An upright piano that feels like home
How do you choose an upright piano? It is a very personal choice, and above all you need to feel it and fall in love. It helps to understand the room, the height that suits the wall and the sound you love - and then sit down and play. At the Zohar Pianos store and gallery, 28 Ben Atar, we will go through it all together.
The upright is the acoustic piano of most homes: a real hammer action, a wide dynamic range from the softest sound to the loudest, and a living presence that fills the room.
Height and sound
Uprights are almost always a similar width, about 1.46 to 1.54 metres, and the difference is in height. A compact piano, up to about 1.14 metres, fits beautifully into a niche or a small room, with a refined sound. A medium piano, about 1.15 to 1.20 metres, suits most rooms. A tall piano, from about 1.21 metres and up, gets longer strings and a larger soundboard, and so a full, deep sound that fills a living room.
A tall piano takes up almost the same floor space as a low one, since the difference goes upward. Even in a small room it often sounds especially round and pleasing, thanks to its deep sound. Low and tall pianos feel different in a room - we will play them, compare, and you choose by ear. More on this: low or tall upright.
Touch and pedals
Choose a piece you know well, and play it slow and fast, loud and soft, across every part of the keyboard. Look for an even touch your hands enjoy, and try fast repetition on the same note too. A responsive touch helps you practise over time and control dynamics.
Many uprights have three pedals. The right one sustains the sound, the left one softens it, and the middle one is usually a practice pedal that lowers a strip of felt between the hammers and strings and reduces the volume - lovely for the evening hours. If you also want to play on headphones, you can get to know an upright with a Silent system.
Brand, manufacture and condition
Japanese pianos such as Yamaha and Kawai are known for precise craftsmanship and a sound that holds beautifully for decades when tuned and cared for. They manufacture in several countries, and the serial number identifies the model, year and place of manufacture of each piano. With a pre-owned piano, its mechanical condition and the care it has received over the years say more than its age. A piano teacher who comes with you can add a professional impression of the sound and touch.
New, pre-owned or Silent
A well-kept pre-owned Yamaha or Kawai upright offers a high level of touch and sound. A new upright, such as the 126 cm Alexian Solis, brings a modern line and a soft-close lid. A piano with a Silent system adds a mode for playing on headphones. And if you want to live with a piano before deciding, you can start with rental from the store, with no commitment.
Placement and access
Where the piano stands at home affects its sound and its stability. Choose an interior wall, away from a sunny window, the air conditioning draft and the heater, with about half a metre in front of the piano for the bench. The keyboard height from the floor is almost identical on all pianos, so for children add an adjustable bench and a footrest. Measure the door, hallway and lift if there is one, and send them to us. Stairs only? Write to us, and together we will find the right way for your building.
Every piano move we do is fully insured from start to finish with comprehensive coverage, at no extra cost - so you are covered, protected and completely at ease. After the move the piano settles at home, and one to two weeks after arrival a tuning is arranged in your home.
Next step
Book a visit, message us on WhatsApp, or call 050-7750691. We will go through all the pianos together. We are here for you.
Links: Upright pianos · Low or tall upright · Piano size guide · Silent piano
Frequently asked questions
What upright height suits a home?
A compact piano up to about 1.14 metres for a niche or small room, a medium one for most rooms, and a tall one from about 1.21 metres for full sound in the living room.
Does a tall piano take up more space?
It takes up almost the same floor space. The width is similar on all uprights, and the difference is in height.
What does the middle pedal do?
On many uprights it is a practice pedal that reduces the volume for the evening hours.
Can I come just to play and compare?
Of course. At the store and gallery at 28 Ben Atar you play several uprights one after another and choose at your own pace.