Good evening everyone. To study piano, I have always used a Weinbach upright; with good maintenance, it has accompanied me from my first steps until obtaining my bachelor's degree. Now that I am starting the second level and will be tackling advanced-level pieces (such as Chopin's studies), both my teacher and my trusted tuner have strongly advised me to purchase a grand piano, guaranteeing that my overall technical and musical performance will only benefit from it.
My trusted tuner has a piano shop and has available (among others) a nearly new Astor G-86 for sale at 5000 euros. I have never even heard of this manufacturer... In your opinion, is it a good brand, or is it better to aim for more highly rated ones like Yamaha, Kawai, etc.?
Never heard that! I always say a good upright is better than a bad grand. A grand piano is not always a step up. If it has problems, they must be examined and eliminated... but above all identified at the time of purchase. In a grand, there is a precise ratio between the keydown weight and the keyreturn weight, values which, if correct, make the action agile and superior to an upright. The length of the keys also influences performance. A quarter-grand will never have great performances and the sound will be sacrificed. Sometimes an excellent Spumante is preferable to a bad Champagne. So, pay attention.
Watch my video tutorial on purchasing a used piano.
