Piano Question

If the black keys are in middle third of the piano and someone is actually going to be playing it, pass on the free piano. It will be very expensive to replace them.

However, if they are near the bottom or near the top, the will be seldom used keys, even by an expert. In that case, I'd say...happy playing!

(I'll add that if keys are missing, the whole thing probably needs to be tuned and that will cost over a hundred dollars alone.)

They can be replaced, but it's not going to be cheap. Usually around $150 per key, and that is if the replacement keys parts are available. If the keys have to custom made, it's way more per key.
As a pianist, I would just pass on it. Pianos in better shape are always being given away. Usually, they are offered up for free because it costs more to dispose of the piano, or people need it moved out quick.

Well, if it's free you can't lose out. However, you need to at least have the space in your home to have it there. I am not sure about the keys, but I think if it's free, why not take it? If you can't replace the keys and make it work, then just get rid of it.

That depends. Are they broken or missing? Are they standard size or are they an odd size (my daughter's violin teacher had this issue)? Are any of the mechanics (the hammer and strings inside) missing as well?

Have a piano tuner look it over like you would a have a car mechanic look over a used car before buying.

Depends on how much of the key has to be replaced. Are you talking just the actual key? or the rest of it that goes back into the piano? Can be costly but I would check with a music store - they can usually recommend someone if they don't do that kind of work themselves.

BUT, if it were me, I'd take it either way until you can figure out the keys. I still, to this day, regret not taking a piano a few years ago was offered to me. It was an old victorian baby grand!!!! I didn't care if it worked or not, it was just beautiful to look at!!

Good luck!!

Tech work on pianos is expensive. Just having my piano tuned costs $125.
Free pianos are like free pets, the expenses start after you bring them home.

Depends on the age and make of the piano, and how much of the key is missing. Is it the whole key and therefore the mechanism is affected? And also, where are on the piano are the missing keys? Usually that happens from wear and tear in the central part of the piano, so it's probably important. If it's just a few at the far end (either treble or bass), then it may not be an issue. Remember that a piano is never FREE - it needs to be moved, and then it needs to be tuned regularly and especially after being moved. So I'd have a qualified piano tuner look at it and make sure it's worth the move, tuning and repair. The tuner may even have a source for the keys and be able to replace them. It will cost you for the tuner's fee, but it could save you a whole lot of aggravation and money down the road.

ETA - MIT and maybe some other universities accept used pianos for the annual "piano drop" where pianos are pushed off the roof of buildings and studied by the engineering students. Also, a whole lot of crafters use piano parts to make things, such as bracelets made out of piano wire (my chorus has given these to our accompanists and they make good gifts for musicians). A lot of clever people use the whole frame of a baby grand for an interestingly shaped bookcase - remove the legs and the innards, then stand it on end and put a few shelves in it. It's probably more valuable for parts than for music.

I looked into a piano on Freecycle a few years ago. It needed re-stringing, I called a local music store and found out re-stringing a piano costs $2500.00, I passed on the piano.

Call around and see how much it will cost.

There are other things you will need to check as well as the black keys. If it is a turn of the century (1800s early 1900s) piano you need to make sure the soundboard is okay AND that whoever moves it knows how to move it without damaging it. If there are keys missing, I would suspect that is the tip of the iceberg. Our piano is in good condition because it had as much or more rights as a family member than I did growing up. If you know someone who has the knowledge, maybe you can pay them to look at it before accepting it and giving you an estimate of repairs etc.

I would pass and find one in good condition.

Have a tuner look at it.

Having a piano moved is around $300, so don't take it unless it's in decent condition.

People are giving away free pianos all the time. Go on craigslist or bookoo and check regularly.

My kids piano teacher got a call from her tuner about a divorcing couple getting rid of their upright piano. The tuner said she's been tuning this piano for 12 years and it's in excellent condition. Maybe you can put the word out that you are looking for a piano.