[CAUT] Grand piano size

[Jim Busby]

All,

Last year we bought a Schimmel K-189. WONDERFUL instrument! For much less than a Steinway. It is an "institutional" model which has many features, like a music desk that goes clear across. This is the biggest selling point for me; the keys are as long as their 9' piano so the player gets the feel of a full sized concert grand action.

All in all, I think we counted about 30 things that make it a good choice for institutions. For instance, there is a "Pencil catcher" on the fallboard so when you tip the fallboard up the pencil can't go into the action, there is a dip on top of the stretcher so pencils, etc, set there can't roll off. Lots of things

Jim Busby BYU

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Douglas Wood
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 12:51 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Grand piano size

It seems to be the big question is why. The actions on the S, M, L, and O are identical except for the individual fitting details. The A has a different number of bass notes, but it is more important that the keys are the same length as the SMLO group. Same feel. So if the pianos are there to work on notes and technique, as opposed to musical interpretation, the differences are less important.

The musical palette available gets disproportionately larger with the piano size. So if the purpose of the instruments is to develop musical concepts, then larger pianos are MUCH better. It is much easier to bring a fully-developed musical sense from a large piano to a small one than vice versa. This is where having access to a well-prepared concert grand makes a HUGE difference in the musical development of even an accomplished player. In fact, it probably makes disproportionately more difference for the accomplished player, as he or she will have the technical ability to follow the piano as it leads him/her into the larger world of piano tone.

So I would contend that, yes, the O outshines the M any day of the week (all else equal-- rarely the case, of course). And the A will greatly outshine the O. It is my experience that the A has nearly the full palette available, but it is a bit like working on a miniature screen. Full resolution, color, etc, but very small. The B is glorious, and the D is like the 50-60" HDTV with full home theater. The small Steinways, as nice as they are, rarely provide the full range of musical character.

Doug


On Oct 22, 2008, at 9:58 AM, VESELY, BLAINE wrote:


David:
I guess I never thought of them as practice studios, but practice rooms.  The teaching studios I am thinking of are voice, string, woodwind, brass studios.  Piano studios are set with B's.  The reason I ask is that a second series of cost cuts have pared down all teaching studios to S's and M's where they were O's and A's.  I think O's outshine M's and S's.  Looking for additional feedback to shore up my argument in the face of cuts.  Blaine

________________________________
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Porritt, David
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 10:28 AM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Grand piano size

Blaine:

Are you thinking teaching studios, practice studios, what kind?  Here at SMU we have Bs in the piano teaching studios, Ds in the artist (pianist) in residence studio, Ms, Ls, & 1 B in piano practice rooms (the B is not a good idea in a room that small, but you use what you have).  Voice studios have 3 Bs and a Boston GP163.  Most other studios just have what will fit.

dave

David M. Porritt, RPT
dporritt at smu.edu

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of VESELY, BLAINE
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 8:52 AM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: [CAUT] Grand piano size

List:
I am inquiring what size grand pianos (specifically Steinways) you would suggest for studios?  Space is only a minimal concern.  Would you put an S or an M in a studio?  Is the model O worth the extra cost?  Why or why not?  What are the merits and demerits(?) of one versus the others?  Thanks, Blaine

Doug Wood
School of Music
University of Washington

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