Dealers -> Musical Instruments -> Keyboard
The first pianos to be called “grand” were manufactured in 1777, and soon became status symbols that the wealthy and affluent all wanted to own. A grand piano can command a room. Usually, it’s the largest piece of “furniture” in a room, and draws the eye the moment you enter. It turns any space in to a musical one, making it clear that there’s no room for any other purpose but music and grandeur. While grand pianos are beautiful and rather majestic looking, the difference between them and upright pianos goes far beyond mere size and scope.
In an upright piano, the strings are perpendicular to the keys, necessitated by the shape and size of the instrument. The chief benefits to owning an upright piano are the price, which is much less than a grand or baby grand, and the mobility. They’re easier to move, they can be placed against a wall and fit into a relatively small space for such a large instrument. The grand piano, however, takes up a huge amount of space. They’re large and more difficult to move, and pretty much demand a huge room that they won’t overwhelm with their size.
The strings in a grand piano stretch outward the length of the piano. This is what gives the grand piano, and even the baby grand, a much richer sound than an upright. The length of the strings allows for a truer tone and more resonance. Concerts and performances aren’t given on a grand piano just because it looks impressive on the stage—the sound quality is unparalleled. If you want to buy a grand piano, make sure you have a room large enough to do it justice. The ceiling height is an important consideration. A higher ceiling allows for more resonance of sound, while a ceiling that’s too low will only dampen the rich sounds of the piano.
When you decide to purchase a grand piano, you can choose a used or new instrument. This is a matter of personal preference, of course, but a well-loved and often-played instrument brings with it its own sense of history. While the sound of the instrument should be the most important consideration, you’ll want to make sure the wood is in good shape, the finish is true, and whether it’s original or has been renovated. A refinished grand piano can be a beautiful instrument, and better than one in bad condition, but you’ll want to know these details before you make a purchase.
Also keep in mind that grand piano lengths do vary quite a bit. If you’re looking to buy one simply for the appearance, then even a baby grand piano will give you the look you’re after in a smaller amount of space, and for a smaller price. But if the sound is important to you, and it should be, a longer grand piano is a better purchase than a shorter one, whether you’re buying used, antique or new. The longer the strings are, the truer and richer the tones will be.
Originally posted 2008-11-13 05:06:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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