When you begin looking for a new or pre-owned piano, the number of options can be intimidating. Owning a piano is an investment, and you want to make sure you pick the right model.
Before entering a piano store, knowing what size of piano your home can accommodate is important. Walking in with measurements and constraints is an important first step. If you’re low on space, consider looking at upright pianos.
The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material. It is played using a keyboard, which is a row of keys that the performer presses down or strikes with the fingers and thumbs of both hands to cause the hammers to strike the strings. It was invented in Italy by Bartolomeo Cristofori around the year 1700.
When this family from the greater Phoenix area came into Southwest Pianos, we started the exciting process of finding the perfect piano for them.
They were looking for a grand piano for their daughter to begin piano lessons with, we had the perfect piano for her! This certified Kawai Grand Piano felt just right.
Most people have used the term “Baby Grand” Piano at one time or another, but does anyone really know what that means? Or if there is even such a thing?
Through the years hundreds of sizes, types, and brands of pianos have been called baby grands. And they are probably all correct because there isn't a definitive description of what a baby grand really is.
In the 50 plus years I have been in the piano industry, I have been asked countless times, “When should I move up to a better instrument", my answer is always the same. “If you want to play better, yesterday.”
You can only play as well as the instrument you play on, and you will never improve, no matter how much you practice if the entry-level piano isn't up to your potential skill level.
“Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul.”
– Wassily Kandinsky
Owning a Piano enriches your life in so many ways. Not only does a piano look absolutely beautiful in your home, buying a piano has many benefits to your overall health & lifestyle.
The movers just delivered the grand piano you purchased from the piano store near you and you can’t wait to play it. The first quiet moment you’ve got, you sit down and start with some of your favorite pieces. Only to find that the piano sounds just a little bit off. Over the next weeks the piano sounds more and more out of tune and, even more alarming, the character of the piano seems to change. At this point you are alarmed and ask yourself: Does this happen to other pianos after being purchased? Does this happen just to a baby grand piano or all sizes of grand and upright pianos? Or did the piano store sell me a grand piano that has issues?
The widely anticipated XVIII International Chopin Piano Competition was held October 2-23 2021 in Warsaw, Poland. For many, it is the most important of the European piano competitions. It had, as so many other events, been postponed due to the pandemic.
The competition itself attracted 87 of the world’s best, and most driven, young pianists. To watch and admire the performances of so many talented pianists is exhilarating. For the piano stores near you, it can also be exciting because the choices of pianists when it comes to the piano they will play in the competition reflect on the current global landscape of the highest quality and high performance piano makers. Representing the FAZIOLI Seattle and Bellevue market, we eagerly awaited the results of the pianists who selected FAZIOLI.
SACILE, ITALY - In May of 2022, FAZIOLI Arizona Team was invited to come to celebrate FAZIOLI 40th Year Anniversary World Dealer Meeting. We are honored to be a part of FAZIOLI's 40th Anniversary, a milestone in piano history!
Our Store Manager Darald went to this magnificent dealer meeting and had a wonderful experience. He enjoyed dinner with the Fazioli family, team, and other dealers around the world. They also toured the factory and learned all there is to know about the making of this world renown pianos. Darald is now an Fazioli expert and can help you with your dream piano journey.
“Why does the world need a Piano Day? For many reasons. But mostly, because it doesn’t hurt to celebrate the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano builders, tuners, movers and most important, the listener.”
– Nils Frahm