If you are going to torture your kids, torture them right.
Written: Sep 15 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Extremely durable, excellent sound, great hammer action
Cons: Timbre is too bright, not suited for professional performance
|
|
|
| garypai's Full Review: Yamaha Gp1 - 5' 3" Grand Piano |
Growing up in an Asian household, I was forced to live a very stereotypical Chinese childhood. Not only was I forced to learn multiplication before my American classmates did and go to Chinese school on Saturday while my favorite cartoons were on TV, my parents also improved my childhood by sending me to weekly piano lessons. In return for these weekly "fun sessions," I was also blessed by my daily requirements to practice half an hour a day while my friends would be running around outside, taunting me through my window while I plucked away at Beethoven's Für Elise.
My skill level has changed quite a bit since my first lesson, where I first began plucking away on the black keys on the piano. I was initially billed as a child prodigy, only to have lost interest for a couple of years. And now, if I practice a few hours per week, I might be able to pass as a lounge pianist. However, despite this variability in my skill level, one thing has remained constant, and that is my instrument since I began studying music in 1982, the Yamaha GP1 5' 3" baby grand piano.
As a five year-old child prodigy, I honestly could not tell the difference between the quality of this popular piano and other upright and grand models. I knew that the five-position music stand could fit all of my music, and there was enough room on the sides of the music stand for a lamp, a metronome, and my kitchen timer (which inexplicably seemed to always chime much sooner than expected.) In addition, I appreciated the fact that I could raise the piano lid to two settings - the lower setting when I did not want to bother my parents too much, and the highest setting when I really wanted to play loudly and annoy them.
As I progressed through my studies and became a more experienced musician, there were many nuances about selecting a piano in which I became more cognizant. First off is that this piano tends to have a much brighter timbre than more professional grand pianos from manufacturers such as Kawai and Steinway & Sons. This means that the Yamaha GP1 is more conducive for performing the more traditionally classical pieces such as Mozart sonatas and Bach minuets than for the darker, more romantic Rachmaninoff concertos and Chopin mazurkas. This is not only a function of the more petite size of the Yamaha, but also because the weights of the hammers are lighter.
Despite not stacking up with the top-of-the-line performance pianos, playing on the Yamaha GP1 is a huge improvement over playing on any upright on the market. There tends to be very little resistant in the keys of uprights, while the Yamaha requires a very even touch to produce sound. This means that a wider range of dynamics can be produced with the Yamaha GP1. Furthermore, the sound from the Yamaha is much richer than the sound from uprights. This, of course, should be expected, because the design of an upright, by nature, is more restrictive in producing a rich sound than the design of a grand piano.
Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the Yamaha GP1. However, there are some issues to consider before making the plunge and purchasing this piano. The first consideration is space - with a length of 5' 3", one needs to ensure that there is enough space to accommodate this. If not, then an upright is a better choice. The second consideration is that beginners will not be able to fully appreciate the difference in experience between this piano and an upright. Beginners will not be able to appreciate the rich sound produced by this piano, as well as understand the importance of the weight of the keys. Only when a player has become more experienced will the richness of sound and the importance of feel of the piano be realized. However, this piano is not intended to be used by experts and virtuosos. There is a reason why Steinway & Sons pianos are the performance pianos of choice versus this affordable baby grand choice. The richness of sound and the luxurious feel of the keys are quite obvious to the truly experienced players.
However, for intermediate to advanced players, the Yamaha GP1 is a great choice for its price. Furthermore, it is extremely durable. Purchased in 1982 for $5,000, this piano has lasted 18 years, been moved 3 different times, and been pounded to death by two children during this span of time. The luster is still as shiny as ever. All three pedals (damper, bass sustain, and general sustain pedals) are all functional, as is every single key on the piano. Most uprights of this age tend to have a key or two that no longer function. The piano maintains intonation very well throughout its entire range, requiring only annual tuning. My only complaints about these outer ranges are that the lowest notes tend to be very murky and fuzzy and that the highest notes can be quite shrill.
However, considering that I am not a professional, this piano is a great choice. It is an excellent middle-of-the-line piano for those who are coming of age in their musical talents. While I hesitate to recommend this for beginners, it would be a good choice if the intent is to become an intermediate to advanced player. Once beyond these levels of expertise into the more expert levels, it is most likely that this piano will eventually be replaced by the more luxurious and professional models. But since I will never reach that level, it is my hope that I will continue to pluck away on Für Elise and my favorite show tunes on my Yamaha GP1 for years to come.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
garypai
|
|
Location: New York
Reviews written: 43
Trusted by: 119 members
About Me:
I enjoy dining out, going to shows, and enjoying all the city has to offer.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.