Kawai CN-21

Today I went to a musical shop to buy new guitar strings (yes, I enjoy playing guitar too, not as much as the piano, but it's fun nevertheless - playing on a orchestra is a totally different experience than as soloist - someday I'll write about it).

I did buy new strings, but what is so cool about my little trip there is that they had the Kawai CN-21 in their show room.


I obviously asked to try it for a while, and it really shines. Compared to my cheap Yamaha P-70, its action is incomparably better; a little lighter, but I liked it better, I guess. It allows a much easier tone control and seems like I can play better with less effort =)

It sounds just awesome! A very velvet like tone, very soothing.

It got me started wondering if using better instruments, or at least, instruments better suited to your preferences can enhance the learning process. I definitely must try other Kawai instruments, they seem very promising!

Just for fun, comparing to my super cheap Casio Privia PX-110, well, it's like opening a whole new world. Something like an old map from the 15th century compared to a GPS (obviously I'm being mean to my poor Privia, but anyway...).

A really important point is that the Kawai CN-21 does not have any, and I really mean it, any "key clomping sound" whatsoever. The Privia on the other hand... oh well, that's a tragedy. I've never seen, or rather hear anything so noisy in my life. Its keys "scream" like they are telling, "no, stop playing, you are hurting me with your pianissimos" - you can imagine what happens when you play fortissimos: it only gets angrier. And beware, it bites! (your fingers get stuck between the keys - can you imagine that?).

Another interesting point is that this model of Kawai is a relatively cheap one. I wonder what it feels like playing on more expensive models, like the CA series. I definitely must check them out someday!