Choosing a grand piano is a very personal experience. While the piano’s size, finish, craftsmanship, and features all matter, there’s something you can’t fully evaluate from a photo or specification sheet: how the instrument sounds when you play it.
When you visit a piano showroom, take some time to sit down and listen. Every piano has its own musical character, and the right instrument should give you a sound and response that feels natural to you.
So, what should you listen for when trying a grand piano? Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Listen to the Overall Tone
Tone is one of the first things you’ll notice when you sit down at a grand piano. But don’t just listen to whether you like the sound of the first few notes. Take a little time to explore the keyboard.
Try the low notes, middle register, and high notes. Listen for a bass that has depth and richness without sounding muddy. In the treble, listen for clarity and brilliance without a harsh or overly bright quality.
A Steinway grand is designed to offer a broad palette of sound, and each individual piano has its own character. That’s part of what makes trying instruments in person so important.
Listen for Balance Across the Keyboard
As you move from the lowest notes to the highest, pay attention to how the sound changes.
A well-balanced piano should feel cohesive across its entire range. Play a few scales or simple passages that travel up and down the keyboard. You may notice subtle differences in color between registers, but the instrument should still feel like one musical voice.
It can also be helpful to play the same short passage on several pianos. When you hear the same music on different instruments, differences in tone and character become much easier to recognize.
Pay Attention to Resonance and Sustain
Try holding individual notes and chords and simply listen to what happens after you play them.
Does the sound continue to sing? Does it gradually fade in a pleasing way? When you use the sustain pedal, do the notes blend naturally while maintaining clarity?
Resonance and sustain are important parts of the grand piano experience. Don’t be afraid to let a note ring for a few seconds. Sometimes the character of a piano becomes even more noticeable after the initial sound has faded.
Test the Dynamic Range
A grand piano shouldn’t only sound good when you’re playing loudly. Try playing something very softly, then gradually increase the volume.
Listen to how the instrument responds as you change the pressure of your playing. Can you create delicate passages without losing the character of the sound? When you play more forcefully, does the piano give you greater power without losing clarity?
This range of expression is one of the reasons pianists are drawn to the grand piano. A responsive instrument gives you the ability to shape music in subtle ways, from quiet, intimate passages to powerful performances.
Listen for Clarity
Next, try some chords, arpeggios, or faster passages. Listen closely to the individual notes within the sound.
Are you able to hear the different notes clearly? Does the piano maintain definition when several notes are played together?
Clarity can be especially important if you play a more complex repertoire. You want an instrument that allows individual musical lines to come through while still giving you a full, rich sound.
Listen to How the Piano Responds to You
Perhaps the most important thing to listen for is how the piano responds to your playing.
Every pianist has a different touch and a different way of expressing music. That’s why specifications alone can’t tell you which piano you’ll enjoy playing. You need to experience the instrument for yourself.
Play something you’re familiar with. It doesn’t have to be complicated or impressive. In fact, a simple piece can tell you quite a bit. Pay attention to how easily you can create the sounds you want and whether the piano seems to encourage you to explore.
When an instrument feels right, you’ll often find yourself wanting to keep playing.
Try More Than One Piano
If you’re shopping for a grand piano, don’t feel like you need to make a decision after playing the first instrument you try.
Spend time with several pianos if possible. Play the same pieces on each one and listen for differences in tone, resonance, dynamics, and response. You may find that one piano has a warmer sound while another has a different character that appeals to you.
There isn’t one sound that’s right for every pianist. Steinway & Sons offers a range of grand piano models, and the Steinway Piano Gallery in Birmingham also offers Boston and Essex instruments, giving buyers an opportunity to explore different options.
Ask Questions and Take Your Time
You don’t need to be an expert in piano construction to shop for a grand piano. That’s what a knowledgeable piano professional is there for.
If you’re not sure what you’re hearing, ask questions. A piano specialist can demonstrate differences in touch, tone, sustain, and responsiveness and help you understand what you’re experiencing.
Find the Sound That Speaks to You
Trying a grand piano should be more than checking items off a list. It’s an opportunity to discover what kind of sound and musical response inspires you.
Listen to the tone. Explore the keyboard. Test the dynamics. Let the notes ring. Most importantly, pay attention to how you feel when you’re playing.
When you’re ready to experience different grand pianos for yourself, visit Steinway Piano Gallery Birmingham in Mountain Brook. Spending time at the piano can tell you things that specifications simply can’t.