Purchasing a Grand Piano.

[Seanr]

I actually appreciate the explanation... I'd never pay that much for a piano, but then again, I'm not a pianist >_>'

Just replace piano with something you care about and would spend a lot of money on and it should make more sense to you... (did I really even have to explain it that way?)

[zeal5050]

The only issue I have with purchasing a sub 1k upright or something of that nature would be "relearning" the action once I move up to a grand. Maybe someone with more experience can shed some light on how long it might take to re-adjust, although it likely varies widely person-to-person.

[archibaldcrane]

idk if 20k is a lot of money to you, but to most people on these forums it's more money than they'll ever have to spend on a single item.

hey c'mon now, just because we are the 99% doesn't mean we don't buy houses and cars from time to time

[Stumblingdrunk]

hey c'mon now, just because we are the 99% doesn't mean we don't buy houses and cars from time to time

those are usually paid for with debt

[Boyiee]

Considering the plight of the children in the Horn of Africa, the fact that you ate lunch today is appalling.

I agree, which is why I volunteer.

[zeal5050]

It can't always be about world suck guys...

OWS, Famine, Celeb Deaths, CPS taking kids away etc. Life is way too short to dwell on that shit. I love music. If I could, I would live in a cardboard box and just play the piano all day. I don't mean to offend anyone, but if you can't understand wanting to be the best at something you love and pouring all you have into it I feel bad for you.

[Zalius]

fuck these noobs dont listen to them.

for specific advice, find people that love pianos. don't worry a shitfuck about bg's opinion, kuro is the only one that sounds like he knows what hes talking about and he wasn't like "BRO THATS 20 GRAND U RICH FGT" he was straight up with you. everyone else is trying to ethic fuck you into thinking like them. the difference between an $800 guitar that's been sitting in guitar center for 2 years and a handmade custom starting at $3500 is so fucking ahwmdfgfdjkghdg doesn't even make sense. if they don't understand the instrument they'll never understand the motive.

[SephYuyX]

It's near impossible to give you advice on what piano to buy.
Literally every manufacturer and every one of their brands sounds different. There is no "best' piano, it's just what you personally like.
It's like cars/movies/music. Not everyone likes Aston Martins, but you have to atleast admit it's better than most.

In regards to your comment on the transition from a inexpensive upright to a grand..
When I was younger I had a Baldwin Upright that was passed down and I used to practice on. It was old, but still a Baldwin, but still old and different, and had it's own feel and sound.
I had the chance later to play a Steinway Concert Grand a few times.. it was breathtakingly amazing, completely unbelievable.
I sat down and played it just like I played my own, but it was amazing how much easier it was to play, and how much better it felt, sound, moved, and reacted.

I put it akin to Goku's hyperbolic time chamber. You practice and practice in this rough environment, and then youre exposed to this pristine environment where your hands and feet feel light as air, they glide from key to key at ease, and every note sounds amazing.

So I really dont think theres any hard transition.

But my best advice is to go out and play on and listen to as many pianos as you can to see which you like best.

[Kerberoz]

Don't forget to check your local auction-houses. Probably won't find what you're looking for, but you might get lucky.

[bechyni]

fuck these noobs dont listen to them.

for specific advice, find people that love pianos. don't worry a shitfuck about bg's opinion, kuro is the only one that sounds like he knows what hes talking about and he wasn't like "BRO THATS 20 GRAND U RICH FGT" he was straight up with you. everyone else is trying to ethic fuck you into thinking like them. the difference between an $800 guitar that's been sitting in guitar center for 2 years and a handmade custom starting at $3500 is so fucking ahwmdfgfdjkghdg doesn't even make sense. if they don't understand the instrument they'll never understand the motive.

I don't play a piano everyday, the advice I gave wasn't straight forward, and I called him a rich faggot for wanting to spend 20K on a piano. Gotcha

[Boyiee]

but if you can't understand wanting to be the best at something you love and pouring all you have into it I feel bad for you.

if they don't understand the instrument they'll never understand the motive.

Actually got quite a good laugh about this, thanks.

To summarize whats been said in this thread; you really shouldn't be asking this question here. There just isn't enough people with that kind of knowledge and experience in the subject. There are quite a few forums for high end pianos as well as other instruments out there, and while you did get pointed in that direction already it probably should have been where you started.

[Ksandra]

Honestly, I hate to repeat but really if you want to go nice go to a piano store and test them. Getting a piano on craigslist is really for new beginners, or people who don't play that often/aren't too serious about it/want their kids to learn etc.. The difference between the sound of an upright and a grand is a huge difference there's no comparison. If you have the space/money/dedication for a grand, get new or at least go to a professional refurbishment place. Getting a used + tuner is still not going to give you the smoothness a new piano can give you and more often or not those used ones will have chipped keys/wear n' tear in the wood.

When you go to a piano store they'll be able to give better feedback about acoustics (sorry can't help you there). It might be a baby grand is a better fit for your space (still nicer than an upright though). I'd recommend going to like a "piano only" store vs. an "all instruments" store as they'll probably have more knowledge. Remember, you don't have to buy anything when you go in, but it really will give you a sense of what you want and what feels right for you.

As for you talking about learning an upright vs. grand, I never noticed any difference (limited, I'm not a severe piano player or anything but I have messed around on both). The newer the piano, the more responsive the pedals seem to be. I think new vs. old is the bigger factor in playing, and then upright vs. grand for the actual sound.

Again though I'm limited in my knowledge so take that with a grain of salt. Even if there was someone here really knowledgeable about them, though, I'd still suggest going to a store, because you really can't get advice until you're sitting down and trying them out.

[Seanr]

I don't play a piano everyday, the advice I gave wasn't straight forward, and I called him a rich faggot for wanting to spend 20K on a piano. Gotcha

You know what he meant...

[bechyni]

NO I DIDN"T

[Boyiee]

I'd still suggest going to a store, because you really can't get advice until you're sitting down and trying them out.

Yes. Although only try them out at the store, don't get car-salesman'd. Find what you like, post on more piano forums, narrow it down, and in the end it'll be whatever feels best to you out of the options given.

[Mellema]

The main difference in action between an upright and a grand is that on uprights the key has to return all the way up for the hammer to reset. Practicing on an upright will actually improve finger strength and timing discipline. I was taught on an upright and transitioning to a grand was very easy. My cousins were taught on a grand and had difficulties whenever they first played on our upright. This was due to the fact that they would often hold keys part way down when repeating notes. At the time we didn't know this, but one of our teachers knew exactly what the problem was when they complained about uprights.

It's similar to comparing actions on guitar. I taught myself on a classic guitar, so when I first tried an electric I pressed too hard on the strings. Whereas my roommate learned electric first, and couldn't believe how destroyed his fingers were when he tried to play my acoustic guitar.

Also take into consideration what type of music you prefer to play. Grand pianos will always have a fuller, richer sound, which I liked for classical pieces. However, I've always been partial to jazz and rag, and for those I prefer the sound of an upright.

[Zalius]

beny is pro

[wop]

idk if 20k is a lot of money to you, but to most people on these forums it's more money than they'll ever have to spend on a single item.

handbag?

[Sepukku]

If its extravagance you seek with your piano, skip the ivory piano keys and have your keys made of the teeth of Wall Street Occupiers.

[solanis]

ivory isn't good since it's so old. when I got my piano, the ivory keys had to be removed and new ones put it.