Piano and Music Videos

Welcome to LivingPianos.com. I’m Robert Estrin. I have a really interesting show for you today. We’re going to be comparing a vintage Steinway concert grand to a much newer Steinway concert grand and listening to the difference. We’ll hear two excerpts of Chopin on these two instruments. Many people have very strong opinions about older versus newer Steinways, and today is a chance for you to listen and decide for yourself.

A Modern Steinway Concert Grand

First up, we have a 2004 Steinway concert grand. It’s all original and barely used. You’ll hear a performance of Chopin’s F-sharp Nocturne on this piano. Take a moment to listen and notice the tone. The piano is dialed in and a pleasure to play, with a clean, responsive sound.

A Vintage Steinway Concert Grand

Next, we turn to a vintage Steinway concert grand from 1916. It has been carefully rebuilt and retains its original soundboard, so the comparison is fair. Here, you’ll hear Chopin’s B-flat minor Nocturne. Listen to the tone and see which piano resonates with you more.

What Makes Each Steinway Unique

No two Steinway concert grands are exactly the same. Each is hand-built, and the woods used throughout the piano are unique because no two trees are alike. Beyond that, every piano benefits from the fine craftsmanship of its makers. Still, there is a general distinction between older and newer Steinways that you can often hear.

Join the Conversation

I’m curious if you can hear the difference between these two pianos. Let’s get a conversation going in the comments here at LivingPianos.com. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Again, I’m Robert Estrin, and thanks so much for joining me!

New vs. Vintage Steinway: What They Don’t Tell You

Today, we’re exploring the three main types of pianos—digitals, uprights, and grands—and what makes each one unique. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which piano might best suit your needs and lifestyle.

Digital Pianos: Affordable, Versatile, and Convenient

You might be surprised at how good modern digital pianos sound. Technology has come a long way, and for under $1,000, you can find a digital piano with a realistic weighted action and a convincing nine-foot concert grand sound. These instruments often feature graded keys that feel lighter on top and heavier on the bottom, just like an acoustic piano.

One of the greatest advantages of digital pianos is convenience. They never need tuning, they’re portable, and you can play silently with headphones, which is perfect if you live in an apartment or want to practice late at night. Many models connect easily to computers for music education, recording, and sequencing software.

Digital pianos also come in a wide range of models. Entry-level instruments are ideal for beginners or travelers, while advanced hybrid pianos—combining digital sound with real piano actions—can cost $10,000 or more. Some even look like grand pianos and offer sophisticated features for orchestrating and layering sounds. Still, despite their many strengths, digital pianos can’t fully match the feel and tonal complexity of an acoustic instrument. The sound from a real piano’s soundboard has a resonance and organic quality that even the best speaker systems can’t reproduce. If that living, breathing experience is what you crave, an acoustic upright might be your next step.

Upright Pianos: The Classic Home Instrument

Upright pianos, like the popular Yamaha U1, provide a genuine piano experience in a compact design. They offer a responsive action, beautiful tone, and a piece of furniture that fits nicely in most homes. However, uprights do have some limitations. Since the hammers strike the strings horizontally rather than vertically, repetition speed is slower than on a grand piano. Advanced players will find certain techniques are not possible on an upright.

Pedals on upright pianos also differ from grands. While the right sustain pedal functions the same, the middle pedal often acts as a practice mute rather than a sostenuto pedal. This can be handy for quiet practice, but it limits some of the expressive possibilities needed for certain classical works. The left pedal, too, doesn’t shift the action as it does on a grand. Instead, it moves the hammers closer to the strings, which makes it harder to play loudly, changing only the touch but not the tone.

Upright pianos are an excellent choice if you’re short on space or budget. They provide a satisfying, organic playing experience, though they lack the full expressive range and repetition speed of a grand.

Grand Pianos: The Ultimate in Expression

Grand pianos offer unmatched control and tonal beauty. Their horizontal action uses gravity to reset the hammers, allowing for faster repetition and greater nuance. Even a modest baby grand, such as a five-foot-seven-inch Steinway Model M, produces a rich tone and refined responsiveness that can elevate any performance.

As pianos grow in length, their tone deepens and the resonance expands. Larger grands, around six feet or more, develop a lush sound, particularly in the middle register where notes gain fullness and character. When you press the sustain pedal, the strings sympathetically vibrate, creating a reverberant sound chamber that envelops you in tone. Of course, grand pianos require more space and a larger investment. But for serious players, they offer the full range of dynamics and expressive control that no other piano type can match.

Choosing the Right Piano for You

To sum up:

• Digital pianos are great for portability, affordability, and modern connectivity.
• Upright pianos deliver a true acoustic feel in a compact form, perfect for many homes.
• Grand pianos provide the ultimate experience in tone and touch, ideal for advanced players as well as providing an elegant statement in your home.

When choosing, think long-term. Pianos are not something you’ll want to trade frequently. Find one that fits your space, your budget, and your musical goals, and it will reward you for years to come. If you’d like to hear how each piano sounds, you can watch the accompanying video to experience the demonstrations firsthand.

Welcome to LivingPianos.com, I’m Robert Estrin. Today we’re diving into an exciting comparison of two renowned 9-foot concert grand pianos: the Steinway and the Baldwin. We have some exceptional instruments here for you to explore, and I’m eager to hear your thoughts in the comments section! If you want to hear a comparison between vintage and modern Steinway concert grands, click here!

Welcome to LivingPianos.com, I’m Robert Estrin. Today we have a fascinating comparison for you. We’ll be comparing a vintage Steinway concert grand to a 2000’s model to highlight the differences between them. Our demonstration will feature two excerpts from Chopin Nocturnes to showcase each instrument’s unique qualities.

Modern Steinway Concert Grand

First, we’ll listen to a 2004 Steinway concert grand, which remains in its original, barely used condition. We’ll hear an excerpt from Chopin’s F-sharp Nocturne. Pay attention to the tonal characteristics and how they resonate with you. Watch the video to hear these two wonderful instruments!

Vintage Steinway Concert Grand

Next, we’ll turn to a 1916 Steinway concert grand, which has been meticulously rebuilt and restored with its original soundboard. We’ll hear an excerpt from Chopin’s B-flat minor Nocturne on this vintage instrument. Listen closely to the tonal differences and see which piano appeals to you more.

The Distinctive Nature of Steinway Pianos

It’s worth noting that every Steinway concert grand is unique. Each piano is hand-built, and there are variations in the woods used—since no two trees are identical—contribute to the distinct sound of each instrument. The individual craftsmanship results in noticeable differences between pianos. There is also a general charactaristic of sound to older compared to newer Steinways. What do you think about these pianos? Do you hear any distinct differences between vintage and modern Steinways? Let us know in the comments here at LivingPianos.com and on YouTube! I’m Robert Estrin here at LivingPianos.com, your online piano store. Thanks for joining me!

Welcome to LivingPianos.com, I’m Robert Estrin. Today I’m going to tell you the top 5 myths about piano teaching.

Myth 1: Great Teachers Don’t Take Beginners

It’s a common belief that top-tier piano teachers only work with advanced students. While it’s true that many high-level instructors at conservatories focus on refining the skills of already proficient players, this doesn’t mean they don’t teach beginners. In fact, teaching beginners can be immensely rewarding and crucial for a student’s development. Many skilled teachers are adept at guiding students from their first notes to advanced techniques. The foundation laid by a dedicated beginner teacher can pave the way for future mastery.

Myth 2: Every Other Week Lessons Are Ineffective

I used to think that having piano lessons every other week could hinder progress due to a lack of consistency. However, my experience teaching online has shown that bi-weekly lessons can be highly effective. Students who are committed and manage their practice well can thrive with this schedule. The key is ensuring that students are motivated and make the most of the time between lessons.

Myth 3: Great Teachers Are Strict

Many parents seek out strict teachers, believing that rigid rules and discipline will lead to better outcomes. While some students may respond well to a strict approach, effective teaching generally involves understanding and communication. It’s important to tailor your approach to each student’s needs and personality. A successful teacher builds a relationship with their student to address any obstacles and support their growth.

Myth 4: Great Teachers Have A Well-Formed Lesson Plan

Another misconception is that exceptional teachers adhere to a fixed lesson plan. While it’s essential for teachers to have a structured approach that includes progressive repertoire, technique, and theory, flexibility is crucial. Each student is unique, and teaching should be adapted to fit their individual needs and goals. A good teacher listens to their students and adjusts their methods accordingly, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all plan.

Myth 5: Students Must Always Follow a Prescribed Path

Finally, the idea that there is a single correct path for all piano students is misleading. Effective teaching involves collaboration between teacher and student. Teachers must be adaptable and responsive, creating a learning experience that aligns with each student’s personal journey. I’m Robert Estrin here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Store. Thanks for joining me!

Welcome to LivingPianos.com, I’m Robert Estrin. Today’s question is: Why are Steinways so expensive? Did you know that even a baby grand Steinway is over $80,000? Concert grands are over $200,000! What could possibly make pianos so expensive when you can get other baby grands for around $10,000? Is it all marketing? Well, here’s the truth. And everything I’m going to tell you today doesn’t just apply to Steinway. It applies to other American pianos, like Mason and Hamlin, as well as European pianos such as Blüthner, Bechstein, Fazioli in Italy, Bösendorfer in Austria, and even hand-built pianos from Yamaha and Shigeru Kawai in Japan.

Hand-built pianos have many different technologies.

In the case of Steinway, American pianos, and many European pianos, the way the plates are manufactured is a much more time-consuming task. Instead of using a simple vacuum mold process, which is quick and precise, they do it the old-school way of wet sand casting. The benefit is that the metal is denser. It takes a long time to cure the metal, so it’s much more labor-intensive and time-consuming. There’s also the choice of wood. It’s much more expensive to find fine hardwoods. Sourcing the finest soundboard material, which is the heart and soul of your piano, is no easy task. They search the world over for woods that have very fine grain, which is noted for the vibrancy and sustain of the sound. The craftsmanship of these instruments requires a great deal of handwork. All pianos require handwork, but when you’re talking about hand-built pianos, the meticulousness that it takes to craft these instruments is on a higher level. It can take a year to make each piano!

Hand-built pianos are not mass-produced.

You have companies like Pearl River, which is the number one piano producer in the world by volume. They make over 100,000 pianos a year! Contrast that with Steinway, who makes maybe ,2500 pianos a year. You can see how the economy of scale enters into this equation. So is there anything you can do to be able to get a piano of that quality and not have to pay such a fortune? I have another video about this. You can check out how you can get a Steinway for less money if that’s something you’re interested in. Thanks again for joining me, Robert Estrin, here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Resource.