How to choose an upright piano
Does your child want to start piano lessons? You used to be a pianist and would like to get back into it? Are you a piano beginner starting lessons at the Conservatoire? Would you like to change your student piano for a larger one, or for a new one? Are you looking for a second-hand piano in Switzerland? An acoustic piano in French-speaking Switzerland? A Bösendorfer piano in Switzerland?
Choosing a piano can sometimes be complicated. We'll try to help you make the right choice when buying or renting a piano.
Introduction
The piano is a stringed instrument struck by hammers operated from the keyboard. Sound power depends on the length of the strings, but mainly on the quality of the soundboard. There can be up to 30 tons of tension on the piano frame.
The quality and depth of sound, the timbre of the piano and the finesse of the touch depend on the quality of the soundboard, hammers and action. Smaller pianos, used by beginners, are often called student pianos.
Upright piano advantages
An acoustic upright piano offers a warmer sound, a more pleasant and precise touch, a richer tone and wider performance possibilities than a digital piano. Digital pianos try to imitate acoustic pianos as closely as possible, and often offer many new features, but they can never replace a good acoustic upright piano.
The piano also has an aesthetic aspect. Many shapes and finishes are available. From the most classic to the most contemporary and modern. Pianos are available in black, white, mahogany, walnut, cherry, alder, beech and many other beautiful woods.
Piano size and dimensions?
The size of your piano influences touch and sound volume. The height of the instrument determines the size of the action. It's important to note that key leverage ratios are higher on larger pianos. Some pianos even feature a spring system, giving the double escapement feel of grand pianos.
The quality of the materials used greatly influences sound and resonance. So, for a similar price, it's much wiser to choose a well-made small piano than a large one whose only advantage would be the price and the brilliance of the cabinet. The spruce soundboard, with its ribs and girdle, is the piano's “loudspeaker”. The piano's sound will be completely influenced by these elements, and if they are of good quality, they will enable you to play through all the piano's registers.
From a certain instrument quality onwards, the different brands have a typical sound identity, a specific timbre. Some manufacturers produce pianos with a jazz sound, while others produce classical pianos.
Depending on its range, a piano can last from a few decades to several generations.
The higher the quality of the piano, the finer the playing and the cleaner the sound.
How much does an upright cost?
The price of an upright piano is generally higher than that of an electronic piano. The budget for a new entry-level upright piano is usually 4,000 francs. To buy a second-hand entry-level upright piano (depending on its general condition), you'll need to budget between 2,500 and 3,000 francs.
Some additional piano accessories are also sometimes required: piano seat, bench, lamp, metronome, piano score.
Prices vary according to brand and range. The main brands are Bösendorfer, Bechstein, Steinway, Yamaha, Kawai and Petrof.
Piano maintenance
The piano is a musical instrument made from high-quality materials. To keep it in good condition and playable to 100% of its potential, regular maintenance is necessary. We strongly recommend that you have your piano tuned at least once a year. This way, in addition to tuning, the tuner can detect the slightest irregularity and treat it before it takes on greater proportions. In this way, your piano's perfect sound quality and excellent condition are guaranteed for many years to come.
A piano test?
Whether you're a virtuoso or just beginning to learn this beautiful instrument, we welcome you to our music store showroom to find the piano you're looking for.
From beginner to professional, we'll take good care of your future piano.
Our little extras
We offer piano hire-purchase, concert piano hire, piano transport, instrument hire and silent installation. We also deliver throughout Switzerland.
