Buying a piano is nothing less than buying an elephant. Every step costs a fortune, from taking piano lessons to tuning it regularly.
Therefore, one must purchase the best piano brands only, but what are the best brands?
To find out, keep reading till the end.
What are the Best Piano Brands in the Market?
If I am to answer this question in one word, then my reply is Bechstein. It’s a known fact.
However, there’s a catch. Bechstein pianos range between $24,000 to $75,000. Even the lowest price is beyond dreams for many piano lovers, but does it mean that some people can’t play the piano?
Nope, it surely doesn’t. Therefore, I have divided the best brands into three sections–stage, studio, and home.
[Best Piano Brands for Stage]
Grand pianos are the most suitable piano type for concerts and stage performances. So, I have picked the brands that build the best grand pianos.
1. Bechstein
Carl Bechstein founded this brand in Germany in 1853. Since then, it has been every pianist’s dream to own a Bechstein at least once in their lifetime. From Bob Dylan to the Beatles, many artists preferred the music of Bechstein pianos.
Freddie Mercury played a 100-years-old Bechstein Grand Piano in Bohemian Rhapsody.
In short, Bechstein is the Rolls Royce of piano brands. It’s elite, costly, and unaffordable to most piano lovers, but it’s still the best piano brand to play on stage.
While some pianists claim that it has a unique voice-like sound, others find this luxury piano brand ideal for playing Tchaikovsky, Chopin, and Mendelssohn. Overall, when it comes to precision and craftsmanship, Bechstein is the most trusted piano-making brand.
2. Bösendorfer
Ignaz Bösendorfer founded this oldest piano brand in Austria in 1828. Initially, it was endorsed by the Austrian royals. Since then, it’s been the symbol of royalty in piano brands. Now, even though Bosendorfer is a part of Yamaha, their uniqueness remains intact.
The Emperial model 290 of Bosendorfer pianos features 97 keys. The keys go all the way to the lowest f.
The great pianist Wilhelm Backhaus was a fan of Bösendorfer pianos, and why wouldn’t he be. Besides being the constant instrument for 19th-century European stage performances, today, it’s one of the best in the luxury piano market.
For instance, the million-dollar Kuhn piano made by Bösendorfer features customized Swarovski crystals under the piano strings. One only wonders how this brand has been amazing to piano lovers since 1828.
3. Steinway & Sons
Although Steinway & Sons isn’t amongst the top in the ladder of luxury piano brands, they’re definitely one of the best brands for stage performances. Their grand pianos are the go-to instruments for contemporary pianists and performers.
From Jazz artists like Diana Krall, to pop icons like Billy Joel, many recent performers opt for Steinway & Sons to play piano on stage.
Lang Lang said, “If I am to play my best, there is no way but Steinway.”
This legendary brand also roots back in Germany, where the founder Heinrich Steinweg made his first piano. In 1850, the Steinweg family migrated to the U.S. and began to manufacture pianos soon after. Their initial brand name was Steinweg & Sons, but it eventually Americanised to Steinway & Sons.
Did you know Bartolomeo Cristofori invented Piano?
Check out the History of Piano to find out who he was.
4. Blüthner
Like the above brands, Bluthner also excels in making every type of piano, but their grand pianos are beyond any parameters. The Bluthner 3D-printed Lucid EXO is one of the latest wonders in the world of pianos and pianists.
Julius Blüthner, another legendary German piano-maker, began their manufacturing journey in 1853. It immediately gained international attention and became equally popular amongst royals, professionals, and amateurs.
Franz Liszt played Bluthner manufactured pianos.
As the founder was from an engineering background, this brand brings uniqueness to the engineering of the instruments. Today, they are amongst the most popular luxury brands.
[Best brands for Studio Pianos]
Stage performers use grand pianos, but studio artists/pianists prefer upright pianos. The best studio pianos are either a spinet or a console. In recent times, piano manufacturers have also tried to build separate studio pianos.
Therefore, I am suggesting the brands that build the best upright pianos.
5. Grotian Pianos
Once upon a time, back in 1835, the Grotrian or Grotian-Steinweg family were business partners with Heinrich Steinweg (the founder of Steinway & Sons). Today, it’s run by the 6th generation of the family.
Despite being renowned in the market of grand pianos, Grotian upright pianos are the real gems. In 2010, they manufactured a special edition of 50 upright pianos known as Composé Exclusif on the occasion of their 175th anniversary. Each of the pianos was 46.5 inches tall.
Grotrian upright pianos feature a patent iron-framed star design on their backs.
Many pianists claim that Grotian upright pianos produce the best tone because of this star that manipulates vibrations in a special way.
6. Steingraeber & Söhne
I won’t be wrong if I say that Germany is the birthplace of modern pianos. All the best piano-builders are either rooted in Germany, or they still live there.
Steingraeber & Sohne is also a German piano-building company, like most brands on this list. They’re a well-established name amongst grand piano manufacturers, but what caught my eye is their Profi grade upright pianos.
Steingraeber & Sohne upright pianos feature magnetic action that makes these instruments as good as grand pianos.
Besides the magnetic action, the unique aluminum and carbon fiber elements make these upright pianos’ tone rich and resonant. Such features make these instruments dream of every studio pianist.
7. Yamaha
The first Yamaha piano was made by Torakusu Yamaha, the founder of Nippon Gakki Co. Today, this Japan-based brand manufactures any type of piano, from grand pianos to keyboards.
Undoubtedly, it’s one of the most versatile piano manufacturers in the world. They produce different types of pianos in various price ranges.
If a piano expert wants to buy a piano for stage performance, they can rely on Yamaha. Similarly, a beginner can also opt for Yamaha without worrying about a jaw-dropping price hike.
Yamaha pianos are equally good for stage, studio, and home use.
From beginners to professional pianists, anybody and everybody can buy Yamaha pianos; such is its brand’s trust.
[Best Piano Brands to Play at Home]
Dear readers, buying a piano is a costly affair. Don’t forget to buy pianos only from trustworthy brands. At the same time, don’t spend a fortune trying your hand at playing the piano.
Therefore, I suggest affordable piano brands to buy pianos for home use or taking piano lessons,
8. Kawai
Koichi Kawai, the founder of this brand, worked as an apprentice for Torakusu Yamaha, under whom he learned the tricks and tips of piano-making. Later, he founded Kawai Musical Instrument Research Laboratory in 1927.
After Kawai’s death in 1955, his son, Shigeru Kawai, established “Kawai” as a major piano brand by opening several factories and actively producing pianos.
They create both acoustic and digital pianos. Today, every piano player has had the experience of playing Kawai pianos.
Their upright pianos are legendary, especially the MMR Dealers’ Choice that became the “Home Digital Piano Line of the Year” in 2014.
On the whole, Kawai pianos are a great investment for piano players. These instruments are budget-friendly, as well as easy-to-learn. In short, these pianos are the best to play at home.
Wondering how experts play piano by the ear?
Learn How to Play Piano By Ear: A Beginner’s Guide to find out.
9. Casio
Casio is almost a synonym for budget-friendly pianos. I always recommend Casio for beginners and kids who’re taking piano lessons. These instruments are cheap and always come with a user-friendly interface. In short, anybody and everybody can use Casio pianos.
In the crowd of German piano builders, Casio is the second Japanese name other than Yamaha. It was founded by an engineer named Tadao Kashio in 1946. Initially, they produced various electronic gadgets.
Later, in the 1980s, Casio gained popularity for producing affordable pianos. Their first remarkable production was the Casitone 201.
10. Roland
Roland is another Japanese brand on this list, and they are my favorite for home use. This brand’s sole intention is to produce quality pianos, unlike Yamaha and Casio.
Roland instruments are budget-friendly, unlike luxury pianos, but that doesn’t make any difference when it comes to quality. They’re well-known for producing pianos for stage performances, studios, as well as homes.
Besides pianos, Roland is also a giant producer of keyboards. Their products are long-lasting. Most of these instruments come with a 10-years-warranty period, which is something that most established brands aren’t promising yet.
If you’re looking for something quality-efficient yet budget-friendly, I recommend buying Roland musical instruments.
FAQs
Is Yamaha better than Steinway?
It depends on what parameters you are judging. If you’re looking at the sound quality, body of the piano, and finishing, then Steinway is generally better than Yamaha. However, Steinway pianos are expensive and remain unaffordable for amateurs and beginners. In such scenarios, Yamaha is the best. It provides perks similar to bigger brands but at a low price.
What is the most common piano brand?
The most common piano brand is Yamaha. They produce different types of piano-grand pianos, upright pianos, keyboards, and digital pianos in an affordable range. Therefore, most pianists opt for Yamaha products.
Which pianos hold their value?
The grand pianos are the pianos of utmost value. They are mostly manufactured by bigger piano brands with customized parts. As a result, these instruments are costlier than other pianos.
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Conclusion
Dear readers, the brand is an important aspect of the piano-buying process. The more you understand it, the better piano you’re going to get.
I have divided the brands according to the common needs of a pianist. Please go through the above information carefully before jumping to a conclusion.
See you in the next blog. Till then, keep playing the piano!