Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20098 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 244 pages

From Library Journal
This comprehensive volume contains valuable information for the consumer; following a technical but lucid description of the mechanics of a piano's action, it discusses all aspects of purchasing and maintaining an instrument. Numerous illustrations and charts enhance the text, which is clearly and directly written, and buying tips accompany the guides to purchasing both new and used instruments. But most valuable for a prospective buyer are the numerical ratings of virtually all models of pianos currently available, both foreign and domestic, based on the experiences of technicians around the country. An excellent source book. Susan Kagan, Hunter Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Robert Moog, inventor of the Moog Synthesizer
"The Piano Book is a must-have resource..."

Robert Silverman, former editor of The Piano Quarterly
"a book that will be of great service to the piano world"

Customer Reviews

Best book out there on the subject
Larry Fine's book is invaluable for those who plan to purchase a piano. This book has loads of information regarding the manufacturers, the quality of the brands and the history of the pianos. Save yourself some money by purchasing this book before you shop for a piano and you could save yourself a few thousand or more. Buying a piano is like buying a car, you have to "test drive" them first, and then negotiate. Read this book and walk into the showroom knowing you are getting the best deal and finest piano you can afford.

Great, as far as it goes
...which is pretty far. Fine's book is legendary and important, and if you are thinking of buying even a relatively expensive piano, you should read it. It should come as no surprise that the standard "grand old names" are rated at the top, and things stair-step down from there until you arrive at the bottom of the Asian barrel. No surprises there. And many feel that Fine is too hard on some very fine pianos, giving a skewed impression of the many very good Chinese pianos that are coming on the market. What is instructive is that you will learn what is made where, which can be a very hard thing to find out on your own. If you're walking into a store and don't know Young Chang from Hailun, and perhaps think that a Boston might have been made in Boston, and that a Steinlager is made in Germany, you really need to do your homework first. If you're seriously shopping for a Bosendorfer or Bechstein or Steinway new off the floor, then you don't need this book. But if you want to get a good piano for a fair price and need to learn your way around this odd landscape, start here. IMPORTANT - get the updated supplements! A lot has changed in even the last 5 years, and advice on certain models no longer holds true. Some names have dropped in quality, others have risen considerably. You won't learn this in the piano showroom!

piano book
Essential resource if you're buying a piano or just want to know more about this wonderful instrument