the right choice, then take advantage of UK Piano’s ‘Rent-To-Own’ programme. You can rent to buy a good quality digital piano, upright piano, baby grand piano or keyboard that meets your needs.
“The ‘Rent-To-Own’ programme gives more children an opportunity to learn the piano… Before ‘Rent-To-Own’ was available, the initial cost of buying the instrument seemed to be the determining factor as to whether they would have a chance or not. Every child should experience the joy of learning the piano” – Graham Howard.
Graham Howard – Author and Piano Advisor.
Email for piano advice: grahamhoward@ukpianos.co.uk
or Call 020 8367 5107
Questions and Comments
“I am looking to hire a Piano”
I am an adult beginner but can not really decide between the digital or acoustic. I would appreciate any advice you give in regard to this. There is much online regarding touch and feel of an acoustic. However is it the case that as I am a beginner these subtleties would largely be lost on me? Or do I begin initially with an acoustic? It should also be mentioned that my intention is to buy after one year of rental.
Thank you in advance for your kind assistance, Peter
Reply/ Hi Peter
It’s usually best to learn on an acoustic piano because
of the natural sound and feel.
Digital pianos try to emulate this, but most don’t do
it very well.
There are exceptions, of course.
Yamaha Clavinova, Roland and Gewa are all good
digital pianos (from £1,000 and up) that feel
and sound close to the real thing.
Or in the lower price range (under £1,000) there are
the Broadway digital pianos that are really good for
the price.
We always have a good range of second hand upright
acoustic pianos all available on the Rent to Buy programme.
Prices range from £40 – £95 per month.
Let me know which colour (dark, medium, or light)
so I can email you some photos and recommendations.
If you would prefer a digital piano then I recommend for
you the Gewa UP395.
This is the closest digital piano to an acoustic (under £2,500)
that I’ve played.
It has a really sensitive key feel that allows you to play a
wide range of dynamics. You can put so much expression
into your music… and the sound quality is full, warm and
resonant.
Gewa are the only brand that’s been allowed by Steinway
(a German collaboration) to put the Steinway
sound in digital pianos – Vorsprung durch technik!
The Gewa is available on Rent to Buy.
Yours pianistically
Graham Howard
—
I wanted to know more about the piano rental program you offer for personal use. I’m from Bridgend, Wales. I recently moved to the uk from Sri Lanka recently. Back in home, I used to have a digital keyboard. So I am looking to rent a piano or keyboard here before buying. My personal preference are upright pianos and portable keyboards. But do let me know what do you offer and recommend for an intermediate beginner.
Thank you and regards.
Reply/
Hi Monishagar
We offer upright or digital pianos on the Rental programme.
I’d like to recommend either the Chappell or Kemble
upright pianos.
They are ideal for learning on, because the keys
are responsive and have a nice weighting.
Build quality is very good (made in England).
They both also have a warm, resonant tone.
The Broadway BW1 would be my first choice.
Out of the ones we sell, this is the most popular by far.
The BW1 is built for learning.
You get a fully-weighted key touch and realistic sound.
It has headphone connections, recording capabilities
and Bluetooth.
Just let me know if you would like to reserve one
of these pianos or have any further questions.
Yours pianistically
Graham Howard
—
We would like to rent a second hand digital piano for our daughter who has just started lessons.
We are based in Manchester- do you deliver to this area?
If so, please can you let me know what is available to rent?
Reply/ Dear Nina
Yes, we do deliver to your area.
We have several available second hand digital pianos
at the moment.
You can see the complete list here
I’m not sure of your intended budget, but on the
lower end we have a Hadley S1 available.
This has fully-weighted keys, so if feels similar
to playing a real piano.
This can be put on a fold-away type stand.
We have these available as well.
It is £449 and £37 per month on rent to buy.
You can read more about the Hadley here
Moving up the range a bit we have some pianos
on fixed wooden stands.
These tend to have larger speakers which give a fuller,
more resonant sound than the portable pianos.
I recommend going for the Broadway EZ-102.
You can see it here
The Broadway is £799 and £49 per month.
This would be better for your daughter for long term use,
as the keys are more sensitive than other digital pianos
around its price point making it suitable for learning on
right up to the higher piano grades.
Yours pianistically
Graham Howard
—
Dear Graham,
It has been more than a month since I got the piano from UKpianos. I should say, it is in general a pleasant experience. I like it. Now the thing is, as I intended to buy it over several months (rent to buy as I recall)
Lizi
—
Dear Graham,
I’ve been renting a Broadway B1 piano from you since mid December. I will
leave the UK on April 15th, and I have decided to use the option of buying
the piano and the piano stool. Even though I will have some Customs headache
in Brazil, I think it will be worth it.
Alex
—
Hi Graham
Thank you for your email.
I have been reading through your e-book which I am delighted with and has given me some excellent advice and things to think about with choosing a piano.
I have been looking at the rent to buy scheme as I think this is a wonderful idea and in the current financial climate a great service for your customers.
The piano is for two of us. My friend who is completely new to piano and has just started taking some lessons, and myself. I had lessons as a child but gave up about 30 years ago when I was 12 and have regretted it ever since. I have forgotten most of what I learned and am pretty much starting from scratch.
I am drawn to the Kurzweil M110. I love the sound of the CUP320 on the demonstration video, but I don’t think I can really justify the extra expense at this point until I see how much use it’s going to get.
What would your advice be on this?
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards
Andy
Reply/ Hi Andy
The Kurzweil M110 is a good choice. It’s a nice
piano to play on, and would be ideal for you
to get back into playing again.
The CUP320 does have the advantage of a clearer,
slightly richer, more resonant piano sound.
This is due mainly to its larger, forward facing
speakers. Also, in a lesser way its bigger cabinet.
The M110 would probably be the more practical
choice for you.
Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
—
Dear Graham,
I teach piano and would like some help in advising parents purchasing a digital piano for their child. It is something I get asked about quite often but don’t really feel qualified to answer. I tend to favour Yamaha- my acoustic piano is a Yamaha and before that I owned a Clavinova. I also recognise that many parents don’t have much to spend and are wary if spending too much before they know if their child will enjoy it, practice etc etc.
Scenario 1: new pupil without a piano. Parent wants to buy something very cheap to see how they get on, but wants this to last a couple of years, as even the cheapest digital piano is a big spend for some. I want the child to have something realistic and at the very least touch sensitive. Is a Yamaha NP-11 up to the job? (parent is suggesting a Yamaha keyboard at around £100 so this is already over their budget)
Scenario 2: child has been learning a year and managing on a very old keyboard. Parents want something better and slightly higher cost is now justified as the child works hard and enjoys it – and does very well considering what he practices on! What’s the minimum to get a child, say to Grade 5?
I find this very tricky! I have some pupils practising on very basic keyboards and they do just as well as those with acoustic pianos and seem able to convert to playing on my piano each week. But others who obviously suffer from a poor instrument to practice on. I want my lessons to be affordable, including buying an instrument so any child who is interested can have a go but not to end up with pupils having poor technique either!
Any help appreciated!
Kate
Reply/ Hi Kate
The answer is ‘Rent-to-Buy’.
This is very popular amongst parents with young children wanting to play piano.
With the rent-to-own programme they can get a very nice digital piano whilst keeping the payments to a minimum.
If their child shows interest in the piano – then they can purchase the piano and deduct all rental payments from the price.
If the child doesn’t want to continue then they can simply return the piano to us.
The rent-to-own programme allows them to get a good piano that will take their child up to the high piano grades. And it’s a low risk way of getting started.
You can read more about it here.
Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
—
“We would love to rent a piano or keyboard for 4 weeks”
Hi Graham
We have moved to Cornwall for a month during corona. My 2 daughters are doing their grade 8 and we don’t have a piano in the house.
Could we rent one from you? A keyboard would be fine. I know it’s not ideal, but also Cornwall is long away, so I assume a keyboard would be easier to transport, as it’s weighs less?
Thanks so much
Laurel
Reply/ Hi Laurel
We offer a range of digital pianos by the German company, Gewa.
The Gewa pianos feel and sound very close to the
real thing, so I recommend something from this range
as suitable for your daughter’s high level of playing.
You can see them here
The minimum rental we do is 6 months.
This is because the digital pianos we rent are all brand new.
The piano I really like the most is the Gewa UP385.
It has a really sensitive key feel that allows you to play a
wide range of dynamics. You can put so much expression
into your music… and the sound quality is full, warm and
resonant.
Gewa are the only brand that’s been allowed by Steinway
(some German collaboration thing) to put the Steinway
sound in digital pianos.
You can see the Gewa UP385 here
The wooden keys add some firmness to the feel.
It is available on Rent to Buy.
Here’s details and rental prices
Yours pianistically
Graham Howard
—
Hello,
I’m looking to rent a piano to use for teaching, as currently I am teaching on a bad electric one. I have been looking at the Boyd upright you have in stock, and think that something like this would be suitable. I’m teaching all grades currently, and I play as well, so I would want something with a decent sound, but where the action isn’t too heavy, and is responsive for younger fingers. I’d be grateful for any advice you can give me on which pianos you think would be suitable.
I would need it delivering to Chester, would this be the same delivery cost?
Thanks
Wendy Silvester
Reply/ Hi Wendy
I don’t recommend the Boyd piano…
Although an attractive looking piano, it has a
heavy touch, and wouldn’t be suitable for
teaching anyone much above grade 4.
The pianos I recommend are:
Squire
Zender
Seeger
Challen
You can see these pianos rental:
Any one of these would be suitable. They
have a nice, medium-weighted responsive
key touch and a good sound.
Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
—
“Do you offer only rental, instead of rent to buy?”
Dear Graham,
Following on from your response back in November….. I can hardly believe that it was that long ago…. I am still looking to upgrade.
I am in a quandary about whether I get an acoustic piano rather than a digital one – Do you have a view?
My thinking goes along the lines of….. in reality I would like a ‘proper’ acoustic piano, however would I be better served by a digital piano which will give me greater flexibility.
If I get an acoustic piano, I will still have my digital one to use in the organ mode.
I know you do a rent to buy, do you also do purely a rental – this would give me a chance to see how it goes? I do live in a two bedroom flat on the 6th floor (but don’t much care for my neighbours) – though this perhaps should be a factor.
Finally – Is it the case that if I pay more I’ll get a better compromise and if so please can you give me some costs?
My apologies that it has taken such a long time to revisit this,
Kind regards
Chris
Reply/ Hi Chris
I think a digital piano would be more suited in a flat.
Acoustic pianos do carry through walls because most
of the sound comes out the back of the piano.
Yes, we offer a rental only.
If you pay more, then you will get a piano that has
a more authentic tone and a more realistic and
sensitive key touch.
I previously recommended the Broadway B1
and Kurzweil M110.
We have both these available.
There is also an ex-display Kurzweil MP120.
This is the next step up from the M110.
It has a more weighted and balanced key touch
and the sound quality is deeper and fuller.
I can offer this to you at £55 per month.
Let me know if you would like to reserve
one of these pianos.
Kind regards
Graham Howard
—
Hi Graham,
Having received your free lessons by email (much appreciated) my interest has
peaked to a point where I want to rent a piano. Your website shows some
pianos but most are rented/sold. Do you have others not shown?
Both my daughter and I (opposite ends of the age scale!) will be learning so
can you make any recommendations or things I should look out for?
Thanks,
Sam
Hi Sam
We are a bit short on acoustic pianos at the
moment. We had an unexpected surge of interest
at Christmas time, and we’re still trying
to get more stock in.
We do have a Bentley piano available though.
This piano has a medium weight touch, and
a very nice, mellow sound.
It is in a light mahogany colour. It’s also
quite compact.
Alternatively you could go for a brand new
upright pianos.
We are lucky enough to be a main dealer for
the Broadway range of uprights. They are
truly outstanding pianos at reasonable prices.
You can get one of these for £75 per month.
The Broadway would be the ideal piano for
your daughter to learn and progress on. It
will take her right up to grade 8 and beyond…
Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
—
Hi Graham
I am considering buying or renting a digital piano for my nearly 7 year
old who has just started piano lessons. I have seen your reviews and
see that the Yamaha models score best but that you comment that the
Broadway B1 is a good piano for a beginner with realistic feel and sound.
Could you give me a little guidance on whether the Yamaha YDP models
are any better for a child beginner than this Broadway one and, if so, why?
Are there any other models you would recommend?
I also would be interested in renting a piano initially and see that the
Broadway is available for rental. Would the Yamaha also be available?
If so, what would the rental fee be?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Suzannah
Reply/ Hi Suzannah
The good Yamaha pianos start from £1,200 upwards.
These are called the ‘Clavinova’ range.
The models below this are called ‘Arius’. These
consist of the YDP143 and YDP163.
But the Yamaha Arius range is very basic. You’d
be far better off with a Broadway in this price range.
The heavier, more realistic key weight is the main
reason I recommend the Broadway over basic Yamahas.
The Broadway B1 is the piano I recommend for
your 7 year old.
You can read more about the B1 here.
And here’s details of the Rent-to-Own:
https://www.ukpianos.co.uk/digital-pianos-for-rent
Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
—
I hope you can help! I have been looking at you site and am interested in purchasing the
Broadway EZ-102 digital piano in Black Satin. However I note that this model is also available
as part of your rent to own programme?
Do you also include 2 year warranty on the rent to own programme?
Janita
Reply/ Hi Janita
All Colours of the Broadway EZ-102 are available
on the Rent-to-Own programme.
You also get a 2 year warranty starting the
day you receive your Broadway piano.
Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
—
Hi, Good morning,
I just moved to London and I found you through the internet and I would like to ask for some advice.
My daughter has been learning piano lessons for two years and she has got Grade II piano playing certificate. I am now planning to rent a piano for her, would you let me know what kind of piano fits her and how much is the monthly rental, roughly? She’s 7 years old.
Many thanks in advance. by the way, I live in North Finchley, pls also let me know the delivering cost.
Best regards,
Wu
Reply/ Hi Wu
Grade II piano is quite an achievement for a 7 year old!
The piano I recommend for your daughter, whilst keeping the
cost down, is the Hadley D10.
The Hadley is a great sounding digital piano with a realistic touch…
It has 88 fully weighted, touch sensitive keys (like a real piano),
is compact and easy to move around, has a headphone connection
and comes in a beautiful dark rosewood cabinet.
The rental price is £45 per month.
Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
—
UK Pianos
Hello – I was recently in Skipton and saw a digital piano in a shopping mall. The price was £599 and the hire charge was £17 pcm. I didn’t take a note of the make, unfortunately, but it triggered my interest in possibly hiring a digital piano.
I have discussed this with my daughter and her partner. He is a very good piano player and my daughter is grade 4. They have an 8 year old who is learning to play the violin and will probably have piano lessons in the future.
What do you recommend? We would like the weighting to be similar to an acoustic piano, but think that the availability of headphones would be advantageous. They live in London, by the way.
I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, Satya
Reply/ Hi Satya
Hiring before committing to buying is a great way to test the water.
The £17 per month seems a little cheap? This was probably a keyboard not a digital piano.
The pianos I recommend (if you can get them on a hire to buy option) are either the Yamaha YDP143 or the Yamaha CLP635. You should expect to pay anywhere between £45 to £60 per month for a decent digital piano.
Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos
—
Hi Graham,
I hope you are keeping well and having a good summer.
I have now paid 6 months rental on the Gewa digital piano, and am interested in either purchasing the Gewa, or upgrading to either the secondhand Yamaha U1 or U3.
I’d be very grateful if you could give me any further information about the tone quality of both these instruments, which I’ve viewed on your website.
What would the cost be, to buy either the Yamaha U1 or U3, if I return the Gewa, having rented it for 6 months? –
Reply/ Hi Jennifer
Thank you, we went away for a couple of weeks.
Hope you managed to get away as well?
The balance to purchase the rental piano is £939.20.
The Yamaha U1 and U3 have a similar key feel.
The difference is really only in the tone quality.
The U3 is 10cm taller, which means it has longer
strings, a larger soundboard and larger acoustic cabinet.
All these factors improve the tonal quality; longer sustain,
deeper more vibrant tones and superior resonance.
If you would like to swap it for a Yamaha U1 or U3,
then you have a credit of £859.80, which can be
used against the price of an acoustic piano.
There would be an additional delivery charge
for the acoustic piano.
Just let us know what works best for you.
Yours pianistically
Graham Howard