Why are grand pianos usually black?

So most pianos are black because it was easier / cheaper for companies to manufacture them. As a corollary to this topic, it is actually also the same reason why many harpsichord manuals have reversed key colors.

1. What color are grand pianos?
2. Are white pianos tacky?
3. Do white pianos turn yellow?
4. When did pianos get white keys?

What color are grand pianos?

Consider the appearance

Although less important than the sound, the case and visual aspects of the piano are often the most important considerations. Grand pianos come in all colors, from traditional black polish to a natural finish and even cherry red. Most grand pianos today have a shiny, ebony polish.

Are white pianos tacky?

White pianos are almost universally considered as 'vulgar,' Hollywood cheesy, or downright bad taste – i.e. an instrument treated as a decorated item, trivializing the object, and de facto, trivializing music.

Do white pianos turn yellow?

The popularity of these finishes has dwindled to where it is sometimes difficult to find dealers that will stock White/Ivory pianos. Yellowing is not an issue with the new poly finishes. If you like the white one best, and now you know that it won't yellow as it ages, buy it.

When did pianos get white keys?

On modern piano keyboards, the seven "natural" notes of each octave are the white keys and the five half-tones are black keys in between. But, on pianos dating from the 18th century when Mozart was alive, the colors of the keys was exactly reversed: the white keys were black and the black keys were white.