7 December 2019 If You Don’t Live In Memphis, Is It Worth Buying and Shipping A Piano To Your Home?

If You Don’t Live In Memphis, Is It Worth Buying and Shipping A Piano To Your Home?

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For some people, playing the piano is more than just a hobby. It’s a central part of their lives. 

Does that describe your relationship with your piano? 

Does it sit center stage in your family room? Have your kids all learned to play? Do you sit down at the keyboard to lose a little stress? Does your entire family gather around for sing-a-longs on a regular basis? 

Piano isn’t just a hobby. It’s a way of life for some people. 

But maybe you’ve upgraded your home, and you’ve decided it’s time to upgrade your piano as well. 

As much as you’ve loved your starter piano, it’s time for something grander. Possibly a baby grand. You’ve always pictured a sleek baby grand becoming the center of your new music library. 

Who do you trust? 

Thanks to the internet, you can do as much research as you want. You can find individuals trying to sell off their own pianos. You can find dealers in your local area, promising they can make you a deal and get you the piano of your dreams. Who do you trust?

If you don’t live in Memphis, why would you even look at a piano dealer who resides in Memphis? Shouldn’t you look a little closer to home? 

Maybe not. We’ve been in the business for decades. We don’t just know a thing or two about pianos; we live it, breathe it. We can help you find the right new piano, or hunt for the perfect used or vintage piano to suit your needs. Moving – we offer moving services. In need of piano tuning or restoration services? We can help there too. And if you have the perfect piano in mind – you know exactly what make or model you’re looking for – we can help locate it and ship it to you, no matter where you are. 

Our business is pianos. You don’t have to be in Memphis to take advantage of our superior customer service. Just call; we’re ready to help you today. 

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20 August 2013 What Is A Used Piano Worth?

What Is A Used Piano Worth?

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If you are in the market for a piano, but cannot afford new, or you simply are not sure if you are ready for that type of investment, the used piano market is the place to start shopping.

What Is A Used Piano Worth?However, all used pianos are not equal.

Just as when you shop for a used car, you have to use your good judgment and do your research before buying a used piano. Knowing what a used piano is worth before you start negotiating with a seller may be the advantage you need to get a fair price.

The first thing you must remember about a piano’s worth is that the name really does say it all. When shopping for a used piano, steer clear of unknown brands. Stick with the trusted brands, such as Yamaha, Baldwin, and Boston.

Next, do your research ahead of time. When you find a piano you want to look at, spend some time on the internet researching that particular piano. Just because a seller wants a certain price does not mean the piano is worth that price. Research the market value to give yourself a starting point for negotiations.

When it is time for you to take a look at the piano, pay attention to its appearance and sound quality. Make sure each key on the keyboard works. If the piano is extremely out of tune, it may be an indication of poor maintenance. Pianos require tuning and other forms of maintenance to ensure their longevity. Make sure you have the piano examined by a professional before taking the final plunge and making the purchase.

Finally, remember that you have other options besides private sellers. A visit to a used piano retailer may garner you the ideal piano at a price you can afford. Best of all, you will already have the peace of mind of knowing that piano has been certified for resale.

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14 August 2013 7 Tips To Buying A Piano From A Reputable Dealer

7 Tips To Buying A Piano From A Reputable Dealer

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If you have decided that you want to learn how to play the piano or that you want your child to learn, the first step in the process is you will have to buy the actual piano.

7 Tips To Buying A Piano From A Reputable DealerBuying a piano may sound easy enough – classified ads are often a go-to source for people searching for affordable, used instruments. However, a piano is different than a used flute or clarinet. A piano is an investment and should be treated as such.

Here are 7 tips for buying a piano.

  1. Always buy from a reputable dealer. You can use the Internet, as well as word of mouth, to find a reliable, dependable dealer that only sells quality instruments. Pianos must be maintained for quality – do you really want to buy a piano that has been stored in someone’s garage for a decade?
  2. You get what you pay for, so if you go cheap on your piano, you will wind up with just that – a cheap piano. Cheap pianos do not have the same sound quality as higher quality, more expensive pianos. And while that may not seem like a big deal to a beginning child who is just starting out, if they can’t pick up tones during practice, they may get frustrated and choose to quit. Quality matters.
  3. Avoid online shopping. This is a piano, not a purse. Such a large instrument and investment should not be purchased online. You need the chance to see and hear the piano before you purchase it. It is also important to note that you never know exactly whom you are dealing with over the Internet.
  4. Quality materials create quality pianos. Choose a trusted, reputable brand name when shopping for your piano to ensure that you receive a quality instrument.
  5. Consider the design of the piano before you purchase. Grand pianos produce some of the finest, richest tones, but you may not have room for such a large piano in your home. Upright pianos are the next best option.
  6. When you choose the brand name for your piano, make sure you choose one that backs up their craftsmanship. This goes beyond the actual building of the piano and includes partnering with reputable dealers and tuners to ensure that your piano stays in great shape.
  7. If ever in doubt, contact an expert. Utilize the Internet to find someone who knows about pianos and can advise you on your purchase.
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12 August 2013 10 Secrets To Helping Your Child Love Piano Lessons

10 Secrets To Helping Your Child Love Piano Lessons

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There is something so sweet and pure about the music created by a piano. The rich, strong notes ringing out a familiar tune – it is enough to warm your heart and strengthen your soul. 10 Secrets To Helping Your Child Love Piano LessonsHelping your child acquire the same appreciation for the piano involves more than just playing some music on your stereo. Teaching your child to play the piano is the ideal way to make him/her grow to love the piano. If you are thinking about investing in piano lessons for your child, here are 10 secrets to help your child learn to love taking those lessons!

1. Invest in a piano. Make sure you choose one that is of a better quality and let your child experiment with it.

2. If possible, have your child exposed to a piano for several years before ever starting lessons so your child is not intimidated by the piano. Show them it is a welcome and entertaining part of your home.

3. Encourage your child to explore the piano. Let him/her get familiar with the piano on their own terms.

4. Make sure that you keep your piano tuned. Once the lessons start, the music will never sound right if the piano is not in tune.

5. Invest in a bench that is appropriate for your child’s height to ensure that he/she is able to comfortably sit at the piano and complete lessons.

6. Don’t put the piano in an isolated location. Choose a room that will allow other family members to sit and listen – but make sure there are no distractions, such as a television.

7. Talk about the piano and the different parts as your child learns about it. Discuss the piano long before lessons start, and once lessons begin, discuss the things your child learned.

8. Make sure your child understands right and left. If you start a child too early on piano lessons, you may be setting him/her up for disappointment. Make sure they have basic knowledge to help with the transition into lessons.

9. Make sure your child knows the letters of the alphabet and is comfortable with the letters. Again, your child must have basic knowledge skills in order for the lessons to be successful.

10. Make piano lessons a part of the routine. Never force a child to practice; instead make it a part of the daily routing. Five scales and three tries at a new song before dinner time is a perfect routine to get into. Your child learns when to put his/her new skills into action, and you can listen while you are preparing dinner.

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8 August 2013 Do Today’s Pianos Have Ivory Keys?

Do Today’s Pianos Have Ivory Keys?

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Chances are you’ve heard the old stories about ivory being used for the keys on pianos. And when pianos were first developed, ivory was the resource of choice for the 88 keys that make up most piano keyboards. Ever heard the phrase “tickling the ivories”? Yes, it came from the idea of playing a piano with ivory keys.

Do Today's Pianos Have Ivory Keys?Ivory is a substance that comes from tusks of elephants and a few other types of animals, such as walrus. When ivory was considered a precious material used in all types of trade, including pianos, elephants were hunted down exclusively for their tusks. As the problem was exposed and the plight of the elephant came into consciousness, manufacturers quickly made the decision to change the materials used in production.

When keys were made out of ivory, they were not solid blocks of ivory. Instead, they were a thin veneer covering laid over a wooden key.

In today’s world, ivory is a banned material, and has been banned in the U.S. since the 1970s. All keys made for today’s pianos are created from plastic. Talk to us today about the best piano brand choices.

Most pianos made up until 1956 have the potential for ivory veneer on the keys. After the CITES Treaty, use of ivory was tracked and lessened until the U.S. officially banned use altogether.

Ivory does not increase the value or add to the rareness of an antique piano. Any piano with ivory keys must maintain a permit showing the details of origination and all that has occurred with the piano since its creation. If you move a piano from Europe to California, for example, you will have to be able to prove what type of animal and scientific name of animals as well as age – when the keys were replace, date and what manufacture date the ivory was made. If you don’t have proper documents, your piano may be confiscated.

If you do have a piano with ivory keys, you cannot remove the ivory veneer and use the ivory for something else. Fashioning veneers into jewelry or inlays now is considered manufacturing a banned material in the eyes of the law, and will base the new product on the date of creation – which means you can be charged if you get caught.

While there is a possibility of replacing old and broken keys with pre-ban Museum stockpiles of tusks, it’s a very expensive process. A more likely choice is to replace keys with simulated ivory or plastic key covers, which wear better and will increase the uniformity of your keyboard.

If you have old ivory keys, remember to use a natural cleanser without water, bleach or chemicals. Water will cause ivory to curl, and chemicals can hurt the quality of the ivory.

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3 August 2013 What Is An Electric Piano?

What Is An Electric Piano?

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“My son has announced he would like to play the electric piano. What is an electric piano, is it a good quality instrument, and should I pursue this? How is an electric piano different from the traditional piano I learned to play on?”

What Is An Electric Piano?In today’s world, most of our activities have turned to technology. And in the case of pianos, technology has definitely made its influence.

An electric piano is simply an electric musical instrument.

The earliest electric pianos were invented in the late 1920s. Their popularity began growing in the 1950s as more music celebrities began including electric piano in their hits. Think Duke Ellington’s big band era, or Ray Charles’ famous hit What’d I Say.

Electric pianos began reaching their peak in the 1970s, and began declining as we moved into the new digital era. Digital pianos are a modern form of an electric piano, designed to serve primarily as an alternative to a traditional piano both in sound and the way it feels to play.

When your son announced his desire to play the electric piano, chances are he is interested in the benefits of what comes with today’s digital pianos.

Most digital pianos can be connected to a computer. With appropriate software, the computer can handle many things, including sound generation, mixing of tracks, music notation, musical instruction, composition tasks, and more. They can also be used with headphones – meaning your son can play to his hearts content no matter what time of the day he has “inspiration”.

There are many choices when it comes to purchasing a digital piano. New, used – the options are many. Stop by today and find the perfect piano that will make both you and your son smile.

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31 July 2013 5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Piano Lessons

5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Piano Lessons

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Your child is growing so fast. Today its learning to run and the ABCs. Tomorrow it will be off to school for reading, writing and arithmetic. And somewhere in between is a whole host of activities that will give your child courage, strength and a greater advantage as the move into their tween and teen years.

5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Piano LessonsOne of the key activities to help them as they grow is a solid music program. And because of its playability, the piano comes in at the top of the list of instruments to learn to play.

If you’ve decided piano lessons are in your son or daughter’s future, where do you begin?

1. Start by investing in a quality piano

Its easy to do. You aren’t sure if your son or daughter will take to an instrument. Why invest a lot of money in something they may not enjoy? So you’ll start with a small keyboard and grow from there in a few years if it works, right?

Actually that’s not the best course of action. Providing your child with the right instrument can make the difference between liking and hating it. If the quality isn’t there, they can get frustrated when they can’t create the same sounds as they do at their teacher’s location. The more they try, the worse it sounds. Until they finally give up. If you want to give your child the best chance at liking their newfound activity, provide them with quality tools from the start.

2.How young is too young?

Adults can start at any time. But a child needs certain skills before they are able to pick up key elements of playing the piano. Typically it involves two things – the parents involvement and the child’s readiness. If you start them too soon, they can quickly get overwhelmed and frustrated, and lose out on the true meaning of what they are trying to accomplish. Typically a child will be between 3 and 7, depending on the type of piano lessons you start and how well your child takes to playing music.

3. What types of lessons are available?

This is where the fun begins. Piano lessons come in many varieties. You can have private lessons in which you are working one on one with a teacher. You can have buddy lessons where a small group of friends work together for encouragement and fun. Or you can move into group lessons in which larger groups of people with similar abilities work together at a steady pace, and can learn and grow from the peer support they receive.

4. How can you encourage piano practicing?

Horror stories abound by parents nagging and children dreading the time it takes to practice the piano. As with any new task, in order to improve your piano skills, you have to practice regularly. In order to make practice time easier, consider setting up the same time every day so it becomes routine. A half hour before a favorite television show can inspire them to complete it without complaints. You can also focus in on accomplishments rather than time limits. To a small child, practicing this scale 5 times, and this piece of music 4 times every day can be much more motivational than 20 or 30 minutes.

5. Choose music appropriate for the student

Its easy to pull out old sheet music you learned from as a child. But songs they aren’t familiar with or have no meaning can hold them back. Today there are a variety of different levels of piano music that can provide any age group with inspiration. Kids are more motivated to continue when they have fun learning. And by choosing appropriate music, you can increase the chances of enjoyment and continuation tenfold.

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27 July 2013 Why Your Kids Should Take Piano Lessons

Why Your Kids Should Take Piano Lessons

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We all have busy lives. As our children grow, our lives tend to only get busier. The more schedules you have to juggle, the more challenging this dance can be.

Why Your Kids Should Take Piano LessonsWhen it comes to your child’s schedule, you have many decisions about how they should spend their time. So, why should you choose to put your child in piano lessons?

1. Piano lessons help provide a rounded education – Your child may already be enrolled in soccer, karate, basketball, football, etc. Piano lessons can help provide a glimpse into the arts. Piano lessons will expose children to music and historical figures that they otherwise would have never known about.

2. Piano lessons help focus and dedication – The further along your child gets in their musical studies, the more dedication it takes to complete a piece. Piano lessons can help teach your children how to focus on a task and remain dedicated until it is completed.

3. Piano lessons can improve dexterity – Piano in its most basic form is both hands working independently, yet simultaneously, to produce a harmonious product. This requires a good degree of dexterity both of mind and of fingers.

4. Piano lessons can improve your child’s grades – Studies have shown that children enrolled in musical education score higher in the math and sciences. Music and rhythm are mathematical in nature, giving your child a more hands on experience of many mathematical concepts. Piano lessons in Memphis are just a click away.

5. Piano lessons can improve your child’s self esteem – Each piece learned, each book completed is a stepping stone of success for your child. Continued lessons will build an arsenal of past successes that will give your child courage to strive in future endeavors.

6. Piano lessons can help your child with public performance and stage fright – Piano lessons will give your child plenty of opportunities to display their skill in public. This exposure will help your child build the confidence necessary for public performance.

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23 July 2013 12 Fun Facts About Pianos

12 Fun Facts About Pianos

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1. The piano is known as the King of instruments for a variety of reasons. First, it’s the only instrument that covers the full spectrum of any instrument in the orchestra, from the lowest notes of the double bassoon to the highest notes of the piccolo. Next, it has the ability to play both the melody and the accompaniment at the same time. Finally, it’s the largest musical instrument (excluding the pipe organ) and most versatile in creating music.

12 Fun Facts About Pianos2. One of the most famous pianos is a Steinway. Steinway & Sons was started in 1853 by Engelhard Steinweg and his three sons – who later Americanized his name to Henry Steinway as a way to compete in the American marketplace. There are currently six Steinways in the Smithsonian collection.

3. The average medium size piano has around 230 strings, with each string having about 165 pounds of tension. That means when you add up all the strings, the combined pull of the strings would equal around 18 tons. (If you add up the string tension in a concert grand piano, it would be closer to 30 tons.)

4. The term “tickle the ivories” refers to playing the ivory keys of the piano. However, piano keys have not been made out of ivory since the 1950’s, and today are made out of plastic.

5. During the past 100 years, over 5,000 brands of pianos have been available in the marketplace. And because of their longevity, most of these brands are still on display in homes, museums, or other locations throughout the world.

6. The first practical piano with a hammer mechanism and the capability of being played softly and loudly was built in 1700 in Italy by Martolomeo Cristofori. Cristofori never focused on the piano, instead preferring to put his attention on building harpsichords. His original name was “gravicembalo col piano e forte”, or harpsichord loud and soft. It was later shortened to “pianoforte”, and finally piano.

7. The term grand piano was first used in 1777.

8. A grand piano action is faster than a vertical (spinet, upright or console) because it has a repetition lever, which allows the pianist to repeat a note when its only half way up. A vertical action requires letting the key return all the way up before the hammer action can be reset again.

9. The worlds largest piano in a Challen Concert Grand. Its 11 feet long, has a total string tension of over 30 tons and weighs more than a ton.

10. A typical keyboard has 88 notes, with the first note being A and the last note being C. The exact middle of the keyboard is not middle C. Instead, it’s the space between E and F above the middle C.

11. Although a piano is a string instrument, the are considered percussion instruments and are placed in that section of a symphony orchestra.

12. A new piano should be tuned four times a year, with a shift to twice per year after that.

Learn more about Memphis Pianos.

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