The grand piano your hands choose
How do you choose a grand 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 length that suits it 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.
A place at home
A grand sounds beautiful when its straight side runs parallel to an interior wall, or at an angle of 50 to 60 degrees, with the player facing the room. Keeping it away from a sunny window, the air conditioning draft and the heater protects the wood and the tuning. For planning in an apartment: a grand piano in an apartment.
Length and room
A grand is measured from the keys to the tip of the tail, and it is about a metre and a half wide. A longer grand gets longer strings and a larger soundboard, and so a deeper, fuller sound.
- Baby grand - up to about 1.70 metres, for compact rooms.
- Medium grand - about 1.70 to 1.80 metres, the favourite choice for homes and piano teachers.
- Professional grand - about 1.80 to 2.25 metres, for large rooms and halls.
- Semi-concert and concert - from about 2.25 metres and up, for halls and stages.
A medium grand gives most homes a lovely balance between depth of sound and space in the room, and a professional grand opens up the bass and resonance even further when it has a space to match. The room's acoustics matter as much as its size, and so does the ceiling height, since the sound fills the whole volume of air. Rugs, curtains and a soft sofa soften the sound, while large windows and a stone floor reflect it. With this in mind, the grand's length is matched to the room, so the sound fills it exactly.
What makes a grand piano special
In a grand the strings lie horizontally, and the hammers strike them from below and fall back into place by gravity. This gives a grand fast repetition on the same note and fine control of dynamics. The large soundboard and long strings open up a broad sound, and the raised lid directs it into the room.
Touch and sound
Choose a piece you know well, one with quiet moments and a strong passage too. Play it on several grands one after another, with the lid closed and open. Listen to the bass, the middle and the treble, play very softly and loudly, and try fast repetition on the same note. Notice how your hands feel after a few minutes. The grand your hands want to return to is usually the right choice.
Beyond length, the place of manufacture, the materials and the condition of the specific piano also shape the sound and the price. With a pre-owned grand, its mechanical condition and the care it has received say more than its age. A piano teacher who comes with you can add a professional impression of the sound and touch.
New or pre-owned grand
A well-kept pre-owned grand often offers a high-level length and brand within a given budget. A new grand, such as the Alexian Lumina or Pulse, offers a fresh start and a one-of-a-kind design. Either way, the grand thrives on the same routine: tuning, usually once a year, and stable humidity of about 40%-50%. That keeps the sound and touch for years.
Moving and delivery
We will go over the measurements and photos with you and build a moving plan that suits 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 arrival the piano settles, and one to two weeks later a tuning is arranged at 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: Grand pianos · A grand piano in an apartment · Piano size guide · Piano moving
Frequently asked questions
What length of grand piano suits a home?
A grand of up to about 1.80 metres suits most homes. In a compact room, a baby grand of up to about 1.70 metres feels excellent.
Why does a grand feel different from an upright?
In a grand the hammers strike from below and fall back by gravity, which gives fast repetition and fine control. The long strings and large soundboard open up a broad sound.
How is a grand piano placed in a room?
With the straight side parallel to an interior wall, or at an angle of 50 to 60 degrees, away from a sunny window, air conditioning and the heater.
Can I play several grands one after another?
Of course. At the store and gallery at 28 Ben Atar you play grands according to stock, and compare them in the same room.