GL Grand Series
Your first grand piano.
Built without shortcuts.
The Kawai GL Series is where acoustic grand piano ownership begins. Five sizes, built in Kawai's Ryuyo factory with the same standards applied to their professional instruments — at a price point designed for home musicians and teaching studios.
Why a grand piano changes how you play
Acoustic Grand Construction
Grand piano keys are longer than upright piano keys, giving you more surface area for expressive control. The horizontal stringing allows the soundboard to vibrate freely, producing fuller tone that an upright cannot match.
Gravity Return Action
A grand piano action uses gravity to return hammers to position — not a spring mechanism like an upright. This allows faster repetition and more nuanced dynamic control, especially in demanding passages.
Ryuyo Factory Craftsmanship
Every GL Series piano is built in Kawai's Ryuyo facility in Japan alongside their professional and concert instruments. The same quality standards apply across the product range — what changes is the size and price.
Who it's for
For first-time grand piano buyers
The GL Series is the entry point to authentic acoustic grand ownership. If you have been practicing on an upright or digital piano and are ready for the tonal and tactile experience of a grand, the GL Series is built for that transition.
For teaching studios
The smaller GL-10 and GL-20 are well-suited to professional teaching studios where a full-size concert grand is neither practical nor necessary. Students benefit from playing an acoustic grand from early lessons.
For home use with room
The GL-10 at 5'0" fits into spaces where larger grands don't. If you have a dedicated music room or a generous living space, a GL Series grand changes how you play and practice.
Common questions
- What sizes does the Kawai GL Series come in?
- The GL Series is available in five sizes. The GL-10 is 5'0" — the smallest and most room-friendly. Each successive model steps up in length, with the GL-50 reaching 6'2". Longer grands produce richer, more resonant bass response and greater tonal projection.
- Is the GL Series a good choice for home use?
- Yes, for homes with appropriate space. The GL-10 and GL-20 are the most practical for residential rooms. A standard recommendation is to allow 2 feet of clearance behind the piano bench and on all sides. The piano needs room to resonate, and you need room to play comfortably.
- What is the difference between the GL-10 and GL-50?
- The primary difference is size. The GL-10 at 5'0" is the entry model with a shorter string length — suitable for home use and smaller studios. The GL-50 at 6'2" has longer strings that produce more resonant bass response, greater projection, and a fuller tonal character across the entire range. Both are built with the same Kawai quality standards.
- Is the GL Series suitable for advanced or professional players?
- The GL Series is an entry-level acoustic grand — it is designed for home use, teaching studios, and players stepping up from upright or digital instruments. Advanced pianists who perform or record professionally would typically consider the GX BLAK Series, which features Millennium III ABS-Carbon action and more advanced construction.
- How does the GL Series compare to Kawai's professional grand pianos?
- The GL Series and GX BLAK Series both come from Kawai's Ryuyo factory, but differ in action technology and material specification. The GX BLAK uses Millennium III ABS-Carbon action parts, hand-tapered soundboards, and is positioned for professional and serious pianists. The GL Series uses a standard acoustic action and is priced for accessible entry into grand piano ownership.
Kawai Acoustic Grand Piano Lineup
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