Size and Sound

[Alan W Deverell]

Some say size don't matter ?

I believe that one VERY important dimension is missing - What is the
HEIGHT of this room. According to my advisors, on the matter of
acoustics, the VOLUME and PROPORTIONS of the room are much more
important than a small size difference in the piano. There are MANY
other acoustic related matters which may be MUCH more critical than
most Piano Owners recognise.

Perhaps you should consider saving a little on the piano and raising
the ceiling.

AlanD (who is rumored to have 3 Grand Pianos in a "Living Room" not
TOO different from this and, money permitting, would go for a good C3,
but would need to extend the room to fit in one more 7' Grand and
still have room for the "Living")

>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org
>[mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf
>Of Wimblees@aol.com
>Sent: Sunday, September 06, 1998 8:18 AM
>To: pianotech@ptg.org
>Subject: Re: Size and Sound
>
>
>In a message dated 98-09-05 08:57:13 EDT, you write:
>
><< First, How do you judge the appropriate size piano for a given
room. My
> room is long (29 feet) and relatively narrow (12-14) with fairly
high
> ceilings. I am torn between the 7 foot piano of my dreams(which I
fear may
> be too much piano for the room), the 6'1 that practicality urges and
the
> 6'4 compromise.
>
> Also, the brands I am considering are Yamaha (C-3) and Boston in
carious
> sizes from 5"10- 7'2 (which I'm told plays "bigger" than its size
because
> it is wider than a conventional grand.).
>
> It's become more of a technical issue than a price or preference
one, so I
> am hoping some of you can shed some light on how I should make my
decision.
>  >>
>
>
>The size and brand of the piano should be detirmined by your needs,
wants,
>desires, budget, etc, not by the size of the room.
>Obviously, you can't put a 9' piano in a  room 10 x 10, but the room
you describe,
>almost any size will fit.
>
>What you need to consider is how much sound are you willing to accept
from
>these pianos. At full volume, I don't think there is going to be that
much
>difference between a 6' or 7' piano. I have seen a 9' Steinway in a
room
>smaller than what you have, and it wasn't overpowering. So if you
want and
>are willing to accept a big sound, then get a 7' piano.
>
>Just my opinion.
>
>Willem Blees