What About Replacement Parts
Over the years, Kawai has built a wide variety of piano models to meet the specific needs of various markets around the world. Some, for instance, were designed for European countries others were built expressly for music schools in Japan. Since these instruments were never sold in North America , Kawai America and Kawai Canada Music do not carry an inventory of parts for these models. Piano buyers should, therefore, understand that replacement parts will not be available for these used instruments or any instruments that were not purchased through Kawais authorized dealer network.
Visit Coach House Pianos
At Coach House Pianos we invite you to come and try the two for yourselves. Purchasing a piano is a personal thing, and what is right for one is not right for another.
We recommend trying a good selection of makes and models so you can see and feel for yourself what your preferences are.
Coach House Piano’s London Selection Centre
We are extremely passionate about ensuring you select the perfect instrument to fulfil your requirements.
Please feel free to call and speak to one of our unbiased piano selection specialists who will be glad to assist you on your exciting piano selection journey.
What Is The Significance Of K Kawai On Kawai Pianos
Over the years, many people have wondered why some Kawai pianos say K. KAWAI on the fallboard while others say only KAWAI. The K. in K. KAWAI stands for Koichi, the first name of Kawai founder and genius inventor Koichi Kawai. Koichi Kawai was the son of a wagon maker who had an immense talent for innovative design. Having entered the piano business as a young apprentice for Torakasu Yamaha in the early 1900s, Koichi Kawai led the research and development team that introduced pianos to Japan and later became the first to design and build a complete piano action in Japan, receiving many patents for his designs and inventions. He established the Kawai Musical Instrument Research Laboratory in 1927.
There is no difference in product quality between Kawai instruments labeled K. KAWAI or KAWAI. The difference is the type of instrument on which these logos are found. The K. KAWAI brand logo is used only for Kawai grand pianos. The logo KAWAI appears on the fallboard of all Kawai upright and digital pianos. Why? When the company first began, Koichi Kawai announced to his staff, I want to put K. KAWAI on grand pianos and KAWAI on the uprights. That was his preference from the beginning. His wishes have been honored for over 90 years.
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How Many Keys Are On A Piano
Most modern pianos have 88 keys a number that was not standardized until the late 1800s. The predecessor of the piano, the harpsichord, had only 60 keys equal to five octaves each containing 12 notes. For centuries, five octaves seemed sufficient for composers writing music suitable for that instrument. But the harpsichord had musical limitations. Because it plucked the strings , the harpsichord offered little ability to adjust the volume of a note or increase the audible length of a note. These limitations frustrated composers who longed to create music with greater dynamic range and emotional intensity.
The piano was the solution to these issues. As its popularity increased, composers began to write more music for this emerging instrument. In their quest for more musical colors and tonal options, composers urged piano makers to create instruments with a wider range of notes. Pianos grew gradually to 85 keys and eventually reached 88 keys. This became the de facto standard when piano makers and composers realized that any additional notes lacked the tonal clarity to make them useful for musical compositions.
Digital Piano Keys
White Piano Keys
Black Piano Keys
Ivory Piano Keys
Why Choose Kawai Pianos
When shopping for a new piano you may be tempted by other name brands you’re familiar with like Yamaha, Steinway, or Baldwin. And in all fairness, those other manufacturers produce great pianos that have made many people happy over the years.
So if there are so many other good pianos to choose from, then why choose a Kawai?
For over 90 years Kawai has been a pioneer in modern piano design. Their instruments are made using cutting-edge technologies and high-quality materials, resulting in some of the best-playing pianos seen at home and on-stage. Here we’ll be going over a few reasons why it might be in your best interest to get a Kawai piano.
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How To Arrange A Grand Piano In A Room
The placement of a grand piano in a room is an important part of caring for the piano. Correct placement can help achieve the best performance, the best possible sound and the longest life of the instrument. For that reason, placement is a serious topic that should be carefully considered with your piano technician.
Grand pianos have the best placement within a room when the long straight side is placed near to and parallel with an inner wall away from direct sunlight, windows, fireplaces and air vents.
Some rooms may not allow for ideal grand piano placement. They may have windows on too many walls or air vents pointing toward the only non-windowed walls. In such cases, a piano owner should consider investing in options such as a piano cover or a climate control system to protect the instrument. UV-ray and heat-blocking window covers, drapes or blackout curtains can also help make the best of challenging situations. As a general rule, be sure to take all necessary precautions to place your piano in an optimal and sustainable environment. This will help to ensure that you enjoy your piano for many years to come.
Best Upright Piano Brands
If youve been playing piano for a while, you might be interested in an upright piano. Although these arent as famous or luxurious looking as grands or baby grands, they take up significantly less floor space and offer a quality sound.
They are commonly lumped into the same category, but there are actually four types of vertical pianos out there. These include spinets, consoles, studios, and of course, uprights. The only difference is the height, with upright pianos being the tallest.
Here are the best upright piano brands to consider.
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Should I Buy A Kawai Piano Pros And Cons
Kawai, as a company, has long spoken out in favor of building pianos with plastic and composite materials, instead of wood, which inherently changes the texture, tone, and touch when played. Kawai also boasts a longer key than is found on most pianos, including Yamahas.
Their claim is that this aids pianists in the performance of passages requiring great dexterity, in other words, passages with lots of ornamentation or especially fast-moving measures. Unfortunately, though, Kawais tone sounds especially dead, metallic, and dark to me. The sound is so utterly clean that in a way it reminds me of a toy piano.
What Does Kawai Mean
Kawai is a family name. It is the surname of master piano builder Koichi Kawai, who was in his young teens when he first entered the piano industry in the early 1900s as the apprentice of Torakasu Yamaha . The ensuing years revealed Koichi Kawais genius for design and innovation. Koichi led the research and development team that introduced pianos to Japan and later became the first to design and build a complete piano action in Japan, receiving many patents for his designs and inventions. When it became clear in the 1920s that the Yamaha company was widening its interests to build other non-musical products, Koichi Kawai left to focus on his own dream of building the worlds finest piano. He and seven kindred colleagues established the Kawai Musical Instrument Research Laboratory in Hamamatsu, Japan in 1927.
The early years were challenging for the fledgling company as it endured continual shortages of qualified craftsmen and the scarcity of quality materials. But the determined company prospered. By the early 1950s. Kawai had grown to over 500 people producing over 1500 pianos per year and Koichi Kawai had received the prestigious Blue Ribbon Medal from the Emperor of Japan, becoming the first person in the musical instrument industry to receive such an honor.
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Does Where A Piano Is Made Make A Difference
by Gary Gordon | Nov 5, 2020
A modern grand piano is made up of over 12,000 parts and each manufacturer has its own recipe. Piano makers build their reputations based on the designs, materials and workmanship that go into their instruments. but would a Steinway piano be just as good if it were built in England instead of the US or Germany? Would a Yamaha be a Yamaha if it didnt come from Japan? Are pianos built in China of lower quality? Does where a piano is made matter?
To better understand this question, lets look at how the piano industry has changed in the last few decades.
In the early 1900s, America was home to over 400 piano builders. Today, only three remain.
Established in 1828, Bosendorfer is the oldest, continuously-operating piano factory in the world. They still build every piano by hand in Vienna, Austria.
Fast forward past economic challenges, trade wars, and competition from new entertainment products like the television and video games and the piano industry today looks very different.
Currently, just over 30,000 new acoustic pianos are sold in the U.S. annually under about 70 different brand names . Here are a few examples:
Best Used Piano Brands
Whether youre looking for some of the best antique piano brands or some of the best upright piano brands, used pianos certainly have their place in the marketplace. Buying a used piano is a great choice if youre on a budget but still want to go home with a quality pick.
My advice? Have someone who is a skilled pianist go with you to look at the used piano youre thinking of buying. That way, you will know youre getting a quality pick for your money.
Otherwise, look for quality brands such as:
They might be okay if theyre reconditioned, but a lot of pianists have had problems with them.
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The Problem Of Wood Instability
Though not all used pianos will be affected by the seasoning issues mentioned above, certainly all will be affected by the fundamental instability of wood in all piano actions. This instability compromises both the tone and touch of a piano.
Kawai addressed this problem in our later models that include ABS Styran for selected parts within the action. ABS is scientifically proven stronger and over thirty times more resistant to swelling and shrinking than comparable wooden action parts. The use of ABS reduces parts breakage and helps to ensure precise hammer alignment for more consistent tone and touch. Customers should be aware that older pianos without ABS Styran action parts cannot be expected to maintain the same level of consistency in tone and touch found in newer Kawai pianos that embrace this technology.
Which Pianos Are Made In Germany
Top makes of German and Austrian pianos
- Bechstein. The most common top German make found in the UK.
- Bluthner. Before Bechstein overtook them in about 1902, Bluthner were the most common German grand pianos in the UK and Europe.
- Steinway. Steinways are often the preferred piano on the concert stage for most top venues.
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Superior Strength And Durability
Earlier we alluded to the action in Kawai instruments being incredibly well built and stable. The rest of the piano is no different. From the solid wood framing to each of the individual screws, Kawai pianos are built to last for generations!
Every Kawai piano features an assembly made to strengthen and support the solid framework and give stability to the action. The construction of the solid framework and the strength of every individual tuning pin then offer an exceptionally rigid foundation that supports the tension of the strings. This makes for an instrument that’s made to withstand the rigors of regular use and requires minimal tuning.
How To Measure A Grand Piano
The various sizes of grand pianos are described by their length. This measurement allows the player or purchaser to distinguish the exact size difference between one instrument and another. It is often difficult to discern visually the difference between a 511 and 62 grand piano but identifying the 3-inch size differential can help to explain the tonal difference between the two instruments. Knowing the exact length also helps purchasers know whether an instrument will fit into a particular room or space.
To measure a grand piano, close the lid completely. Then, measure the distance from the front edge of the piano in front of the keys to the back edge of the lid. According to industry practice, that measurement is rounded up to the nearest inch. This rounding practice ensures that a piano is never described with a measurement shorter than its actual length, which could cause problems for those trying to fit a piano into a very tight space.
Note that the space required for the piano bench is never included in a piano measurement. Therefore, always include an additional 24-36 inches to provide enough room for the player and bench. Having the full 36 additional inches will make it easier for a technician to remove the piano action for service.
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How Much Do Kawai Baby Grand Pianos Weigh
In general, baby grand pianos can weigh between 500 and 700 pounds and can measure from 46 to 54 long. While the historical size range for a baby grand goes as low as 46, there are very few baby grands built smaller than 411 today. And while some online technical resources state that baby grands can be as long 6-feet, Kawai uses 54 as the upper limit for baby grands. Kawais two baby grands are the 50 GL-10 Grand Piano and the 52 GL-20 Grand Piano . Although these are smaller grand pianos, they are still quite heavy. One should assess the risks carefully before trying to move or lift any baby grand piano without professional assistance.
Kawai Pianos For Sale At Broughton Pianos Uk
Broughton Pianos sell a range of Kawai upright pianos along with Kawai grand pianos and Kawai digital pianos.
With both used and new models available our staff will be able to help you find the ideal Kawai piano for you.
To discuss any of the pianos that we have in stock, or to find out more about visiting our Stourbridge showroom please get in touch.
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What Are The Best Piano Brands For Beginners
If youre new to playing piano, you should start with an inexpensive piano until you know that you plan on sticking with the piano long-term to make the investment worth it. Here are the best piano brands for beginners:
- Casio CT-S1 61-Key Portable Keyboard
- Alesis Melody 61 MKII Music Keyboard
- Donner DEP-10 Beginner Digital Piano
- Yamaha P-45 Keyboard
Of course, you dont have to choose a digital piano or keyboard if you arent interested in a budget pick. There are plenty of other top contenders. Well take a deeper dive in this post.
As youre mulling your options, be sure to keep practicing. Without having a good grasp of the basics of piano, it doesnt matter what kind of piano you have. Heres a video that can help you recall the importance of piano chord basics:
What Is A Grey Market Piano
Grey market piano imports are gaining attention in recent months, on the back of some pretty seismic, if mostly invisible, developments in the piano industry here in Australia. But what exactly is a grey market piano, and is it what it says on the tin?
Most of the new pianos coming into Australia are made in Japan, or at Japanese owned and operated factories in Indonesia, especially from the more established manufacturers. Smaller numbers are imported from China and Korea, with a single model often badged and marketed under several different names. A very small number are made here in Australia each year. New pianos will come with a manufacturers warranty thats usually around 10 years our is 12 so that owners are covered for defects directly from the brand, regardless of anything that might happen with the retailer. A lot can happen in 12 years, so this security of coverage is its own value.
New pianos are sold through networks of authorised retailers, most of whom operate physical stores that you can visit to test the instruments, and who employ specialist piano sales staff, people who are generally players themselves. Its worth keeping in mind that therell usually be a good reason why a retailer would not carry at least one of the big Japanese brands new.
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Where Are Kawai Pianos Made
Kawai pianos offer a warmer, fuller quality of tone when compared to a normal piano built by Yamaha. They have been the preferred choice of many classical pianists. The sound of akawai is broad and rich and easy to hear.
In addition to being a great value for money, Yamaha also offers a wide range of accessories to help you get the most out of your Yamaha piano. These include the Yamaha Piano Case, which can be used to store and protect your piano, as well as a variety of other Yamaha accessories.
What Was The First Piano Ever Made
The piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristoffori of Padua , Italy. He made his first piano in 1709. It developed from the clavichord which looks like a piano but the strings of a clavichord are hit by a small blade of metal called a tangent.
What are facts about the piano?
The piano is a musical instrument of the string family. The piano was invented based on keyboard technology based on pipe organs that have been in existence since Antiquity. The piano is believed to have been invented in approximately 1700. The piano has a keyboard that is struck by the pianists fingers and thumbs.
What instrument came before the piano?
The Italian word piano is a shortened form of the Italian word pianoforte, which means both soft and loud, respectively. Its predecessor was the harpsichord. Its predecessor was the harpsichord. Early Synthesizer
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