Piano Guidance
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How much is a good Yamaha piano?

A Yamaha grand piano can cost between $120,000 and $200,000. The same goes for Bosendorfer pianos. In the second-hand market, the cost slightly varies depending on the model and the condition of the particular instrument.

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Discover the world of grand pianos

There are different types of grand pianos with different prices

Learn everything you need to know about grand pianos and the grand piano market Also, check out our guide to the best grand pianos on the market!

Grand pianos are the best-sounding and by far the fanciest piano type.

They are great for big concerts with warm low and silky high notes. But, as they are top of their class, they are pretty high-end musical instruments. While the prices of grand pianos vary greatly depending on the manufacturer, retailer, type, and model, they are some of the most expensive musical instruments. Choosing the ideal one is overwhelming as they have high prices and lots of details to consider when buying. You have to get familiar with the terminology and some vital characteristics to choose the perfect grand piano that you require. That is why we have created this guide for you. After reading, you will be ready to go and find the most suitable grand piano on your budget.

Also check out How Many Keys Does A Piano Have (All Types)?

How Much Does A Grand Piano Cost?

A brand new grand piano would cost you around $10,000 to $200,000. The producer, the retailer, the type, and the model are highly important for the price. While entry-level grand pianos cost around $10,000, mid-range ones cost about $30,000, and high-end ones cost over $30,000. The producer is one of the most important aspects when it comes to grand pianos. Instruments from Steinway and Sons are known for their top-quality grand pianos and have some of the highest prices, starting from $80,000 and going up to $300,000. Yamaha is another high-end and popular producer when it comes to grand pianos, and their prices can go up to $200,000.

The type of grand piano is another important factor in the price.

Petite Grand – 4’11” – $7.000 to $20.000

Baby Grand – 4’11” to 5’1″ – $8.000 to $50.000

Parlor Grand – 5’9″ to 6’2″ – $10.000 to $50.000

Medium Grand – 5’2″ to 5’8″ – $25.000 to $70.000

Ballroom Grand – 6’10” to 9′ – $60.000 to $250.000

Concert Grand – 7′ to 10′ – $130.000 to $300.000

The second-hand grand piano market has more reasonable prices as you can find decent grand piano models around the $15,000 to $25,000 price range. Another option for tighter budgets is to go for a brand new baby grand piano, which would cost around $10,000 to $50,000.

Why Are Grand Pianos So Expensive?

Grand pianos are the most refined pianos manufactured by the world’s finest craftsmen with the best possible woods, highest quality plastic, and extreme attention to detail. So, they sound better, have better action, are virtually more appealing, and sonically more versatile. Of course, all these excellent characteristics come for a price. All the materials are carefully selected, such as the top-grade wood-like tough rock maple or top-quality spruce, durable wool, and high-quality plastic. On top of the materials, there is the top workmanship. As grand pianos are the best piano types of pianos that are used in big concert halls and top-notch events, all the manufacturers do their best when creating their grand pianos. The extreme attention to detail and seamless production process makes unique instruments but also high prices.

What To Look For When Buying A Grand Piano?

When buying a grand piano, you should consider the size, sound, durability, and price of the instruments. Depending on your needs, a good grand piano should have a good blend of these features.

Size

The size is an important factor when buying a grand piano. As even the most petite 5’ grand pianos can take up a significant amount of space, you have to calculate the size you need. Depending on where you will be using the grand piano, you should go for the most appropriate size. For houses and small places, a Baby Grand or Petite Grand piano has more than enough volume output. Medium Grand and Parlor Grand pianos are more suitable for small to medium concert venues, where you need to have powerful volume output. Ballroom Grand and Concert Grand are the biggest grand piano types and have fantastic volume output and acoustics. They are perfect choices for professional settings and large concert halls. They are mainly used with orchestras or by professional pianists.

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So, according to your space, budget, and level, you should choose the most suitable one. There is no need to buy a Concert Grand piano if you are a beginner and you do not have enough space in your home. Instead, you can go for a different piano and upgrade to a Grand Piano later when you are more experienced.

Sound

As with most musical instruments, the decision comes down to the sonic performance and quality of the instrument. While most grand pianos sound fantastic, they are also pretty loud. So depending on where you will play it, you should go for a suitable one. The sound quality of grand pianos is genuinely amazing. Although there are subtle differences between models from different producers, all of them will mesmerize you with their quality. As they are made from top-quality materials and workmanship, even the cheapest model does not disappoint. If you are not a professional player or an audiophile that can detect even the slightest change in the sonic performance, you will like the sound. But, you should look out for the overall volume output of the grand piano in order to choose the ideal one for you. If you are using it in a large concert hall, you should go for a bigger piano, but if you will be using it at home, a smaller model is more appropriate.

Durability And Condition

As grand pianos are high-end musical instruments, you should look for a durable one that can serve you for years. While most grand pianos are made from top-quality materials and workmanship, the low-end models and the second-hand market can be tricky. You should check for a certificate from the maker when buying a grand piano. You should check and learn which woods are used, what are the keys and the pedals made of, if the soundboard is free from dust and the hammers are grooved suitable. As you need some experienced eyes and ears to determine these qualities, you can bring a technician or expert with you when choosing a grand piano. While new grand pianos will pass most of these tests if it is not from a low-end fraud maker, the second-hand grand pianos need to be appropriately examined.

Price

As with most purchases, all the consideration comes down to the budget. Grand pianos are high-end musical instruments that are far above most people’s budget.

So, you have to think and decide well before purchasing one.

We do not recommend starting with a grand piano to your piano playing journey. The reasons are that they are expensive, hard to maintain, and they take up a lot of space. It is better to start with a digital or an upright piano and upgrade later when you have more experience.

Why Are Grand Pianos “Better” Than Other Pianos?

Grand pianos have better, louder, and clearer sound, as well as better responsiveness, compared to other piano types. They also have much better aesthetics, which is pretty important for piano experts. They are made with top-quality materials and are the most expensive piano types. You can check how a grand piano performs compared to an upright piano or a digital piano in the comparison videos. The difference can be clearly heard between the models.

How Much Do Other Piano Types Cost?

Upright Pianos

Upright pianos start from $3,000 and go up to $10,000 depending on the model, brand, and condition. They do not sound or look as fantastic as acoustic grand pianos, but they have other advantages such as lower prices and space-saving designs.

Acoustic upright pianos are the best acoustic pianos for beginners.

Digital Pianos

Digital pianos are the most common entry-level pianos, thanks to their affordability and compact designs. For around $100, you can find a decent keyboard to start playing the piano. There are many features to consider, such as weighted keys, extra features, and sound quality. A good set with an excellent digital piano with 88 keys, speakers, and a stand would cost between $500 to $5.000. Digital pianos are the best choices for hobby players or absolute beginners. You can always upgrade if you want to take your playing to the next level with an acoustic piano. There are many things to consider when buying a digital piano like the key count, size, type, sonic performance and versatility, inputs and outputs, extra features, and so on.

Which Piano Is Right For You?

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While grand pianos are some of the most majestic instruments, they are not the best choices for entry-level musicians. They are expensive, big, and loud, making them ideal for professional pianists regularly gigging. For entry-level piano players, we recommend going with a good digital piano or an upright acoustic piano if you have an extra budget and space. Digital pianos are great devices that replicate the piano feel and sound amazingly these days. Plus, they come with extra features which make the playing more fun and versatile and the learning process faster. Upright pianos are not just musical instruments but also great decor if you have a big house. Plus, they sound acoustic, which feels slightly warmer and more natural than digital pianos. But, as they are acoustic pianos, they need constant maintenance and good care.

FAQ’s

How loud are Grand Pianos?

Grand pianos can get significantly loud depending on the grand piano type, the room size, floor material, and the lid’s position. Concert grands can go up to 110 decibels, as loud as a rock concert. That is why most grand pianos are not recommended for small rooms. Grand pianos, especially concert grands, can go extremely loud. This is because they are built to resonate with the sound as much as possible. Even the smallest baby grand pianos are pretty loud for tiny rooms. The loudness of a grand piano depends on the type of the piano, as the baby grand is the smallest and the quietest, and the concert grand is the largest and the loudest of all.

The room size is also important as sound bounces between the walls.

The floor material is also crucial for the sound to bounce and strengthen. If the material is something hard like tiles, the sound can reflect from the floor, while soft materials like carpet absorb the sound making the sound go off. Finally, the position of the piano lid creates a big difference. When the lid is open, sound freely travels around the room, getting louder. However, when the lid is closed, the sound is absorbed inside the tail of the piano, and the instrument gets slightly quieter.

What is the most expensive piano?

Today’s most expensive piano is the Steinway & Sons Pictures at an Exhibition and Steinway & Sons Fibonacci models, which cost around $2.5 million. These are special edition grand pianos with works of unique artists, making the pianos one-of-a-kind art pieces. Steinway and Sons, Yamaha, Bosendorfer, and Bechstein concert grand pianos are some of the best pianos in the market. You can check the video to compare some of the greatest piano models of the brands to see if you would hear any difference. Of course, the live sound is another story than the sound in a video.

How much does a Steinway Grand Piano cost?

Often, Steinway & Sons is considered the most expensive and top-quality piano maker in the world. The answer to the question of how much a Steinway grand piano costs is simply between $70,000 and $300,000. The prices go higher for limited-edition special models. When bought second-hand, it’s another question and can heavily depend on the condition of the instrument.

How much does a Yamaha Grand Piano Cost?

Yamaha and Bosendorfer are also well-respected makers, producing top-quality instruments.

A Yamaha grand piano can cost between $120,000 and $200,000. The same goes for Bosendorfer pianos. In the second-hand market, the cost slightly varies depending on the model and the condition of the particular instrument.

Wrapping Up

So, in short, a grand piano would cost you somewhere between $10,000 to $200,000 depending on the size, model, brand, and the condition of the instrument. The entry-level home-size baby or petite grand pianos are the most budget-friendly ones, with their prices between $7,000 to $20,000. If you want the highest-end top-notch Ballroom Grand or Concert Grand for a large hall, you will have to consider paying at least $60.000. You can also go to the second-hand market, where you can find better deals for half the prices written here. But, you will need an expert to judge the condition well if you are not familiar with grand pianos.

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