Piano Size & Shape

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: December 01, 2001 7:19 AM
Subject: Re: Grand Regulation Compromises


> Just curious Del, what do you mean by "they are big pianos"? The sound is
so
> big that you need a large home? Or they are physically big - like they
look
> big - like the Walter grand "fits" into homes nicely because it "looks"
> smaller? Surely you are not referring to the physical dimensions of the
> piano - the extra inch or two for the thick rim, et. al.? How much bigger
> would the home need to be (how much bigger is a M&H?)? Not trying to pick
on
> you, but I have never quite understood the piano shoppers that say they
can
> easily fit the 5' 1" piano in their parlour, but the HUGE 5' 11" will
never
> fit, so they go and buy the 5' 1" toy piano. I'm really not trying be be
as
> snotty as my wording might make it sound - but rather trying to understand
> some of this kind of thinking. Thanks.
>
> Terry Farrell
> ---------------------------------------

Yes, Terry, I'm referring to the physical dimensions of the piano. And its
shape. That extra inch or two may not seem like much to you, but it does to
others. Most specifically, it often seems overwhelming to the non-pianist of
the family. Especially if that non-pianist member of the family is also the
one primarily involved in establishing and maintaining the decor of the
home.

Another lifetime ago, when I was doing primarily new piano prep and service
work and most of that on Steinways, I would encounter many folks who had
just purchased new Steinway B's or L's. I generally made it a point to talk
to them a bit about their new purchase, primarily to be sure they were happy
with its performance and with the service the dealer (including me) was
giving them. One of the questions I started asking was, "Why did you buy
this piano instead of something else." What I hoped to hear, of course, was
that the dealer I worked for gave better service or some such. Very often
what I heard was something like, "Well, it's my husband who plays and he
really like playing the Baldwin better but I just couldn't see putting a
piano that big in my living room."

Now, go measure the physical size of the Baldwin SF-10 and compare it to
that of the Steinway B. Not a lot of difference, is there. Yet if you put
the two of them side-by-side you'll see what these folks meant.

While I was working on the small grand project at Baldwin I brought many
people in to look at pianos of various size and shape and had them write out
their opinions and impressions. People do have decided and strong opinions
about what will and will not fit into their homes. Some 5' 2" (157 cm)
pianos look less bulky than some 4' 7" (140 cm) pianos. Opinions These
opinions are strong and there are some current manufacturers that would do
well to heed them. Since we are not going to change those opinions, our
industry would do well to look for ways to capitalize on them rather than
simply criticize them.

It's not just the physical size of a piano, it's also how its relative shape
and bulk affect one's perception of that size. The M&H BB is a very wide and
bulky looking piano. That's fine in some settings, not so fine in others.
Until someone does a really scientific study of this I will remain convinced
that one of the main reasons the S&S B is a more popular piano than the M&H
BB is its shape and style. In its heyday the BB was built at least as well
as the B, in many ways better. It's performance also was at least the equal
of the B, again, if not better. But, and there is always that But, it is a
large and bulky looking piano. Yes, one can say that by the time Aeolian
went out of business the BB's were built rather poorly. But the same can be
said of the B during that time.

Terry, you are approaching this strictly from a (pardon the expression)
'male' perspective. Find of couple of friends, male or female, who are
interested in interior decorating and take them piano shopping. You'll see
what I mean. Beauty is not only in the ear of the beholder, it is often in
the eye.

Del