Why is it harder to play fast pieces on a Yamaha grand than on a Steinway ?

[chewbacca]

Hi,

Is it my imagination or is it harder to play fast pieces on a Yamaha piano than on a Steinway. I'm currently practising Chopin Etude Opus 25 No 2 and I'm learning to play it faster and faster. At my teacher's piano, a Steinway grand piano, I can play it almost at final speed with ease. But at home, on my Yamaha GC-1 grand, it's a whole lot harder to play the notes fast and still legato and evenly loud. I have the impression that the keys on my Yamaha are somewhat heavier to press down.

Have any of you had similar impressions ? And what can I do to still make this piece (and others) work on my home piano ?

Thanks,
Alex.

[njalli]

you may be right, but dont say it is HARDER  to play fast on Yamaha, Because EVERY piano is different, if i play on my piano (yamaha C5) it might be better then some other yamahas C5 and maybie not as good as other, EVERY SIGNLE INSTRUMENT IS UNIQUE. But gl on your Choping etude

[quantum]

It sounds like you are experiencing differences in touch between these two particular pianos.  It is something us pianists have to deal with and adjust to.  On one side we can work on our finger strength and stamina when playing on heavier pianos, and on the other side we must learn to adapt our playing style to a particular piano and venue.  

When I first entered uni, I remember they having these older model Kawais - beautiful tone, with a touch as stiff as a board.  It was pretty hard to play chordal pieces on them.

How long have you had your GC-1?  Have you considered having your action regulated for more even response?

[ryanyee]

i find it very hard to make a proper trill on my kawai upright but it might be my hands too. but i do rmb playing very well on a ritmuller upright

[learner of liszt]

Indeed, piano action varies from instrument to instrument, even in the same brand. For example, my Baldwin upright has a very nice, light touch, but not too light, but my teacher's Baldwin grand has a fairly heavy touch. Yet it's easier to do glissandi on the grand. Of course, you're comparing a Yamaha to a Steinway, and Steinway will always be superior to Yamaha.

[chopinatic]

You just need to practice playing a variaty of pianos. Its just about the touch, feel, sensitivity etc. Every piano is different. Im sure someone who learns on a steinway would think it easier than a yamaha.

[nyonyo]

Certain things are easier to be played on Yamaha, but certain things are easier on Steinway. For example WTC Bk 1 No.21, is easier on Steinway than on Yamaha. It seems high speed pieces is easier to be played on Steinway. It has more control, or easier to control. But delicate things (Mozart stuffs) are easier on Yamaha.

To me, I still choose Steinway at any time.

[odd_wanderer]

It's worth noting that the "touch" of a piano mostly depends on how its been regulated.

Steinway pianos can be made heavy and Yamaha pianos light. Horowitz's Steinway D's action was almost notoriously light (people who tried it out said that they had trouble controlling tone and volume).

However, most pianos simply cannot be regulated very far to either degree. I have an upright with a light but excruciatingly sluggish action, so I usually practice on a school's Kawai baby grand, which has a very heavy action.

As for making pieces work on your home piano you can practice more, as being used to playing with a heavy action can be beneficial, or you can have your piano regulated. I am assuming that your piano's action is heavy, and not, say, covered with moss.

[kmehan]

There could be a possibility
personally i think Steinway keys should be heavier than Yamaha

[maisymouse]

how long have you had your Yamaha? maybe because you haven't adjusted to your piano's 'character', while you have been learning with your teacher for some time? this maybe be a possibility too. besides, every piano has it's only characteristics, which you'll have to train yourself to adjust instantaneously. what else would you do if you were having a perfomance/competition/exam?
i find it rather hard to play a loud Beethoven piece on my teacher's Petrof, while it's ok on my beloved Challen.

just practise slower on your own Yamaha, then when it doesn't feel so stuck, just gradually play faster. hope i helped.

https://www.pianofinders.com/educational/touchweight.htm

[dapianoman32]

another factor to this may be that there is a different action in the piano...

ik that steinway baldwin bosendorfer and some other pianos have the renner touch in them...i do not think that yamaha does

also steinways are hand made (look at the price ha) and i believe that yamahas are not

however this does not make any piano better it is the preference of the performer and also what the pianist puts into the piano