How to… Choose the best grand piano for your school
A grand piano is a wonderful thing for a school to have, but selecting the right one is a significant decision that will impact the quality of music education and performance. With so many options available, finding the right model can be a challenge. So, we’re here to explain how, by being clear about your priorities and doing the relevant planning and research, the grand piano purchasing process can actually be really exciting and stress-free!
Various factors are likely to come into any school’s reckoning when choosing a grand piano:
- Durability and Build Quality: School pianos endure heavy usage, so it’s essential to choose models known for their robust construction. Look for pianos made with high-quality materials that can withstand frequent use. Our main grand piano suppliers Yamaha and Kawai are renowned for their superb manufacturing standards.
- Sound Quality: The richness and clarity of sound are crucial for both practice and performance. A piano with a well-balanced tone across all registers will enhance the learning experience, and sound great in concert situations. This relates to the size and shape of the frame, as well as the material quality, setup, and manufacturing quality.
- Touch and Action: The feel of the keys and the responsiveness of the action are vital for developing proper technique. A piano with a consistent and responsive touch allows students to play expressively and accurately and will stand out above the other pianos the students play, emphasising how special the grand is. Actions also play a part in longevity. For example, Kawai’s Millennium III action (on all their grands) doesn’t just improve response but is very rigid and can’t warp, making the piano more accurate for longer and less susceptible to problems caused by climatic changes.
- Size and Space: Schools need to consider the space available for the piano. While grand pianos vary in size, schools should aim for a model that fits well within their designated area without compromising on sound quality. The size of the space you’re putting the piano in will also dictate how loud it needs to be.
- Budget: All schools will have some kind of budget constraint and finding a balance between quality and cost is essential. Fortunately, there are excellent grand pianos available at various price points, but in general, the more money you pay, the more piano you’ll get. Size also strongly correlates with price.
Whilst it is worth noting that there are a few 'digital grand pianos' on the market which combine electric and acoustic elements, this article will focus solely on fully acoustic models.
So, with the considerations above in mind we have split the options into three main categories, highlighting specific models from esteemed Japanese manufacturers Yamaha and Kawai:
Baby grands
Great for small halls, adaptable performance spaces and even for larger classrooms, baby grand pianos are a good investment for anyone looking for a ‘grand’ look and feel without breaking the bank.
Kawai GL-10
Our cheapest and best-selling grand, the GL-10 delivers superb value for money alongside the reliability of Kawai’s quality manufacturing. Measuring 5'1" in length and assembled in Indonesia to help keep a lid on the cost, the class-leading GL-10 features a solid tapered spruce soundboard and benefits from the same carbon fibre infused ABS action components as the larger and more expensive models in the range.
Kawai GL-30
At 5'5", the GL-30 is a little bigger than the GL-10, and it’s made in Japan (the home of Kawai) rather than Indonesia. It delivers a significant step up in tonal quality with longer string length and a larger soundboard area, along with technical refinements such as duplex scaling, which is a method of bringing out a fuller tone from a piano by tuning what are known as the 'non-speaking' parts of the string, but this comes at a price of around £4000 more than the entry level model. For many schools, this extra investment will be worthwhile for a more comprehensive and well-engineered package, assuring even better longevity and lasting accuracy.
Yamaha GB1K
The GB1K is the smallest baby grand available on today’s market. At 5’0” (just 150cm) in length, it offers remarkable depth of tone, with superb clarity and projection in extremely compact form. The design of the GB1K is based on that of the coveted Yamaha C Series, its specification featuring a solid spruce soundboard, a soft-closing fall board and sostenuto pedal. While designed and constructed with a careful eye on its price point, and consequently not materially quite as refined as the Japanese-built GC1 or C1X, it still benefits from the inherent build and component quality that Yamaha grand pianos are renowned for. If you’re looking for a proper, well-built baby grand but don’t have much space, or need to shift it around occasionally, the GB1K is a great option.
Yamaha GC1 and GC2
The GC1 grand piano is perhaps the most obvious 'upgrade' from the Yamaha GB1K. At 5'3'' the instrument is larger, and this alone is enough to give it a bit more sonic depth, especially in the lower registers.
Among other refinements, the GC1 benefits from duplex scaling, adding harmonics and an overall richness to the tone. The GC1 is also the first in the Yamaha grand piano range to be made at the main production facility in Japan, alongside the CX series grands and U Series uprights. Based on the older, well-regarded Yamaha C1L grand, but with a much smaller price tag, it makes for an excellent value alternative to a CX series piano.
The GC2 offers the same build quality as its smaller cousin but is somewhat larger at 5'8'' and produces a larger, more resonant tone, with a considerable saving against the price tag of a new C2X.
Yamaha C1X and C2X
Over the course of the last 50 years the Yamaha C series has become the standard for practice and performance worldwide, and a benchmark against which all other grand pianos are measured. Crafted in Japan at Yamaha’s main Hamamatsu manufacturing facility, Yamaha CX Series grand pianos are built to uncompromisingly high standards using specially selected materials. In terms of sizing, these pianos match the GC1 and GC2 exactly, but with more up-to-date, refined designs.
Medium sized grands
By ‘medium-sized’, we mean around 6 foot long, so we’re talking about a pretty large instrument here. These are fully fledged performance pianos, providing fantastic incentives for students looking to progress to a high level; they’ll have an instrument to play recitals on which really lets them demonstrate the full extent of their talent. Going for a medium-sized ‘proper grand’ over a baby grand will make a huge difference to schools looking to fit out a concert hall; the natural sound of a baby grand simply will not fill a larger room, especially when accompanied by other instruments. To do justice to a great performance space, it’s very much worth considering one of the options below.
Yamaha C3X/C3 Studio
Yamaha’s C3 is the bestselling school piano in history, and with good reason. Currently available in the form of either the C3X or the C3 Studio, it’s hugely popular and the industry standard Yamaha grand piano, manufactured to consistently excellent standards in Japan.
The C3X is the more modern version, 6'1 in length with an Alaskan Spruce soundboard and producing rich and expressive sound quality. In our opinion, for a 6-foot performance or practice piano you can do no better, especially when you compare performance versus price. The C3 grand piano is a cornerstone for Yamaha, and whilst the company produces a range of larger and hand built grand pianos, the Yamaha C3 is incredibly important.
The Yamaha C3 Studio is slightly cheaper, based on the previous generation C3M and C3L models and is produced in the same factory. At its heart, the instrument is the same as a Yamaha C3X. Still, it is designed to be an institutional piano, especially for use in schools, academies, and colleges. Essentially it’s designed to be a 'no frills' instrument to give you the best value for money. You’ll sacrifice some aesthetic and tonal refinement, but you’re getting the same core 6’1” C3, straight out of Japan, for a lower price tag.
Kawai GX-3
The Kawai GX-3 is, at 6'2 in length, a go-to model for practice and performance, and is perhaps the most obvious rival to the Yamaha C3X. It sits neatly in the middle of the GX range and is a great choice for the school hall.
While the same size as the GL50, the GX-3 is a real step up in refinement with superior quality components, a thicker rim, Neotex key coverings and benefiting from a more comprehensive technical setup at the factory.
The GX-3 also benefits from the groundbreaking Millennium III ABS-carbon action, delivering an incredibly responsive touch with superb balance and control.
Large performance grands
Some grand pianos are about more than just having a brilliant instrument to play. They are statement pieces, and schools looking to really show off their investment in music often do so by purchasing one of these magnificent instruments, which are usually around 7 foot in length. With a piano like that, you can really do anything, including putting on performances of piano concertos if the opportunity arises.
Kawai GX-6
In many ways similar to the GX-3, the GX-6 is significantly longer at 7 foot. Although many of the other specs remain the same, the increase in size makes a huge difference to the power and feel, with the longer string length making for not just enhanced resonance, but a different sort of response too.
Yamaha C6X
The C6X is 6'11'', often thought to be the perfect size for a grand piano, and the same size as the Steinway B. The instrument is small enough for the perfect domestic performance piano and large enough create the sort of sound to fill a smaller concert venue. The C6 has always been an incredibly popular piano with schools, whether a C6L, a C6M or a C6X, and over the years we have sold numerous examples to venues, teachers, enthusiastic amateurs and conservatoires alike. With its revolutionary advanced design the C6X is capable of the subtlest nuances yet can really sing with the sort of clarity that can be extremely hard to find. A wonderful grand piano and highly recommended.
Prestige pianos
In a similar vein (although not always quite so large), we offer a specially curated, bespoke prepared selection of acoustic grand pianos from the world's most prestigious manufacturers, including Steinway & Sons, Bluthner, Bosendorfer, Bechstein and more. All pre-owned, this is a selection of grand pianos in a variety of cabinet styles and finishes, along with beautifully restored antique grand pianos which have benefited from a comprehensive rebuild using genuine manufacturer components. It can provide schools with a cheaper way into a prestigious, centrepiece piano than buying new. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that anything second hand will inherently be less up-to-date, and probably with a few signs of wear and tear unless it has been very thoroughly reconditioned.
Silent/Anytime options
Both Yamaha and Kawai incorporate innovative technology into all the aforementioned models which allows you to play in ‘silence’, muting the acoustic element of the piano. Kawai calls this ‘Anytime’ and Yamaha (the original) simply ‘Silent’, and it can be a real boon depending on the configuration of your department or school. We’ve detailed the benefits of Silent pianos in schools on our Teacher Hub previously.
What accessories will you need?
A grand piano is a hefty investment, so it’s paramount to get all the right equipment to move and maintain it, especially in a busy school environment.
A-frames and castors
A-frames are popular with schools, theatres and churches as it makes a grand piano easy to position and helps retain the overall tuning stability of the instrument, as well as protecting the structure of the piano.
Suitable for practically any size of grand piano they are fitted simply by lifting each piano leg and adjusting the frame underneath. The piano is then lowered gently, and the leg held in the correct position in a small, recessed compartment on the A-frame.
There is no need to remove the castors as the frame is designed to house them, and each ‘leg’ of the A-frame has 3 rubber double castors to help move the piano around. Nine castors in total means that with an A-frame fitted, moving a grand piano can be comfortably managed by one person.
Piano covers
A piano cover is a useful purchase, maybe even a necessary one in a school. It will help keep your instrument protected against accidents, spillages and minor scratches. You may wish to consider purchasing a padded cover if the piano is to be in a multi-purpose space (for example the school hall), where it is exposed to various potential avenues of damage. It’s also worth thinking about the colour you opt for with a view to maintenance – is a white finish such a good idea for a school? Possibly not.
Maintenance is key
Maintaining a grand piano in a school setting is essential to ensure its longevity and optimal performance. Regular tuning, ideally every six months, is crucial as frequent use and varying temperatures can affect the piano's pitch. Dust and debris should be removed from the keys and soundboard using a soft, damp cloth to avoid damage. The action and pedals require periodic professional servicing to ensure smooth operation and responsiveness. Additionally, the piano should be placed in a stable environment, away from direct sunlight, drafts, and humidity fluctuations, which can cause the wood to warp and the strings to rust. Implementing a strict maintenance schedule will help preserve the instrument's sound quality and mechanical integrity, providing students with a reliable and inspiring tool for their musical education.
Be aware of warranty!
All our new Yamaha and Kawai grands come with a massive 10-year warranty, safeguarding your investment for the long run. In terms of convincing your senior management to fork out, this might just be the clincher!