You Can Still Get Genuine Ebony Sharps On An Affordable Piano. Let's Find Out How.
- Naperville Music Staff
- Mar 2
- 3 min read
Most pianists agree that they perfer Genuine Ebony Sharps on a piano if they can afford a piano that has them. For a musician, genuine ebony sharps are about the tactile connection between the player and the instrument. Unlike plastic or "ebonized" (stained) woods, true ebony offers a unique physical profile that impacts high-level performance.
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Here is why they are important:
Natural Moisture Absorption: Ebony is a dense but porous hardwood. It naturally absorbs microscopic amounts of sweat from a pianist’s fingertips. This prevents the "slippery" feeling common with plastic keys, providing a secure grip during fast, technical passages or intense performances.
Distinctive Tactile Feedback: Ebony has a subtle, fine-grained texture. Many concert pianists prefer this "organic" feel because it provides better spatial awareness and feedback than the perfectly smooth, sterile surface of synthetic keys.
Superior Durability: As one of the hardest woods on earth, genuine ebony is incredibly resistant to wear. While plastic keys can scratch or become "cloudy" and stained woods can peel or show a lighter color underneath as the dye wears off, ebony maintains its jet-black luster for decades.
Weight and Balance: Ebony is significantly heavier than plastic. In high-end actions, the weight of the sharp is factored into the key balancing (lead weighting). This contributes to a consistent "throw" and return of the key, which is vital for a predictable, professional touch.
Aesthetic Value: For many, the deep, natural matte finish of real ebony represents the quality and craftsmanship of a world-class instrument, influencing the musician's psychological comfort and inspiration while playing.
When comparing piano brands, you may find that while brands like Yamaha, Kawai and others may offer genuine ebony sharps on their pianos, they are found primarily on their flagship concert and premium-tier acoustic pianos. On most mid-range and consumer models, they use proprietary synthetic materials lilke—Ivorite (Yamaha) and Neotex (Kawai)—designed to mimic the tactile feel and moisture-absorbing properties of natural ebony.
Both Pearl River and Ritumuller pianos feature Genuine Ebony Sharps on all their acoustic pianos, making this premium feature avalilable to all musicians at affordable prices. Be sure to test out the feel of genuine ebony sharps and experience the difference.
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About Naperville Music
Naperville Music has been a trusted piano dealer in the Chicago area for over 50 years. Naperville Music offers new acoustic pianos from Pearl River, and Ritmuller, Digital Pianos from Yamaha and Pearl River, as well as pre-owned instruments from most major manufacturers including Yamaha, Kawai, Baldwin, Roland, Casio and others. If you are in Chicago or the Chicago suburbs, be sure to check our our modern piano showroom before you make your piano purchase.
For more piano information, including helpful videos and detailed product descriptions, visit https://www.napervillemusic.com/pianos-and-keyboards
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The information and views expressed in our blog posts are gathered from various sources, and are consistent with the views of Naperville Music. Pianos, whether new, used, or digital are a very personal purchase and you should experience any piano to be sure it meets your specific needs before you purchase one.
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