I've started teaching myself piano and I love it, one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done. However, I'm playing on a piano that is nearly a hundred years old and the sound is appalling. So I'm going to buy a new one. Firstly I'm going to get a digital one to save on space but in a few years I'd like to get a really good acoustic. The problem is I know nothing about pianos. What brand would you recommend? Yamaha, Kawai? Anything I need to know. Any specific models I should look out for? Thanks.
2007-03-09 02:30:48 · 13 answers · asked by Mousewar 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
I don't think it can be retuned, we had it done about ten years ago and the guy said that was probably the last we'd get out of it. No idea if it might be an antique - Intriguing
2007-03-09 03:21:44 · update #1
Why does everyone say Yamaha? I know people in the U.S. have been brainwashed into thinking that Yamaha makes the best digital piano, but have they sat down and played all the different makes and models? If you are looking for an overpriced, over-glorified digital piano with a bright rock sound, by all means buy a Yamaha. If you are looking for the "best" piano sound with an authentic feel, buy a Roland.
Roland records a Steinway concert grand piano for its piano sound and is the only digital piano that records 3 dimensions of sound in their piano sample (to my knowledge). They record not only the general sound of each note, they record the sound of hammer striking the string and the sympathetic vibrations from all the other strings. The result is the most authentic piano sound that I've heard.
The action in most Roland digital pianos use hammers like in an acoustic piano and many are weighted exactly like a Steinway concert grand piano.
When I used to sell Roland digital pianos and keyboards, we would place Rolands side by side with Yamahas to let the customer hear the difference. It helped close many sales.
Good luck purchasing a digital piano. I recommend playing as many models as possible until you find the one that you like.
2007-03-09 07:49:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too have a piano which is at least a hundred years old. I have had some work done on it and been told it wont last that long but there are still things which can be done.
Very often a piano tuner will not feel it worth their while to go and do a whole load of extra work as it can take a long time. Also, the parts can be expensive. This all depends on what is wrong with it: If you can afford a new instrument go for it as a careful purchase can be a sound investment (A digital piano will depreciate in value over time as it is superceded by technology but a well looked after acoustic piano may well retain a good percentage of its brand new value)
In buying a new instrument you have to ask yourself are you looking to save space or money?
Digital pianos can end up having the same footprint as a small acoustic piano.
A digital piano, even with weighted keyboard, touch sensitive keys and an excellent audio engine will still never feel or sound like the real thing. That said they can be great to practise on and you can use headphones
The simplest solution is to go to a good music retailer and spend some time looking at the different options. Make sure you have a clear idea of your budget as it is easy to get carried away. Also decide where you are going to put it and draw out a plan with the amount of room that you think you can take up. If you already have a piano then space may not be so much of an issue as many modern design pianos have a smaller footprint than their victorian counterparts which were a centrepiece of the home.
I would pay particular attention to Yamaha, Roland and Korg for digital. With acoustic instruments again look at Yamaha as a benchmark of quality both in construction and the sound at lower prices then compare this with other similar priced and cheaper instruments.
Beware that some (but definitely not all) cheaper pianos can sound rather abrasive and a bit ugly.
You may also pick up a bargain on a used instrument which is not many years old and will do you excellent service!!!
2007-03-09 04:30:59 · answer #2 · answered by Paul A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of good electric/digital pianos are out there, but MAKE SURE you get one with a weighted keyboard. Many electric pianos do not have weighted keyboards, in other words, the action feels like an organ. If you're going to develop as a pianist, you must play something that FEELS like a piano. Casio has a few models that play well and aren't expensive. Check them out. And remember to practice, practice, practice! You're getting a late start, so you have a lot of catching up to do.
2007-03-09 02:38:01 · answer #3 · answered by The Answer Man 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't really know about digital ones.
For acoustic, it completely depends on how much money you want to spend. Steinways and Bosendorfers are considered to be the best, however, they are very expensive.
If you want to get a cheaper one, look at upright Kawais. I had a Kawai when I was growing up and it worked quite well...i'm a piano major in college now....it's not the greatest brand but they're still good.
2007-03-11 15:31:48 · answer #4 · answered by c'est moi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your fairly new to piano go for a Yamaha PSR K1 it has inbuilt to the keyboard a function that teaches you how to play it also has a porta grand function that means the keyboard has the realistic sound and plays an acoustic piano meaning if you press a key hard it sounds loud press it softly it makes a quieter sound like an acoustic piano would
2007-03-09 02:45:18 · answer #5 · answered by Claiire 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to buy a new one, You can get the old one tuned and it will sound as good as new. Whatever you do. Dont sell the old thing-it might be antique and we all know that antiques' vallue go up every 2years or so.
If you have to buy a new one, i would say go for yamaha. Their keys feel so nice and the sound is amazing. Tey aren't too pricy either.
Good luck and keep practising.
Angelic Musician
2007-03-09 02:46:12 · answer #6 · answered by amanda b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yamaha Clavinova if your budget can stretch. I have the 2nd model up and it has a touch sensitive keyboard (ie the harder you hit the key, the louder it plays). Clavinovas are the most lifelike (ie closest to acoustic) pianos you can buy and are digitally sampled from concert grands
2007-03-09 02:34:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yamaha clavinovas are great! iv got a clp-115 and it is amazing! it sounds great, there are 50 demos, a songbook so you can play the demos, volume control and a metronome. i wouldnt be able to live without it! i bought it for £400 12 months old, hardly used, but new they are around £800. good luck! p.s. check on ebay
2007-03-10 07:36:08 · answer #8 · answered by kurlykir 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First see if you can get your old piano tuned. Some of those old ones have a great sound when they are tuned properly, and it will cost less than a new electronic piano.
2007-03-09 02:33:34 · answer #9 · answered by 02B30C1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I bought a really great Yamaha keyboard at Costco. It was only around $140. It is really good for beginners.
2007-03-09 02:34:43 · answer #10 · answered by 2010 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋