[CAUT] recital hall size/ piano size

[Jeff Tanner]

On Jun 13, 2007, at 9:31 AM, Barbara Richmond wrote:

> The C7 is indeed on the list of possibilities--especially since I  
> think the C7 at the church I attend could possibly be the nicest  
> one in the world.
>

Hi Barbara,
I learned something recently I had been previously unaware of.   
Speaking with a Yamaha dealer, who is also an RPT (how rare is  
that?), I learned that the C6 was actually Yamaha's response to  
complaints from artists that the bass of the C7 overpowered the rest  
of the instrument.  Must have been a while back, because I have 15  
year old Yamaha product brochures with the C6 in them.  But it was an  
interesting point.  As a general rule, I have always assumed Yamaha  
used that extra few inches and price point to sell the C7 over other  
7' pianos.  But this dealer/tech said he has sold way more C6s than  
C7s, because it is a better balanced piano.  Just something to consider.

I also want to ditto Wim's point about stage size and logistics.  I  
recently advised a local church that a Steinway B might be easier to  
deal with logistically than the 9'.  (If you don't really need it, 9'  
of piano can just get in the way sometimes)  The pianist and music  
director agreed with that point and they eventually went with the B.   
If you have room for the 9 footer, that is probably what I would  
advise, and all the collective advise you have received in favor of  
the 9 footer is exactly why.  I had a B on stage recently as an  
option while I was rebuilding the action of our preferred D.  Even  
small chamber groups and single voice performers didn't even give it  
a glance.  They seem to rather prefer to have a 9 footer closed, with  
an eraser under the lid, or the short stick than lower themselves to  
using a 7' piano.

But if you are seriously considering the Yamaha C7 or C6, since the  
Sauter plug has been thrown in, I have to plug the JP Pramberger  
JP-208B (6'10") as a legitimate contender.  It makes piano tone from  
the mid range that has color I've never heard anywhere else.  I'd  
definitely put it in the Yamaha C6, Kawai RX6, or Boston GP-215 class  
or better.  Worth consideration.

Can't leave out Mason & Hamlin either.

Jeff




Jeff Tanner, RPT
University of South Carolina



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