Kawaii Grand Pianos (Stiff Action?)

[Jaydee]

Hi,

Just curious, generally do Kawaii grand pianos have a tighter/stiffer key action, or maybe heavier keys compared to the steinway or yahama grands?
This seems to be the case when I play on the school's 7 foot Kawaii grand.  The trills and faster scale-like passages seem to require more effort.  I practice on a Yahama C7 grand at home and the keys are alot 'looser' or lighter.

[TwinkleFingers]

not sure if they are made that way but it all can be adjusted.

[allchopin]

Firstly, you may consider revising your "Kawaii" to "Kawai."
I have found that Yamahas are typically lighter in action than Kawai's, whereas a Steinway I have played had a stiffer action.  Like Twinkle said, it may be adjusted to your tastes.  I personally like Kawai's better, and they make other pianos easier to play once you are used to yours .

[Axtremus]

Considering only new grand pianos that I just walked into piano shops and played, here the listing of my perceived action stiffness on average -- from "ligthest" to "heaviest" :

1. August Foerster, Bosendorfer
2. Yamaha
3. K. Kawai
4. Steinway
5. Shigeru Kawai
6. Mason and Hamlin

[EDIT: On 2004 May 10, I played six more Mason and Hamlins in the Mason and Hamlin factory and noticed that the touch on the new M&H pianos felt lighter. So now I move the M&H to somewhere between Steinway and Shigeru.]

There are variabilities from sample to sample, for sure. And, yes, a good technician can change the feel of the touch, can make the touch feels lighter or heavier. Even voicing can change your perception of the touch, tough only to a lesser degree.

[ivoryplayer4him]

i played on a 9 foot kawai ex hand crafted and i found it to be of a nice touch, not too hard, not too soft, just right for me anyway.  It was brand new though.  School pianos arnt that well taken care of so it probably does need adjusted.

[janice]

I have a Kawai KG-2 model in my home.  I LOVE the action. It's just right, I think!  My teacher has a Steinway 7-foot grand. It feels almost exactly the same as mine!  She also owns a 9 foot Steinway concert grand.  (I think she collects pianos--lol)  And I haven't played on that one for quite some time, but I did NOT like the action on it.  It was way too light)  Hope this helps.