Oh! the Anguish

First, thank you to all who posted about uprights vs. grands. I've searched the group history and found that this subject has come up numerous times. I find myself, however, in my own personal dilemma to solve.

I quit taking when I was a kid. Was it because I hated my mother's Wurlitzer spinet that couldn't compare to the teacher's Baldwin or was it the fact that the height of the keyboard hurt my wrists? Or, was I just a kid wanting to do other things?

Now I have two sons, 9 and 7, taking piano. There has been much advice not to hurry into a purchase. Yet, time does not wait. The boys will get older and they may tire of the Sterling upright we have. There is advice to play many pianos. Having had our mediocre Sterling for 5+ years, I haven't found myself playing other pianos. In fact, I haven't progressed that much, and at age 42 I don't think I will ever be a concert pianist, nor do I aspire to be one. So, waiting to be good enough to truly notice the difference in pianos and then taking the opportunity to play many probably won't happen in the near future. Again, time is not on my side.

So, today I wrestle with whether to go out and buy the boys a good upright that easily fits in our house or buy a small Pramberger grand for about the same money $7500 and make it fit, not badly so but still more obtrusive, so that they will have the benefit of having a grand to learn on. That's the budget. To wait may mean, once again, they lose interest. Or, is it really that big a deal?

Are there better grands? Sure, everyone posting has different opinions. The way I look at it, however, is that anything being debated is probably better than my Sterling console I bought used for $1700, right? So, it really is a matter of being better than what I have. There may not be anything better in the future. To not move is to default to Sterling quality. Would anyone argue that a step to Young-Chang, no matter how distasteful to the 'proficient', is still a step in the right direction? Or, would anyone argue to stay where I am with my Sterling?

Any last thoughts would be appreciated.

Wellllll, you're asking some pretty good questions here but I don't think any of us could really answer them. The truth is probably that the quality of the piano is going to make no difference after the first week to small children.

I would bet a large paycheck on the last reason. I learned on a tired old upright, and I suspect that is true for most pianist.

To address the last question, No, it isn't really that big a deal. I find it very difficult to recommend any change of pianos at this point and for the reasons you stated. If you just WANT a better piano, that's a good reason. That isn't what you said, however. Would anyone argue that a step to Young-Chang, no matter how

I would say that a YC in the 6' range is an adequate piano for ANY student. However, see my remaks above.

See above

It is well known that I often argue against buying verticals when it is possible to buy a grand. However, your case is a bit different. You are talking about spending money to replace what is apparently a perfectly serviceable upright with no real reason. I don't honestly think that buying a Steinway D would have any real effect on the child's learning curve at the age we are discussing. YOu did not mention the child's being a prodigy, and that could make a difference. She could have anything she wanted, but my grand daughter has an old Gulbransen spinet. She is 10.

Get yourself a baby grand. Let your kids (as well as yourself) have the fun and motivation that will come from having a decent piano to play on. As you say, time is important. I would even suggest looking at some of the Chinese built baby grands. They have become quite decent lately, and offer a lot of piano for the money. I would imagine the Young Chang you're looking at for 7500 is a 4'7'. You can get a 5' Hallett Davis, Nordiska, or any of the other names they put on it, for around 6K, and it is a much better sounding piano. The quality is similar, and the extra few inches makes a big difference in sound.

WHatever you do, do something now. You won't regret it.

Larry Doing the work of 3 men - Larry, Curly, & Moe Caution: I do not brake for sales weasels

I've played several of these lately, and it's scary how good the Dongbei grands are becoming. Elitists will perhaps cringe at the thought of people buying them, and we may not know how they will pass the test of time. My guess is that it will last at least as well, if not better, than the spinets of 30 years ago have, and I would have loved to have a piano like this during my youth. For classical music I think the Hallet Davis/Nordiska/Lothar Schell/Ridgewood/Story&Clark clones sound better than the typical Yomamaha.