Piano and Music Videos

You want to think long term when embarking upon piano lessons. Given a choice, most kids might not always brush their teeth, clean their rooms or do their homework. Practicing the piano is no different. If your child asked you, “Do I have to do my math homework? I don’t like math”. If you’re like most parents you would tell them that math is an important part of their education and it’s necessary that they do the work. Practicing the piano is no different. Families who value music education are successful with their children’s piano lessons. The vast majority of piano students go through slumps when they just don’t practice as much as they should. If you are waiting to stop the lessons when that occurs, you are setting up your child for failure. You are better off not starting piano lessons at all and finding something else that you can commit yourself to. The best you can do as a parent is provide the finest instrument and teacher you can afford and encourage your children to practice and reward them with opportunities to play for family and friends. Practicing is hard work if done correctly. I have met countless people who have expressed great regret for having given up on piano as children. It is a delicate balance getting your children to practice. They must practice in order to grow but if forced can end up hating it which defeats the whole purpose! But if you can work with your children positively, the rewards are a lifetime enjoyment of music.

A piano investment is not like buying other things. Unlike a car, refrigerator, TV, or countless other purchases, the piano you buy can last a lifetime. The higher the quality of the instrument you invest in, the higher the resale value because cheaper Asian pianos depreciate much more quickly than hand-made American and European pianos. That is why buying a used, higher end piano in good condition makes a lot of sense for many people. With the current market, it is a phenomenal time to get exceptional value in many things including pianos.

So What Are the Best Piano Brands?

The country of origin is often the best indicator of the quality of pianos. Since piano production began in Germany and the United States, these represent the very best piano brands.

The United States only has 3 manufacturers left although there used to be hundreds of piano companies building in America. Today we have only:

Steinway

 

 

Steinway makes about 2500 pianos a year

 

 

 

Mason & Hamlin

 

 

Mason & Hamlin builds only 250 pianos per year

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Walter

 

 

Charles Walter is a relative newcomer which builds only about 65 pianos each year.

 

 

 

 

 

The best European pianos come primarily from Germany:

Bechstein

Bluthner

Bosendorfer (from Austria)

Fazioli (from Italy)

The Eastern European pianos are not as refined but offer excellent value:

Petrof/Weinbach

(The same company produces both pianos.)

Estonia

Japan makes the best Asian production pianos. There are 2 companies which are the largest and second largest manufacturers of pianos in the world:

Yamaha

Kawai

Both companies have factories throughout Asia (not just in Japan) and the best pianos they build are made in Japan. They offer everything from budget instruments to hand-made pianos rivaling the best German and American pianos.

Korea has been making pianos for quite some time. While not as refined as the Japanese pianos, they continually improve. There are 2 Korean piano manufactures both of which have factories in other countries:

Samick

Young Chang

Samick sells pianos under many different brand names including Kohler and Campbell, Knabe, Sohmer, Pramberger, Remington and many more. These are referred to as “stencil pianos” since the original manufacturer is either out of business or it is a made up name. Young Chang sells pianos under the Weber name.

Best Piano Brands YouTube Video

Best Piano Brands