Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner - Non Classical Renting Piano for Wedding Reception

On another thread I mentioned that I might play piano at my daughter's wedding reception near Denver.

If I do it, I'd need to rent a piano. Now, I could rent an electronic piano such as my Yamaha P90, or I could rent a grand piano. The latter would cost me about $1,000.

I'd be happy with the sound from an electronic, but, unfortunately, a grand would add more style.

What would you do?

No, no, no digital piano.

Rent a Yamaha C7 (7'6") or Steinway B (you may have to settle for what is in the rental fleet of the store is close to the venue) or you may get lucky and get a concert grand.

Enjoy the sound of the piano and the celebration of your people.

Have fun working up your repertoire in anticipation of the event!

Where will the reception be? Is there a band already for the reception that will have a keyboardist? What type of music are you thinking of doing? What you rent might depend a lot on those answers. However, I'd ask the happy couple first of all what they would want?

Also, take the advice from people in the other thread. Unless, they asked you to do it I'd hesitate to be the entertainment as the father of the bride.

Did you ask if the venue already has a piano? Some do.

Wait, what ??? NOBODY is happy with the sound from an electronic !

Some people are happy with the sound from some electronic pianos. Especially in some noisy venues, like a wedding.

To the OP:

. . . Do you have much experience playing acoustic pianos?

You do _not_ want to be surprised by the sound and touch of an acoustic, on wedding day.

. . . Can you play well enough so that it will make a difference, whether you're on an acoustic or digital piano?

Mistakes sound the same, on both of them.

I suggest renting a PA system (a small one), and listening to your P90 played through it. You might be surprised.

I disagree with you.
search in youtube for Yamaha's CVP-709.
that is exceptional digital piano, that i think better then the vast majority of acoustic pianos

Al,
I thought we'd talked you out of this. It still is a dumb idea, sorry.

If you have to mike it anyway, don't bother with an acoustic. It is extremely unlikely it will be done well enough to sound even as good as a digital.

If not, it's a toss-up. Something like a p90 and decent speakers is going to satisfy everybody but the total snobs, in the average ambient noise environment. (if they even listen)

I doubt the difference between the grand and the digital would justify the $1000 expense.

the digital keyboard would be more practical with a greater probability of staying in tune than the grand (if there's a hired band, their keyboard player might be very well equipped); however, some hosts of receptions place a priority on impressing family and guests with stuff different from the everyday.

hearing your interpretation of Green Dolphin Street, TromboneAl, you could sound quite good on a decent acoustic piano..

Maybe choose the venue based on the availability of an adequate piano. It may need tuning on your nickel, but at least not the cost of a two way move.