When it comes to piano lessons, guitar lessons, drum lessons, or singing lessons in the Oakville and Mississauga region, Merriam School of Music has been the leader for 25 years. We've had consistently the highest customer service rating, the longest retention of students, and the most associations with post-secondary music institutions.
Merriam School of Music was founded in 1988. We have grown to serve 3500 weekly music students, with 120 teachers, in three campuses. We are recognized by several major universities such as Western University, Wilfrid Laurier, and University of Ottawa as being leaders in the field of music education, and have remained focused on creating lifelong music lovers and participants through engagement and innovation.
Address: 2359 Bristol Cir Oakville, ON L6H 6P8
Tel: 905-829-2020
Website: www.merriammusic.com/
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Wow! Very good playing! I bought an SK3 in 2018. My pick was the Shigeru for the carbon action precision and color in the top registers; smoothness between bottom and mid registers. I also think the Shigerus are definitely better than Steinways in the lower registers that can sound either thin (Yamaha) or clangy like a Baldwin/Steinway or other more aggressive sounding pianos. I feel like this sound is easier to get a nice easy pp as well. Only the C Bechstien pleased me as much. But ouch! Not worth the 40% more price tag even if I could buy it. I Iove the Shigeru! SK3PPM ❤
The Shigeru Kawai SK3 is a remarkable piano in every regard! I certainly agree with your sentiments regarding its ultra-precise carbon fibre action and rich, rewarding tonal profile. It is truly a piano that can compete with instrument in its size category. Thanks for tuning in and sharing! :)
I originally had an FP10 and just upgraded to this. I appreciate the simplicity, great sound, and feel of these. When I want to get crazy, I connect it to my computer and run UVI Falcon!
That is awesome to hear! Congrats on your FP30X upgrade! It has a much nicer sonic experience and more functionality than the FP10. I think you will be very pleased with it! :)
I'm sure that you don't consider them in the same category as these two, but the finest piano I ever played (and I used to work at an S&S dealer, during which time I bought a new Yamaha) was a nearly new and meticulously prepared Mason & Hamlin BB I played my senior recital on. Its sustain seemed to go on forever- I had to re-pedal some pieces, having practiced on a S&S B... and the tone and touch were to 'die for'
Mason & Hamlin make wonderful pianos and the model BB is a spectacular instrument! Thanks for writing in with your experiences and insights. We appreciate it! :)
Hey, I was in Toronto today and passed by one of your locations! I almost walked in to see if I could meet stu but couldn't with time. Hope everything is great!
Thanks for tuning in! Stu is periodically at the showrooms, so you might catch him if you pop in sometime. :)
Hello Merriam music I had a question as a total beginner with digital pianos, I wanted to know what is the cheapest digital piano with 88 keys because honestly I do not care about the sound the piano makes (do care about how the keys feel and the quality so it won’t break in a few months but will last me a very long time even with extensive use). I learned that you can hook up your piano via a usb to your software and that way I could use a “grand piano” and since I will be playing to learn I’d prefer headset over traditional sound coming from the piano, is there any piano that suits my needs and won’t cost me €445 euro? I have been looking at the Roland 10 and the Yamaha P145 B but it’s just to much, I kinda want to bypass the need for a piano that will cost that much when I can just hook it up to a software and get a better experience (I am still unfamiliar with the process of hooking it up to a software so please help me out). All I care about is 88 keys a great headset audio output, feeling of the keys don’t need to be exactly like a grand piano neither plastic just something you could use if you get me 😊 I love the piano animenz uses on KZread in which he plays anime themed songs, it’s a Steinway piano of course buying a similar piano like that will cost you a lot of money but I’d thought if I can just replicate that sound with a headset and the feeling of the keys are just fine and the overall is above decent or good I would be happy 😃 Appreciate the advice thanks!!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the suggestion! It is important to note that there are some 88-note non-weighted keyboards and that some of them do not have USB/MIDI connection to be able to partner them with virtual instruments and apps. To that point, my top suggestion would be the Roland FP10. It has one of the most authentic feeling actions in the price point and also provides the USB connectivity you are looking for! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks for responding! I should have mentioned the price I was looking to get a piano for was under the €200 range just is there a piano that suits my needs and requirements ? I had found the Devine VersaKey 88 USB/MIDI keyboard that would possibly do the trick but I have no idea if that’s going to be a good option for me, what do you think Brent ?
I've been binging your videos for a while, and always appreciate Stu's honesty. Will you guys ever compare it to the PX S1100 considering the similarities in prioritizing the compact size? Cheers!
Thank you so much! We appreciate the kind words and support! I will be happy to pass along your suggestion to our production team for you. I'm sure they will do their best to tackle a comparison of the PXS1100 to the P225 model. :)
sir is it most inexpensive keyboard with best premium keys in 2024 ? and black keys are also lighter ?
The PXS6000 is a really wonderful piano with a very nice wood/resin keyboard action, but it really comes down to a matter of subjectivity as to which one is the best/most premium. It should also be noted that the more affordable PXS5000 model has the same action as the PXS6000. The black keys do have a shorter key stick length, but I have found the action to be quite rewarding to play. :)
Which action is similar to an acoustic piano, Roland FP30X or Kawai ES120?
They are both very authentic feeling. In my opinion, the FP30X plays a bit more like a baby grand acoustic piano, whereas the ES120 feels more like an upright acoustic piano.
Buying new grand piano for a room that is 4M x4M , Compare the Sk2 and sk3 , does the sk3 worth the extra money? Thank you
It really comes down to a matter of subjectivity and personal preference. If budget is not a restriction, it usually comes down to the question: "can you hear the difference?" If it is noticeable, it may very well be worth the extra spend. However, it should be said that size is not everything. Sometimes, people's musical preference is for a smaller scale design for a variety of reasons.
Has a review been done on the Kurzweil KaE 1-LB? Just reading the specs and price, it seems to be the best value beginners' piano.
We are not Kurzweil dealers, so it is a bit trickier to tackle the company's models for reviews/comparisons. But, we do get pianos come in on trade sometimes, so we will do our best to tackle that model (along with any other pertinent Kurzweil pianos) if possible. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
Did anybody else notice a tonal shift with the same patch used on each model? The FPe50 sounded more interesting to me (a good bite on the lower mids) but I guess that was a fluke.
The FP-E50's piano tone is certainly very impressive (especially for the price point)! :) I am not exactly sure what you mean by tonal sifts.
@@MerriamPianos Just that the colour/timber of the allegedly "same patch" seemed different on each dp. Assuming that line outs were used, can that be possible? Different dsps? Actually, it would have been good to hear those onboard speakers since they are one of the big differences between the two models.
The Kawai ES 120 sounds best. The action is superior too.
It is hard to argue with how good the ES120 sounds and plays - that is for sure! :)
MP are the best in the other hand Rd 700 gx was the best Rd ever made.
The MP series from Kawai is certainly quite impressive! And the RD700 model was a very solid instrument that still has a very fervent fanbase today! :)
Thank you very much for thinking about the buyers of 2024. The video convinced me that I made a good purchasing choice. A used Kawai K200, purchased new in 2021, and purchased for $4,200 CND. I feel more reassured. Mario from Québec.
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for supporting the channel! We really appreciate it. Congrats on your Kawai K200! They are fantastic pianos and I know you will be very happy with what it offers musically. :)
isnt it semi-weighted as apposed to not weighted at all
That is correct. Usually, spring-loaded actions, like the one featured on the Alesis Recital, are referred to as semi-weighted.
@MerriamPianos thanks, I guess semi-weighted just means half way house then between a keyboard and acoustic piano feel?
I think many of the Keyscape instruments you demonstrate have a more ‘ready mixed’ sound. They’re already EQ’d, have some stereo effects, maybe some compression. I do think on many occasions they sound bigger and more detailed in this demo, but it’d be interesting to know if the Pianoteq sounds can get there with a little bit of post-processing.
That is a very good point! And, for some users, the "ready-to-go" nature of a certain VST is going to be a very important selling point. Work-flow can certainly be a concern. Thank you for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! :)
can you please get stu to review the korg liano, it is unlike anything else on the market, would be great to hear stu’s thoughts on it.
Hi there! Thanks for the suggestion! I will pass it along to our production team and I'm sure they will do their best to tackle that model for you. :)
Forget about the great chops, what an authentic detailed reviewer and demonstrator. It's like you read the minds and know the questions in advance of someone shopping or torn between those two boards. Thank you for all you do.
Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting! We really appreciate it as well as the incredibly kind words! I will pass them along to Stu on your behalf. :)
I played a 9 ft. Bosendorfer for my JR and Sr recitals in a small, old 300-seat auditorium. Wonderful piano. I also played a 1988 Hamburg Steinway at North Texas. Another awesome piano. The Bosendorfer was my favorite for its warmth and action.
Very nice! Those are certainly some wonderful pianos. What a great experience to get to play those beautiful instruments!
I'm a lifelong pianist and have never heard of Bechstein 😀
C. Bechstein is one of the finest piano manufacturers in the world, but the company is not as commonly known as some other piano giants in the industry. However, that has gradually been starting to change.
What was tha jazz music you played on the piano. I hate jazz but tha as great.
Hi there! Stu does a lot of improvisation when he's demonstrating the pianos. I'll be sure to pass on your kind words to him. :)
Dexibell H10 and H5 - Casio 510 ?
Hi! Brent here! It is tough to come by Dexibell pianos here in Canada. We aren't dealers and we don't tend to get them come in on trade, but we will do our best to tackle those reviews/comparisons for you if at all possible. :)
I live in the Caribbean, and, for those living in the tropics, heat is an enemy of electronic components. Notwithstanding that, I got 10 years of trouble-free use from my Yamaha MOX8 (see profile pic). Some of the keys no longer work and I believe that it is a sensor issue. I am trying to get it fixed by replacing them. However, I am also looking to buy a new board, as 10 years of regular use is commendable for a mid-range board. Since the mox8 is more of a workstation, I am looking to buy a digital piano like one of roland's fpx range or kawai es520 to compliment it.
That is decent longevity. And I think you would be very pleased with the Roland FPX and Kawai ES model. The Kawai ES920 and Roland FP90X models in particular are real standouts! :)
In the TV world people calibrate colors for best color accuracy. How about in digital piano world having a setting configuration to produce famous piano sounds? Steinway and Fazioli to name two. I realize there are many music styles, but I think classical music does not get much attention anymore.
There are a number of VST plug-ins that model and sample famous/iconic piano sounds. But, I do agree that it would be an exciting feature to include onboard a digital piano. :)
Can this be used as a midi controller?
Yup! It certainly can be. It has MIDI output via both Bluetooth wirelessly and its USB connection.
Hello! Help me please! What are the best action piano or midi keyboard that money could possibly buy?
Hi! Brent here! The Kawai VPC1 is largely considered the best MIDI controller on the market right now. It has an all 88-note wooden key action that plays amazingly well!
How it could be compared with nv5s and nv10s action? Witch is better? I use synchron piano library and for me important only action. And second question. Is possible to ask when you do review about Bechstein C8 that was released recently. I have bechstein concert 8 2022 white polished with my name on it. I very interested in difference and in high anticipation in this video from you! I’m big fan of your channel friends!❤
After trying with three different iOS devices, I finally managed to make a Bluetooth connection to the FP-30x today (the Roland instructions are, to say the least, misleading and opaque). Now with the Piano Designer app the virtual lid on the piano can be opened and massively improves on the default sounds. Roland needs to clarify the instructions on its site and in the manual. But the sound improvement is a complete revelation.
Thanks for the note! I know what you mean. Sometimes, the instructions for Bluetooth connectivity can be a bit tricky to follow. With that said, I'm glad you figured things out and have been able to extract all of the amazing customization functions that the app offers. :)
I've been keeping an eye on this model (and other models) for a long time, and I was wondering... why the prices of digital pianos have such big oscillations? Sometimes they suddenly go 300$ higher or even more. This model's cost had a similar spike in April, at least in the UK.
Hmm that is interesting to hear! We have not seen the same fluctuation here in Canada. There have been periodic sales events from Roland Canada on select models, but that is about it.
Great! Is this still your favorite upright C. Bechstein upright? It seems it's now the R124. I'd love to see a review on the R2. Am going to get one- but haven't decided which one. Also the prices has increased insanly.
Hi! Brent here! The R124 has been updated with the slightly taller R6. I have not personally had an opportunity to play the R6 model yet, but I will say that the R124 was a spectacular piano, so I'm assuming the R6 will be as well! And thank you for the suggestion! We will do our best to tackle a review of the R2 model for you. :)
@@MerriamPianos thank you so much! Love this!
Thanks so much for this video, just what I was looking for, having the same as you used Roland fantom x8 being my last workstation I ready used although I have a Oasys and then Kronos I only used them with logic, I loved the old gear for recording even back as far as xp80, I now use the RD2000 and Korg Pa5x and other Roland gear like Jupiter xm and tr08, 09 etc, my main worry is feel, is it as good as the RD2000, if so I’ll sell all the bits and get one thing. As now I’m older with less time and space, I just want everything easier to access, but play and sound good.
You're very welcome! We're glad that you enjoyed it! :) The RD2000 and FANTOM-8 both use the same PHA50 action (a wonderfully-authentic touch). With that said, the FANTOM-8 feels virtually the same as the RD2000. It is a really impressive workstation to say the least!
Seems like RD08 is designed for stage performance only. I don't know why it even needs speakers. Without speakers it would be lighter. For studio / home use there are much better options. I don't think RD08 has any drum kits. Recently I needed darbuka sounds. Yamaha DGX-670 which is $200 cheaper has them in the Turkish kit. If I had Roland I would need to buy Turkish / Arabic drum kit / VST somewhere else. User interface also looks 20 years old.
I think it is certainly fair to say that the Roland RD08 is positioned to be a stage/performance instrument opposed to a true workstation/production instrument. However, it does have some crossover features that could allow it to serve that function depending on the specific context of use.
for me, VSL steinway sounds realistic. while the pianoteq one doesn't even sound like a steinway
That is certainly fair! Every player will have their own preference musically of course. :)
@@MerriamPianos yeah i agree.
How about a radical approach to reproduce wood feel to the key action. Polyurethane foam cast with wood particles and wood veneers.
That sounds like a very interesting approach to a wooden keyboard action! :)
He makes everything sound nice. Probably the main variation I see in sampled pianos, is what I call the resolution, which I suspect is closely associated to the number of sample layers. This video's pianos - sound a bit pinched, sounding more like the pianos on a hardware keyboard, which are ok, just not as truly realistic as instruments like the Garritan CFX and the Vienna Symphonic Pianos.
Stu's playing definitely brings every instrument to life! And thank you for writing in. That is a very good point! The number of sample layers does have a lot to do with the authenticity of the overall sonic experience. :)
Stu - you rock.
Thanks for tuning in! I'll pass along your compliments to Stu! :)
Electronic is OK but for true sound experience, cannot beat an acoustic if you can afford it, have the space and tolerant neighbours or a Celeste (quiet) pedal. I have a Roland FP30X. No complaints but this was an experiment to decide whether learning piano was just a passing phase or not. Well it isn’t and so now looking to progress to a second hand upright acoustic and thinking of Yamaha U1 or Kwai K300 but as K300 is only produced in black, looking for a wood finish Yamaha U1..
Hi there! Digital pianos certainly have their place in the market, but acoustic pianos have a magic and nuance that is hard to fully emulate electronically. Also, the K300 comes in polished mahogany and snow white polish as well.
Is it possible to do a comparison video between Estonia 168 vs 190, please?
I will be happy to pass along the suggestion to our production team for you!
@@MerriamPianos much appreciated.
Please make a video on RD88 vs RD08
Thanks for the suggestion! We will do our best to tackle that for you. :)
Stu, if I was buying you a piano, and you had a choice between the Phoenix model 272 or a Steingraeber E272, what would you chose???????
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the question. It really comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. The Phoenix models have a very distinct tone and a ton of sustain that can be a bit divisive. My recommendation would be to test both out in person to see which one you resonate with more. :)
So the Yamaha P-225 did not make the cut?
It is a solid piano, but, in our collective opinion, there are better offerings in the price category. It is important to note that piano preference will always come down to subjectivity though.
Gostei muito, principalmente do som do p225, da Yamaha.
Thank you kindly! We appreciate you tuning in. :)
@@MerriamPianos , ok.
Roland dp603 or this 750? Which one is better?
It is not a matter of which one is "better" as tone/touch preferences are very subjective. The DP603 has a heavier touch and a warmer sound in comparison the AP750, which has a lighter touch and a brighter tonal profile. My recommendation would be to test both out in person to see which one you resonate with more. :)
Do you know when you might review the Yamaha P525?
We did a comparison video for the P525 against the FP90X, but I am not sure if there are plans for a solo review of the P525. You can check out the comparison video here though: kzread.info/dash/bejne/gnl2yJJ9nbytl7g.html
@@MerriamPianos Thank you. Hopefully there will be an individual review for the P525 at some point.
Hey Stu, I was just about to finally purchase the LX708 but now wondering if this new series is where I should head. Has the technology improved that much in these new models, that I should go in that direction? Love your videos. Mark
Hi Mark! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question! The new LX series pianos are fantastic. For me, the most meaningful update has been to the sensor system. The new sensor system's operating rate and ability to capture and render a player's performance nuances are a meaningful improvement from the already impressive LX700 series instruments.
I’m stuck between the Casio px s3100 and the Yamaha p225 which would you recommend?
It really comes down to a matter of personal preference. I would recommend testing out both to see which one you connect with more. I would give an edge to the PXS3100 in terms of the sound and feature offering, but a slight edge to the P225 in terms of touch.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks for the Reply! Unfortunately, there is no demo stock for the Pxs3100 in any of my nearest music stores for me to try. I only got to try the p225. I do love the feel of the p225 it feels closer to my upright piano! initially decided on getting the white p225 but the pxs3100 went on sale now they are the same price and as you said more features now I am hesitant. I scoured KZread for reviews and I am still undecided lol. Also, I found your reviews very detailed and gave me a good insight into other options so thanks for that.
Love the keyboard action on the Roland but am so disappointed by its muddy piano sounds, made even worse by not having the speakers facing upwards - a terrible design decision by Roland.
Virtually all digital pianos in this price category have downward facing speakers. I am sorry to hear you're not enjoying the piano's tone though. You may find running it through external speakers/amplifiers may help provide a richer sonic experience.
I am using a Studiologic Fatar 900, which I bought in the mid-'90s. It has sensor strips with two points and charcoal contacts. Once per year, some notes/keys are either dead or send full dynamics. In that case, I remove the sensor strips, clean all contacts with alcohol and a nail buffer block. I just wonder how in the world there is always some dust getting into this thing, which is always covered when I am not playing.
It is awesome to hear that you're getting so much longevity out of your instrument! Thanks for sharing! :)
Does this board have Roland's jazz scat? I like the pianos on this over the rd08 or rd88. However, I need that scat voice. 😂
I am not a showroom to verify, but I am quite certain that the FP60X does in fact have the jazz scat patch.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks for the quick reply! It is a make or break for me. So I will try to find someone in the comments who has one to ask the same question.
Steinway hands down!!
That is certainly fair. These are both wonderful instruments that offer a different musical profile. :)
I got my Kawai ES 120 from Merriam - very very happy with it.
We're very happy to hear that! Thanks so much for the support and enjoy your ES120! :)