hate to disappoint anyone, but piano techs in S'pore may not have the same expertise as those from the US. It's a far cry, to say the least. There are a few good ones though ... few, if you know who they are.

Thanks for the information. It has been a great help.
Wondering if I must make myself look like a prospective buyer or just merely someone to try out the brands (showing my true intention).

Correct me if wrong.
Thomson Plaza (Chiu Piano) is near to Sin Ming Plaza (Music Galleria).
Gramecy (Tanjong Katong Road) is near to PianoMaster (Geylang).
Cristofori is further in Bedok.
Emmanuel is in Mackenzie Road, Little India (and is near to Alfa Centre or Mustafa Centre?)

Robert Piano has a few branch, so which one to go?

More or less. Not sure if Music Galleria is still open - you may have to give them a call since I have not been there before.

For Robert Piano, go to the Millennia walk branch for Steinway/Boston/Shigerus (or the Centrepoint one for Bluthner/Shigerus.)

Emmanuel is nearer Alfa Centre, not mustafa (which is some distance away.) For Cristofori you can go to the Funan Centre Branch too which is more central and has a Bechstein grand, Seiler upright and Knabe grand. Their housebrand is actually made by Young Chang and not too bad.

Remember to check their opening hours and call first to prevent a wasted trip.

Thanks fj_s.

That is very very helpful.
I have been checking them out in the Google Map and it seems they are quite accessible through public transport. Good!

me busy too.....

wzkit beri free, always go piano shop to play piano hehehe

Hey guys, just got back to Malaysia and had a very happy trip in testing out the great brands in Singapore.

Tried out the Chiu Piano in Thomson Plaza, then the Emmanuel & Sons where in the end I spent some time in Robert Piano, Centrepoint Orchard Road.

Tried Schimmel, Wilh. Steinberg, Steingraeber, Bluthner, Haessler uprights, and Steingraeber and Bluther is clearly a class higher than the rest.
Tried Bosie, Schimmel, Fazioli, restored NY Steinway, used Yamaha, Bluthner, Haessler and Shigeru grand. Wonderful NY Steinway (ivory keys!), others are very nice (Fazioli is not my cup of tea, but still a great piano), Haessler being less impressive, and Shigeru - to my surprise- being not better than I thought it could be.

Few facts though.
Emmanuels & Sons is located at 124 Mackenzie Road, instead of 148 listed on Bihua's blog.
Sauter is no longer available in The Music Galleria, Sin Ming Plaza. It's now in Victory Concert Mall/Hall (or something sounds similar to that).

Just checking in to say Hi.

Has a "beginner piano" ever been found by O.P?

I've fallen behind reading...

Norbert

I don't think the O.P. ever said whether he did or not, and hasn't been seen here for a long time. At least not using the same nick!

The Sauter dealership hasn't been with Music Galleria for years. It is now with Raffles Piano, recently located in Victoria Concert Hall, opposite the box office on the ground floor. The VCH has just closed for a three year remodeling and Raffles Piano has moved elsewhere (but I don't know the address yet).

Hope you had a fun time visiting the various piano showrooms.

Have updated it. Thanks! Haha, didn't know my blog came in useful =P

Errr...I've got some questions to ask...for ABRSM piano practical exams...

1. The exams pieces book which I going to bring into the exam room cannot have any markings huh? Means I must erase off all the pencil markings before I bring the book into the exam?

2. Grade 5 Practical is not complusory for higher grades hor? It is the Grade 5 Theory that is complusory right? So, if I want, I can skip Grade 5 Practical correct?

Thanks!

1. I think you can have markings, if you own the book. But ask your teacher for sure.

2. Grade 5 Theory is a prerequisite for Grade 6-8. In order to progress to those grades, you must pass your Grade 5 Theory. Grade 5 Practical is not compulsory.

Hi all,

I've just started learning piano with only 6 lessons. I've been practicing with my Casio CTK230 so the feel just isn't correct. I've been pondering to get a second hand digital/upright piano but I've got a serious budget of about $500 - $700.

Is there anywhere I can get at such a price for a decent model which can last me the next 2-3 years? I've searched ebay but to no avail....

I've also been comparing several 2nd hand models like the Tokai AU1, Yamaha P85 and Casio models. Anyone knows where I can test out Casio models? I saw this white Casio PX 7-WE which looks really nice though it's probably out of my budget. I know that sometimes Yamaha and Cristophori hold warehouse sales. Anyone been to such sales before and would it be worth the wait for the next sale to get my piano there?

Thanks!

Thanks Jin Jack! Ya, my teacher told me to erase all the markings in my exam pieces book...so sad...ya, i rely too much on them...

Bihua, what I may recommend is that, try to make some faint marking on them (of course, with your teacher's permission). Only a few faint one that is important for you. It's not that the examiner will ask you to surrender the book for checking about markings, isn't it?

The alternative is of course to rely on your own instinct in terms of interpretation (and of course pedaling).

Thanks!

Fairylander, I suppose u are looking for Digital Pianos? I bought a Korg SP 250 from Luther Music. Think is not bad. But out of your budget ($1,008 now). You can try calling and ask what price they offer. Usually is cheaper if you cash and carry.

http://www.luthermusic.com/category/keyboards_electronic-pianos/korg-sp-250

There are also other models which they carry...

Fairylander
There's a few models displayed at Carrfour. They also have the PX 7-WE at the Plaza Sing outlet (toys section, haahaa) selling at $1699. You can get it from Play-By-Ear for $1499. I was thinking about getting that as my girl just started learning. But now I've changed my mind after trying out - so light it feels like a toy. And very basic function. Personally thinks heavier investment makes the interest goes longer...Many suggested Korg 250, saying it value for $.

Hi Bihua and happyHippo,

Thanks for your advice. I'll be checking those few places out over the weekend. Yeah, I wanna get something that'll last me a while so I'm also deciding if I should just try to save up more $$ to get a better piano. If so, I just have to put up with the kiddish keyboard i have now for the next few months:P

Are those Singapore dollars or US Dollars? If S$, then US $368-512.

If you're willing to work with headphones, I'd recommend trying to find a used Yamaha P90. Your post might be better in the Digital Pianos - Synths & Keyboards forum.

Hi all,
new Hailun HL125 or 4yrs Yamaha YM5, can the experts give me some advise? does anyone know/ can confirm if YM5 are made in Japan?

Palindrome,
they're in Singapore dollar...

hi,

Need advice on whether to buy digital or upright piano for my daugther. She is 8 years old, learning piano lesson from yamaha. Going for grade 1 test soon. As my budget is tight (around SGD 1.5K to 2K), should I be going for second hand upright or digital piano?

thanks

hi,

I am learning piano for a year already. My 4 year old son just started on the instrument. We are now using a Yamaha P85.. Am thinking of getting an acoustic piano now. At first i was thinking of stretching my budget to get a brand new U1 but now i think i probably keep it below 6K. With this considering these 2 brands - which one should i get?

- Yamaha M112
- Hailun 132 model? or the 125 model is ok also..

Thanks!

Well from the rest of the thread, there are many choices, ranging from Chinese-made grands (look at Hailun and Kayserburg at Cristofori), Petrof and Bohemia (the shorter ones), Kawai/Yamaha, or used taller Kawais and Yamahas... (look for Mr Kwan @ Emmanuel Piano or Asia PIanos).

Hi, Am still thinking of the piano.. Anyway, would like to check if any of you know good piano teacher that is good in teaching small children. Looking for another piano teacher for my son. Need one who is passionate about teaching.. not just teaching for the sake of earning extra cash. Appreciate alot if any of you can recommend the teacher. thank you!!

Hi guys,

After reading at least 90% of the posts here this last week, I'm finally ready to post something This thread looks like it is filled with pretty friendly people around. So it does give newbies like me courage to 'speak up'

Newbie and like many others, want to buy a piano. But I think more for me than for my 6yo daughter.

Questions

(1) I do see someone posted about Bohemia, but are there anyone here who owns a Bohemia piano? If yes, how many years? Good? any problem?

(2) I have been wanting to learn piano since I was as young as my girl, but only have the chance now. For a newbie like me, is it too 'risky' to get a brand new piano that cost about $8k? (specifically brand new Kawai K3)

(3) another question, I went to Robert Piano. I quite like the K5, but, currently, they quoted me $10,190 :(, and K3 $8160. Looks like there price has gone up? I kind of saw a few posts about the prices last year which is not so high.

(4) Tried Bohemia, Wilhelm Tell, Hailun, Kawai. Will be trying Yamaha soon. For under $10k budget, what else can can try?

Thanks in advance to all your replies

I, too, would like to contribute to this thread

I live in a HDB flat in Singapore, but has the sudden (foolish) urge to bond myself to a hefty bank loan ... in order to purchase a concert grand

Problem guys (and gals): How do I fit a concert grand into a HDB 5 room flat?

Any offers?

I can "settle" with a smaller 7 foot semi-concert!

Move the TV and big sofa to the entertainment room!

Cheers