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A room with a piano and baby grand piano.

November 30 2020

Baby Grands Vs Grand Pianos

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog piano basics 0

The major classifications of pianos is pretty simple. There are two types: Grand pianos (which sit on three legs, horizontally) and Upright pianos (which are built vertically and usually sit against a wall.

The confusion usually starts when people talk about baby grands. Are they talking about grand pianos? Or is a baby grand a totally different instrument? If so, why are they different?

Is It Just A Matter Of Size?

I think the old cliché that a picture is worth a thousand words is true here as well:

The answer is yes and no. You can see above that size is a major difference, but it is not the only difference. A baby grand (on the right) is usually 5’ to 5’7” long – from the keyboard to the tail. Baby grand is just one of the names people use when talking about grand pianos. There is also the petite baby grand or petite grand which is from 4’7” up to 5”. Both are very popular.

Hailun Baby Grand Piano

But there are other categories of Grand Pianos, and their lengths roughly determine their names. Keep in mind that most of these so called categories bear names that are not carved in stone with the exception of the concert grand category. Let’s go back to the photo of the 2 pianos we started with, the one on the left is a 9’2” concert grand.

Concert grands run from 8’11” and above
Semi-Concert Grands are generally 7’4” to 8’10”
Parlor Grands are generally 6’8’
Drawing Room Grands are generally 6’4”
Professional Grands are generally 6’
Living Room Grands are generally 5’10”
Medium Grands are generally 5’7” to 5’9”
Baby Grands are generally 4’10’ to 5’6”
Petite Grands are less than 4’10”

You might note that the width of these grand pianos is basically the same for all categories no matter their length. Five feet give or take is the normal width and 88-keys is a standard keyboard. Some piano builders make minor changes to the width and number of keys, but not many.
But length is not the only difference. Each category of grand piano is somewhat different from the others in performance capacity.

Why Is The Performance Capacity Different?

The soundboard and strings of a grand piano are positioned inside the piano case. As a key is depressed, a hammer strikes the string from below producing sound that resonates off the soundboard. The size of the soundboard, the crown, and the materials it’s made of plus the length of the strings, their quality and how the piano is strung, can influence the tonal quality of the piano. Generally though, the larger the soundboard and longer the strings the greater the volume and tonal quality and variety.
As you can see by the names of the classifications, pianos are designed for different purposes. The job of a concert grand is to cut through the orchestra (unless it’s a piano solo) to reach the balcony and back rows of huge concert halls. That much sound in an average sized living room would be downright painful. So one normally only sees concert grands in churches, concert halls and grand rooms in grand homes. A semi concert grand would serve smaller venues well etc. down the line. It really comes down to just stopping to take a few minutes to think about how the piano will be used and how much room have you allocated for a piano.

And if all of this isn’t confusing enough, there are even greater differences between grand pianos and vertical or upright pianos. But that’s another article on it’s own!!

Sauter Rondo Upright Piano

In closing, when it comes to pianos, there is much to know. A handmade piano can be almost as unique as a human being. No two high-end pianos will sound alike or feel alike. Each will have its own personality or tonal colors. The differences tend to blur in less expensive, mass produced pianos where most manufacturers aim for consistency rather than individual colorations. Visit our blog where you’ll find a wealth of piano articles and information.

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples specializes in luxury pianos.The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned European brands as well as its own acrylic instrument – The Aire™ baby grand. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.

A red x in front of an image of a machine.

November 9 2020

Acrylic Pianos – Let’s Talk About Quality

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog how to series 0

Acrylic pianos today are made by a variety of manufacturers, including Euro Pianos Naples who offer the beautiful “Aire” model which can be color customized in a variety of ways.

While acrylic pianos (also called transparent pianos, crystal pianos, lucid pianos, or clear pianos) are a fairlyrecent phenomenon, I was surprised to learn the U.S. patent for a transparent piano lid dates back to 1976. It was granted to the Libby-Owens-Ford Company, a glassmaker in Ohio. This lid, made of safety glass merged with a layer of special plastic, with a hinge, was invented for use by the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, to lend better viewing to the audience at concerts. In other words the grand piano lid does not block the view of the orchestra.

Concert performers and entertainers today sometimes opt for acrylic grands for the same reason, to give an unfettered view of the piano workings to their audiences, and/or to provide the beautiful and dramatic theatrics which such an instrument creates. A perfect example is Bruno Mars playing the Bluthner Lucid Elegance grand on this video:

“Versace On The Floor”

But acrylic pianos have come into their own and are being purchased for homes, music rooms and entertainment venues. They fall into two general types: The best and the most expensive are transparent pianos, such as those made by Schimmel and Bluthner that run to six figures and carry the quality of the historic German piano builders under their lids. These models are decorator luxury instruments, highly customized and iconic. Schimmel’s transparent piano began to be produced in 1951 and was further perfected 30 years later by his son. Bluthner took over Lucid Pianos of Spain and streamlined the production of acrylic pianosto a new standard. Bluthner, established in 1853, is a premier performance piano builder.

The Lucid Pianos are based on models 166, 175, 186, 210 and 235 sharing the same highest performance materials and construction for the soundboard, plate pin block and action. Bluthner Plexiglas is purchased from the German company Evonik. Most modern day acrylic, like Evonik’s, will remain crystal clear with no distortions for the lifetime of the piano, regardless of the thickness or shape provided its cared for appropriately. Colorless acrylic is as transparent as the finest optical glass, its total light transmission is 92%. Lucid Idyllic Excellence is the only fully transparent piano. This piano features a patented technology – thesoundboard sits on a special metal inserts. (visible on this picture below)

Acrylic Pianos – Let’s Talk About Quality

Because top of the line luxury pianos are not affordable by all, a second choice has evolved, a piano with an acrylic lid,with decorative acrylic lyre, music stand and legs completing the design. High-quality interiors are still contained in the cases, but are better priced in the $50K range and don’t have all the innovative bells and whistles of the more famous brands. Euro Pianos’ Aire is such a model.

The Aire™ piano is built in Miami FL and uses American-made high-standard acrylic (second only to original German Evonik acrylic) which will not yellow with age or sunlight like other substitute plastics some use in place of real acrylic.

Aire™ piano is available in Black, White and the newly released Red finish with hardware options of brass or chrome. Invisible self playing systems, are a high-tech add on providing live performance quality with today’s wirless technology.

What Is Acrylic Anyway? Can We Talk About Quality?

Acrylic is a clear (unless it’s dyed) very high-grade form of plastic made primarily from petroleum. Plexiglas (Acrylite) is one of the big brand name manufacturers, as is Lucite (Perspex). High grade acrylic is a form of plastic that may be easily confused with non-acrylic plastics which yellow or discolor quickly and age poorly. But like anything else, there are superior and inferior acrylics, in terms of their ease of use and manufacturing process.

The best acrylic for transparency and longevity is German made acrylic followed closely by US made acrylic.

There are two basic versions of acrylics: cast and extruded. These are different products but both are considered acrylic with different uses.

Cast acrylic is usually regarded as a better quality than the extruded and is more resistant to some solvents. Extruded acrylic can behave differently depending on how it’s bent whereas it makes no difference in cast acrylic. Cast acrylic is more scratch resistant, but is harder to flame polish (the finishing process to remove saw marks, prep marks, etc.)

The most important point is that genuine acrylic plastic will always be more expensive than non-acrylic plastics. Non-acrylic plastics carry names such as Styrene, PETG, and Polycarbonate. These are NOT genuine acrylic and as such are not suitable for durability of clarity and resistance to scratching, etc. So, buyer beware. Check that the plastic used to manufacture the piano is a true acrylic before settling for a bargain price product.

The Knock-Off Trade In Transparent Pianos

The Amazon of China showcases a variety of discount priced “clear”, “crystal” and “acrylic” pianos. Some listings attempt to mislead purchasers by posting images of genuine top-notch acrylic pianos. If the price sounds too good to be true, ask yourself …

Will the hardware pit and tarnish?
What plastic are the clear parts made of?
Will it yellow and grow cloudy or will it remain crystal clear and beautiful?
How do I enforce the warranty?
Are there bubbles in the acrylic?
Are the visible screws and glue beautiful?
Are the piano legs and lid engineered for safety?
And how about the value of the piano as a musical instrument?
Is the piano built by a legitimately ranked and respected piano manufacturer?

Final Thoughts On Quality Acrylic Pianos

If you want the best – Bluthner Lucid line of pianos (100% made in Germany using only Evonik acrylic) offers exciting, fully transparent, semi-transparent and colored acrylic pianos which can be customized with LED lighting and self playing systems in all manner of color palettes and decorative hardware.

For the price minded consumer, Aire is an elegant acrylic piano built in Miami using 100% USA acrylic and real performance quality mechanics by the world’s largest piano manufacturers. Oftentimes these pianos can be delivered in less than 8 weeks.

Euro Pianos Naples recommends either one of these options. We are available to answer questions and consult with you on acrylic and transparent pianos, free of charge. Just give us a call, and we will be happy to accommodate you.

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, Schimmel, Fazioli, as well as its own acrylic instrument – The Aire. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.

A pink couch and chair in front of a window.

April 12 2020

History of Mid Century Modern Design

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design 0

What Is Mid Century Modern?

There have always been creative people ahead of their time. The roots of modern design can be traced all the way back to primitive cave art. But for the purpose of categorizing eras of design and style, Mid Century Modern as a design category for architecture, furniture, textiles and objects of business and home could be said to span the 1930’s to mid-1960’s. That means that some designers, some artists, some architects had already begun to shape what would become a world-shaking new style in the mid twentieth century before it actually exploded.

The Bauhaus Movement

To be more accurate, however, we must look back to the founding in 1919 of the Bauhaus, a German art school in Weimar, by architect Walter Gropius. The motivations behind the creation of the Bauhaus lay in anxieties about the 19^thCentury’s soullessness of manufacturing and its products, and in fears about art’s loss of purpose in society. Creativity was being lost to commerce, and the Bauhaus aimed to unite them, rejuvenating design in all aspects of everyday life. Such famous artists as Paul Klee, Vasily Kandisky, and Josef Albers and others taught the study of materials, color theory and formal relationships in preparation for students’ specialized studies.

In 1925, the Bauhaus moved to the German industrial town of Dessau, created a department of architecture and launched the most influential period of their work. Gropius designed a new Bauhaus building, which is still known as a landmark of modern, functionalist architecture.

A Swiss architect, Hannes Meyer, head of the architecture department was an active communist, and installed Marxism into the curriculum. Gropius resigned in 1928 amid battles and criticism. Meyer was replaced by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe who enhanced the architecture curriculum. Whenthe Nazis came to power in 1930’s, the school was closed.

But during the time that Bauhaus flourished, minimalist design in furniture and textiles defied any previous concepts. In collaboration, metalworkers, artists, architects and designers used cellophane, fiberglass and (acrylic or Plexiglas) plastic, space and physics to transform design.

Many of the key figures of the Bauhaus migrated during the dangerous years of World War II. Several Bauhaus artists were arrested and killed by the Nazis; others fled to exile in America.

The Bauhaus artists found perhaps their greatest success in America, disseminating their ideas and designs. Josef and Anni Albers taught at Black Mountain College in North Carolina for 16 years, after escaping Germany. The school was founded in 1933 and liberally based on Bauhaus concepts.

Gropius and Breuer taught at Harvard’s design school, and Moholy-Nagy founded the Chicago Institute of Design.

Ludwig Mies Van De Rohe, the last Bauhaus leader, along with Philip Johnson in 1957, designed the Seagram Building, While the building itself stands as an icon of modernism, the empty space in front of the building was also innovative. An open, urban plaza set the building back from Park Avenue and created a gracious pedestrian space. Often emulated, such plazas have become a cliché, but, at the time, Mies was making a bold statement. He helped make Gropius’s modernist architecture the mainstay of New York City skyscrapers.

Florence Knoll, a former student of Mies, realized that the new skyscraper style demanded modern furniture and interiors to match, so she licensed Bauhaus and other modernist designs for mass-production. Today, Knoll is still one of the only distributors of genuine Bauhaus furniture — their success an indicator of the lasting appeal of Bauhaus design, nine decades later.

Florence Knoll sofa

The International Style

While Bauhaus was a huge influence all over the world, there were other architects and innovators in America, France, Finland and the Netherlands who were not German, and when Bauhaus moved to America, another more inclusive name was born. The Getty Research Institute defined the minimalist, modern style of architecture that dominated until the 1970’s, “The International Style.” It is characterized by the same Bauhaus principles of volume over mass, flat surfaces with areas of glass and a general rejection of ornamental and repetitive modular forms. Most people think of the International Style as another general name for the spare, geometric designs that are now called Mid Century Modern or Bauhaus.

Poul Jensen Z Chairs 1950 Denmark

Why Did Mid Century Modern Come Into Vogue?

The 1950’s were an iconic age. The biggest world war in history had just ended, and Americans who had been living on rations, and war effort shortages were suddenly back to work with disposable income. A newhousing industry sprang up to provide replacements for the boxy pre-war cottages that had been the norm. These craftsmen style homes had “updated” the old Victorian style homes earlier in the century and often featured an inviting front porch, but with the end of the war, another housing style was ushered in.

New subdivisions and affordable housing were the rage, and the “ranch house” emerged as an example of the new wave of design in architecture. The mid-century designranch houses are still being built to this day. As former neighborhoods got gobbled up by developers, and streets crowded with additional lots, the builders’ focus shifted from the former invite-the- neighbors-in porch ambiance in favor of a more private, fenced backyard with a patio. Open brazier grills became a staple, and large paned patio doorsevolved to let nature inside.

To enhance the mid century modern architecture, new plastic materials emerged for flooring, countertops and fixtures, in modern shapes and colors. Inexpensive track housing was made available for “the boys coming home” and while there was a “sameness” to many of the models, they endured as stable, well-built and basic homes.

Between1946 and 1965, in California, other homes were going up, more than 11,000 of them, all designed by modernists commissioned by builder Joseph Eichler. Eichler, a former dairyman, had been inspired by living briefly in a Frank Lloyd Wright home. (Wright, an architect who had earlier built over 500 iconic modern structures, believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture.) Eichler houses, found throughout Northern and Southern California (and even outside of New York City), are some of the most celebrated tract residences in the United States.

It stands to reason that innovative interior design and furnishings would follow suit. Middle class, post war Americans were gaga over the latest modern furniture. The new world, the bright future was a big step up from the woes of past economic depressions, rations, and warfare.

If you are old enough to remember the 1950’s, you might recall some of the furniture in your own home, as I do.

Our Formica kitchen dinette set was aqua, with chrome legs. Formica, a material first developed for industrial purposes, was widely used for Mid Century Modern designtabletops, especially dinette and kitchenette sets.

Over the span of the 1950’s and early 1960’s “space-age” materials were being developed and used to make this brave new world truly new. Plastics came into their own, rather than being used as faux (inexpensive) imitation of wood furniture. A lot of non-traditional materials including plywood, Plexiglass, vinyl, and metal changed the look and feel of furniture, as well as opened up the opportunity for wonderful bright colors and choices of contrasts.

Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen 1958

Just like the clean lines of the ranch style houses, furniture took on an understated. minimalist look. Designers began to play with organic and geometric designs, making the eye move with color and contrasting materials. Simplifying for functionality. Since an architect had proclaimed in 1896 that “form follows function”, no furniture before Mid Century Modern decorbetter exemplifies his point. If esthetic beauty should come from the pursuit of functionality, rather than simply for decoration or styling, the innovators of Mid Century Modern interior designsmade it their credo.

The Mid Century Modern furniture designers who emerged on the scene are of the best known and beloved of our time. Such names as Charles and wife, Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Isamu Nogochi, Edward Wormley, Aero Saarinen, Alexander Girard and George Nelson are only a few of the hugely successful and famous game changers of the era.

The Henry Miller lounge chair and ottoman is one of the most quintessential of mid century modern pieces, designed by Charles & Ray Eames. This design is exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Mid Century Modern furniture is beautiful and fits functionally with the lifestyles of most people in the 21^stCentury all over the world. It may have come into fashion because of a world war, but in the confusion and turmoil of modern life, we can’t think of any style better to soothe and sanctify your personal living space.

The style continues to be popular, and the manufacturers continue the style lines, embracing the mid century modern because it has a timelessness to it. The Museum of Modern Art (and many other museums all over the world) pay tribute to it. But practically speaking, the designs just feel fresh, and are hard to improve upon.

Edward Wormley sofa

How To Decorate With Mid Century Modern

Yes, Mid Century Modern is a gorgeous style and most of us would like to have our home reflect some of those sleek, clean lines — but like everything else in this world, there are a few tips to doing it right.

PK22 chair by Poul Kjaerholm 1956

Less is More

Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe used the phrase “less is more” regarding architecture and design, meaning the simplicity of lines and lack of ornamentation. But the concept holds true for Mid Century Modern when it comes to interior design as well. To have a room crammed full of mid century modern décor, be it authentic or replicated pieces would be overkill. Just as one can have too much of a good thing in most aspects of life, it is certainly true in decorating.Balance is the secret.

Elle Decor

To get the proper balance, it helps to study the history of the style, and then to take a slightly eclectic stance when choosing the full modern mix. The idea is not to replicate a 1950’s room, (which might come off dated and copycat), but to use broad strokes to create the feel of mid century modern. By choosing one or two representative pieces, like the sofa or the armchairs, the rest can be filled in with other functioning décor that enhances the room. By studying and understanding the style, you can find other furniture that echoes it, in the way of plain wooden cabinets, cork and teak, metal and plastic tables, Danish, wicker and Shaker pieces. Belike the brave of heart who go truly eclectic and use what works. We would advise against using excessive patterns unless you know how to do it, like below. By keeping the color range similar, the patterns don’t leap out and bite you, but look smashing. We love the subtle echoes in the pieces of this room!

Nate Berkus Interiors

Authentic mid century modern pieces are still available. Indeed, some never stopped being manufactured, but they are usually pricey while excellent replicas are made by many of the top furniture sellers, and budget pieces can be found that are spectacularly well done.

Once you have done enough research to understand the distinguishing features of the style, you will find many other pieces to echo that look, pieces that fit your budget and needs without buying original museum pieces. Don’t be afraid to mix midcentury with pieces from other periods. You may be surprised how well some things blend, with an eye to color, shape and spatial balance.

William Abrandowicz

Another trick to avoid your mid century modern décor from looking too uniform in style is to use furniture and accessories of different heights. Like good art, the idea is to keep the eye moving from place to place, so it works not to have everything at the same level. Lighting (such as the arc lamps) did a very good job of lifting the eye from the low-slung sofas and coffee tables that define the style. Art (large and small) (see the oriental screen in the photo above) can do the same job.

Where can you find a Mid Century Modern Piano?

Sure, you can google and find Mid Century Modern furniture everywhere. From the high-end Herman Miller and Kroll pieces right down to Crate & Barrel, furniture is available in this wonderful style. But if you’re a pianist, you may wonder how to find a piano these days to fit your new mid century modern décor? Euro Pianos Naples had customers coming to them with this exact question. It might be easy to find an Eames or Barcelona chair, but they want a piano that fits into that special room as well.

Any number of modern pianos today will echo this décor. The Sauter uprights which are stunning, look to be made for Mid Century Modern in their sleek, clean lines.

Sauter Pure designed by Peter Maly

But because we had specific requests for affordable mid century modern piano, we designed our own upright with the time-honored lines and silhouette to fit the demand.

Echo™ – Mid Century modern Upright

View details

What About Mid Century Modern Style Lighting?

They say the devil is in the details, and for a devilish good result in decorating, they would be right. Lighting a room can be an art, but the wonderful designs in mid century modern styles are worth pointing out. Generally speaking, the style of lamps is soft and rounded, “bubbles” and globes. Whether they be rice paper lamps or hanging cylinders, simplicity usually reigns.

The arco lamp is an iconic mid century modern design that has never left us. It seems to look good in any décor, and it’s a wonderful space saver, as a floor lamp.

FLOS Arco floor lamp

Table lamps often reflect the same simple structures of the furniture peg legs, adding charm to already simple lines.

The opposite of the soft, round designs was the “star shape” or “sputnik” shaped multi-bulbed fixture which also represented the style, in many surprising variations. These were used to enhance the very stark décor of some rooms where straight lines prevailed.

What are the Mid Century Modern Colors You Should Use?

Because the style ranged from Bauhaus to International and spanned two decades in the making, a wide palette of colors emerged over the years. Traditionally, in America, bright hues popped in via Formica and plastic, but colors settled down in the ‘60s and earth tones trended. Pink was always a mid century modern color giveaway.

These days, we think any carefully chosen palette will work, be it neutrals with pops of color, or a totally coordinated theme. One hint might be to choose your most important and eye-catching pieces first, and design around them. Even black and white can be uniquely used to make a room unforgettable. Look at the combination of rich wood and no color in this dining room.

What Are the Finishing Touches on Mid Century Modern?

Getting back to the origins of this style, some of the kindest things you can do to any room is to bring nature and art to bear. Rocks, plants, shells, and bones are all used in variations that are not only visually gorgeous but enhance the humanity of your living space as well. If you have favorite items, things that are touchstones for your own memories and adventures, such keepsakes, incorporate them to add life to your experience of the rooms.

Like lighting, accessories are an art, and choosing small things that delight you, will help you love your space.

Vase

Teapot

Clock

Teak Heron

The finishing touches to a room can be very personal, very aesthetic, and also just be that pop of color that brings the elements together, as any good decorator or interior designer will tell you. Even throw pillows can provide exciting accents that don’t cost much to accomplish.

Whatever you decide on, we hope you are fearless and smart about it. Go Bold!

Iconic Knoll’s Barcelona Chair

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, and it has recently become a manufacturer of its own acrylic instrument – The Aire. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.

A black piano with gold trim and a white top.

March 8 2020

How to Choose a Piano

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog how to series

There is nothing more exhilarating than making the decision to purchase a new piano. That is not to say that purchases like a new dwelling or vehicle are not exciting and more fundamental to immediate needs, but a piano is in a class by itself.

Pianos have a life of their own. They embody the needs of people’s spiritual, artistic and creative souls so that makes their addition to a household, church, or public arena a splendid and momentous event. Because a fine instrument can thrive for generations, it is obvious that the choice of a piano needs to be given serious consideration.

Even if an inexpensive upright piano or keyboard has been contemplated for a child or an adult beginner, conventional wisdom has that you get what you pay for, and that the piano itself can be a deciding factor on whether the student enjoys and pursues the lessons. Buying the best pianos you can afford and keeping them tuned and in good repair is what any reputable teacher will assure you.

So, then, how does one go about choosing a piano?

Tips On Making Your Choice

1. Buyer beware!

There are many old “cheap” pianos being hawked on ebay, craig’s list, and at bargain piano stores. If the price of a piano seems too good to be true, it probably is. A piano that has suffered damages (like being dropped from the back of a truck or has been neglected for decades, left exposed to hot sun, or unprotected near the moisture of a lake or ocean,) may appear to be okay, but unless an expert examines it first, do not be fooled. Cheapest isn’t always the best piano to buy.

2. Educate Yourself!

With the advantages that the Internet provides, everyone today can begin to educate themselves without leaving their chair. Start by investigating Brand Names and Manufacturers. Unlike the old days where a classic Steinway once set the bar for elegance, today there is a Renaissance in pianos. European piano manufacturers like Fazioli, Bluethner, Sauter, and Petrof have exceeded expectations in performance, design, and distinction. No longer is the cookie-cutter brown baby grand in demand, but a whole new smorgasbord of colors, designs, woods, sizes and décor is available. In the long run, you will be able to make a much smarter choice of the best pianos to buy if you learn the basics: a classical piano versus a modern piano versus an art case piano. An upright versus a baby grand versus a concert grand. A player piano versus a digital piano versus a standard. You will find the adventure thrilling to see that a whole new world exists in the realm of pianos, and familiarizing yourself with it is not only fun, but it can serve you well in a final and wise choice.

3. Get out and about

Once you have an idea of what you might want, it is time to get out and visit some showrooms and talk to some experts. It is a chance to compare different models and makes. However, a truly good piano store will not try to sell you on the available floor inventory, but will listen to your needs, and attempt to help you find the instrument that is exactly right for you. In this day and age, new pianos ordered from the manufacturer can be attuned to your every desire right at the factory, and further adjusted when acclimatized in their new location. Each piano is unique, and you will likely want to request your preferences for sound, the quality of key touch, and the piano size that fits the room size—to say nothing of the designs, finishes, motifs, art and inlays that are offered in piano cases today. Don’t settle on a piano until you have found the experts that can help you. Piano sellers should be able to give you direction and objective information in your quest. Due to the nature of this product, the hard sell has no place in this industry.

Types Of Different Pianos

1. The Acoustic Grand Piano.

Everything from a “baby” grand to a “concert” grand ranging in sizes from under five feet to over nine feet. The “grand” connotes a comparison to the upright piano. With a faster touch and a larger sound, the grand piano is considered more powerful and responsive. There is horizontal action in the massive soundboard. There is also the design element, the beautiful shape of the case, and the tradition of historic majesty in the Grand Piano.

Fazioli Grand Piano

2. The Acoustic Upright or Vertical Piano

Uprights come in varying heights and has a vertical action which can be above or below the keyboard, and all require floor space of about five feet by two feet, thus are more appropriate for small rooms. The Studio piano is the largest, and some professional-quality uprights can have equal tone to some small grands. So you can’t buy by size alone.

Sauter Upright Piano

3. The Digital Piano

Digital piano also known as piano synthesizer, or weighted keyboard is an electronic
alternative to the traditional acoustic piano. Some digital pianos are also designed to look like an acoustic piano, both the upright or grand piano body style, a step up from the 88 key keyboard.

4. The Player Piano

The player piano conjures an image of perforated metal or paper rolls while the keys play themselves, but the current technology of encoded music on electronic disks have revolutionized player pianos. Even more exciting, the hardware/software can now be installed into acoustic and digital pianos thus converting them into Player pianos as well.

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, and it has recently become a manufacturer of its own acrylic instrument – The Aire. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.

A 3 d image of an open piano with gold wheels.

November 19 2019

Bluthner Lucid EXO Modern Transparent Piano

Sunny R Bluthner, Discover, Featured pianos, Model details Browse all, Designer Pianos, designer pianos home, Modern Art Deco, Pianos for Yachts, Transparent Pianos

Lucid EXO Private collection one of a kind design

If futuristic minimalism is your passion, you will have found an exciting example of exactly that in the EXO. Built by Bluthner, the company producing HIVE and PH pianos, EXO manages to utterly revolutionize piano building by incorporating MONAD Studio’s signature 3D designs.

A fluid, almost cage like shape pays just a hint of homage to tradition before it soars thrillingly to hitherto unexplored heights.

Dimensions:

6’3” long

Available Colors (body/rim):

Aluminum skeleton available in any RAL color

Price: Please Inquire

Availability: One only by special order

Transparent Piano designed by MONAD Studio

Elegance and strength harmoniously intertwine, strand by strand, to form the body of this sublime instrument. Sweeping aluminum arches flowing into each other form a single, perfectly tapered stiletto upon which the piano rests. The dynamic connection joining the two front legs curves beautifully along the floor as it houses the piano’s 3 pedals.

A design juggernaut; the EXO is a bona fide performance grand engineered and handcrafted by the renowned German piano manufacturer Bluthner.

At the heart of things, its interior, the EXO seems almost ordinary! Let’s shatter that illusion with a look at the sculpted exoskeleton framing the piano’s instrumental core. EXO is everything but ordinary.

Take a closer look at the radical three dimensionality of the EXO to detect the almost invisible music rack made of crystal clear German Evonik acrylic.

To those craving the sheer excitement of radical design, sonic expertise, opulence, fluidity and elegance – this is your piano. EXO.

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November 19 2019

Bluthner Lucid Hive Elegance Acrylic Piano

Sunny R Bluthner, Discover, Model details Browse all, Designer Pianos, designer pianos home, Modern Art Deco, Pianos for Yachts, Transparent Pianos

Bluthner Lucid Hive Elegance Acrylic Piano

Bluthner’s HIVE Elegance couples the elegance of a semi transparent piano with striking beehive acrylic accents. Hive Elegance is set upon swooping, metallic legs. Hive Elegance is entirely customizable inside and out in the RAL color of your choice.

One Of The Most Elegant Pianos Designed By Bluthner

The legs and the pedal lyre are edgeless, plant-inspired cones curving ever-so-slightly for a high impact look that is totally science fiction yet wholly organic.

The cutouts in the lid and the music rack unify the style of this statement-making plexiglas piano.

The Hive Elegance is fully customizable beguiling with just a touch of airiness. Customize the iron frame inside the piano and the damper tops to reflect or accent the exterior color of the piano creating a piano that is uniquely your design.

Dimensions:

Available in several sizes

Petite Baby Grand – 5″ | Baby Grand – 5’5″ | Parlor Grand – 5’9″ | Professional Grand – 6’3″ |

Music Room Grand – 6’9″ | Semi-Concert Grand 7’8″ | Concert Grand Piano – 9’2″

Available Colors (body/rim):

Customization available

Hardware:

Chrome, Brass, Rose Gold

Price:

Please Inquire

Availability:

Special Order

Contrasting the ebony with gold on this piano creates a luxury masterpiece. While retaining a traditional shape, this piano is anything but. The Hive Elegance does not occupy a space as much as it transforms it.

Modern sci fi elements working hand in hand with traditional “lucky” red and gold color combination. With its bee hive shaped skeleton that creates uniquely shaped light patterns. Perfect for uber modern spaces, the Hive Elegance beguiles with its ability to be at one with both air and light.

Whether placing this piano “tail into the room” or “tail in the corner”, the Hive Elegance remains impactful yet never overpowers. The design elements are distinctive and pleasing from every angle.

Bluthner Lucid Hive Elegance is available with a state of the art self playing player system. Enjoy hours of live performances in your living room or on a yacht with the touch of an iPad.