Note: this article was edited after publishing. Originally, it stated that the Powered Up App would include four songs. In fact, there will be five songs in play mode, and five songs in listen mode. Two songs will be the same in both modes.
The next LEGO® Ideas set is on the way. In fact, it is almost here. Today, the LEGO® Group announced the release of the Ideas Grand Piano (21323) on August 1, 2020. The set is based on the design by AFOL Donny Chen (a.k.a. SleepyCow). Chen’s inspiration for the set stemmed from a love of music and LEGO® bricks. His intricate design and attention to detail caused the set to achieve 10,000 votes on the LEGO® Ideas platform in just 60 days.
The Grand Piano is the first LEGO® set with the ability to play music. Based on the product video and descriptions, it does this through the Powered Up app. Fans can play five pre-set songs by plucking away at the keys. Alternatively, you can listen to five songs using an auto-play function. Two songs will be the same in play and listen mode. The official press release describes the upcoming Grand Piano as follows:
The brand-new set is a masterpiece of craft and innovation, featuring all the makings of real-life grand piano to give an authentic musical experience in LEGO® brick-form. These authentic features include a removable 25-key keyboard, a top lid that can be propped up, an authentic hammer action and a moving damper and pedal, which help to make the LEGO® Ideas Grand Piano™ as beautiful as it is functional.
Set Specifics:
- NAME: Grand Piano
- SET #: 21323
- THEME: Ideas
- COST: $449.99 CAD ($349.99 USD; £319.99; approx. €349.99)
- BRICK COUNT: 3662
- MINIFIGURES: none
- RELEASE DATE: August 1, 2020
- DIMENSIONS:5 cm (8.5”) high, 30.5 cm (12”) wide, and 35.5 cm (13.5”) when closed.
- COST-PER-BRICK: $0.12 (Good)
At $449.99, I appreciate the intricacy and ingenuity of this set. However, I will not be buying it. There is no doubt that it is a beautiful piece. The cost-per-brick is not even that bad. At $0.12/brick, I would rate this set’s value at 86% in a review. However, I am not a pianist or music afficionado. Sadly, this set would collect dust on a shelf until I eventually disassembled it to make room for something else. As a collector, I am more partial to the Pirates of Barracuda Bay type designs. What are your thoughts? Be sure to share them in the comments below or send me a line on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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