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!

Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata - 1st movement

The all famous Moonlight Sonata, from Beethoven (Op. 27 No. 2).

The first movement of this sonata was the very first piece that I fell in love.
It's eerie atmosphere and utterly sorrowful mood just captured me in a way that I think no other piece will ever have the same effect on me.

I first started learning this on 2007, November and progressed bar after bar until the end, which took place around mid January.

It's so enjoyable that I played it countless times, and strange enough, all the notes became permanently written on my memory without any straining of the mind. I guess that's what professionals call "mental play". I remember every note, every dynamic marking and every little detail upon the performing of this piece. Unfortunately my playing does not really reflect this, but it's at least passable (I think).

My first recording of this piece was on a Yamaha P-70, and was recorded soon after I learned it "so so".
What you can see, or rather hear, is that I sometimes play faster or slower, and there's no dynamics at all!



My second time was on a Casio Privia PX-110, which I think is a little "cheap".



What's curious is that even the piano being cheaper than the Yamaha, it does sound better.
My guess is that, with false modesty, I'm playing better!

The most recent recording is again on the P-70, and I think it's much better played.



It's not perfect for my standards though.

Someday I hope I can play it on a proper acoustic piano.