Hi All,

I just had a Yamaha P-22 delivered. I'm renting it, partly because I can't afford to buy a piano right now, partly because I wasn't sure whether I'd find an acoustic to be better, rather than just different from, my digital (a Yamaha P-95).

First of all: it's loud! The room it's in is narrow (27x11), and hard surfaced: no rugs, drapes or hangings. But hokey smokes, even taking that into consideration, my neighbors (I'm in a condo) will hear every last thing.

The sound is not as good as the digital. I think the hammers are a bit hard, and it's quite bright, and it's a little upright, compared to a Yamaha C3 grand (or whatever).

However, the action makes up for both of the forgoing shortcomings. It's not a great action, but already I can tell that there will be many more degrees of piano available to me. That's good, because I will spend a lot of time trying not to play forte. I've played a lot of DP actions, and they all seem to have a certain regularity of travel from top to bottom of the keybed, which is different from the acoustic. Maybe the new actions from Roland and/or Kawai, with escapement, will rectify that.

My advice to anybody wanting to take up the piano would be: unless you live in a great big detached house, far from neighbors, buy a good DP. You will need it every day in order to practice. But try to get an acoustic, because you'll need to work on touch, and after an acoustic, most DP's just feel funny.

Anyway, my initial impressions.

A good technician can probably improve the dynamics and the sound of the piano. You may not be able to afford anything beyond tuning now, but at least you have the potential.

Congratulations on your introduction to acoustic pianos. A thick rug under your P22 might make it sound softer. Use your P22 during the day or early evening and then use your P95 with headphones when neighbors might object. I play my acoustic when my family is doing other things and then use my Privia when they're sitting down watching TV or when I'm up at weird hours.

With practice on your acoustic, your touch and dynamics should improve rapidly. Good Luck.

An easy partial fix, and tried and true, is a big puffy comforter, or a quilt, between the piano back and the wall.

Give yourself a few days to adjust to the new sound.

Have lots of fun with your new toy!

I played an older Yamaha P22 studio upright for the first time at a church a few weeks ago... I was impressed with the tone and touch. It was a tad bright and the bass a little weaker than I'm use to, but a very nice piano nonetheless.

Congratulations on acquiring the P22, even if it is only a rental. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Rick

SirHuddlestonFudd, Many years ago I lived in a highrise in the Chicago area. I had an old upright player piano and TWO very large electronic "Theater" organs. I was so very lucky because my elderly neighbors actually liked hearing the music. Of course, I only played them during the day and early evening. Later in life, I lived in a private house with a 2000 watt Ham radio amplifier. When I used it, nobody could watch TV. My neighbors then didn't like that one bit! Maybe your neighbors will like the piano!
Best, Bill

Hi Sir Huddleston,

Before my mother passed, she lived in a two story apartment building whose residents happend to be elderly. Her apartment contained our family S&S grand. When I visited, her law was layed down that I could not play before 10:00am or after 5:00pm.

While practicing one day, there was a knock at the door. The neighbor from across the hall asked if when I practiced, would I leave our door open? !!! I quickly got into the habit of practicing in the morning, and performing a "mini" recital every evening at 8:00pm. The time was selected by the fellow residents. The hallway doors opened up like clock work. When I finished, you could hear the doors closing, from both floors. I would post the program of the day on the bulletin board in the common laundry.

My mom and I received an endless supply of cakes, cookies, candies ......

Perfectly lovely!

+1

Such a nice story! Thanks a lot for it!
Karel

With my compliments.

It is one of my fond memories of being with my Mom during her senior years, and from the last months of her life.

Voicing can help.

I would caution though, it is the fundamental tone that penetrates the walls not so much the "bright tones" that we might want to lessen to make it more pleasant to play.

One way or the other, playing the piano more softly will help.

What voicing CAN do, is make it more pleasant to play softly when you "play softly" considering the neighbors.

my 2.654 cents (inflation + fuel charge)