Topic: Music

Source: https://youtu.be/mnquWUItsVM

Question of the video

Why Are Steinway Grand Pianos So Expensive

Introduction
Steinway & Sons are a brand that has been producing one of
the finest pianos in the world for over 160 years.
Handcrafted methods are still employed and applied till
today to ensure the uncompromising standard or criterion of
quality. Steinway has produced 2 of the most expensive
pianos in the world, worth over 2 million USD each. And its
still sought-after by famous musicians like Billy Joel, Lang
Lang etc.
But why?
It usually takes about 11 months to craft just 1 Steinway
Grand Piano. Even the most affordable finish of any Steinway
piano costs about $187,000USD. And the main material that
used in the production, is the main cause of why the piano
costs half the price of a Ferrari.
About 85% of a Steinway grand piano is made up of Sitka
spruce, a kind of wood that is very rare and grows very little
every year. They are grew in a few areas in the Northwest US,
but more than 50% of the Alaskan Sikta spruce they source
are not meeting Steinway criterion. This condition makes it
becomes the most expensive wood they have in a piano.
The woods must have a specific grain density and direction.
Both can cause impact to the quality of sound.
The piano keys are also a valuable component of a piano, keys’
weight are ensured by trusted artisans in the Steinway
factory. All 88 keys’ weight are ensured to be balanced so
that pianist wont spend more force to press one key over
another.
One of the most difficult jobs, is the final tone inspection.
The quality of a piano tone is incredibly nuanced. Its
something that only a pair of experienced ear can decipher.
The above reasons concludes that why a Steinway piano is so
expensive.

Reflection
After watching this video, I completely understood how and
what makes a Steinway Grand piano so expensive. Its very
informative for people who are interested in the secrets
behind the musical instruments like me.
Vocabulary / Phrases
1. Sought-after adj. 被追捧
in demand; generally desired.

2. Diabolical adj. 惡魔般的

characteristic of the Devil, or so evil as to be suggestive of the Devil.

3. Crucial adj. 至關重要的

decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something.

4. Artisans N. 工匠
a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by
hand.

5. Nuanced adj. 細緻入微

characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression.

6. Decipher V. 解碼
convert (a text written in code, or a coded signal) into normal language.

7. Vault N. 金庫
a large room or chamber used for storage, especially an underground
one.