Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum I am looking at a new piano today

Going to someone's house to look at a Steinway M from Craigslist. I feel very self-conscious playing in that situation, but I will do my best. I think I will like the piano, but I feel I haven't looked at enough different pianos yet to spend that much money.
Yikes, this is exciting.

Have you ever played a Steinway at all?

I spent just a couple minutes playing an M when I was in the dealer shopping among their (non-Steinway) uprights. Since then I've played a few other grand pianos and the Steinway definitely felt and especially sound different than anything else.

I thought it was a fairly heavy key feel but not necessarily a bad thing. Compared to other grands the keys felt very precise and controllable. But they did take more force than some if I wanted to play loud.

The sound was very round and smooth, had real warm mezzo-piano to mezzo-forte range in particular. It would be wonderful for classical music, I have one easy Chopin piece I'm working on that the Steinway made sound much better than I usually play it!

Very exciting stuff. I can't wait to hear what you think of the one you're looking at.

Brent- Thanks for sharing my excitement!
My teacher's piano is a Steinway O. Yes, it has a heavy feel but it sounds so good! Took me many lessons to get used to it. I will try other pianos too but I am afraid my teacher has turned me into a Steinway Snob.

How exciting, I am recently concluded my piano search. I almost got a Steinway M from the 1920s, that was a private sale, but got a newer Schimmel instead. Best of luck on finding your piano. I am sure other people have told you this but if you like the piano have a tech come by and give you an assessment of the piano.