Are you an experienced pianist or are you taking piano lessons at the conservatory? Is your child taking piano lessons and you don't know how to choose your grand piano in Switzerland? Are you looking for a new piano? A concert piano? A student piano? A second-hand piano? A classical piano? An acoustic piano? A digital piano? Choosing a grand can quickly become an ordeal. Here we give you all the information you need to make the right choice when buying or renting a grand piano.
Introduction
The grand piano is an instrument with horizontal strings, which are struck by hammers operated from the keyboard. Sound power depends on the length of the strings, which can exceed three meters in length. There can be up to 40 tons of tension on the piano frame.
The soundboard influences the quality and depth of the sound. Shorter pianos are called "piano demi-queue" and "piano crapaud".
Advantages of a grand piano
A grand piano brings a more powerful sound, a pleasant, elegant touch, a richer tone and wider interpretation possibilities than an upright.
The aesthetic appeal of this instrument is also unique, making it eye-catcher in any room.
Piano size and dimensions, how to choose?
The size of your grand piano touch and volume. Grand pianos feature a double escapement mechanism for faster note repetition, without the need to go all the way to the top of the key.
The quality of materials has an enormous influence on sound and resonance. For this reason, a small, high-quality piano is preferable to a large, poor-quality one, where the cabinet is the only suitable part. The spruce soundboard is the heart of the piano. If it's of good quality, it will totally influence the piano's sound and enable it to cover all the piano's registers.
Each brand retains its own specific sound identity and timbre. Some brands produce grand pianos more suited to jazz, others to classical music, for example. Materials such mahogany, spruce and walnut are used in the manufacture of grand pianos.
How much does a grand piano cost?
On average, grand pianos are more expensive than upright pianos. A new entry-level grand piano generally costs at least 10,000 CHF. Second-hand grand pianos start at 5,000 CHF, depending on range and condition.
Don't forget your piano accessories: piano seat, bench, lamp, metronome, piano score.
Prices vary according to brand, the main ones being Bösendorfer, Bechstein, Yamaha, Kawai, etc. and Petrof.
Grand piano maintenance
A grand piano is a highly specialized musical instrument made from quality materials. Regular maintenance is essential, and we recommend you have your piano tuned at least once a year, and serviced if necessary. This will ensure perfect sound quality and excellent piano condition for many years to come.
A test of grand piano?
Are you a virtuoso? Still taking music lessons? In any case, we suggest you test your future piano to make the right choice.
If you wish, we invite you to arrange a free test or consultation.
Our strengths
We offer piano hire-purchase, piano hire, piano transport, instrument hire and silent piano installation.
We deliver your grand piano to the cities of Lausanne, Geneva, Fribourg, Sion, Neuchâtel and Bern, as well as to the resorts of Zermatt, Verbier, Gstaad and Cran-Montana. On request, we can deliver your grand piano anywhere in Switzerland. We can even transport your piano by helicopter for delivery.
