Hiring A Grand Piano?

[fuel925]

Im just wondering if theres a service available in the uk where you "rent" a grand piano, but dont actually take it anywhere, i.e. you pay an hourly fee or something to go to a place and play on their grand piano. Do such things exist?

[Nina_too]

Where are you located?  Around here (Phoenix, AZ) there are several larger piano dealers with concert rooms.  They can be hired or, in some cases, simply reserved for concerts.  Perhaps they would also reserve the space just for you to play (but heck, why not invite some friends too!).  It's typical for a piano teacher to have a recital in one of these spaces.

This is for one or two uses, not as a regular practice space, though.  Not sure what you are really asking for.

[fuel925]

Where are you located?  Around here (Phoenix, AZ) there are several larger piano dealers with concert rooms.  They can be hired or, in some cases, simply reserved for concerts.  Perhaps they would also reserve the space just for you to play (but heck, why not invite some friends too!).  It's typical for a piano teacher to have a recital in one of these spaces.

This is for one or two uses, not as a regular practice space, though.  Not sure what you are really asking for.

Im from england, uk. All I really want to do is have an hour or 2 to myself on a grand piano, just as a one-off, not as a regular thing. I bet most people own uprights, and dont get the chance to play a beautiful grand piano.

[Alde]

I would just go to a piano dealer and tell them you want to purchase a grand piano - like test driving a car before you purchase.  Have fun!!!

[fuel925]

I would just go to a piano dealer and tell them you want to purchase a grand piano - like test driving a car before you purchase.  Have fun!!!

lol yes thats a possibility, but I dont want to be bothered by sales people, and id like to be in control of how long I can stay at the piano.

[Tony Bennett]

Well I don't know about anywone else.  But for the right price someone could come practice on mine.  Maybe if you advertised a private person would let you use theirs?

[JimDunlop]

I dunno about the UK but I would start with the local colleges and universities that have a music department.

When I was a university student, I always went up the "practice room floor" of the fine arts department building.  There must have been some 20 or so small, private practice rooms, each with a baby grand piano.  It was intended mainly for the performance music majors, but I had legitimate business in there too...

The education dept. had a similar area.  Although I think they weren't grands, and there weren't nearly as many rooms.

[Rach3]

Insinuate yourself into a music conservatory until you find out where they keep the older and more beautiful concert grands which are too old and finicky for concert-playing.

[chopin_girl]

We have a concert hall with a big beautiful Steinway grand concert piano and they sometimes allowe us, the students, to practice on it.
Great feeling. Really great.

You should try finding a concert hall that allows that kind of thing, or rents the piano... This concert hall also has its "rent-hours", maybe they do it in your town too?
I don't know...