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Originally Posted by ajfarber Naturally your C7 will do for now. I didn't mean to talk sh#t about Yamaha pianos. They are quality instruments, and are always reliable in concert and recording situations. I just happen to prefer a darker piano with a more complex tone. Yamaha and Bosendorfer tend to be more pure in tone and therefore more generic.
Some people prefer this. Oscar Peterson plays Bosendorfer and so does Chick Corea. Herbie Hancock digs the FAZIOLI, an instrument I forgot to mention before. I've played one. They're to my mind a cross between a Bosendorfer and a Bluthner.
But who doesn't dig Steinway? |
I have a fairly serious piano background and am familiar with these different instruments.
I prefer Steinway.
The Yamaha is great and has a more "pop" vibe to it than the Steinway.
A great piano technician (actually, a great piano voicer, regulator, and action guy) can give that extra sparkle to a Steinway so it's the best of both worlds.
The Bosendorfers, Bluthners, Faziolis, Bechstiens --- they're more "European" and are extremely well made but less - it's hard to articulate - less down and dirty than the Steinway. The Steinway has more of an edge to it, it's more like a responsive sports car than a squishy-riding luxury car, its dynamic range is more immediately available. It's like the Steinway just responds immediately to everything you want to do. The pianos whose names start with B have this even beautiful sound and action, but everything is kind of pastorale and comparitively muted somehow. Perfect for French piano music, but you just can't drive them like you can drive a Steinway.
Given the choice between performing on a Bosendorfer, the "rolls royce" of pianos or a Steinway, I'd always choose the Steinway. Most pianists feel the same way. I know of a few concert halls at least in the U.S. that have Bosendorfers as well as Steinways for any visiting artist to play, and pianists almost invariably choose the Steinways.
For some reason, the very best yamahas I've come across are in recording studios where the studio keeps them in great condition.
-matt