|
by OnlyPiano.com
If you’re in the
market for a new grand piano or baby
grand piano, or perhaps your first
instrument ever, there are a number of
factors you must consider before making
that purchase. Choosing the right piano
involves selecting the right size,
appearance, and touch for both your home
décor and your needs as a player. Let’s
discuss the major differences between a
grand piano and a baby grand piano, as
well as two of the most popular
manufacturers.
Grand Pianos
A grand piano is
the largest in the piano family. Grand
pianos come in various sizes and types
of finish. They are most commonly used
in concert venues and large home
settings. A grand piano’s length is
measured from the front of the keyboard
to the very back of the piano. Unlike an
upright, a grand piano’s frame and
strings are placed horizontally. The
largest grand piano is the concert
grand, generally measuring between 7 and
9 feet in length. The next step down in
size, the parlor grand piano, measures
between 5 and 7 feet. Usually, longer
pianos, like the concert grand piano,
produce better sound and have more
accurate tuning.
Baby Grand Pianos
As the name
indicates, baby grand pianos are a bit
smaller than their larger counterparts.
By definition, a baby grand piano should
not exceed 6 feet in length. Baby grand
pianos are often the more popular choice
for in-home playing, thanks in part to
their affordability and size. Although
the baby grand lacks the length of the
grand piano, it doesn’t sacrifice much
in terms of clarity of sound and
projection.
Both grands and
baby grands provide players with an
unparalleled touch and sound quality.
Although uprights might be more
affordable, they simply can’t compare
with grand pianos. If you want to make a
lifelong investment, choose a grand or
baby grand piano. However, if you are
new to piano playing and aren’t ready to
make a big purchase, an upright or
digital piano might be a better option.
Choosing a Steinway
Grand Piano Versus a Yamaha Grand Piano
Steinway & Sons is
probably one of the best-known piano
manufacturers of the modern era.
Steinway has been crafting high-quality
grand pianos for over 150 years. Go to
any classical music venue, and chances
are you’ll find a Steinway grand piano.
Steinway & Sons has
five main collections of unique
instruments:
The Legendary
Collection consists of rare,
one-of-a-kind showcase instruments.
Steinway re-created the 1887 Alma-Tadema
Art Case for this collection, and it
sold at Christie’s for $1.2 million in
1997.
The Crown Jewel
Collection consists of grand pianos
crafted from 11 rare and high-quality
woods:
-
Kewazinga Bubinga
-
East Indian
Rosewood
-
Macassar Ebony
-
Santos Rosewood
-
Figured Sapele
-
African Cherry (Makore)
-
Mahogany
-
Satinwood
-
African Pommele
-
Anigre
-
Walnut
-
Cherry
The grand pianos in
this collection are all exceptional
works of craftsmanship; some of the
models include the Louis XV Grand, the
Chippendale Grand, and the Medium Grand
– Model M.
The Art Case
Collection is a group of grand pianos
that have been beautifully adorned by
famous artists. One such Steinway & Sons
grand piano is a focal piece in the
lobby of the Bellagio Hotel in Las
Vegas. Some of the models in the
historical archive include the Ellipse,
by Terrance Hunt; Pear Grove, by Silas
Kopf; and Satin, by Mary Vicker. From
impressionism to art deco, the Art Case
Collection has an astounding number of
artisan creations.
The Limited Edition
Collection houses a number of very
unique, one-of-a-kind grand pianos, such
as the Tricentennial and the Roger
Williams Gold Piano.
Each baby grand
piano and grand piano in the Ebony
collection is hand-processed with a
satin finish. The Concert Grand is
probably one of the most popular choices
for performing artists around the world.
Yamaha also
produces very fine grand pianos and baby
grand pianos – at a slightly more
affordable price point than Steinway &
Sons. In fact, the level of quality for
the value has made Yamaha a popular
choice for educational institutions and
aspiring pianists across the globe.
Yamaha offers four
collections of grand pianos: The Classic
Collection, the Conservatory Classic
Collection, the Conservatory Collection,
and the Concert Collection.
The Classic
Collection features four models,
including what they call the “most
affordable Yamaha grand piano ever.”
Each baby grand piano or grand piano has
a choice of several finishes, such as
polished ebony, mahogany, or American
walnut.
The Conservatory
Classic Collection consists of two
pianos, which are primarily used for
music schools and performance. The
Conservatory Collection has three models
of grand piano, ideal for home use and
in educational situations. The Concert
Collection consists of the finest
performance-oriented grand pianos.
Yamaha also offers
customers a nice perk – the Servicebond
Assurance Program. When you buy a grand
piano or baby grand piano from Yamaha,
you get a free “check-up” 3 to 8 months
after delivery to rejuvenate the piano’s
sound.
Whether you choose
a grand piano or a baby grand piano, a
Yamaha or a Steinway, your new
instrument is a great investment. If you
take the time to research, you’ll find a
grand piano to fit any budget, or a baby
grand piano to fit any size constraint.
If you can’t decide between
manufacturers, find an authorized dealer
nearby so you can play each one. Always
keep certain factors in mind: sound,
touch, investment, size, color/finish,
and workmanship. Before making a
purchase, consider these essential
elements, and you’ll be guaranteed to be
happy with your decision.
|
