Choosing A Piano

Please note:  The following material was written by Martha Beth Lewis, Ph.D.

Here are some general thoughts on piano brands:  which ones are good, which ones to stay away from.  Please note that these are my personal opinions.  Instruments from the same manufacturer differ from year to year, and within a given year!  In the same way some cars are just lemons. It also may make a difference in which factory the instrument was made.  Sometimes a company (Yamaha, Kawai) has factories of different “qualities,” so piano quality is affected by the factory made the particular piano you are looking at/seeking.

German-sounding names are often chosen by non-German manufacturers because Germany has such a good reputation for piano-building, at least in the past.  Just because it’s a German name doesn’t mean it was made in Germany or by German expatriates or at a factory founded outside of Germany by Germans.  Inquire. 

As of this date (2006), Chinese pianos are usually of inferior quality.  A decade or two ago, this was true of Korean pianos and Japanese pianos before that, so expect Chinese instruments to improve in quality.  The Russians also are making pianos now.  I wouldn’t expect good quality from them [yet?], so buy a Russian/former Soviet Union country piano very cautiously.

Stencil brand pianos (sometimes called store brands) are common in the US.  These are like the house brands at a grocery store.  A piano store (usually a nation-wide or at least a regional piano company) buys these from a factory and puts a name on it. Therefore, many “different brands” of pianos – – at varying price points – – are actually from the same factory. And could, in fact, be the same model except for the brand name!

Also note that some factories buy parts from all over the world.  An American company can buy German actions (that’s the “guts” of the piano).  Sometimes a company with a good reputation farms out its manufacturing process to a country with cheaper labor rates.  For example, Pratt-Read, which makes actions, moved their factory to Mexico, with disastrous results because the labor was unskilled (and sometimes didn’t show up for work!).  You can find Chinese parts in non-Chinese instruments. And, in a curious turn-around, some Japanese pianos are manufactured in America and Europe!

Similarly, sometimes a piano factory sold its brand name to another piano maker, usually an Asian company.

With the serial number (and name) of a piano you are examining or thinking of purchasing, your tech should be able to furnish you with exact information about where the piano was made and when, whether this date was before the company was sold and/or acquired new manufacturing equipment, what kinds of parts were used and where those were manufactured, and so forth. 

I’ll say again that you need a tech to examine any used instrument. Don’t agree to buy a piano on your first visit to a dealership unless you love it and everything about it, including the price, AND you have taken your tech along. 

Types and Sizes

There are only two kinds of pianos – – grands, uprights – – but there are several sizes in these general categories.

Grands:

• “parlor” (sometimes called “petite”):  4’5″ to 5’5″
• “baby”:  5’0″ to 6’5″
• “medium” (sometimes called “parlor,” “living room,” or “medium studio”): 5’6″ to 6’5″
• “semi-concert” (sometimes called “professional”): 6’6″ to 8’0″.
• “concert”: 8’9″ to 10’2″. Most concert grands are 9′ in length

Uprights: 

• spinet: 35″ to 39″ in height
• consoles: 40″ to 44″ (those 39″ to 40″ are sometimes called “consolettes;” and “consoles” 40″ to 43″)
• studio:  45″ to 47″
• professional (sometimes called “full size”): 48″ to 52″ (Note: Prior to 1930, some uprights soared to 60″ in height.)

A “square grand” (built ~1700-1900) is always an antique piano.  “Birdcages” (~1840-1940) often are, too. Be careful with these!  You may be buying a lot of repair! (Ask your technician….) 

What You’re Looking For

Remember that you are looking primarily at the touch (a function of the action) and sound (bright treble? lots of bass?). 

Sound is a personal preference (I personally like a low bass and medium-firm touch, but this is only my opinion!)  Evaluating a piano’s sound is a lot like buying stereo speakers.  What sounds good to you? 

If the action is too light, it’s hard to control dynamics [loud and soft].  Also, the hand doesn’t build up much strength so that when the player sits before a piano with a firmer action, playing is quite difficult.  Pianists are prisoners of the instruments they are given (though Vladimir Horowitz toured with his own instrument and technician!).  We are not like violinists. Their violin is the same, no matter whether they are playing it in a ditch or in a concert hall.

Casework is important, but make sure the insides (action) are good.  Don’t be fooled by a gorgeous piece of furniture with inferior action….. 

…..unless you just want something upon which to perch sterling picture frames.  I am sure you’ve seen the “interior decor” magazines with a beautiful piano, lid down, in front of a window (ack!), and covered with framed pictures and a voluptuous of arrangement of roses and cost more!!! Presumably, you are reading this file because you want a piano to use!

Also know that pianos depreciate rapidly – – some more than others.  Any brand’s cheapest model is its worst piano.  Go up a level.

A piano is an investment that lasts a lifetime.  Get the best one you can stretch to afford.

An expensive brand’s upright might not be as good as another brand’s grand or vice versa.

A grand will have better tone than an upright, generally speaking, though one manufacturer’s grands will not sound as good as another manufacturer’s uprights.

A used piano should be considered seriously.  Bear in mind, however, that used pianos are a law unto themselves. Do not fail to ask your tech to physically examine any used piano you are considering! 

Pianos are as individual as children!

There you have it.  These are my opinions only.  Please do some homework before you buy! 

And remember that a beginner needs the best piano you can stretch to get her. You wouldn’t give her a bicycle with one flat tire when she’s learning how to ride it. Beginners need the fewest impediments possible!

( Article taken from:  http://www.serve.com/marbeth/piano_brands.html )

Copyright 2011, Martha Beth Lewis, Ph.D.  Used with permission.   marthabeth.com  Please contact her for permission to reproduce this material for your students or your site.  This material is   her property and may not be used without permission.  Thank you for honoring copyright.