By Stephen N. Reed
One of the most common desires expressed by piano shoppers, especially those making a purchase for their child, is to buy the cheapest possible piano that still does the job. Those are the two main considerations: cost and general performance by the instrument.
After all, the future is unknown. Will the child stick with piano lessons for the long haul or give up after a while?
At M. Steinert & Sons, we identify with any parent’s need to find the best piano for their needs. Spending hard-earned money on a large musical instrument deserves focused attention.
But focus is also needed to find an affordable piano that will give one’s child every chance of success at the keyboard. No parent wants to go to the trouble of purchasing a piano without their child wanting to play it.
However, that unintentionally happens frequently. A child who feels that their family piano is not worth their hours of practicing can often give up too easily.
Then the family is stuck with a rather large and heavy piece of wooden furniture that collects dust in the corner of a room–or a digital piano that is given away to a relative.
In this article, we will track the thoughts of one of our customers, Chris of Arlington, Massachusetts, whose daughter is about to begin piano lessons. As a result, Chris is beginning to explore what kind of piano to purchase for her.
Balancing that with Chris’s present budget and space in his home will be a key factor in his upcoming purchase of their family’s first piano.
Before getting into the options available for beginners, we spoke with Chris at length about what was behind his interest in supporting his daughter’s upcoming lessons.
He explained that his father was quite a piano player, though he played by ear, not by sight-reading. Chris hopes that this daughter may have inherited some of his father’s abilities at the piano.
In addition to Chris having a piano in his home growing up, he has become a musician himself, playing both the mandolin and the guitar in a local music group.
He’s bought top instruments for both of those efforts, so he’s aware of the benefit of having a quality musical instrument, especially for the ongoing motivation of a young beginner.
However, he still wants to be careful with this first piano, as he waits to see if his daughter “takes” to her piano lessons or not.
Chris has a second-story townhouse, reached by a narrow staircase. As a result, a grand for his daughter’s first piano might be a tall order, both in terms of space and in hauling it up that staircase.
That leads us to recommend options in upright piano models like Essex, a Steinway-designed, less expensive brand, as well as digital pianos like Roland. Roland makes a credible case that a good, digital piano can serve well as a first piano.
Chris is committed to read some articles on our M. Steinert & Sons website to learn more about pianos in his price range. Then he can start to know some actual options.
We suggested that one way for Chris to slice the Gordian Knot on price/quality would be to rent a quality piano for a number of months.
That way, Chris can wait to see if his daughter seriously takes to playing the piano, while giving her every opportunity to succeed with a quality upright piano that Chris doesn’t have to buy.
Chris would be putting a “toe in the water of acoustic pianos” without having to make a huge investment yet. That could wait for their second piano some time hence.
Giving his daughter an acoustic piano to play will give her a better idea of the pianos yet to come in her life, as opposed to the still good but much different experience of playing a digital piano.
Simply put, one shouldn’t expect to replicate the acoustic piano experience through a digital model.
Chris found this renting idea to be an interesting one and said he’d keep it in mind as he did his reading and research. To allow for the possibility of purchasing the piano he is renting, Chris will want to look into a rent-to-own arrangement.
Chris echoes the concerns raised frequently by parents wanting to do right by their promising child while still making a wise choice for a piano.
Until enough time has passed to determine the seriousness of the young student’s genuine interest, a parent has every right to wait and see.
Nevertheless, a parent like Chris also wants to give his daughter every chance to enjoy playing the piano as a lifelong pursuit. That begins with one’s very first piano and whether the young student feels empowered to play it.
In short, Chris realizes that he can’t just give his child anything to play. His choice needs to be one that his daughter looks forward to playing.
True, a beginner need not have the most expensive of pianos. However, getting the cheapest piano can backfire, too. Young students can be surprisingly sensitive to the pianos they play. If the piano given to them is not inviting and seems more like a temporary arrangement, so, too, can their interest in playing music become temporary.
Finding just the right piano for you–that is what has set M. Steinert apart since 1860. Each of our tens of thousands of customers has known that their concerns and needs were heard by our experienced piano consultants.
If you are considering a piano purchase for a young person in your family or simply to enhance your home with live music, come visit one of our two showrooms in South Boston and Newton.
Meantime, start your own research with these articles to learn more about what could be your very first piano!
By Stephen N. Reed
So you’d like to experience the “Steinway sound” but don’t think you have an adequate space for a grand piano in your home. What to do? You could compromise and get a nice upright instead, but what if you feel unfulfilled–and after spending thousands of dollars?
Baby grands may not have the full power of a full grand piano. However, they are beloved for their unique capacity to bring the essential experience of a grand piano into much smaller spaces in a home or small venue.
The Steinway Model S is a well-conceived piano that conveys the famous Steinway sound despite its small scale design. At 5’1” (155 cm), the Model S is the smallest of the Steinway grands. The first ones were made in mahogany.
According to M. Steinert & Sons President Emeritus Paul Murphy, to compete with smaller and less expensive pianos built by Steinway’s competition, the S was introduced in 1936 at $885.
Murphy notes that this amount was lower than Steinway’s Model M at the time, which was priced at about $1,250.
During the difficult days of the Great Depression, some believe the less expensive Model S was key to keeping Steinway & Sons afloat.
To accommodate a significant section of the piano market requiring either a smaller piano in terms of size, price, or both, piano engineers at Steinway & Sons had to tackle the issue of small scale design.
Strings in the low bass register are among the longest in a piano. In light of the lost length due to the smaller piano size, bass strings are wrapped in copper and made thicker.
This additional density makes the bass strings stiffer, which can lead to “inharmonicity.” That is when a string’s harmonics deviate from their natural frequencies. The challenge for piano engineers is to avoid having the ear hear an indistinct pitch.
In addition, bass register strings must have soundboard flexibility. Otherwise, the bass tone in baby grand pianos can sound dull with limited sustain.
According to Paul Murphy, Steinway took about six years to develop what is now the Model S scale. In the late 1930s, most scale designs had to be built into pianos to prove themselves.
The Model S’s scale had to wait six years because Steinway & Sons insisted that it have the “Steinway sound” like the other, larger Steinway grands.
Today, piano scales can be designed with computers, which is how the Boston and Essex scales have been designed. This modern technology allowed Steinway to design a full line of pianos before they built the first one.
Steinway’s enormous amount of work in building the Diaphragmatic Soundboard–seen as the best soundboard ever made–helps to avoid such bass register problems. This patented soundboard was one of the distinctive features of the Model S.
This new soundboard was tapered around the edges where it meets the rim by about the thickness of a kitchen match.
This allowed the board to vibrate more freely and project sound longer than the uniform thickness board which was the prior design. In fact, the Model S, with the new soundboard, projected tone better than the Model M (5’7”).
The Diaphragmatic Soundboard was so successful that it was ultimately used in all Steinway models as it is today.
True, in shorter grand pianos, there is a discernible difference in touch weight when playing at the front of the key, as well as the place immediately next to the fallboard. As a result, the keyboard may not respond as well to sensitive touch as with longer pianos.
However, Steinway managed to install the same key length in its grands all the way up to the Model A at 6’2” feet in length. This gives the Model S a distinct advantage over many of its competitors.
The Model S shares the same exact materials and handcrafted workmanship as the Steinway flagship concert grand, the Model D. The only difference is size.
Model S’s action’s touch response is excellent, with a skilled pianist having no problem with techniques like legato and staccato. For a smaller piano, the Model S’s range of volume is impressive, as well.
Steinway’s Model S is not for everyone. A professional concert pianist will want to have a Model B or D, which will allow them a wider dynamic range due to their larger size.
However, if you want the Steinway sound but have real space considerations, the Model S can be the perfect fit for their home or small venue. The S is a special order piano from Steinway, only a little smaller than the Model M.
The least expensive of the Steinway grand pianos, the Model S’s 2023 price is $86,600 with an ebony finish.
Despite the Model S’s small size, from its beginnings the S has had its backers. When the Model S pianos were rolled out in 1936, no less a performer than Steinway Immortal Josef Hoffman went public with his appreciation for this new baby grand.
Hoffman was so impressed by the Model S that he bought 50 of them for the Curtis Institute.
Today, you’ll hear Model S owners coo over their “little Steinway.” The reason is clear: the Model S has allowed them to enjoy the Steinway sound despite their more modest home size or lower budget. Without the S, they simply would not have that daily experience in their home.
Come in and learn more about the Model S from one of M. Steinert & Son’s professional piano consultants. Meantime, read more about Steinway grands from these articles:
Digital vs. acoustic pianos: Which is the best for me?by Stephen N. Reed
The difference between digital and acoustic pianos is one of the first questions you will face in your quest for a piano.
You may already have strong feelings about which piano you would ideally purchase. Maybe you don’t.
Either way, this article will outline the differences between digital and acoustic pianos to help you decide which one is best for you.
The most important thing to bear in mind is that acoustic and digital pianos offer vastly different playing experiences. As a result, depending on how you intend to use your piano, choosing the right instrument–digital or acoustic–has serious implications.
What could be worse than buying an expensive piece of musical equipment, only to discover later that it doesn’t do what you had hoped?
Taking one’s time, talking to professionals in the industry, and testing different pianos as part of the process is the best way to avoid a poor purchase.
Let’s start by looking at each type of piano.
Acoustic pianos are what most people picture when they think of a piano. Since Cristofori invented the ancestor to today’s acoustic piano, the general principles behind piano design and the mechanisms responsible for producing its sound haven’t changed too much.
However, over the years, there have been subtle evolutions resulting in today’s acoustic pianos having an incredibly nuanced sound.
The piano sound is achieved naturally through vibrating steel strings, resonant woods, and natural damping and friction-absorbing materials such as felt and leather.
It uses a mechanical system that operates by pressing the key. This then engages a lever, which moves a felt hammer to strike the corresponding string which is made of high tempered steel.
It’s a complex mechanical process that digital pianos cannot replicate. A true traditional piano sound and touch can only be achieved with an acoustic instrument.
Did you know:The word “piano” comes from the musical term meaning “soft,” as it was an instrument that you could play at different dynamic (musical speak for “volume”) levels. This was a dramatic shift from other keyboard instruments of the day (e.g. organs and harpsichords) which could produce only one dynamic from their keys. |
There are a number of advancements, many made by Steinway & Sons, that have been made with acoustic pianos to make it more versatile than earlier pianos.
Unlike acoustic pianos, digital pianos have no hammers or strings. The sound is achieved electronically, with each key corresponding to an acoustic piano counterpart using high quality sound replication to mimic the tone produced by the very best acoustic pianos.
Therefore, the quality of sound created by a digital piano depends on the method the instrument uses to generate the acoustic tone. Some use sampling (actual recordings of an acoustic piano) while others, such as Roland, use advanced modeling technology to create their acoustic piano tone.
For decades, digital pianos have failed to achieve popularity as they only approximated a piano-like sound and touch. However, due to advances in technology, today’s digital pianos have gotten closer to an authentic piano sound and feel.
All of our Roland digital pianos have incorporated acoustic modeling technology into their digital pianos. In layman’s terms, the modelling algorithm “calculates” a unique sound every time you press down the key.
The result is a natural and individual sound based on your own playing. It never creates the same sound twice, exactly as would be experienced on an acoustic. This digital effect is still not the same as a traditional acoustic piano, but the experience is much closer than it has been in previous years.
Digital pianos are also capable of realistically producing other musical instruments, from the saxophone to the cello, making it possible to create an orchestra of sound.
The “extras” that digital pianos offer are nearly limitless, making them one of the most versatile home instruments imaginable. Among the most popular additional features are:
Playback & record: Modern playback features allow you to record and hear your own performance which is particularly helpful for students.
Bluetooth connectivity: When you have a Bluetooth-compatible piano, your iPad becomes a controller and the world of apps can be fully explored. Music can be displayed digitally while you play-a-long, and you can enjoy interactive educational software. Plus the speakers of your piano can be your home stereo!
Notation capability: Probably the most valuable feature of all is the ability to capture the notes you play and have them displayed promptly in a musical score format. Perfect for amateur (or professional) composers.
It is worth noting that each of these features can now be added to any acoustic piano.
The bottom line is that, despite technological advances, digital pianos cannot truly replicate the sound or touch of an acoustic piano. They can only simulate it. This is usually apparent in the quality and tone of the piano’s sound.
So, are digital pianos as good as acoustic pianos?
Like so many things, it depends. If the alternative piano is a poor condition or old acoustic, the modern digital is the better alternative. If the budget allows for a better quality or new acoustic vertical or grand, most pianists will choose the acoustic over the digital.
However, the digital’s strengths in mobility, headphone practice and connectivity to the digital world are other reasons why digital pianos are often selected.
To their credit, digital piano makers like Roland are working hard to approximate the acoustic piano’s touch and tone. However, a more helpful way of viewing the difference between digital and acoustic pianos is to accept their differences and to applaud both for what they can do.
Let’s take an example from the world of travel for an analogy:
Consider a person who is unable to afford a two-week vacation to Europe right now. However, they have really been studying European history and culture, particularly the Amalfi coast of Italy.
At this time, they aren’t able to actually get to Italy yet, but they are able to get a kind of feel for it by using a set of virtual tour goggles and exploring the Amalfi coast that way.
Probably they would like to go to Italy in person someday–for the full cultural experience. However, in the meantime, their virtual headset has given them a better understanding of the Amalfi coast than before.
That is what the digital experience can do: it can give you a better understanding of the keyboard arts while leaving you something more to discover when you are able to afford an acoustic upright or grand piano.
Both categories of piano have their advantages and disadvantages, which might make one or the other better for you.
While examining these advantages and disadvantages, take into account your individual circumstances.
Yes, many acoustic pianos respond better to the nuances in touch (particularly grand pianos), and this is reflected in the tone that they produce.
Possibly not.
Such nuances might be necessary for advanced or classical pianists. But digital pianos can often suffice for early stage learning, those with limited space, or a need for quiet play, or when adults are downsizing or need a quieter solution.
The question is about finding the right piano for you.
Ultimately if you do opt for a digital piano, the goal should be to emulate the sound of an acoustic as much as possible. It is important to feel and hear a digital piano before you make your choice.
Our top tip: Take your favorite piece of music into a store. Find the largest, grand piano in the store and play the piece. Really listen. Then compare the sound on a digital. The digital piano that is closest in terms of tone and touch to an acoustic grand piano is usually the best.
So if you live in New England and are curious about a range of digital and acoustic piano options, consider a visit to one of our two showroom locations in Boston and Newton. Our seasoned salespeople have broad experience and deep knowledge of both digital and acoustic pianos. Fill out the form below and we’ll get right back to you.
And for more information about the different kinds of pianos we feature at M. Steinert, & Sons, click on the links below. To set up a time to talk with one of our seasoned sales consultants, please fill out the form below.
by Stephen N. Reed
Ready to take a deep dive into Steinway & Sons’ Essex line of pianos? At M. Steinert & Sons, we’ve been selling Essex pianos since they were introduced by Steinway & Sons. Along with the Boston line, Essex pianos were developed for many years.
The Essex line was developed by Steinway & Sons to help them become competitive with other piano companies for the entry-level of the piano market. Next, we’ll review the effects of adding the Steinway design to a manufactured piano. Does it work?
Steinway understands that not everyone can afford a new Steinway. So their challenge was to create an affordable, quality piano that retains much of the ‘Steinway DNA”–the latest design and engineering enhancements that go into all of Steinway’s pianos.
As a result, the Essex can deliver a level of musical performance previously unattainable in its price range.
Steinway began to make significant changes to the Essex line in 2006. For starters, Steinway moved the entire Essex operation to the Pearl River facility in China.
Then, as a clear indication of the seriousness of Steinway’s Essex changes, Steinway relocated their technical director from New York to China to oversee Essex production there. They even placed “Designed by Steinway” on the Essex plate for the first time.
Steinway & Sons has backed up that signature on the nameplate with Steinway-designed additions, many Steinway-specified parts, and manufacturing procedures, including the following:
For example, owing to the Steinway-designed rim shape, Essex grand pianos are wider at the tail than most pianos of comparable length. This creates a larger soundboard area, giving the Essex a richer sound.
The Steinway-designed soundboard is tapered, not uniformly thick, allowing it to vibrate more freely and provide more tonal volume.
The soundboard has to be quarter-sawn, close-grained, solid spruce. Eight grains per inch is the specification, which is very high for a production piano. Finding any specifications of this sort on similarly-priced pianos is often difficult.
Essex pianos have a Steinway-designed, all-wood action for greater durability, responsiveness, and control.
Essex’s hammers are made of 15lb premium wool outer-felt and a distinctly separate premium wool under-felt. The hammers are reinforced with compression wire (not simply glued as some manufacturers will do) and retain a pear-shaped design. The compression wire is important for reliability, and the pear-shaped design enhances the Essex’s tone.
As part of the overall Steinway design, the action parts use solid maple for all moving parts. The keys are made of spruce and are individually balanced and weighted. The keybed is made of laminated maple and spruce wood, and the dampers consist of solid hardwood heads and premium wool.
The Essex pin block is Steinway-designed, but it is in multiple layers: 19 layers, very thin, of maple, layered at 90-degree distributions. This concept, choosing maple, then placing laminations at 90 degrees is a Steinway family trait, one not exclusive to the brand but a good feature.
Strings require good steel. Like Steinway, the Essex uses Roslau high tensile wire in the treble keys. For the bass keys, Roslau wire steel core, wound with pure copper, is used. Using quality steel strings gives the Essex a richer tone than expected for its price point.
Backposts are made of spruce wood as in the Boston and Steinway lines. Backposts are for uprights only. They are staggered in the areas of highest tension and have industry-leading cross-sectional area, thickness, and width.
Braces are for grands. The Essex grand features the Steinway design of radial bracing. This is harder to do, but creates a much more solid foundation for the piano. There is no skimping here: their braces are laminated beech, unique to the Essex
Bridges must be maple, vertically laminated, capped with solid maple. This rule is the same for Boston and Steinway bridges.
All of the aforementioned details work in concert to provide a playing experience that would otherwise be impossible at this price point, design, materials, and craftsmanship that only Steinway can create in the Essex home piano.
As the least expensive line in the Steinway & Sons family, the Essex has sometimes been misunderstood and mischaracterized. True, in the early going, Essex pianos were not as consistent in some areas as the Boston and Steinway lines. Plus, the fact that the Essex was manufactured rather than handcrafted was an obvious contrast with its Steinway counterpart.
The upshot of this is that some piano customers came into the M. Steinert & Sons showroom with the misconception that the Essex was not a good piano–simply because it is not a handcrafted Steinway.
However, the amount of Steinway-design features included in the Essex give it a rich tone for a piano of its price point. Additionally, the woods and other materials elevate the Essex and make it a consistent instrument in accord with Steinway & Sons’ high standards.
Steinway drew on the talents of popular furniture designer William Faber to create the Essex with the idea that attractive piano styles and finishes should be available in every price range. The Essex is available in an array of models, styles, and veneers and features traditional styling and finishes of museum quality.
While much of the same woods, like maple and beech, are used in the Essex and Steinway, the price for the Essex is kept much lower largely due to the large-scale production techniques, in contrast to the handcrafted process used to create a Steinway.
In addition, specially-engineered materials help to bring down the price point for the Essex, along with well-selected manufacturing environments.
One other way Essex is a part of the Steinway family is through its complete investment assurance. Each Essex piano is backed by Steinway & Sons and serviced by Steinway-trained technicians.
Additionally, at M. Steinert & Sons, each Essex buyer has the same trade-in guarantee as any Steinway or Boston piano: their Essex will be given a trade-in credit equal to their original purchase price on a new Steinway grand piano at any time within ten years.
The hierarchy of the Steinway-designed piano lines has been the handcrafted Steinway, followed by the Boston line, then Essex. This placement seemed even more established in 2009 when Steinway & Sons went about “boosting the Boston” to make the Boston the main alternative to Steinway.
But today’s Essex line has come a long way.
“Today’s Essex pianos are at their best and most consistent in tone and touch,” says Vivian Handis, a sales consultant at M. Steinert & Sons since 2002. Vivian brings well-rounded depth to the piano selection process as a pianist, piano educator, parent, and product specialist.
Vivian holds a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Boston University and was recently elected to the New England Piano Teachers’ Association Board of Directors. Dedicated to outstanding customer service, Vivian’s transition from teacher to consultant has provided a new framework for supporting pianists of all ages and levels.
In 2013, after 11 years of service in our Boston store, she relocated to Steinert’s MetroWest location. Vivian delights in serving our growing community of piano enthusiasts, professionals, and emerging artists.
“Today’s Essex has an integrity of tone and impressive sustain,” Vivian explains. “They possess inherent beauty and color. A pianist plays but also “paints” with sound. For example, coloring is much more interesting and inspiring with a 120-color box of Crayolas than a box with just 8 crayons.”
Vivian says she was deeply moved while listening to a talented young pianist play on an Essex that inspired him deeply, “This makes sense when you realize that the little Essex’s DNA is born from the Steinway Model D concert grand,” she notes.
“Is the Essex a good piano?” The answer is clear: thanks to its Steinway design, the Essex is, quite simply, the best piano available in its price range today.
We’ve learned how the Essex came into being, as one of two lines created by Steinway & Sons to meet the demands of the piano market, particularly the entry-level end. The combination of solid materials and several Steinway-design features add value to this manufactured piano that its competitors do not have.
While the Essex may not be the ideal choice for a concert pianist or a college music department, it is an excellent option for the beginner piano student and any customer wanting to re-start their piano playing with an eye towards a future Steinway purchase through the M. Steinert & Sons lifetime trade-in policy.
For the Steinway DNA quality included in every Essex, the resulting consistency in the tone of today’s Essex, and a more than reasonable price point, this piano line has earned solid grades overall and will bring to any buyer many years of musical enjoyment.
To learn more about the Essex line, take a look at M. Steinert & Sons’ Essex line page.
(Note: M. Steinert & Sons asked veteran piano teacher Elizabeth Reed to put pen to paper regarding the kind of piano she would recommend to the families of her students. )
by Elizabeth Reed
As a teacher, I delight in sharing my knowledge and experience with parents who are buying their first instrument or upgrading their current piano. Whether digital or acoustic, new or used, I celebrate the student’s wonder and excitement about this new instrument in their home.
When a student’s announcement of a new piano comes as a surprise, my natural enthusiasm is followed by this thought—I hope it’s a good piano. Consumers can collect a bounty of information from professional and avocational pianists’ blogs, piano makers’ websites, and musicians’ YouTube videos.
For better or for worse, most customers have made up their minds about the kind of instrument they want before they step foot in a store or contact a private seller.
But like piano playing, there are nuances behind the printed notes and the public’s comments. These are some of the musical considerations I wish parents would ask their teachers.
There is no substitute for the natural reverberation of wood, strings and airwaves that you hear and feel in person. A relevant comparison is that the simulated sound of a digital keyboard is like visiting someone on Zoom.
A family’s budget is a determining factor in choosing a digital or acoustic piano. But the future value needs to be considered. For example, recently-purchased and well-maintained acoustic pianos retain more of their value than a digital keyboard.
If students begin with a digital keyboard, I tell parents that after two years (three years maximum) students will need an acoustic piano. When it comes to the feel of the action, I use mattress buying as a comparison. The keys shouldn’t be so light that you sink to the bottom at first touch.
Finally, it will be impossible to create dynamic contrasts and finger technique will be weak. The action should be firm enough to press the key at a slow and a fast pace, as if lying down gently or jumping on a mattress.
When buying a used acoustic piano from a private seller, a piano tuner should evaluate it first. No ifs, ands, or buts. Engaging the services of a good piano tuner is akin to having a competent auto mechanic looking over a used car. You don’t want to miss any easily-discovered problems before your final purchase.
I would avoid buying a used digital keyboard because prices for new ones are reasonable.
If affordable, a new piano is always the best option, due to “less mileage” on the piano, the warranty, and the fact that quality piano models are always being refined every year.
On a digital keyboard, dynamics must be produced by playing a key with a light or heavy touch–not by turning the volume knob!
Make sure there are 88 working keys. Count them. Play. Every. Single. Key.
The damper pedal, the one on the right, is crucial. The seller should demonstrate if parents have no piano experience.
A lack of space is often a primary concern when choosing a piano. But there isn’t much of a difference between a digital and an acoustic—the depth of an acoustic is approximately ten inches deeper and the general width is the same.
I suggest that parents frame out the dimensions with paper and place it on the floor to compare the difference. A student’s bedroom, a dining room, family or living room that is free of TV, even a hallway are possible locations for a piano.
I ask parents to think about a favorite place for them to sit and read. Then I ask if they can move the piano into that spot. Hung-Kuan Chen, Steinway artist and Professor of Piano at The Juilliard School of Music, studied in Germany and had a grand piano in his dorm room—and nothing else. Mr. Chen slept underneath the piano and used the piano lid as a table and desk. Pianists can find space for a piano in any house or apartment!
All teachers have horror stories about students’ decrepit pianos and uninviting practice spaces. Even if a basement is finished, there is a psychological leeriness of having to go practice—in the basement.
My two horror stories featured unfinished basements—one with a player-piano, painted green, and the bench from a picnic table for the seat. The other was an ancient piano that was permanently a half-step flat, had missing keys, stood next to the cat litter box and shared space with exercise equipment under a sagging ceiling.
Was it a surprise both students quit after only one year? Both homes were single family houses in well-to-do suburbs.
Maintenance is an issue only for an acoustic piano, which needs to be tuned at least once a year by a professional tuner. I once had a student who couldn’t practice for three weeks because the untrained friend of a parent offered to tune the piano for free. He had removed the entire action and then couldn’t put it back together again.
They finally called a professional tuner to resolve the crisis. Again, the piano tuner is like the mechanic of a car. You want your instrument to produce a consistent hum, not clicks and clacks.
One of the most neglected aspects of piano buying and playing is the bench. Tone is all for naught if the student does not have the proper height and distance at the keyboard,with feet firmly supported on a footstool or the floor. Adjustable benches can be bought for less than the cost of one season of soccer games and equipment.
A low ottoman or a $6 plastic footstool from Ikea work just as well. I have footstools that I loan out whenever possible.
If your acoustic piano is not being delivered from a store, Do Not Move A Piano Yourself or With Friends. Hire a professional piano mover and buy the insurance.
My first grand piano was craned into a third-floor apartment through the balcony (and down again) to a second-floor apartment along a narrow path and through the back porch. As I paced my apartment, I was comforted in knowing my piano was insured in case of a calamity.
My mother was a piano teacher and I have witnessed many a nerve-racking move, from the grand piano whose lid had to be taken off because of the limited height on a staircase, to the men who lost control of our old upright piano on our steep back stairs.
The piano barreled down the stairs with the bottom man holding on for dear life, when by sheer coincidence my father opened the back door, saw the impending disaster and braced both the man and the piano, preventing a crash through our cellar door and down another steep flight, this time cement stairs.
Teachers want their students to love music and to delight in the sounds of a piano. There are instruments with good sound at every price point. Do your internet research. Stay open to different options. And next time you’re looking for a piano, ask your teacher for advice!
M. Steinert & Sons thanks Ms. Reed for her frontline insights. For more information, learn more about the piano offerings at M. Steinert & Sons.
TOP 9 PIANO-BUYER QUESTIONS 2023After 160 years in the piano business in greater Boston – we’ve heard just about every piano question imaginable! From “can I trade my car for your piano” to the recurrent “what’s my old piano worth?”
Here’s a look at our top 9 frequently asked piano buyer questions updated for 2023:
While the specifics have changed this year, the general rule remains: You won’t be a beginner for long! The best piano for a beginner is one that can meet the individual’s musical intentions and goals.
Some beginners hope to become advanced pianists, even professional performing pianists; other beginners want to get their feet wet, so to speak, to see if they will like it. Some beginners imagine piano playing as a hobby at most; others devote themselves to becoming the best pianists they can be. The more demanding the goal, the more important the quality of the instrument.
For the serious student, growing into a piano makes sense. Standards for touch and tone are set early in the learning process. For the casual learner without high aspirations, an entry-level vertical or digital piano can be a logical choice. Many stores allow trade-up credit to facilitate easy upgrades over time.
Steinert’s Vivian Handis wrote a fantastic article on this topic.
Steinert Tip: Check out the Roland HP704, Boston UP120s, Essex EGP173
This answer has changed over the years. At one point, Craigslist had a certain ‘ethic’ and a sense of fair play about it, but now it’s largely the last refuge of worn-out pianos. Generally speaking, Craigslist is a very risky place to buy a piano due to the general ignorance of the piano’s true condition by both the buyer and the seller. Without significant technical skills, it is difficult for a non-expert to know whether a piano will hold a tune or play properly. More subtle, but important, is to know whether it’s lost its bearing (a piano technician’s term for the bridge’s height relative to the strings). See Four questions to ask before accepting a free piano
A piano technician, or at the minimum, an experienced pianist, should evaluate a used piano. Consulting with someone who knows what to look for will give you a sense of the remaining musical life (if any!). Where there are no guarantees, there is no recourse if one brings home a clunker.
Steinert Tip: Consider the value of a Trade-in Policy and sufficient Warranty protection.
With advances in technology, this feels like an increasingly relevant question. Yet, digital and acoustic pianos still offer very different piano-playing experiences.
The sound of acoustic pianos is achieved naturally through vibrating steel strings, resonant woods, and natural dampening and friction-absorbing materials such as felt and leather. The feel of an acoustic piano is derived from its often unique combination of key length and action design. Acoustic pianos are the only instruments that offer true traditional piano sound and touch.
The sound of digital pianos is achieved electronically. Digital pianos offer many types of simulated instrumental sounds, as well as recording capability, Bluetooth, MIDI, computer compatibility, educational apps, etc.
Recently, pianos from Roland have incorporated acoustic modeling technology to recreate elements of overtones and harmonics into their piano sound. The key feel of a grand is also replicated through mechanical means in some of these newer Roland models.
They have the advantages of complete silence by means of headphones (great for families, neighbors, and roommates; ( footnote: many acoustic pianos today can also be retrofitted with silent systems), no tuning or action adjustment costs, and smaller physical size for those in smaller homes, or who plan to move the instrument frequently.
However, digital pianos cannot exactly replicate the sound or touch of an acoustic piano–they can only simulate it–and as with most electronic devices, their components deteriorate over time. They tend to be less durable than high-quality acoustic pianos.
If one is a traditional piano purist, only the acoustic piano will do for both touch and tone. Some piano teachers accept only students who are practicing and playing an acoustic piano.
Steinert Tip: Bring in your teacher and a favorite piece of music – and try both types of pianos!
Of course, that depends on age, condition, size, finish, availability, and other factors. In short, the reality is that some used Steinway pianos are essentially worthless (more below), while some rare art-case Steinways have set records (see the Alma Tadema piano at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown purchased for $1.2 million).
If the Steinway has been rebuilt or restored in any way, other factors may apply such as where the work was done and the qualifications/skill level of who did it, whether or not genuine Steinway replacement parts were used, which exact parts were replaced, and which were not replaced, etc. Some liken this process to purchasing a used high-end automobile… who performed the service, and what parts were used?
The open market range of “Used Steinways” is very broad due to the extreme range of quality and age. Generally speaking, one should expect to pay about double for a new Steinway than for a rebuilt Steinway, unless the piano has been completely rebuilt at the Steinway factory, which costs about 20% less than the new model of similar size.
At some point, even a Steinway becomes a non-musical entity with no real value – other than its “shell” value (a term for the wholesale value of the rim/plate). Many are excited to learn about the inheritance or acquisition of a Steinway, only to find out a short time later that it will require a complete restoration to be usable. A Steinway factory restoration costs as much as 80% of new.
New Steinway prices range from the mid $80,000 range to over $200,000 depending upon size, finish, and other criteria. Rebuilt Steinways tend to range from about $30,000 to $100,000–again, depending upon the vintage, size, finish, amount and quality of work done, etc.
Used Steinways of recent vintage are usually worth more than rebuilt old Steinways and are generally valued at roughly 75% of the price of a new Steinway.
Steinert Tip: Two recent articles on Steinway aging and Pricing:
When faced with the cost of paying for lessons AND buying a piano, many become concerned with the overall cost to even ‘try’ the piano. Sometimes, the instinct is to try and get by with a substandard used piano or cheap portable keyboard. Yet, this early stage is the period where sound and touch quality can really make a difference as interest is being fueled. Great beginnings often make for great outcomes! So, if the budget or the commitment is limited, a rental could be a good option because it will still provide a high-quality piano experience. The key to a successful piano rental experience is to keep a path toward a purchase that doesn’t lose your initial investment in the rental.
At M. Steinert & Sons, with our EZ-Start program, 12 months of rental payments may be applied toward the purchase of the rental piano or any other piano that we sell. At the end of the rental period, the return transportation cost must be paid by the renter. EZ-Start rental fees and the available piano models may be viewed at http://staging-msteinertcom.kinsta.cloud/a-buyers-journey/piano-rental/.
Other pianos can be rented as well. The monthly rent is 3% of the piano’s purchase price. You can rent indefinitely and the minimum period of time is 3 months. The delivery cost and the first month’s rent must be paid upfront with an approved credit check followed by a monthly billing cycle. Six months of rent can be applied towards purchase.
Steinert Tip: We affiliate with many regional teachers and offer special pricing through them – ask your teacher if they’re connected to M. Steinert & Sons.
In general, we do not buy old pianos, but we will consider taking an old piano in trade for a better piano. The old piano must be evaluated by one of our piano technicians or sales staff and a trade value (if any) assigned to it. Our recent article on What Is My Piano Worth is a great way to understand the variables in older pianos.
In some exceptional cases, we will agree to consign newer Steinway pianos that are in excellent condition. A consignment agreement is discussed with the owner if both parties are interested in this arrangement.
For information on the age of your piano visit: http://staging-msteinertcom.kinsta.cloud/a-buyers-journey/how-old-is-my-steinway/
Steinert Tip: Learn more about our Certified Piano Program – if you think your piano might fit here – let’s talk.
Currently, there is no industry-wide accepted used piano “bluebook”, as there is for automobiles. Ultimately, one is pricing the musical art, or musicality, of which a piano is capable, which will vary widely in each case. There is no established or industry-standard valuation formula for used pianos. See What Is My Piano Worth?
Steinert Tip: For more information about what happens to pianos as they age, see: http://staging-msteinertcom.kinsta.cloud/blog/new-vs-used-steinway/
Price should reflect actual value, as the price of anything is established by its true value. Assuming the seller’s honesty, if a piano is discounted, that is its true value at that point in time.
Some piano stores and brands post significantly inflated MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) on their pianos and offer large percentage discounts to give the impression of attractive values (mark it up to mark it down etc.) –but in reality, the price for which the piano is sold is the only thing that determines its true value.
Other piano stores and brands, notably Steinway, and M. Steinert & Sons, do not engage in such strategies. Any price discounts will be done only for legitimate reasons such as length of time in inventory, true current condition, maintenance history, availability, etc.
If there is a discount, it is due to some legitimate reasons such as inventory aging, overstock, musical considerations, a very limited-time promotion, some cosmetic flaw, etc.
Steinert Tip: Call us. If you reside in our market area (Greater Boston/Eastern Massachusetts), we are committed to earning your business.
We’d like to think we have something for everyone, but it ultimately depends upon your particular piano needs, budget and preferences. We also believe that the reputation, stability, and longevity of a dealership are important for piano ownership since every acoustic piano requires basic maintenance.
Some popular piano brands change dealerships every few years. One popular piano brand has seen three different owners/dealers in the last 9 years. M. Steinert & Sons has been in business in the Boston area for over 160 years and has been the sole Authorized Steinway dealer for the region since 1869.
M. Steinert & Sons is the official supplier of pianos to the legendary Boston Symphony Orchestra and nearly all other leading musical institutions and venues throughout New England. We work with private teaching studios, community music schools, and pianists of every level while supporting the local music community and economy. We’ve made a serious commitment to keeping the piano a vibrant force in music-making in our region!
Learn more about us at: http://staging-msteinertcom.kinsta.cloud/about-m-steinert-sons/steinerts-history/
Let us help you find a piano that matches your needs and budget
You may only do this once in your life, make every effort to think your decision through…
by Jessica Kendall Hauk
At the point you decide you’re ready to buy a piano, you must remember the poet T.S. Eliot’s wise observation above all else: You are the music while the music lasts.
This is the premise for every piano purchase – the understanding that you and the music are one, and that the piano is the conduit for the energy created by this fusion of person and melody. The unique expression of your music – whether you’re a beginner with a finite repertoire or a professional musician with years of experience – hinges upon the marriage of person and instrument.
As the nation’s oldest Steinway dealer, M. Steinert & Sons urges you to carefully consider the following factors as you prepare for your piano purchase: 1) your musical aspirations, 2) the type of piano you wish to buy, 3) the piano’s location in your home, 4) your budget
Your piano should inspire you to play it before you even sit down. If you enjoy playing it, then you will, and practicing won’t feel like an obligatory chore. No matter your goal, make sure your instrument doesn’t become the excuse to not practice, or to not play.
There are many piano choices – proceed wisely and consider what you’d ultimately like to achieve. Is it just to play a few simple popular songs, or to take on the challenge of history’s piano masterworks?
The high-quality woods in a fine piano ensure the longevity of your instrument and the assurance that you will only ever need to buy one. It takes a year for skilled artisans to build a quality piano; it can take your lifetime to enjoy it fully.
Many have found that the low-tension scale design and warm sound of the Steinway is the most responsive piano to a musician’s touch; the keys are incredibly sensitive and allow you to express the most subtle nuances of tone and musical composition. It feels and sounds like an extension of yourself and will convey the full range of your emotions and talents if you want it to.
Not everyone will choose Steinway, but if it’s within your reach – we always suggest to at least try it. See if you can tell the difference!
Some musicians favor the acoustic experience, while others prefer digital piano technology. Steinways and Steinway-designed pianos are characterized by a warm, full sound and have long been deemed the best-in-class acoustic pianos by concert pianists.
The low-tension scale design of Steinway prevents shrillness in the upper registers of the treble and distinguishes it from other pianos. This feature is the hallmark of Steinway and the standard to which other brands aspire.
On the other hand, a Roland digital piano offers multiple technological enhancements including i-pad connectivity for educational software.
This may be a good option for techies and budding musicians and offers the added benefit of taking up less space than a grand or vertical piano. Furthermore, digital pianos don’t require tuning, which makes them maintenance-free.
Your preference for acoustic or digital is highly personal; at M. Steinert & Sons we offer a wide range of options in both categories.
While there are many musical reasons to purchase a grand piano rather than an upright, most notably the upward trajectory of sound offered by a grand, there are aesthetic considerations as well.
Grand pianos are beautiful and inviting and should be placed in a room that showcases their craftsmanship and unique features. A grand piano is a work of art in and of itself and should be displayed as such. More importantly, your piano should go into the room where it will be played the most.
There is a bit of a paradox in choosing your piano’s location: Above all else, it needs to be accessible and inviting to the pianist. If you delegate it to a remote part of your home, you may find yourself feeling inconvenienced to get to it.
See our article regarding Grands vs Uprights and our video on will a grand piano fit?
By contrast, if you put it in a very busy room where other activities are taking place, you may feel distracted, and your attention might drift from your music to the other goings-on around you. In choosing your piano’s location, the goal is to strike a balance among aesthetics, convenience and the daily patterns of your household.
First and foremost, your piano purchase is an investment in yourself – in your musicianship, enthusiasm, time, desire, perseverance and creative expression. As food fuels the body (we are what we eat), music fuels the soul (we are also what we do and how we do it).
While best-in-class pianos do cost more than their lower-quality counterparts, they bring you a superior musical experience that is worth every dollar. Second, your piano purchase is an investment in the enjoyment of everyone who might listen to you – or anyone else – play it.
One goal of M. Steinert & Sons is to educate our customers about the relationship between a piano’s price and its value as they prepare to purchase their instruments. Ultimately, the difference between buying an inexpensive starter piano and a permanent lifetime piano is the difference between making a purchase and making an investment.
In this article, I’ll walk you through four critical factors you need to consider when trying to decide if an expensive piano is worth the investment:
In a fine piano, the sound quality is typically defined by the ability to extract a wide range of tonal ‘colors’ over the volume range. Soft passages are not just softer – they can have different tonal characteristics, while a loud passage can extract something totally different, both in tone and volume.
The Steinway hammer (the part of the action actually striking the string) is a legendary combination of the finest felts, enhanced and formed in a way that offers great control over tonality.
This expressive capacity is at the heart of the piano experience – and one that artists count on for the expression of their craft.
Human hearing is remarkably sensitive. Consider this:
Over a range of frequencies (approximately 500 to 4000 Hz) and levels (approximately 35 to 80 dB SPL) in which humans are most sensitive, listeners can discriminate a change of about one decibel in sound level and about a half of a percent change in tonal frequency.
(source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207834/)
This means that even those who describe themselves as having a “tin ear” – have the innate ability to recognize small variations in volume and pitch.
Fine pianos also feature a longer sustain. The duration of a held note on a Steinway is also longer thanks to the careful balancing of rim strength, soundboard shape and bridge/string interface.
In a cheap piano, you may find that sound has a thin, brittle, overly bright sound with an inability to extract nuance over the dynamic range. The higher tension designs used in many cheap pianos result in a brash tone with shorter sustain due to the very nature of this design. For some music, this sound has become popularized – since it can ‘cut-through’ the band etc. However, for a solo pianist, this will rarely be a sought-after quality.
The touch of a quality piano is generally marked by a consistent, low friction feel that gives the player a sense of power and immediate control since every finger motion is captured by the action.
Touch is intimately tied to the sound – since the two work together to create the vehicle for expression. Assuring long-term quality of feel involves eliminating looseness from the action. Recent advances in touch come from improved tolerance control in action part manufacturing and materials that balance a traditional feel with increased durability.
Many lower quality pianos start off feeling “OK”, but can quickly become inconsistent and erratic. Lower-end manufacturers know that a sticking key is worse than a loose key (sticking keys will yield a service/warranty call) so they will leave things a little loose to begin with. In low-quality pianos this will amplify over time and the net effect of looseness can result in the feel of a cheap portable keyboard.
The high-quality materials of your permanent lifetime piano substantially contribute to its cost. They also distinguish your piano from its less expensive mimickers. The type and quality of the wood, particularly in the soundboard, determine the quality of your piano’s timbre.
Given that the function of the soundboard is to transmit the vibrations made by touching the keys, it makes sense that the close grain of Alaskan Sitka spruce used in Steinway soundboards provides a fuller and richer tone than that of inferior brands, some of which use laminates for the construction of their soundboards. Steinway buys the top 1% of flawless Sitka spruce for use in their soundboards.
The cost of Sitka spruce, as well as the cost of other high-quality materials used in your piano’s construction, contribute to the price of the instrument at the time of purchase. However, Sitka spruce endures; it withstands the many hours of practice and performance required by the dedicated musicians who play your family’s piano without compromising the instrument itself. It is the foundation of both the sound and the longevity of your piano.
Steinway pianos have long been regarded as the best pianos in the world. Each one is handcrafted by highly-skilled artisans who carefully match the grain of the wood in each adjacent part during construction. Additionally, the patented “diaphragmatic” design of the Steinway soundboard allows the notes to resonate fully from the instrument.
The skill, quality and care that is the foundation of Steinway construction contributes to the cost of the piano at the time of purchase. A Steinway piano takes a full year to construct from start to finish. By contrast, brands that are not designed by Steinway are mass-produced in factories which lowers both the cost and the value of these instruments.
While perhaps a bit harsh to suggest, it is a fact that many cheap pianos rolling off assembly lines today will be candidates for the landfill in as little as 10-30 years. By contrast, many Steinway pianos are often rebuilt and have 2nd, or even 3rd lives as musical instruments (although many rebuilds do not adhere to the quality standards set by Steinway and become what is known in the piano industry as a “Stein-was”).
As New England’s premier, and only factory-authorized Steinway dealer, M. Steinert and Sons fulfills Henry E. Steinway’s vision to “build the best piano possible” and to “sell it at the lowest price consistent with quality.”
To that end, we offer you and your family the broad options of the entire Steinway Family of Pianos–Steinway & Sons, Boston, and Essex in all upright and grand models, sizes, and finishes.
Both Boston and Essex are designed by Steinway to have what has become known as “Steinway DNA”. It’s a term that captures Steinway’s design philosophy of touch and tone that is adhered to across the Steinway-designed brands of Steinway, Boston, and Essex.
As you anticipate purchasing your new piano, please remember that music is an experience, not an object. When you invest in a Steinway or a Steinway-designed piano such as Boston or Essex, you are ensuring the quality of the musical experience – for both the musician and the audience.
Lifetime pianos, particularly Steinways and Steinway-designed pianos, guarantee the highest quality materials, craftsmanship and longevity for both amateur and professional musicians, and the quality of the resulting sound is evident to both the trained and untrained ear immediately.
To invest in a more expensive piano is to ensure quality of musical tone, regardless of who plays it, and to guarantee the longevity of the instrument. While the initial cost of a lifetime piano is higher, the satisfaction of owning the best is rarely a disappointment.
By contrast, inexpensive pianos will often meet the needs of the budget-conscious shopper who is limited in their purchase options but may want to upgrade in the future. Many future Steinway buyers start with the more economical Boston/Essex pianos and upgrade to Steinway at a later date.
At M. Steinert & Sons, our new Lifetime Trade-Up to Steinway program allows the purchaser at ANY TIME IN THEIR LIFETIME to receive 100% of their purchase price towards a new Steinway.
To learn more about the unique characteristics and see videos of each new Steinway, Boston and Essex piano, please check out the full range of our pianos.
Or, try our piano recommendation form that lets us understand your situation as we recommend 3 pianos that fit your needs and budget.
We invite you to visit one of our locations to experience the Steinway family of pianos and our Roland Digitals, and above all, to try an instrument before you consider purchasing one!
