All About Choosing and Buying Pianos

[orvinc83]

Hi is the yamaha Clavinova Series of piano, eg CLP 430 or 470 an exam grade model? Which grade can it be used until? It is much cheaper than U1. Wonder why no one has ever talked about this model. Thanks!

[markfch]

orvinc83:

Hi is the yamaha Clavinova Series of piano, eg CLP 430 or 470 an exam grade model? Which grade can it be used until? It is much cheaper than U1. Wonder why no one has ever talked about this model. Thanks!

Personally I feel that that touch and action of electronic keyboards (even weighted ones like the Clavinova series) is quite different from that of an acoustic piano like U1. If a novice like me can spot the diff, I guess that gap must be pretty obvious.

And of course, the sound produced is totally different.

Regarding your qn on exam grade model, I think this refers to the requirement that pianos used for graded examination must be of a minimum ht (not 100% sure, but think minimum must be 120cm).

There are many musical exponents here. Maybe they can elaborate further.

[BigDevil]

orvinc83:

Hi, has anyone heard of this Korean brand called Karlchonderg? Also, where is brand new Hailun piano available? Thanks!

Piano Master http://www.pianomaster.com.sg/ is the local distributor for Hailun.

[ciaobella]

Hi I am looking for a 2nd hand upright piano. Any recommendations ?

[jce]

Try Piano Gallery at IMM. Decent selection and reliable.

[titank]

Recently DS said that the old piano we had at home sound very different while he was learning at the piano teacher place. Guess maybe it is time that I should go for a old japanese brand piano or get a brand new china make piano.


Does anyone heard of this brand Harrison? The piano teacher recommend to get those hard keypad type which in exam generally they need strength to play.

[Dreamaurora]

orvinc83:

Hi is the yamaha Clavinova Series of piano, eg CLP 430 or 470 an exam grade model? Which grade can it be used until? It is much cheaper than U1. Wonder why no one has ever talked about this model. Thanks!

Electric piano will never be able to match the tone and subtlety of touch a good acoustic piano provides. That being said, technically it is possible with a good Clavinova model to prepare all the way to grade 8, but finer points on piano technique and interpretation will not be possible on a Clavinova i.e. if you just want a decent pass, a Clavinova will suffice.

I always believe whenever budget is possible get an exam model Yamaha or Kawaii, or even a grand if you are truly serious about letting the child excel in music.

[peanut_butter]

Dreamaurora:

Electric piano will never be able to match the tone and subtlety of touch a good acoustic piano provides. That being said, technically it is possible with a good Clavinova model to prepare all the way to grade 8, but finer points on piano technique and interpretation will not be possible on a Clavinova i.e. if you just want a decent pass, a Clavinova will suffice.


I always believe whenever budget is possible get an exam model Yamaha or Kawaii, or even a grand if you are truly serious about letting the child excel in music.

Pro and Con.

The problem with an acoustic piano is it needs to be replaced every few years. It turns bad in this weather, unless you keep the air-con. Been trying to teach a grade 7 on a furniture, which the parent insisted could last till grade 8.

I switched to a CVP digital Yamaha myself, so that I can practice at midnight, without any distraction. I have been so used to an acoustic, I kept pounding it. Hope it can take my abuse. Digital sounds and feel completely different from an acoustic. And yes, an average upright is different from a decent grand too. A grand makes you want to practice and practice and practice. A budget piano, it takes lots of discipline to sit still for more than 5 minutes.

[jce]

The discipline one has will make the person want to practice, whether on a grand or a lousy honky-tonk piano. If the person has great expectations and high demand for perfection, of course he/she will put in the effort to practice and practice. Of course a nice-sounding piano is more bearable to practice on than one that sounds out of tune or demands great strength to play on. That’s why it is not advisable to get a piano that has a hard touch for beginners, esp young ones because it just takes too much effort to play, even for a short 15 mins.


For higher grade students, it is necessary to get a better quality piano so that he/she can HEAR the difference in sound when different techniques are applied.

[Dreamaurora]

jce:

The discipline one has will make the person want to practice, whether on a grand or a lousy honky-tonk piano. If the person has great expectations and high demand for perfection, of course he/she will put in the effort to practice and practice. Of course a nice-sounding piano is more bearable to practice on than one that sounds out of tune or demands great strength to play on. That's why it is not advisable to get a piano that has a hard touch for beginners, esp young ones because it just takes too much effort to play, even for a short 15 mins.


For higher grade students, it is necessary to get a better quality piano so that he/she can HEAR the difference in sound when different techniques are applied.

It is true that if a person is disciplined, he/she will find time to practice. However, a good piano and parental motivation will go a long way also. I have a pair of 6 year old students whose parents bought them a Yamaha U3. Needless to say, both the parents and children are highly motivated and learning piano is a fun activity for them.

I would highly recommend parents not to scrimp on the budget for the first piano. I understand that many parents have the fear that the child will stop learning after a while, hence they try to get the cheapest teacher and piano as possible. But doing so may actually cause the child to lose interest instead.