Is this piano too good for me?

[smsee72]

I am new here and new to the piano world. I am a very green beginner, just barely scratching the early intermediate repertoire (so be kind to me, as I know literally nothing!). I have started learning to play the piano six months ago, on a Roland FP10 keyboard. As soon as I started tackling classical repertoire, the limitations of the digital piano became very obvious, and I decided to get an acoustic instrument. For space reasons, it must be an upright piano.
The problem is that decades of hearing classical music have made me very sensitive to the quality of the sound of different pianos (I don’t have the vocabulary to describe it, but I can definitely tell the difference). Today I went to my first showroom and had a very experienced pianist perform both baroque and romantic repertoire on different instruments as well as trying them out myself (albeit with just scales and small fragments of easy repertoire). I feel in love badly with a Bechstein Residence R4 instrument…the way it sounds and the way it feels under the fingers is just poetry. The R6 was just as wonderful, but felt slightly heavier to play. Both instruments cost way more than what I had anticipated spending, but my main concern is that I cannot even remotely bring out their potential when I play them myself, although I can hear what they can do under experienced hands. I am wondering whether it is a huge overkill to get such an instrument now and whether I will ever grow into it, or how long will it take before my skills match its potential. The budget is not an existential problem, but it feels like overindulgence. I am worried that if I settle for an instrument that excites me less I will regret it, but if I do the crazy thing of getting a concert-level upright as a beginner, I will feel like I cannot do it justice for years to come. Any thoughts?

[lostinidlewonder]

It doesn't matter at what level you play, if you are sure you will have a lifelong relationship with the piano then go for it! There is however nothing worse investing in an expensive instrument only for it to become furniture in your home.

I personally would suggest you get something cheaper and only reward yourself with a better instrument once you achieve a certain milestone. Maybe if after 5 years if you are still keen and practicing piano then that's a good sign you likely will stick with it. Since you've only played 6 months you really don't have much experience hitting walls and feeling annoyed with your progress (something all pianists experience at one time). If you can survive that and keep pushing on then your mettle has been tested and you have proven you are willing to power on through it all.

But if you are really sure you will stick to piano for a long time theres no real reason to wait. A quality instrument certainly can motivate you to practice more.

[essence]

It is both the sound and the touch which should be a concern.

A compromise may be a good electronic keyboard, with fully weighted keys. I tried a Yamaha about a decade ago, in an apartment I was renting, and it was surprisingly good. Cost around $1200. There are probably better options nowadays.

I think the general rule is that a good electronic is better than a bad acoustic. Bechstein is obviously not a bad acoustic, but is expensive.

What sound generation are you using? Maybe that is something to look at. At the time I used some Yamaha HS studio monitors (amplifier built in) which did a good job.

Just did a quick search, and Kawai are worth looking at

https://www.kawai.co.uk/products/digitalpianos/mpseries/mp7se/

So, my suggestion is to have fun for a month or too and try out Yamaha, Roland, Kawai and maybe others. Preferably in the same showroom.

i am a bit older, and indulged in a Steingraeber model 205 15 years ago.

[smsee72]

Wow, that’s a noble piano to have! I haven’t had the chance to hear any Steingräber, as no showroom within my range has them, and I’m sure the sound samples online don’t make it justice.

I am actually “older” too….well past the age where spending that much on anything would affect anyone but myself. I think I am done with digital pianos, even though I know there are much better instruments than the one I have. I cannot explain, but a physical instrument talks to me in a way a digital one does not.
But what I could do is “lease” the instrument for a few months before deciding. It’s very common here, and it only adds a very small fee to the buying price (1% or so), so it’s a thought….

[dizzyfingers]

I feel in love badly with a Bechstein Residence R4 instrument…the way it sounds and the way it feels under the fingers is just poetry. The R6 was just as wonderful, but felt slightly heavier to play. Both instruments cost way more than what I had anticipated spending, but my main concern is that I cannot even remotely bring out their potential when I play them myself, although I can hear what they can do under experienced hands. I am wondering whether it is a huge overkill to get such an instrument now and whether I will ever grow into it, or how long will it take before my skills match its potential. The budget is not an existential problem, but it feels like overindulgence. I am worried that if I settle for an instrument that excites me less I will regret it, but if I do the crazy thing of getting a concert-level upright as a beginner, I will feel like I cannot do it justice for years to come. Any thoughts?

Not sure where you live but it's good to shop around for a brand new piano - try out different ones.
Also, those prices are negotiable (usually), don't hesitate to haggle, make offers, once you find the one you want.
There are guide books to pianos, one is called "The Piano Book" by Larry Fine, it's available online as a pdf.  I used this when I was looking for a piano 20 years ago, it helped and made me comfortable buying a brand that I hadn't heard of before.

Obviously, as a retiree with money to spend, you should treat yourself well, buy what you want - you earned this money, right?  If you want to keep it simple, buy the Bechstein Residence R4.  Send pics!

[essence]

Cars lose value and can't be passed down generations. Pianos are different. I chose to spend on a piano, and don;t have a car.