Are you thinking of buying a new piano? What should you look for?
If this is your first purchase, it’s easy to start with the basics. Things like:
Location – where you’ll place the piano determines how large the piano can be
Color – piano color or stain will ultimately match your decor
Cost – price is always a factor
But to a pianist, there is one more thing you should consider when starting the hunt for the right piano for you … tone quality.
Tone is how your piano sounds. It’s the voice of the instrument. It’s the sound that the piano makes every time you strike the keys.
Even the most accomplished musician in the world can’t create beautiful music if the instrument doesn’t cooperate. Imagine sitting in one of the greatest music halls in the world and the pianist strikes a key horribly out of tune. You’d notice it immediately. The same applies to tone. Why play something that sounds tinny instead of robust?
Tone quality is impacted ultimately by three things:
Physical factors
This includes everything your piano is made from. The wood used for the soundboard. The quality of the strings. How the action was designed. The quality of the wood on everything from hammers to the body of the piano. It also depends on the make and model, and how much care was put into it at the time of production. An upright will sound differently than a grand. A mass production will sound differently than a hand built piano.
Placement
Have you ever wondered why concert halls are built the way they are? It’s to maximize the musical experience. If you’ve ever noticed your favorite song sounds different in your car versus on your stereo at home, you’ve also seen placement at work. When you shop for a new piano, they will ask you where you’ll place it once it arrives at your home. A small alcove will keep the tone smaller compared with placing a piano in a large music room. Furniture, drapery, wall coverings, artwork – it all can impact the sound. And that can give you a richer experience while you play.
Care
Tone quality is also impacted by the way you care for your piano over the years. Do you tune it regularly? Is the room properly conditioned? Is there enough humidity? Is it impacted by drafts or heated air? Pianos aren’t like other pieces of furniture. Because of the thousands of tiny parts inside, it’s important to ensure it’s cared for properly from the moment it’s delivered to your home.
Are you in the market for a new piano? Pay attention to tone quality. It will ensure you enjoy playing for years to come.
