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Piano Advice
Hey there, guys? Do you know anything about piano?I'm learning to play piano and I have Sohmer Baby Grand 1960 Piano. My teacher has Steinway piano...And the difference is amazing! Steinway plays so smoothly, and the key stroke is short and smooth (unlike my piano). It sounds much more better!! I can afford a Steinway or something like this.., but I wonder if, as a beginner, I really need such a nice piano. So that's why I'm here looking for any help. I'm not a "Guru", so I've just google it and found this list pianobrands.info/piano-brands/ I think they are ok, but I'm not sure...Are you aware of these brands? How do you think, should I buy something from it or just let it slip and play on my old Sohmer 1960? Thanks in advance for any replies to this post.
Comments
I grew up playing a grand piano. A few years ago I got quite serious about playing piano again and researched what it would take to get a realistic piano playing experience without having to buy a real piano. I settled on the Kawai MP10 stage piano plus the Synthogy Ivory II Grand piano samples, particularly their Steinway sample.
In my opinion the playing experience exceeds most pianos I’ve played, in both feel and sound. I found it surprising how having a more realistic, responsive sound makes the key action feel even more realistic and responsive (assuming you’re starting with a really good action like the Kawai).
I would also recommend getting high-quality speakers and/or headphones. I started with 4” studio monitors but upgraded to 8” monitors from Monoprice and it has made a noticeable difference in the playing experience. A nice external DAC probably helps too.
Since then, I’ve been offered a free grand piano (the nice Baldwin I grew up on) and turned it down because I’m so pleased with my current setup. It takes up less space, never needs tuning, can be played with headphones, has additional sounds to play with, MIDI, individual components can be upgraded, and if you ever need to sell some or all of it, you won’t have nearly as much difficulty as with a real piano where you almost need to pay someone to take it away these days. You can also make nice recordings with zero noise, without needing a microphone.
Kawai sells an MP11 now which is even better and has a third pedal. Half-pedaling works great.
I recently priced this setup out for a friend, purchased new at today’s prices, and it comes to $2,550, without speakers. Add $190 for the Monoprice 8” studio monitors.
My mom was a piano teacher and I've played for fun off and on my whole life.
You didn't mention in your original post, but did your teacher have an upright or a grand? I much prefer the feel and sound of a grand as compared to an upright. The physics of the hammers hitting the string are different and I just love the way most grands play.
I have played Steinway and Yamaha grands and love them both. I think that the Steinway has a richer, more complex sound and I somewhat prefer it. However, they are very expensive. I own a Yamaha grand and love it as well. The Steinway has a bit more of a classical vibe. The Yamaha has a bit more of a "jazz" vibe - a bit clearer, less complex, crisp - but still sounds very rich.
I also own a Kurzweil electric piano - I agree that nothing can duplicate the richness of a real grand - but the electronic simulations are getting better and better. The newest version of Kurzweil and other brands simulate the "string resonance" of other strings vibrating in sympathetic vibration to a original note strike. As another commenter posted the ivory computer plugin is exceptionally good.
Also, a Korg piano with the "RH3" keyboard which simulates a grand is pretty good. But play it yourself to see how you think it feels.
Bottom line, take your time, play each model you consider extensively and make a purchase that you know you will be happy with.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.
Plenty of excellent pianists have learnt on uprights, so no you don't need a Steinway. What you need is a piano that's in tune, and which has a decent action. If you practice a lot and have talent then maybe in a few years you'd need a better piano, but I wouldn't worry about it at the moment.
A Steinway grand is basically the Rolls Royce of pianos. A brand new one is $80,000. A second hand one in good condition will be at least half that (and probably more). So almost any piano that you play will sound/seem inferior (though I think there are comparable pianos that are considerably cheaper - Steinway is a luxury brand).
But a Sohmer Baby Grand is a good piano, provided it's been treated right. Compared to what most beginners play it is an outstanding piano. So I would start by finding a piano tuner that you trust and getting them to look at it. If there are problems they may be able to fix them. If the piano needs repairs they will need to be able to tell you that, and give you a sense of whether it's worth it (it probably is). If the piano has been destroyed by mistreatment they'll be able to tell you that also.
Nonsense ... I’m a drummer who dabbles on piano.. I actually don’t even have one . Here’s me tinkering on a cheap Winter spinet. Know why it doesn’t sound better ? It’s ME not the piano. Even a digital piano is fine to learn on.
You say you can afford a Steinway. If that means you can afford thousands without you and your family selling the home and starving, then buy one and enjoy it. Stroke it regularly and laugh like a crazy mad man that you can afford such a beautiful object
I do not want Steinway anymore...
Thanks for sharing your opinions!!