The Collapse of Quality: How the Piano Became a Monoculture​

When Germany lost World War I, the piano industry—then dominated by German manufacturers—suffered an immense blow. Economic collapse and the demands of reparation payments made it impossible for German companies to maintain their legacy of producing world-class instruments. Among the rubble of this industry, Steinway, a German-origin company operating out of the United States, rose to dominance. With its competition shattered, Steinway positioned itself as the sole representative of "German quality" in pianos.

What followed was not a golden age for the piano but the beginning of a monoculture. Other manufacturers, unable to compete on equal footing, began mimicking Steinway instead of innovating. Steinway itself, now secure in its market dominance, stopped striving for true excellence. The company invested more in marketing than in craftsmanship, relying on the perception of its brand rather than the quality of its instruments.

The result? The pianos of today are a shadow of the instruments built during the golden era of 1880–1919. Back then, pianos were rich in sound, with smooth, fast actions, dynamic range, and a capacity to truly "sing." Today’s instruments, though cheaper to manufacture, remain expensive to buy—and fail to match the artistry of their predecessors.

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Why Did Quality Decline So Steeply?

The fundamental issue is that pianos are not portable. Unlike other musicians, pianists are bound to the instruments provided by venues. These heavy, immovable instruments dominate stages worldwide, leaving pianists disconnected from the tools of their craft. They practice on one piano, perform on another, and must adapt to whatever is available. This lack of portability removes the incentive for manufacturers to build superior instruments, as pianists have limited choice and control over the pianos they play.

Moreover, pianists' dependence on venue-provided instruments extends to reliance on the venues themselves. Often, pianists perform without pay to gain exposure necessary for career advancement. Venues exploit this dependency, earning revenue from ticket sales while musicians—the core of the business—work without compensation. This dynamic leaves pianists vulnerable both artistically and economically, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and diminishing demand for higher-quality instruments.

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Breaking the Cycle: What Pianists Need

To truly empower pianists, two fundamental changes are required:
 

1. A Better Instrument
   The instrument itself must be fundamentally better. Not just an incremental improvement, but a leap forward—something that surpasses the best instruments of the past in ways that are undeniable. If it is only "as good," it will never be accepted. People will cling to the mystique of old pianos, claiming they have some elusive magic. To overcome this, the new instrument must be obviously superior.
    

   • Playability: Tendens offers unprecedented responsiveness and precision, allowing pianists to focus on artistry, not fighting the instrument.

   • Sound: With its active soundboard technology, Tendens produces a richer, longer, and more dynamic tone than any acoustic piano on the market today. It restores the singing quality that has been lost in modern instruments.

   • Ergonomics: By offering custom keyboard sizes and eliminating sluggish, inefficient actions, Tendens addresses the health crisis in the piano world, where many pianists suffer injuries from oversized, poorly designed instruments.
      

2. Portability
   Portability is the key to breaking the vicious cycle. A piano that is both portable and of the highest quality changes everything. For the first time, pianists can:
    

   • Practice, perform, and record on the same instrument, maintaining consistency in their artistry.

   • Free themselves from the constraints of venue-provided instruments—and from venues altogether. With a portable piano, pianists are no longer tied to the terms and conditions set by venues. They can take control of their careers, choosing when and where to perform, on their own terms.

   • Demand better treatment and fair compensation, as they are no longer reliant on venues to provide the tools for their craft.
      

Portability is not just a practical feature—it is a revolutionary concept. When pianists can take their own world-class instrument anywhere, the balance of power shifts. Pianists become independent artists, no longer forced to conform to the limitations of a flawed system.


 

The Modular Future: Tailored for the Pianist

Tendens goes further by embracing modularity. This makes it possible to create personalized interfaces for each pianist, independent of the acoustics. For the first time, pianists can have instruments tailored to their hand size, body, and playing style.

The issue of ergonomic keyboards—smaller, more efficient designs that reduce strain and injury—is a critical example. Today, most pianists are forced to play on oversized keyboards that are unsuitable for their hands, causing widespread injuries. But simply offering a smaller keyboard isn’t enough. It must be part of a better, portable instrument that plays so well it becomes indispensable.


 

Forcing Change in the Industry

The Tendens piano does more than empower individual pianists—it forces change in the piano industry itself. By offering an instrument that surpasses traditional pianos in quality, portability, and customization, Tendens sets a new standard. It forces established manufacturers to start listening to the demands of musicians, instead of catering solely to venues and institutions. When pianists have the power to choose their own instrument, manufacturers will no longer be able to ignore their needs.


 

What Tendens Represents

Tendens is more than a piano—it is a movement to restore balance to the pianist’s world. It is about giving musicians the tools they need to thrive:
 

• Artistic freedom to make music that reflects their unique vision.

• Physical health through ergonomic design and superior playability.

• Economic empowerment by enabling pianists to control their instruments, performances, and careers.
   

With Tendens, pianists are no longer at the mercy of immovable, outdated instruments or exploitative venues. They are free to express themselves fully, wherever they go, on a piano that outperforms anything that has come before.

This is what Tendens is all about: breaking the cycle, redefining the pianist’s position, and creating a future where music and musicians can truly flourish.