The Making of a Steinway - A Steinway & Sons Factory Tour Narrated by John Steinway

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  • Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
  • The making of a Steinway piano is a time-honored process involving the hands of many skilled craftspeople over the course of almost a full year. Steinway & Sons pianos are built in just two factories worldwide - one in Astoria, NY and one in Hamburg, Germany. Both factories have been building pianos for well over a century, and although Steinway has always been at the cutting edge in utilizing and perfecting the latest technology where it could make the piano better, we have found that certain things are simply better when done by skilled craftspeople than by a machine. For that reason, many parts of the process in building a Steinway have remained essentially unchanged for generations. So much so, that we were able to take decades-old audio from a narrated factory tour by the late John H. Steinway (great-grandson of Henry E. Steinway, who founded our great company in 1853) and use it as the narration for footage shot at the Steinway NY factory in 2011 by Ben Niles, producer of the documentary film "Note by Note" (www.notebynotet...).
    We hope you enjoy this look inside the Steinway New York factory, narrated in detail by the late, great John Steinway.
    To learn more about Steinway & Sons, visit www.steinway.com.
    Music from Bach on a Steinway, Steinway & Sons Label 30001, Jeffrey Biegel, Pianist. Available at www.arkivmusic.com
    Video produced by Plow Productions: www.plowproduct....

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,6 тис.

  • @giancarlo426
    @giancarlo426 5 років тому +606

    Good. Now I know everything I need to build my own.

  • @ApoenaAds
    @ApoenaAds 8 років тому +1033

    Piano has got to be the most complete musical instrument of all. It is percussive, melodic and harmonic, all at the same time.
    And you have a drummer speaking here.

    • @PIlotrcm
      @PIlotrcm 8 років тому +209

      Fake...drummers can't talk

    • @Jeremy711pianoplayer
      @Jeremy711pianoplayer 8 років тому +59

      What it lacks are a dynamic-changing voice in a single note like what any string, brass or woodwind instruments would have, and the beautiful vibrato a violin produces.

    • @oysteinsoreide4323
      @oysteinsoreide4323 8 років тому +28

      +Jeremy Chan C H but a piano can sing many voices at the same time, the violin can only have 4 simultaneous sounds.

    • @oysteinsoreide4323
      @oysteinsoreide4323 8 років тому +4

      +Jeremy Chan C H you are quite right, many other instruments have more depth in sound quality.

    • @Symphing12
      @Symphing12 8 років тому +2

      Jeremy Chan C H They did way back in Mozart's day...

  • @leomellum
    @leomellum 5 років тому +279

    I am so grateful to have a 1922 Steinway. It has been passed down from my grandparent’s house (and when they moved it came to my parent’s). It is one of my most prized possessions and I spend at least 3 hours a day playing Chopin, or whatever comes to mind.

    • @thomasmesseder2805
      @thomasmesseder2805 5 років тому +40

      Solidify1000 I recently found out through ancestry research that my great grandfather, Stephan Lentz a German immigrant, worked there early 1900’s to the late 1930’s he probably had a hand in the building of your family piano .

    • @leomellum
      @leomellum 5 років тому +16

      Thomas Messeder that is amazing! Who would have known!

    • @Angl0sax0nknight
      @Angl0sax0nknight 5 років тому +10

      Just bragging to us plebs

    • @wokeyardbruh50
      @wokeyardbruh50 4 роки тому

      my family has one as well idk what kind though i should look into it

    • @ShirleyKirsten
      @ShirleyKirsten 4 роки тому +3

      Yours is a golden era made Steinway.. as mine is, 1917. I'll take mine over any "new" Steinway made in recent years.

  • @johnakaoldguy3158
    @johnakaoldguy3158 5 років тому +46

    I have a Mahogany Steinway from the early 1900’s. The signatures of the people who made my piano are on the underside of the top 4 notes. Original Ivory keys. Amazing craftsmanship. It will be passed to my children when I am gone. What a treasure.

    • @MemoGrafix
      @MemoGrafix 5 років тому +3

      Hopefully Your Children are Musicians of pianos they will surely appreciate it & care more for it. Especially with the Original Ivory keys.

  • @OfficialRainsynth
    @OfficialRainsynth 9 років тому +943

    Whatever age is, the piano will be one of the most perfect and beautiful instrument ever invented...

    • @chrisaxell5897
      @chrisaxell5897 8 років тому +1

      +Ponysynth One Official Orgel?

    • @alexismaddie__
      @alexismaddie__ 8 років тому +4

      Agree 100%

    • @Aaronaitor
      @Aaronaitor 8 років тому +1

      And the clarinet

    • @Aaronaitor
      @Aaronaitor 8 років тому

      ***** True

    • @oysteinsoreide4323
      @oysteinsoreide4323 8 років тому +21

      it is unfortunately not perfect at all. the advantage with piano is that it is a nice solo instrument since you can make so many notes simultaneously, and it has a wide range, but the sound of one single note is very limited compared to many other instruments.

  • @charlottetracy3970
    @charlottetracy3970 Рік тому +7

    I always love watching master craftspeople make beautiful things.

  • @Kougeru
    @Kougeru 9 років тому +422

    I found an extremely beautiful 1949 Steinway at a local store for sale for like 6 grand or so. It has a very warm and mellow sound that would be perfect for a lot of the music I want to play. Now I just need to win a small lottery....

    • @nerdnation1076
      @nerdnation1076 9 років тому +88

      6k is a huge deal! Especially for being so old!!

    • @Kougeru
      @Kougeru 9 років тому +21

      It was beautiful. I haven't been back, but I honestly hope someone bought it already. That thing deserves to be played.

    • @Kougeru
      @Kougeru 8 років тому +5

      ***** Still sounded better than most of the other new pianos they had from other brands for more than double the price

    • @Zero_Jiro
      @Zero_Jiro 8 років тому +12

      +Nerd Nation Dude i played a 1894 steinway that sounded amazing.

    • @azraelsgrave
      @azraelsgrave 5 років тому +1

      Well 6 grand is nice maybe it'll have a baby grand soon.

  • @zero4zooz
    @zero4zooz 10 років тому +995

    The Steinway piano is NOT an instrument.
    It is a dream.
    If ever I could afford one, it would be a dream come true.

    • @Cowgalutah
      @Cowgalutah 10 років тому +7

      I agree...I would love one!

    • @joncormier1581
      @joncormier1581 9 років тому +100

      pretty sure its an instrument

    • @zero4zooz
      @zero4zooz 9 років тому +2

      Will check it out. Tnx.

    • @081908009999
      @081908009999 9 років тому +4

      Michael Murphy I want a job

    • @withoutpassid
      @withoutpassid 9 років тому +4

      Michael Murphy How about selling some of your organs LOL (jkd =] )

  • @jaggass
    @jaggass 9 років тому +2086

    Steinway to heaven.

    • @1r587
      @1r587 7 років тому +4

      Momentum Mori.

    • @recklesswhisper
      @recklesswhisper 5 років тому +4

      Good ONE! Excellent!
      ^..^~~

    • @VScott-uq1pj
      @VScott-uq1pj 5 років тому +4

      Michael David I see what you did there. Brilliant.

    • @senza4591
      @senza4591 5 років тому +1

      Heh

    • @mreviews5476
      @mreviews5476 5 років тому +6

      ALL HAIL OUR NEW FURHER
      STEINWAY & SONS

  • @24killsequalMOAB
    @24killsequalMOAB 8 років тому +5857

    If I had a dollar for eveytime this guy said steinway, I could actually afford one

    • @Serrot304
      @Serrot304 8 років тому +243

      i don't know if that will do it. maybe just add all the times patent was said too

    • @ThnputMd
      @ThnputMd 8 років тому +59

      Wei Chen So much patents, yet not enough money

    • @fattit7598
      @fattit7598 5 років тому

      @@Cat-ls1jr Flex

    • @Cat-ls1jr
      @Cat-ls1jr 5 років тому +5

      Nah, you could buy 2

    • @constantdarkfog49
      @constantdarkfog49 5 років тому +1

      LMAO, Really

  • @GeauxWyatt
    @GeauxWyatt 8 років тому +26

    I played a 1939 Steinway grand at a museum in Louisiana. One of the prettiest sounds I've ever heard!

  • @ivorypresley
    @ivorypresley 7 місяців тому +1

    I wish for one of your perfect grand pianos for my upcoming birthday , I’ve been dreaming and praying for this all my life 😮❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @beakt
    @beakt 8 років тому +256

    0:00 Bourrée, French Suite No. 5 in G, BWV 816
    1:07 Gigue, French Suite No. 5 in G, BWV 816 (fades out)
    3:02 Allemande, French Suite No. 5 in G, BWV 816 (fades out)
    4:16 Fugue No. 13 in F-sharp, Well-Tempered Clavier Book I, BWV 858
    6:45 Rondeaux, Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826

    • @glenngulda
      @glenngulda 7 років тому +3

      who s the pianist...it are beautiful performances.....

    • @peterschulz8583
      @peterschulz8583 7 років тому +2

      Fritz Mooney maybe glenn gould.
      he was a great pianist.

    • @glenngulda
      @glenngulda 7 років тому +1

      Peter Schulz its not Gould..

    • @illbeback126
      @illbeback126 5 років тому

      Cool thanks

    • @jamallabarge2665
      @jamallabarge2665 5 років тому +4

      @@glenngulda Yeah, no humming....

  • @bongm6039
    @bongm6039 Рік тому +2

    I went to university in the Philippines back in the 90s. In the university church was an old piano that was used for many decades. I didn't know anything about it until one day a room mate of mine who was a music major told me that during that week the piano had to be tuned and the music department hired a piano tuner to tune the said piano. The tuners arrived and when they saw that it was a Steinway they almost cried. It was the first time they have ever seen one in person, having heard of its reputation in the piano world. The university had it appraised after the work and back then it had already reached in the millions of pesos due to its brand and being a classic. It still plays in the university church to this day I believe.

  • @steinway
    @steinway  12 років тому +144

    Also, the wood does dry/season naturally - for a full 2 years - before it ever enters the kiln. The thing is, natural drying can't guarantee you get the moisture content to as precise a level as we need. When woods go in, we know the moisture content and know exactly how long it will need to spend in the kiln to get to the very precise moisture content for this wood to be ready to continue in the process towards becoming a piano.

    • @boblon5693
      @boblon5693 5 років тому +1

      have you guys experimented with the curved rib design? have seen some tests done and using a curved rib to put the crown into the board seems to have a notisable increase in sound over the traditional method of drying ouy the wood, glueing the ribs on, then letting the moisture create the crown.

    • @craigengelman4534
      @craigengelman4534 5 років тому +1

      i used to work for rex lumber and we made stuff for you guys . after i left there i used the same way of glueing maple to build speakers and subwoofer boxs . i won every spl contest i ever entered . just wanted to say thank you !!

    • @Beyondabsence
      @Beyondabsence 3 роки тому

      Before choosing the Steinway M I bought ( 1945 ), I've probably played 10 to 15 other Ms, including new ones. Why such a drastic difference in sound? Shigeru Kawai pianos and top Yamaha don't present such drastic differences. Also, I can't understand why most technicians have a beef with Steinway, while constantly praising Shigeru Kawai, Bosendorfer and Fazioli? Do these manufacturers have higher standards than today's Steinway production?

  • @MajorMaestro
    @MajorMaestro 4 роки тому +18

    I've been the proud owner of a Steinway Tricentennial Grand for 20 years now and have loved every single minute of playing it. I am always amazed at how great it sounds and how responsive it is to my touch; it's almost as if every time I play it is the first time.

  • @fernandogm77
    @fernandogm77 11 років тому +11

    Hello everyone, I am the proud owner of a Steinway D Concert Grand, made in Hamburg Germany in 1965. I have played all other piano brands and can tell you from personal experience that there is no other piano in the world that sounds as wonderful as a Steinway. It sounds so amazing that you do not want to stop playing it ever, other pianos are harsh and you get tired of playing them quickly. I can tell you, Nothing sounds like a Steiway!!!

    • @tombiby5892
      @tombiby5892 5 років тому

      You stopped playing only long enough to compose this comment on your computer keyboard....then back to the Steinway!

  • @EnversPianoCollections
    @EnversPianoCollections 8 років тому +2303

    Now I understand why they are not cheap at all...

    • @sreevivasaraghavan6848
      @sreevivasaraghavan6848 5 років тому +9

      What is the cost of one?

    • @xblackdog
      @xblackdog 5 років тому +70

      @@sreevivasaraghavan6848 I'm seeing used ones going for $30k to over $100k

    • @reddyup9713
      @reddyup9713 5 років тому +47

      It takes like years just to make a piano

    • @musamor75
      @musamor75 5 років тому +125

      @@reddyup9713 Not at all. The factory builds a thousand grands a year. Not necessarily the big Model D Concert Grand. And about 250 uprights. That's over 80 a month, which means more than twenty a week. However, they have to make rims and soundboards in advance to let the wood stabilise. The woods used today are of inferior quality- I know, I'm a cabinet maker by trade. All the fine trees have been cut down and no longer exist. You'd have to be a fool to lay out 285k for a piano that's simply not worth that- at all. Better off buying an older model- 30's, and having it totally restored. The sound of the modern instruments is atrocious- no soul. Have a look at the Australian Stuart and Sons, the most original piano on earth today. Then there's the parallel-stringed Stephane Paullelo built here in France. These are real artisan instruments, unique in their own rite. Steinway is just a monopoly. They have extremely agressive market techniques. Bösendorffer are a big cut above.There's also the German Steingraeber und Sohnne- excellent.

    • @itsm3th3b33
      @itsm3th3b33 5 років тому +1

      Reddy_-TDM No, it doesn't.

  • @themike97_58
    @themike97_58 8 років тому +4305

    It saddens me that so many steinways never see a competent pianist and just sit around as furniture.

    • @spacejazz6272
      @spacejazz6272 8 років тому +207

      same with Grestch guitars

    • @giannieditsvideos
      @giannieditsvideos 8 років тому +13

      yeah...

    • @matrox
      @matrox 8 років тому +466

      Well, they do make beautiful looking furniture.

    • @themike97_58
      @themike97_58 8 років тому +7

      lol

    • @jmcwd
      @jmcwd 8 років тому +196

      Why? They are so expensive, it is a waste. They should just buy some Chinese crap grand that looks good on the outside if they want furniture

  • @cadenschmidt2752
    @cadenschmidt2752 8 років тому +1

    Steinway is such a beautiful piano. It's so rich in tone and intuitive to the ear

  • @jbiley
    @jbiley 5 років тому +10

    Everyone in that craftsman shop appeared to genuinely enjoy the job they were doing, their craft.👌

    • @abelphilosophy4835
      @abelphilosophy4835 5 років тому

      JSB HIFI • so true

    • @tombiby5892
      @tombiby5892 5 років тому +1

      There was a man with a club just out of camera view making sure they looked happy...just like at Disneyland.

  • @RollingEasy
    @RollingEasy 9 років тому +81

    I sit and watch and have tears in my eyes. I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life and until the day I die I will regret not buying a fully restored Steinway when it was offered to me over 30 years ago.

  • @marshallmathew2834
    @marshallmathew2834 4 роки тому +6

    It's so heartwarming to watch these people working so hard to make one of the best pianos in the world...

  • @bernardguynunns5658
    @bernardguynunns5658 5 років тому +1

    I am a builder and a mechanic and I play the piano occasionally. Maybe this is why I think this is one of the best videos on YT!

  • @xavierpaololedesmamandreza
    @xavierpaololedesmamandreza 4 роки тому +6

    I'm happy to see that Steinway and Sons hire local workers in the US.

  • @Stringbean421
    @Stringbean421 10 років тому +645

    I'm looking at my Yamaha digital piano made of plastic and particle board trim. I don't feel like playing it now after watching this.

    • @CreativePauwdah
      @CreativePauwdah 7 років тому +47

      Nunsweepit421 wow... and I'm looking at my detuned (50 Euro) piano and wished i could afford a yamaha. But I still feel like playing tho c:

    • @yeetyot9020
      @yeetyot9020 7 років тому +5

      Nunsweepit421 i have the same piano but mine was made to imitate the feel of a real grand piano

    • @nurlindafsihotang49
      @nurlindafsihotang49 7 років тому +14

      how dare you!? play it till it is broken!! (still saving for piano, must satisfied with a keyboard)

    • @sparrowthenerd
      @sparrowthenerd 7 років тому +3

      I agree. Now I feel bad about my digital piano (Also a Yamaha). Ah, now I want to go play piano

    • @ok-ms3ke
      @ok-ms3ke 5 років тому +1

      I have one of those too lol

  • @danedmiston7734
    @danedmiston7734 7 років тому +6

    I used to sell Steinway's and have taken the factory tour twice. It's truly a marvel to see. If ever in New York I believe you can still schedule a factory tour. if not by all means visit Steinway Hall on 57th street for it is also something to experience.

  • @capezyo
    @capezyo 4 роки тому +2

    Thank you very much Mr. John, an honnor to us...

  • @kayp6960
    @kayp6960 7 років тому +6

    I've watched this video before and was always in awe in how they're made. I just returned from getting the chance to actually play on one, and it was the best piano I've ever performed with. I had to watch this video again after that experience.

  • @arnoldemch9181
    @arnoldemch9181 9 років тому +6

    I love you guys! When I was six, I learned on my Dad's baby grand. In high school, I had a bad experience with marching band music and left the music world for engineering. After many decades, I am getting that steinway back into playing shape and am now playing and building the violin and the piano. Damn that cornet. The Steinway is pure bliss..... it is GOD! A music person's dream.... a woodworkers dream. That sitka spruce is just delicious and the maple is heavenly.

  • @joshuaschroader3397
    @joshuaschroader3397 8 років тому +3

    grew up learning to play on 1904 Steinway upright that has been in my family for generations, when my mother handed it down to my older sister i was crushed to be separated from it. truly beautiful instruments of unmatched quality.

  • @biegel88
    @biegel88 12 років тому

    I love watching this over and over (not because my music plays in the background--that just makes me nervous!LOL), but for the patient craftsmanship that hasn't changed in all the years to make the finest instruments.

  • @constantdarkfog49
    @constantdarkfog49 5 років тому +3

    Steinway is a masterpiece of workmanship, amazing the fine details in making their great piano's. They are the finest for a good reason.

  • @route66photographers6
    @route66photographers6 3 роки тому +1

    Back in the 1970s, I had the pleasure of playing on the first Steinway Grand to enter the state of California. It sat for years with a Formica top on it and was used as a bar, of all things.
    The piano was acquired by our church where it was fully restored. After it was restored it wans a magnificent piano.

  • @patrikwright2658
    @patrikwright2658 3 роки тому +4

    I knew they were complecated to make,but not too that degree of perfection.lovely to see

  • @-optimist-2697
    @-optimist-2697 3 роки тому +1

    Making of the paino should be reserved as the world's treasure. :)

  • @RKeys-oc1id
    @RKeys-oc1id 4 роки тому +4

    I suddenly miss my father. that's how he raised us. he taught us how to make and play the piano

  • @artibussmith2928
    @artibussmith2928 5 років тому +2

    I never learned to play a piano, but I love the sound they make. One of my uncles had one and played it every morning and often in the evening. Many people came to the house to listen to him play and sing. It was great!

  • @ignatiusjk
    @ignatiusjk 5 років тому +3

    There really is nothing like a Steinway,they are truly a cut well above everyone else.

  • @phyllispetras2181
    @phyllispetras2181 5 років тому +2

    My toys were under the piano. The vibes went down to my toes and are still there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • @phyllispetras2181
      @phyllispetras2181 5 років тому +1

      A lot of Scarlatti is in my baby toes. Ravel is in all the rest!

  • @biegel88
    @biegel88 9 років тому +4

    Terrific video presentation on the making of the Steinway piano. Still the finest made instrument with the most beautiful sound.

  • @JohnDoe-lh7we
    @JohnDoe-lh7we 5 років тому +5

    Amazing craftsmanship goes into these pianos. I’m not a pianist, but appreciate quality made products. Beautiful

  • @mmcgu
    @mmcgu 4 роки тому +4

    I have been a piano tuner for 35 years and have a good friend who has a Steinway B. They are great pianos. They are also very loud, being meant for the stage. For the typical piano player or student, the later Yamahas or Kawais are fine. They have excellent tone. Maybe your can't play a major 3rd that sounds like anything in the second octave, but most piano music doesn't do that anyway. I have a Yamaha C5 that is completely satisfactory in my 500 square foot living room. My friend's B is sometimes deafening in her music room, when we have a party. We have to keep the lid down.

  • @marzd5215
    @marzd5215 3 роки тому

    Awh 😍 grateful for the people who build them!

  • @desuniahardware647
    @desuniahardware647 5 років тому +4

    I had the privilege of touring this factory about 15 years ago with a woodworking guild that I belong to. It's even more amazing than the video suggests!

  • @beakt
    @beakt 8 років тому +46

    For the background music, using solo Baroque pieces is an obvious choice to convey the clarity of the Steinway piano, but I still want to express my appreciation for the selection here. They picked five little masterpieces by the King of Counterpoint, J.S. Bach, that are already loved by any student of music, and by not picking those that are by now part of the popular culture of classical music, thus avoided the distraction that would cause. And the progression is just perfect: The simple beauty of the selections from the French Suite in G during the woodwork, followed by one of the most elegant and dramatic fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier (especially for a major key) during assembly, and finally a selection from the Partitas (some of the most gripping and mature solo piano music Bach wrote) once the piano is complete and final adjustments are made to achieve perfection, with a powerful ending in a minor key at the close of the video that imparts the magnificence, solemnity, imagination, and suspense any musician feels at the sight of grand piano.
    And of course we must acknowledge the artistic expression of the pianist, adding ornamentation and expression that is tasteful for the Baroque, yet unique and charming in that way.
    This video just shot to the top of my all-time favorites!

    • @nurlindafsihotang49
      @nurlindafsihotang49 7 років тому +2

      well, it is video from artisan in piano making. make sense they would appreciate and knows many piano's piece

    • @gagewaugh8295
      @gagewaugh8295 5 років тому

      Page one of 3000 chapter one of 800

    • @mrluigi9923
      @mrluigi9923 5 років тому

      how about BOOGIE WOOGIE,now that would test ANY piano let alone a Steinway.

    • @JP-vs1ys
      @JP-vs1ys 4 місяці тому

      well you clearly don't have ADD. For those of us with it, you can't appreciate his words for the endless clatter of keys. i get it's beautiful but not when you struggle to hear him. For those without that condition, it's hard to understand how incredibly frustrating it is to have the narration just wiped out by incessant notes.

  • @steinway
    @steinway  12 років тому +232

    Thrillscience, the wood used in the rim may sometimes erroneously be referred to as "plywood" but it's not. It is Hard Rock Maple, one of the hardest woods available, and absolutely not cheap. This wood needs to be as hard as possible for a couple of reasons. 1) to provide strength and stability to the entire piano -- the rim is essentially the foundation 2) because softer woods (like Luan which is sometimes used) would absorb some of the sound rather than projecting it back out of the piano.

    • @MrScamway
      @MrScamway 5 років тому

      Steinway & Sons tyt

    • @99Grigor
      @99Grigor 5 років тому +2

      Yes, the rim of a grand piano must reflect the sound back to the board and then into the bridges. With many European pianos including Yamaha, softer woods are used for rim construction and tonal power and complexity of sound is lost. Yamaha does use a solid rim, but not true rock maple. It is usually beech with a layer of luan which will never work for a piano's projection power.

    • @jacobgreengas7121
      @jacobgreengas7121 4 роки тому +5

      It's multiple layers of wood (in this case hard rock maple), that makes it a plywood.

    • @jandrewmore
      @jandrewmore 4 роки тому +5

      @@jacobgreengas7121 Exactly. I think the original point is a good one: this is a high quality, custom made piece of plywood, and is not the same as the $20 pine sheets at Home Depot, but it's still plywood.

    • @alexsung8134
      @alexsung8134 4 роки тому

      You need to take some courses in piano technology instead of parroting brochure text. The rim prevents energy from being lost but an excessive reflection of energy can cause undesirable sound reflection that very often occurs on Steinways. Piano manufacturing is always about compromising and energy consumption has positive effects to balance the tone, an extreme example of this is Bosendorfer which uses spruce (a soft-wood) the energy consumption rate is higher and diminishes the amount of reverberation resulting in a cleaner sound envelope. There are a number of piano makers who have surpassed these mediocre piano manufacturing methods implemented by Steinway, unfortunately, don't have the presence in the market or the ability to make professional pianist acquaintance with their pianos. I know this comment will be deleted because it is not in the best interest of Steinway to be exposed. Including the fact that I suspect that some of the small pianos' rims with black polyurethane finish are not made in the USA by Steinway and although I have no evidence that this is true, the hint is that they look identical to another brands' rims, and I never saw any infrastructure at Steinway's factory that indicates they are set up to make rims with black polyurethane coatings.
      At least for a brief moment, someone will find out that there are people out there who really know about piano-manufacturing and are not impressed by fairy tales or the indoctrination of piano players but they have true expertise and had evaluated multiple manufacturers.
      All these famous pianists favor Steinway because they already know that when you are touring that's all they will find to play on, so even though they may enjoy or like other brands better, they understand that they won't be able to find it or bring it to concerts so they already OK with a brute workhorse like model D. At that level a piano is a tool, people on the outside think the pianist is melting playing a Steinway. No! they are working that's all and many expressed how crappy they can play. Many concert pianists around the world owned fine pianos in their homes that are not Steinway.

  • @davisgloff
    @davisgloff 5 років тому

    Every year I get the chance to play a Steinway a couple of times.. It's a humbling experience. The touch and tone. always encourage me to do my best.

  • @chocolatechocochoco
    @chocolatechocochoco 10 років тому +1494

    Dear Santa...

    • @SprinkleSomeNotes
      @SprinkleSomeNotes 9 років тому +1

      +chocolatechocochoco lol

    • @Zero_Jiro
      @Zero_Jiro 8 років тому +27

      +chocolatechocochoco Dear TRUMP...

    • @jitgreen8366
      @jitgreen8366 5 років тому +2

      😂😂😂

    • @TruckTaxiMoveIt
      @TruckTaxiMoveIt 5 років тому +2

      5 years later...

    • @williamsadoski1510
      @williamsadoski1510 5 років тому +13

      I asked Santa for one in 1970(I was 9yrs old)My dad spit coffee all over himself to which I replied "Santa is bringing it NOT you dad"50 yrs later no Steinway!Lol😊

  • @loombaron
    @loombaron Рік тому +2

    love how the guy explains the procedure and plays his piano at the same time

  • @prestige2000rider
    @prestige2000rider 5 років тому +3

    My 2nd piano teacher had a full concert grand 9' in her home . By its very nature it was big, imposing, yet the volume of sound that you can only get from a hand built acoustic, filled the home. It could make good pianists sound awesome, And could show up a lesser player in a instant. For all its grandeur, nothing feels or quite sounds like a Steinway. !

  • @augustomachete1715
    @augustomachete1715 4 роки тому +1

    What a great precision musical instrument. Nothing like it. Nothing even comes close. Thanks for sharing.

  • @pstrzel
    @pstrzel 9 років тому +46

    378,000+ views of Steinway pianos being made. There's hope for the world.

    • @pstrzel
      @pstrzel 4 роки тому +2

      Wow, over 2 million now. :-)

  • @Arnz01
    @Arnz01 3 роки тому

    Seeing the quality of people building Steinways depresses me deeply.

  • @gorillachilla
    @gorillachilla 4 роки тому +4

    not just a piano, its a piece of history and art owning a steinway

  • @johnniepaul685
    @johnniepaul685 7 років тому +22

    Great clip, I really enjoyed that.
    I had forgotten that the Steinway piano is an american made product, it makes me proud, in a patriotic sort of way.

  • @truvak
    @truvak 9 років тому +830

    shut up and take my money! oh right, I do not have any money.

  • @jud1114
    @jud1114 5 років тому +4

    Do I'am just the only one who found this satisfying to watch?

    • @eoin.
      @eoin. 5 років тому

      Do I’am just the only one?

  • @soundrat
    @soundrat 5 років тому +3

    My late mom's favorite piano. We owned a 120 year old plus Model B Grand. Fantastic sound. It just has 85 keys instead of the usual 88 keys on a piano.

  • @ReaperHallows
    @ReaperHallows 2 роки тому +1

    8:10 that was the most beautiful outro I have ever heard!

  • @neilburns8869
    @neilburns8869 3 роки тому +7

    The incredible amount of precision and detail that goes into making each Steinway piano is absolutely mind-boggling.
    But it's quite clear that each worker takes an enormous amount of pride in what they are doing.👏🤝🥰

  • @anjoumaaka
    @anjoumaaka 2 роки тому

    The piano of every pianists dreams. Owning one would be a dream come true

  • @TabascoSour
    @TabascoSour 4 роки тому +161

    Was anyone else hoping they’d let you hear the sound when the robot was smashing keys?

  • @benedictmanguiat3793
    @benedictmanguiat3793 4 роки тому

    So every piano has a soul? Imagine the labor, very meticulous, excellence to perfection. This is such an excellent craft.

  • @ji94552
    @ji94552 4 роки тому +4

    I appreciate that Steinway keeps striving for excellence. I thought 2017 pianos were totally different instruments compared to the past Steinway pianos. 2020 pianos are even better. Thank you for the Trade-In-Upgrade. Now I have my dream piano.

  • @VigilanceRifles
    @VigilanceRifles Місяць тому

    Simply Amazing. I cannot believe they can sell them for under 100k.
    That's a lot of work and dedication.

  • @romarkhrslly5378
    @romarkhrslly5378 7 років тому +9

    I want to cry. This is so beautiful.

  • @JO-bz4kc
    @JO-bz4kc 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks! Now I can build my own Steinway!

  • @mistermornevanderberg
    @mistermornevanderberg 7 років тому +1815

    If I had the money I would rather buy a Steinway than a Ferrari. Am I weird? Don't care. Pianos are awesome instruments.

    • @js1.987
      @js1.987 5 років тому +56

      Ur friccin right, I would buy a Steinway than a Ferrari

    • @dheepeshss64
      @dheepeshss64 5 років тому +10

      Me too

    • @blessthechi
      @blessthechi 5 років тому +10

      I agree

    • @nemesisanje1679
      @nemesisanje1679 5 років тому +29

      ofc because with 50k $ you can’t afford a Ferrari xD

    • @Acyz
      @Acyz 5 років тому +28

      @@nemesisanje1679 I thought Steinways go for around 100k+? Or at least their concert grand piano's do.

  • @wheatwear
    @wheatwear 3 роки тому +1

    Great video! Cheers from the Finger Lakes!

  • @ir0n2541
    @ir0n2541 8 років тому +56

    This piano deserves the $100K price tag.

  • @iTsSteven
    @iTsSteven 3 роки тому +1

    John Steinway, let me tell you. Im blessed to have watched this video, keep up the good work my brotha

  • @JMNTN
    @JMNTN 5 років тому +81

    Of course there are no other piano’s like theirs, they patent everything

    • @boblon5693
      @boblon5693 4 роки тому +4

      well actually thats not true. most of the designs are standardized for the parts. I mean the design being used for most parts ate from the late 1800s so they cannot be patented. What is patented usually doesn't matter in terms of sound

    • @tejasb1239
      @tejasb1239 4 роки тому

      No, every piano is great!

    • @miltronix
      @miltronix 3 роки тому +1

      Or they patent something like teflon (R) bushings and abandon it 20 years later because of problems...

    • @maggiejetson7904
      @maggiejetson7904 3 роки тому +2

      Patents expire, I would imagine the European has more patents and they just cross license to each other like most tech companies.

  • @jeanhawken4482
    @jeanhawken4482 4 роки тому

    Well if someone buys a Steinway just for its looks then So be it. This exquisite piano provides such pleasure visually and musically. It also provides employment for workers and musicians.

  • @cassiflyn1551
    @cassiflyn1551 5 років тому +3

    I appreciate their hard work working on them grand pianos keep up the awesome work 😊

  • @fa300zxtt
    @fa300zxtt 5 років тому

    Thank you Mr. Steinway and your company. Truly one of the few things in this country we can be proud of.

    • @romeotango58
      @romeotango58 5 років тому

      As an American if thats the only thing you can be proud may I suggest you go live in a country that you CAN be proud of and then lets us all know where it is.

  • @NMPLage
    @NMPLage 13 років тому +5

    O sonho de todo pianista ,ter um piano desse...

  • @nancyhobson9710
    @nancyhobson9710 4 роки тому

    All of these workers are specialists. This video is fascinating. I once played the Steinway in the city hall. It had a wonderful sound.

  • @MathiasPaul1700
    @MathiasPaul1700 9 років тому +8

    Grand father Matheis Weiss was Piano Varnisher for Steinway, Queens, NY abt 1890 to at least 1910. I try to imagine with a Camel hair brush? Would love to take the actual tour. Bucket list!

    • @jneff23
      @jneff23 9 років тому +2

      +George Paul I had an upright Steinway that I sold a while back. It was made in about 1918. I was impressed that the person that worked on it signed his name on the soundboard. It had been used at the Univ of Okla. Everyone always wanted to play it because it sounded so great.

  • @Kapell1960
    @Kapell1960 12 років тому

    John was one of the nicest and most knowledgeable men about pianos and artists I ever met. His eyes lit up when I asked him about Rosita Renard!

  • @jimmyfigueras4476
    @jimmyfigueras4476 9 років тому +12

    Never cared how a piano was made til recently. it's fascinating.

  • @AsolareFineArts
    @AsolareFineArts 13 років тому +1

    Splendid. Thank you Steinway for sharing this with us. It is especially wonderful to see the people who actually make these great pianos. They have our great appreciation for a job well done.

  • @j3ah0o
    @j3ah0o 10 років тому +7

    more than I ever thought I'd want to know. But I'm not sad about the experience. I love building with wood. This would be another fun job to have.

    • @dazzlerby
      @dazzlerby 10 років тому +3

      I love building with wood and would like to build my own guitar. Never once have I ever thought about building a piano! Where would you get the harp from, old donor piano maybe but what about the action? That would take forever for one man without specialist machines........Let me know how you get on if you take this on because I'm interested in it myself now!

    • @boblon5693
      @boblon5693 5 років тому

      go to the local piano store and inquire about the piano technitians guild

  • @ajharwoods1974
    @ajharwoods1974 4 роки тому +1

    Am glad I got this as my recommendation, Cus I myself am a pianist. I feel happy to see this..

  • @nateblubaugh729
    @nateblubaugh729 10 років тому +8

    Great pianos built to last.

  • @lupash
    @lupash 4 роки тому

    First year of Composition, G. Rossini conservatory in Pesaro, Italy. My old piano teacher, an historical figure of said conservatory, was becoming a bit forgetful after many years of teaching, and he would often arrive later, if not at all. One day our usual room was occupied and so we started wandering around the big historical palace looking for an empty classroom. Fortunately, the reception ultimately bounced us to some sort of secondary concert hall of the conservatory where there were resting some Steinways, among the others. We picked one. That was the first (and the last time) I've ever played a Steinway. Sadly, back then I was still practicing Hanon exercises, so you can imagine Hanon played on a Steinway in a little concert hall. But still, up to this day I can say that somehow those Steinway keys "stayed" with me for the rest of the day, even after I came back home. It's like they got under the skin of my fingers and remained there with a warm feeling for a while. I can antedate that feeling (sorry for the neuroscientific term, I was too young back then, so I can only compare that feeling to a similar adult-life one) to the same one you're left with when you've just laid with the girl you like and then you're freed of all your drives and worries and maybe you have to go to work or attend to something else, but you've just laid with the one you love and everything's perfect for a little while.

  • @LibinBaby
    @LibinBaby 7 років тому +7

    PIANO,, The most elegant instrument in the world and most toughest instrument to make

  • @lukassteinbrenner7569
    @lukassteinbrenner7569 5 років тому

    I grew up with an upright steinway & sons in our living room. Truly amazing

  • @FNNickJamesTV
    @FNNickJamesTV 8 років тому +4

    Well, so much for my pet project of trying to build my own grand piano.

  • @ecoturismovalle1570
    @ecoturismovalle1570 3 роки тому

    Thank you for such an interesting documentary. It brought a smile to my fave in this troubled times

  • @nickyjlyons
    @nickyjlyons 5 років тому +3

    Only when you watch this you'll appreciate the price of a piano! True craftsmanship

    • @Great.Milenko
      @Great.Milenko 5 років тому

      idk about craftsmanship, more repeatability and design precision. most of the tasks carried out in this video are basically labouring and machining. I'm gonna say they're great pianos for the price and the design is the world class standard but its fairly easy to find pianos crafted to a higher standard. Steinway used to be the best of the best but I feel they've shifted to a more "mass produced" production method. (mass produced for a piano company anyway) employing lots of low skilled workers and a few highly skilled craftsmen...
      don't get me wrong, they still turn out a quality product but they're not world leaders in quality anymore, other companies caught up decades ago.

  • @oludotunjohnshowemimo434
    @oludotunjohnshowemimo434 3 роки тому

    Steinway pianos are indeed the best and top quality manufacturing. No wonder why it is a popular choice for performers.

  • @leodavis5874
    @leodavis5874 10 років тому +9

    Amazing.. I love my steinway....

  • @lisaburnett3368
    @lisaburnett3368 3 роки тому

    Just beautiful. True craftmenship in action. Thank you .

  • @Toolgdskli
    @Toolgdskli 4 роки тому +9

    4:55 the Company’s classic employee uniform is still worn to this day.

  • @albertocamacho4439
    @albertocamacho4439 4 роки тому

    This video kept me with my mouth open all the Way out, with all my attention to every detail of the report, each piano, a masterpiece

  • @tedphillips2501
    @tedphillips2501 5 років тому +6

    What he didn't tell you is what an old piano tech told me over 50 years ago - if you suspend a Steinway frame and hit it with a leather hammer, it will "bong" around 1000 HZ, adding brilliance to the bass and fullness to the treble. Other guys frames would just go "klunck".

  • @angelar.2088
    @angelar.2088 4 роки тому

    Wow ! I never knew . Hats off to the women & Men that build such a delight 🌹

  • @b07rafordanieljan63
    @b07rafordanieljan63 4 роки тому +16

    "See, it's a happy piano after all"

    • @fredmoore32
      @fredmoore32 4 роки тому +2

      Lmao just finished your lie in april

    • @justmultidimensional1759
      @justmultidimensional1759 3 роки тому

      Guys please... i have tears in my eyes everytime i hear the name of that masterpiece.

  • @Cabinessance
    @Cabinessance 12 років тому

    Great to see that Steinway are allowing this superb film to be downloaded.
    There are a variety of reasons why it may be necessary to show films on a computer that does not have an internet connection.
    Such a great product needs to be seen by as many as possible, the educational value of this film is considerable, IMO.