Used Grand Pianos

March 9th, 2010

Baby Grand pianos are usually shorter in dimensions, and the strings are thick and short when compared to full size grand. Although purists say the sound produced by these pianos is inharmonious, for a normal user, this piano does fit the bill, and the sound is definitely not as bad as many may have you believe. Grand pianos are first of all huge, then hugely expensive. Baby pianos on the other hand are small, can fit in your rooms, are elegant and affordable, too. They are mostly made of wood like oak, mahogany, etc. There are many antique baby pianos which are breathtakingly beautiful for their artistry.

Baby Grand Pianos: Sound

Baby grand pianos are smaller in size, but the sound they generate is not small in any way. While it is true that if we were to achieve the same level of true sound as a grand piano, then the cost would escalate manifold, but that doesn’t mean that baby grand pianos sound bad. They sound remarkably close to grand pianos, and first time users will not be able to make out the difference. Somehow, these pianos seem to add sheen and beauty to any living room. A baby grand piano makes the room look majestic, artistic and adds to the glamour. And of course, it can fill the room with sound that is not easily described. Generally with smaller sound board, the sound quality of a baby grand tends to be somewhat lower than grand piano.

A baby grand is usually shorter than it is wide and has strings that are shorter, thicker and stiffer than other grands. This allows the baby grand to sound more harmonic than the others. Many people buy baby grands instead of regular grands for three reasons. One because of the sound, two because they are smaller in size and three because they are less expensive! Some of the most popular brand of baby grand pianos are Breitenbach, Stuyvesant, Bergmann, and Baldwin. These types of pianos range from $1,000 on up to $8,000 but are worth it in the end!

If your looking around on the Internet for a baby grand piano, then you’re in luck! Many sites online offer buyers such as you to be able to buy, rent, or bid on these types of pianos. A few good places you could look if your looking for pianos in general or a baby grand pianos is:

- eBay
- Amazon
- ThePianoSuperstore
- SweeneyPiano
- MyModernPiano
- Google Checkout

While not as deep and rich sounding as their grand piano counterparts, the baby grand piano is perfect for students who are serious about music and who invest substantial time and energy into playing.

Small, yet not small in sound, baby grand pianos offer something the upright and grand does not, affordable elegance. There’s something about the way an instrument looks that either makes you want to play it or not. While an upright is fine for beginners and amateur pianists, it just doesn’t inspire those who need that certain aesthetic touch a baby grand provides.

And let’s not forget about the fact that a baby grand can fit into most living rooms as well. Many are 5 feet or less and can make a boring living room into a grand concert stage. It is the centerpiece of many musical homes and deservedly so! Houses with pianos in them seem to have more life. As soon as you enter the room and see a beautiful baby grand, you either want to play or hear it.

Expect to pay anywhere from $2000 to $10,000 or more for a decent instrument but also expect to get many, many years of enjoyment as well!

So you want to buy a piano. What a great musical adventure you have before you. Starting out on the journey, however, can be overwhelming, what with so many types and brands of pianos to choose from. That’s why I’ve provided this primer on piano types and brands for you, so that you can quickly and easily find the right piano for you and get on with enjoying a lifetime of making beautiful music together.

Types of Pianos

Grand pianos vs. Upright pianos: Grand pianos have an average of 10,000 moving parts and range in size from 4′ 6″ to over 9′ long. They have a winged shape with a curved right side and flat left side. Grand pianos are generally owned by professional and more serious amateur pianists.

The two primary types of grand pianos are Concert Grand pianos, the largest of grands reaching 9′ and over, and Baby Grand pianos, any grand piano that is smaller than 6′ tall. Different sizes of grand piano differ in the potential volume of sound it is able to produce, the tonal quality of its lower register (the bass notes), and the overall sound quality.

Also known as vertical pianos, upright pianos have an average of 5,000-6,000 moving parts. They typically cost less and take up less space than grand pianos, and are more commonly owned by amateur and hobbyist piano players.

Upright pianos come in various types depending on their size, the tallest reaching about 60″ in height. The taller an upright piano is, the better the action.

* Spinet pianos – approx. 36″ tall

* Console pianos – approx. 40″ tall

* Studio pianos – approx. 45″ tall

* Professional pianos – approx. 48″ tall

It is entirely possible to achieve the same quality with an upright as with a grand piano and, in some cases, better quality of tone than certain baby grands.

Digital pianos vs. Acoustic pianos: In contrast to traditional grand pianos and upright pianos, digital pianos utilize the technologies of audio microchips and speakers to reproduce the sounds of a traditional piano as well as those of other keyboard instruments like organs and harpsichords. Digital pianos also offer players the ability to record their practice sessions and performances.

Tips To Buy A Used Piano

March 9th, 2010

cheap grand pianosThe piano is probably one of the biggest and oldest musical instruments. With its immense versatility and beautiful sound, a piano has the capability to blend extremely well with other musical instruments. It can also prove to be an ideal solo instrument too. However, buying a piano can be quite tricky. There are a wide variety of pianos with various brands that could be chosen from. The sound, looks, effectiveness and features often vary to a large extent. Moreover, their price range varies too. It becomes very difficult to buy a piano unless one is sure about what he is looking for.

It is often suggested that the bigger a piano is, the better would its sound quality be. Also buying the more expensive one, even for a starter, would result in a rich sound experience. But these suggestions do not always hold true. This is the space saving age and it becomes extremely difficult to make space for a huge piano. Moreover, people with limited budget cannot always afford a high level brand new piano. But that does not mean they cannot ever own the musical instrument of their dreams. A lot of piano stores sell used pianos. There are certain advantages of buying a used piano from these piano stores. Firstly, one can get the instrument of his choice at a much cheaper price than a brand new one. Since the depreciation of a piano is very less and one instrument is generally expected to last for almost forty to fifty years, a piano which is ten years old would still be in a good condition, enough to get along well for another thirty years at least.

If you can, hire a tuner-technician to look at the piano you are looking to buy. Most tuning problems can be fixed, but there are some problems that will haunt you as long as you have the piano. For instance, you might not notice a hairline crack inside the instrument that will be a fundamental flaw as it is played. No matter how well you know pianos, you will not be able to spot these types of flaws without the help of a qualified tuner.

You will pay for this service, so make sure you are fairly serious about a purchase before you hire the tuner. Take some time to shop around and see what appears to be a good deal. Once you find an instrument that you are serious about buying, hire a tuner to look at it.

Piano for relaxation can be very powerful, in fact any kind of relaxation music can have a great impact in your life. When you are relaxed you reduce your heart rate, blood pressure, blood supply and you are less likely to get any illness.

So what should you care about music for relaxation? Simple because is one of the best ways to achieve it. There is music like Enya’s that can really make you mind calm and get focused in whatever you want.

Classical music is known to be very effective for concentration, meditation, focus, increase of memory and overall relaxation. Of course piano is a very important part of classical music, there are a lot pieces of piano music but some of the best are from the masters of music like Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Back and many more. You can find many CDs of classical music at amazon and some are made of piano for relaxation. I found one at amazon like that with a cheap price, it has some good reviews and is great to achieve relaxation.

There are many other ways to relax and other kinds of music to help you relax. Such as the sounds of nature that have waves on the beach, birds sounds and wind sounds.

It is important for a piano that is not being used often to be sheltered from the damaging effects of the sun. The stained wood piano should not be exposed to continuous direct sunlight. With extended exposure, ultraviolet rays can create hairline cracks in the finish or cause fading or darkening. Few owners have the financial resources to have their windows fitted with a special ultraviolet protective film or glass. An excellent alternative is a professionally constructed piano cover. The piano, whether it is an upright or grand, should be covered with a true piano covering made for the exact dimensions of the furniture. This will prolong the beauty and elegance of the piano.

Dust damage can be another hazard to the piano which is sitting dormant in the home. Besides the unsightliness, dust and dirt gathering on the keys will eventually cause them to stick and become difficult to play. Dust and grime on the wood or lacquer finish of the piano can be abrasive. Just wiping the instrument clean can scratch the finish. Inside the piano, dust can be even more damaging. Dust that accumulates by the tuning pins, the string bearing felts or the dampers – will over time be extremely harmful to the long term health of your piano. A professional tuner can be asked, for an additional fee, to blow the dust from the inner workings of the piano with a bellow. A more financially appealing alternative would be a fitted piano cover.

A piano cover is a great way to protect your piano from the little, dirty hands of children. Besides keeping it clean and smudge free, a fitted cover will almost guarantee that little fingers do not accidentally get slammed in the hood closing over the keys.

Baby Grand Piano

March 9th, 2010

A baby grand piano is an elegant piece of furniture that easily fits into the living rooms of many homes.

The smallest of the grand pianos, they start at just less than five feet to 5′2″ and are measured from the front of the keyboard end to the back, with the lid closed.

Where to Place

The signature shape of a baby grand give presence to a room and most likely will be the focal point, so determine where to position your piano in the room first before arranging the rest of the furniture.

Never place your baby grand piano near or against a working radiator, heat or ceiling vent.

Ideally the piano should not be placed on an outside wall that gets cold or near a window or door because of possible drafts.

Unless the conditions are extreme adhering to that rule may not be practical and still have a piano. You will need to use your judgment.

If you are not sure and an outside wall is the only option, insulate the air space by placing the piano 6″ away from the wall.

Buy a Grand Piano

March 9th, 2010

When you are just starting out playing the piano, or you are thinking about starting, one of the first questions you ask yourself is “What sort of piano should I go for?” The answer depends on where you expect to take your piano playing — will it be a hobby, are you aiming to be a concert pianist, or will it be something in between? What sort of music are you intending to play? These considerations are important, but you also need to consider where the piano is going to be, and how much you are willing to spend. Once you get the answers sorted out, you can be sure that there will be a piano that will fit in with your requirements.

One of the most important of the influences on your decision is what space is there to site your piano? Perhaps you have visions of a large black polished grand piano as a talking point for visitors to stand around, and to lean on while you render a concerto in your own inimitable style; but if you live in a seventh floor apartment where your largest room is the lounge/kitchen shared space, and the floorboards are creaking dangerously, then you should seriously downgrade your vision. You need a reasonable area to enable you to practice your piano skills in a relaxed environment — even if you do have a good-sized living room you might prefer to play in a separate space to be able to concentrate better.

So you want to buy a piano. What a great musical adventure you have before you. Starting out on the journey, however, can be overwhelming, what with so many types and brands of pianos to choose from. That’s why I’ve provided this primer on piano types and brands for you, so that you can quickly and easily find the right piano for you and get on with enjoying a lifetime of making beautiful music together.

Types of Pianos

Grand pianos vs. Upright pianos: Grand pianos have an average of 10,000 moving parts and range in size from 4′ 6″ to over 9′ long. They have a winged shape with a curved right side and flat left side. Grand pianos are generally owned by professional and more serious amateur pianists.

The two primary types of grand pianos are Concert Grand pianos, the largest of grands reaching 9′ and over, and Baby Grand pianos, any grand piano that is smaller than 6′ tall. Different sizes of grand piano differ in the potential volume of sound it is able to produce, the tonal quality of its lower register (the bass notes), and the overall sound quality.

Also known as vertical pianos, upright pianos have an average of 5,000-6,000 moving parts. They typically cost less and take up less space than grand pianos, and are more commonly owned by amateur and hobbyist piano players.

Upright pianos come in various types depending on their size, the tallest reaching about 60″ in height. The taller an upright piano is, the better the action.

* Spinet pianos – approx. 36″ tall

* Console pianos – approx. 40″ tall

* Studio pianos – approx. 45″ tall

* Professional pianos – approx. 48″ tall

It is entirely possible to achieve the same quality with an upright as with a grand piano and, in some cases, better quality of tone than certain baby grands.

Digital pianos vs. Acoustic pianos: In contrast to traditional grand pianos and upright pianos, digital pianos utilize the technologies of audio microchips and speakers to reproduce the sounds of a traditional piano as well as those of other keyboard instruments like organs and harpsichords. Digital pianos also offer players the ability to record their practice sessions and performances.

The following brands produce some of the best digital pianos available:

* Alesis;

* Casio;

* Daewoo;

* Kurzweil;

* Roland;

* Suzuki;

* Technics;

* and Yamaha

Brands of Pianos

Because of differences in materials and construction and design techniques, a piano’s sound and action vary greatly depending on where in the world it is made.

American pianos: American piano manufacturers are reputed for producing pianos of top-quality construction and design and, as a consequence, are typically more costly than most European pianos. At the top of the list of major U.S. brands of pianos is Steinway. Steinway pianos are considered by many professional piano players to be the premiere pianos, as well as among the most expensive. Steinway is best known for their line of grand pianos;

Other major U.S. piano brands include:

* Baldwin (also produces the Chickering and Wurlitzer brands);

* Mason & Hamlin (limited production, high-end pianos);

* Hobart M. Cable

* Winter & Company.

Asian pianos: Asian-made pianos are also highly valued today, with the two premiere Asian brands of piano – Yamaha and Kawai – coming from Japan. Yamaha produces some of the world’s most revered pianos, which explains why they must produce 200,000 pianos each year to keep up with demand. Kawai is renowned for having been the first to utilize plastic parts in their pianos.

Other major Asian brands of piano include:

* Daewoo;

* Hyundai.

* Nordiska;

* Pearl River;

* Samick;

* and Young Chang

European pianos: Many countries in Europe – the U.K., France, and the Czech Republic – also produce great pianos, though arguably the best European pianos come from Austria and Germany.

Among the finest of Austrian and German pianos are:

* Bechstein;

* Bluthner;

* Bosendorfer;

* Feurich;

* Forster;

* Grotrian;

* Hamburg Steinway;

* Ibach;

* Sauter;

* Schimmel;

* and Seiler.

How to Evaluate Pianos

Used Grand Pianos

March 9th, 2010

Used Grand Pianos 4 sale

Used Grand Pianos

March 9th, 2010

used grand pianoBefore buying a piano, it is essential to make a checklist of the buyer’s requirements. Buying a grand piano depends upon the size of the living room and involves factors such as availability of ideal conditions for playing, proper maintenance and regular tuning. The budget and the need to place the piano in an appropriate place wherein it matches the overall décor of the room are also important factors to be considered.

The cost for a grand piano in excellent condition ranges from $20000 to $70000. As this is a pretty huge investment, it is imperative that the buyer ensures that the requisite environment and utility is available to justify it.

Grand pianos come in various shapes, sizes, colors, wood finishes and sounds. These are distinguished in a number of ways. A popular model of grand piano is the Concert Grand Model D, which is considered as one of the best in terms of its sound effect, looks and reliability. However, they are exorbitantly priced and can be afforded only by really affluent folks. They can cost as much $390,000 but for someone who can afford it and can appreciate its finer nuances, the price for this grand piano is every bit justifiable.