7 November 2022 The Perfect Spot For Your New Piano

The Perfect Spot For Your New Piano

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You’re in the market for a new piano. You’re excited to bring music into your home. 

But where is the perfect spot for your new piano? There are many factors that can affect your choice. 

Count your steps

A piano isn’t something you can move into place yourself. If you try and move it with a buddy, you’ll find just how bulky and heavy they are. You can risk damaging the piano, and injuring yourself. 

Hiring a piano mover is your best choice to get the job done the right way the first time. Be aware that expenses increase with more difficulty. If they have to navigate staircases, maneuver around walls and obstacles, it takes more time and dedication. The closer you can get to the front door, the better. 

Avoid humidity, moisture, and sunlight

Most people place their new pianos on display. You want it in a room where it will be noticed and get played. However, sunlight isn’t good for a piano. It can dry out the wood, causing it to crack. 

A dark, damp basement isn’t a good choice either. If mold and mildew can creep up, it will impact playability. Moisture can warp wood and cause wire and metal to rust. 

While pianos may have a large presence, they are delicate by nature. They do best in a room with very little change, preferring a temperature around 70 to 72 degrees. 

Acoustics

A piano will change tone based on the quality of the room. High vaulted ceilings will amplify the sound, whereas low ceilings with drapery and wall decor will muffle the tonal quality. 

When you’re finalizing your decision on what piano to buy, ask about sound qualities for where you’re considering placing it. Pianos will sound differently in your home than on the showroom floor. Small changes can have a huge impact. 

If you have a spot for your piano, play around with the decor. Add an area rug. Or remove it and let it rest on the hardwood floor. Test out the sound and come up with an ambiance that works perfectly to amplify the sound. 

Where’s the perfect spot for your new piano?

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4 November 2022 4 Ways To Make Your Piano Last For 100 Years

4 Ways To Make Your Piano Last For 100 Years

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Many people put a piano on display, proud of their family heirloom. It sat in their parent’s home, their grandparents owned it too. It can be traced back further than that, even back to their great-grandparents. 

Yes, if you invest in a quality piano, it can last for 100 years. Not every piano is up for the job; here’s what it takes. 

Pay attention to brand

Brand matters for longevity. If you want a piano to be around to hand down to the next generation, start by looking at pianos built for a lifetime of play. A reputable dealer will be able to point you toward pianos that stand the test of time. They are the very same manufacturers that built pianos during your grandparents’ time. They know how to produce high-quality instruments, and they stand behind their work. 

Regular tuning

Tuning is one of the most important maintenance items to keep your piano healthy. The Piano Technicians Guild recommends that a piano be tuned four times during the first year, then twice a year beyond that. Time it with seasons change to ensure heat and moisture don’t leave their impact. This allows a professional to find minor problems that could quickly escalate into bigger issues. 

Care and maintenance

Location is everything. Ensure the right level of humidity, and low fluctuations in temperature. Keep a piano away from drafts, and avoid streaming sunlight. Don’t put drinks on the edge or lid; water is one of the most damaging items. Carefully dust the keys, and keep things away that can block function. 

Restore when it’s time

Pianos have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years, no matter what brand it is or how well it’s cared for. Eventually, certain things may need repair. New pins. Update strings. Replace the soundboard. 

A reputable piano restorer will keep it as close to original as possible. They will upgrade where necessary, with the end goal of quality. 

If you want to make your piano last for generations, start out by buying a piano built for the task. 

We can help. Just ask. 

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28 October 2022 7 Myths Stopping You From Playing The Piano

7 Myths Stopping You From Playing The Piano

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What’s holding you back from playing the piano? Do you believe in one of these myths?

Myth #1 The more you practice, the better you’ll be

Despite the adage “practice makes perfect,” practice doesn’t make your piano playing perfect. Instead, perfect practice makes you a better player. A lot of people establish a routine, playing the same way over and over again without ever learning the right way to play. The more you focus on becoming better at your practice routine, that’s when you’ll start to see better results. 

Myth #2 Don’t look at your hands while you play

Playing the piano is a careful orchestra of reading the music, moving your hands, and letting your body feel the rhythm. If you watch some of the greatest piano players in the world, you’ll notice they look at the keyboard, watching their fingers move effortlessly across the keys. 

Myth #3 Hand size determines how good you’ll be

While it is true you shouldn’t start a child too young, whose hands are too small for total flexibility moving across the keys, it’s not as important as a person grows. If you enjoy playing the piano, you work out ways to play your favorite songs. As you get into more complex music, you’ll find ways to reach across the octaves and be able to create beautiful music. 

Myth #4 Children learn faster than adults

While that may be true for learning a foreign language, it isn’t valid for playing the piano. As you age, you have a lot of experience behind you. Experience you can utilize as you sit down to play. You’ll recognize songs, making them easier to practice and play. You’ll have a greater understanding of rhythm. You’ll also have more patience to sit and play, and a better mindset to know how piano will fit into your life in the future. 

Myth #5 Practice sessions should be regimented 

When you work with some instructors, they may be very disciplined with their practice routines: warmups, scales, music. While it’s essential to have structure, it’s equally important to remember practice is all about learning. And having fun. 

Myth #6 Learn a new piece from beginning to end

You don’t have to focus on playing a new piece from beginning to end every time. Pick out pieces you’re struggling with and practice them. Start your session with your favorite parts of the song. Perfect it as you go along. Then put it all together as you feel comfortable. 

Myth #7 Most will never turn it into a career

Why do anything without a future? Some approach every hobby as if it should turn into a career. Piano is one of those rare hobbies that work as well when you’re seven as it does when you’re seventy. It’s a practice you can take with you throughout your life. And it can fit into your life in many ways, even to help you along with your career. How about music therapy? Or use it to help you with your podcast? Statistics show that music students have the highest percentage of people moving on into medical school. It’s a great tool to use for stress relief, as well as help with a memory boost. 

Is now the time for you to begin playing the piano? 

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24 October 2022 This Is How You Buy The Best Piano

This Is How You Buy The Best Piano

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Investing in a new hobby often brings sticker shock as you shop for the necessary equipment. From taking up cooking to starting a sport, it can often take a heavy investment to get what you need to succeed. 

Playing the piano is no different. If you’ve ever played with a toy piano, you know it sounds like a toy. It’s smaller than an acoustic piano, it sounds tinny, somewhat fake. To use that as you start to learn the basic rules of playing would be like learning to play soccer with a flat ball. 

To be good at anything, you have to invest in quality tools. How do you buy the best piano to get a high quality instrument without breaking the bank?

Start by considering your space

When you start to shop, you’ll discover you have three choices. If you have all the space in the world, and want a piano to impress, a grand piano may be just what you’re looking for. Or maybe you’re looking for an upright that will slide right in with your current decor. Are you tight on space? Digital pianos offer flexibility without sacrificing quality. 

Your space can also dictate various features. If you own a large home where every family member has their own space to work freely on hobbies, a grand or upright piano may be the right solution. If you have one common room where everyone in the home spends time together, digital may offer more features that suit your needs. They provide silent mode, where you can plug in headphones and play without disturbing others in the room. 

Carefully weigh your options 

A piano isn’t something you can invest in online, without touching and feeling it, and hearing how it sounds. When you visit a dealer, you can play multiple pianos to feel and hear the difference. That’s important to fully understand what your new piano plays like. You have to connect with the piano to build a desire to practice regularly. 

Acoustic pianos offer classic playability. If you learn on a traditional acoustic piano, you can transfer your skills to any piano. Of course, if your goal is to be the next TikTok sensation, maybe you desire to start with digital from the start. That doesn’t mean you should compromise on quality. Even The best digitals have all the characteristics of a high quality acoustic, adding more functions that are easily transferred to digital. For some, it’s the best of both worlds.  

What’s the best piano for you?

Buying the best piano isn’t a “one size fits all” process. It’s a careful balance of getting the right instrument to ensure growth for years, while ensuring you have the tools necessary to fulfill your goals and desires. 

Want help finding the right piano to suit your needs? We can help you find and buy the best piano for accomplishing your goals. Stop by today. 

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21 October 2022 What To Expect When Learning Piano as an Adult

What To Expect When Learning Piano as an Adult

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If you have any music in your background, you know that learning to play an instrument can make you appreciate music on a higher level. You can feel the notes as you listen to a song. You can tap out the rhythm with your fingers. You can pick out the melody and harmony, creating a deeper understanding of what the composer desired from the song. 

As an adult, you may remember your days in the high school band, or recall the years of piano lessons your parents gave you, before you let it go in pursuit of a career. 

Now, you want to bring back your love of music once again. Learning piano as an adult is possible. In fact, for many adults, it’s easier than when they were a child. 

Yet it’s important to remember that learning the piano as an adult will have its challenges. You won’t be able to play your favorite music at the start. To get really good at playing, it’s important to start with the basics. To get a thorough grasp of reading, playing, and understanding theory. 

What can you expect?

The first six months are all about music theory. It’s about learning notes, getting a feel for the keyboard, and correcting your posture and hand position. You’ll start playing scales and learning music theory. You’ll begin to play basic songs. This is setting the stage for good playability in the future. 

At the end of your first year, you’ll have worked up a variety of songs you can play well and enjoy playing. You’ll be comfortable with hand placement on the keyboard, knowing which notes to play and what keys to touch. You’ll be able to pick up simple songs and work them out easily. Playability comes with practice. The more practice you put into the music, the better you’ll be. 

The second year moves into intermediate music. It’s when most instructors start introducing classical songs, and giving you a chance to perform if you desire. You should be able to play your favorite songs well, and understand how chords come together. Reading sheet music should be easy, and hand-eye coordination skills should allow you to play what you desire. 

The third year is when you’re a seasoned piano player. You’re working on music theory, and grasping the concept of playing well by ear. You may dabble in composing your own music. You may start experimenting with playing with others. If you had a goal of playing your favorite songs, it should come easily by year three. 

Where you go and how you pursue your dreams from this point forward is entirely up to you. The more you practice, the better you’ll be. Many piano players at this point pursue working with different teachers who can provide additional skills. You may wish to pursue learning more music theory, or form a band. 

After several years of playing, you’ll be able to hear music in new and exciting ways. You’ll hear it in your favorite bands, and you may expand into new genres for an even deeper understanding of what music can do. 

But it all starts with a desire. Learning to play the piano as an adult is possible. Is it for you?

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18 October 2022 How Do I Know Which Piano To Buy?

How Do I Know Which Piano To Buy?

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You’re ready to buy a piano. Which piano should you buy? With so many to choose from, it can be a difficult decision. 

Yet before you let “price” factor in and make a selection you regret, get a better understanding of knowing how to find the right piano to suit your needs. 

Start with your desires

Why do you want to learn the piano? Why are you introducing the piano into your kids’ lives? For most, it comes down to a desire to make music. Maybe you’ve read studies showing that playing the piano boosts brain power, increases memory skills, and can significantly raise test scores. Perhaps you’ve seen it’s a good hobby to pursue to lower anxiety and help with stress relief. 

This is your why. You have a desire to learn, with end goals in mind. It helps you understand where you wish to take your piano playing now and into the future. 

When you see this as a long-term goal, why settle on a piano that won’t be able to help you with that goal? It can help you answer questions like:

  • Do I like the way this piano sounds?
  • Does this piano fit nicely into my decor?
  • Will it suit my needs for many years to come?

Why price doesn’t matter – or does it?

It’s easy to shop for anything based on price, including a new piano. You have a budget in mind. And when you start looking at pianos, you’ll see their prices vary greatly. You can get one for free on Craigslist, significantly rising when you walk into a piano store. What’s the difference?

It ultimately comes down to playability. 

When you find “free” deals, it’s usually from an individual who no longer wants the piano. It’s sat in a corner for years – decades – gathering dust. It hasn’t been played. It hasn’t been tuned. And chances are, it’s lost its voice. You’ll hear it when you sit down to play. And it might take significant time, energy, and money to bring it back to playing condition. 

When you want to play the piano, you need the proper tools. That means a high-quality piano that captures your attention, is fun to play, and creates beautiful music to your ear. It gives you every reason to have the desire to sit down and play, and to continue playing the piano. 

Select the right one

Piano players change over time. The more you play, the more you’ll understand the piano. 

The piano you select today may not last for your lifetime, although it could. This may also be a time to choose a starter piano, to provide you with the best instrument to build your understanding, while fitting nicely into your budget. You’ll know when it’s time to upgrade, and move into a better playing instrument. 

Sit down and play. Then try another one. The only way you’ll find one that works for you is to try several out. 

You’ll be able to hear the difference. And with a piano expert to help guide you, you’ll quickly be able to assess which piano to buy. 

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14 October 2022 Listening or Playing – What The Piano Does To Your Brain

Listening or Playing – What The Piano Does To Your Brain

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Music is a big part of our lives. Chances are you see how important it is every day. 

You turn up the volume of your favorite song, humming along, remembering a time from your past when it played a significant role. Maybe you danced to it at your high school prom. Or played it at your wedding. 

You might also play specific music depending on your mood. Do you have a playlist for when you’re happy? Or another playlist for when you’re sad? 

We all do. That’s because music plays a major part in our overall health, and we’re only just starting to realize its importance. Listening at safe volume levels is a great way to improve your health, raise your mood, and boost your creativity. 

But it’s not just listening. In fact, playing has its own added benefits. That’s why playing the piano is high on the list for adding creativity into a child’s life. And awareness is growing, showing it’s equally beneficial for adults to learn the piano too. 

Memory

Significant studies are being performed linking the power of music to memory. One study found that listening to favorite songs increases connectivity in the brain. They’re using it to further Alzheimer’s studies. Yet it’s not just listening; creating music improves memory skills. A study shows that musicians perform better in tasks requiring long-term memory skills.

Mood 

One of the reasons we love building playlists is because it helps us change our mood. Throw on your “happy” music and feel the smile spread across your face. Or maybe put on your “sad” songs when you really need a good cry. We understand that music controls our moods, and learn to use them well. 

Playing the piano allows a musician to express emotions more profoundly. Instead of listening, it can involve the entire body, which in turn helps with better mental health. It’s a great way to control anxiety as you pound out your favorite tunes. 

Brain 

When we have kids, we look for ways to give them every benefit. We hope to raise happy, healthy children. A popular belief for better emotional health often leads to The Mozart Effect, which simply states that regularly listening to Mozart’s Piano Sonata helped with better spatial reasoning. 

Studies show that students score significantly higher after listening to Mozart’s Sonata. But further studies have also demonstrated a larger gap between those who listen, and those who play. If you play the piano regularly, it can improve brain function. 

Takeaway

Listening to music is excellent for the brain, especially when you vary the input. Classical, jazz, or your favorite pop music can all have an effect. 

But if you want even greater benefits, sit down at the piano instead. Making music on the piano is a great way to increase brain power, and help keep you young at heart for life.  

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10 October 2022 This Is The Best Way To Learn The Piano

This Is The Best Way To Learn The Piano

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As an adult, hobbies take on new meaning. When we select something to do, we move to things that have lifelong appeal. 

If learning the piano is on your list of to-do’s, start with the end in mind. Why do you wish to play? What music do you prefer?

The reason we start new hobbies is with an end in mind. With a piano, it might be:

  • Seeing ourselves relaxing after a day of work
  • Playing our favorite genre
  • Playing in front of an audience
  • Starting up a band

But before you get to your goal, you’ll have to start at the beginning. Buy a piano. Sit down at the keyboard. And learn to play the piano. 

The best way to accomplish your goal is to start at the beginning. Starting with the fundamentals gives you the tools necessary to be able to play anything you desire. The fundamentals include:

  • Learning the piano keys
  • Learning to read music
  • Learning proper technique
  • Learning chords and basic theory
  • Playing by ear

Thanks to technology, there are many ways to begin. Yet no matter where you start, you’ll need a learning strategy to dig in and develop your technique. 

Hiring a teacher 

Whether you work one-on-one in person, learn in a group setting, or select a virtual teacher to learn techniques from anywhere, having a teacher to consult and learn from gives you an added benefit to the learning process. There are many piano methods available that are specifically targeted for who you are: young kids, older kids, adults, and group settings. These methods teach fundamentals at your skill level, while combining technique, theory, and fun simultaneously. Teachers have a knack for keeping you engaged while ensuring you learn. It’s an important part of the process, one almost every piano student engages with at some point on the learning curve. 

Learning on your own

Can you learn on your own by working through workbooks and watching online videos? Many students have taken that route. Be aware that for most, it will take longer to play. You may not catch errors you’re making in your technique, or have the motivation you need when you start to burn out. But if you’re dedicated to the learning process, you can teach yourself as quickly as you desire. 

What’s the best way to learn

The good news is learning the piano is a journey, not a destination. It’s a lifelong commitment, one you’ll learn more about every step of the way. But no matter your goals or desires, commit to the fundamentals. A careful, comprehensive journey will ensure you have a foundation in what matters. 

Have fun playing the piano! 

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7 October 2022 The Tool Every Piano Student Needs – a Metronome

The Tool Every Piano Student Needs – a Metronome

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As a piano student, what are the most important tools in your quest for learning? 

A piano is mandatory – you can’t play the piano without a high quality piano. 

A piano bench – sitting at the keyboard properly ensures you’ll become a better player over time. 

Piano music – it’s important to learn how to read music and how to play it well. 

Those three tools are mandatory. Every piano student understands that and has these tools in place before sitting down to play for the very first time. 

But there’s another tool that is vital to improve your musical abilities. It helps you with your rhythm, and teaches you how fast or slow to play each song. 

A metronome forces you to pay attention to time. It’s a device that helps keep rhythm and timing while playing a song. It has a specific sound, typically a clicking, that allows you to feel the beat and adjust your playing to create higher quality music. 

The most common is an old-fashioned metronome that winds up and has a pendulum rod that swings back and forth. It provides both visual and audio cues to help you while you’re learning. Of course, with modern-day technology, there are a variety of apps available too, which can be good to bring along and help you practice wherever you have the opportunity. 

Why should you use it for practice?

It teaches the piano student to understand time signatures. Every piece of music is created with a time signature, the speed at which the composer intended the music to be played at. It’s difficult to play a new piece without using this as your starting point. A metronome can give you the cues you need to learn it at the appropriate levels. 

It teaches the piano student to develop consistency. It’s easy to speed up and slow down as you’re learning new music. A metronome holds the rhythm steady as you continue moving through each portion of the music. 

It teaches the piano student to develop a sense of timing. You often hear someone say that top musicians have a sense of music. What they really mean is they have a sense of timing. This comes from understanding how a song should be played, and picking up on the visual cues of how to make the song enjoyable. This comes with practice, patience, and passion. 

How long have you been a piano student? Do you have a metronome available for your practice sessions? If not, maybe now is the time. 

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3 October 2022 The Biggest Problems People Face When Learning The Piano

The Biggest Problems People Face When Learning The Piano

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Learning the piano can be a rewarding experience. It can also be frustrating. 

You reach a plateau, and everything seems to be complicated. The more you try, the more you feel like you’re taking a step backward. 

If you feel like you’re not making the progress you were hoping would happen, it might be because:

You’re not practicing enough

You may have a routine down for your practice time. But you may be stuck in a rut with how you’re practicing. Practicing doesn’t lead to perfection. Perfect practice does. It’s more important to make headway with your learning curve than to follow the same routine. 

If you’re bored with scales, how can you change them up? If you dread 30 minute routines because your mind drifts to other activities, try breaking it up to 15 minutes twice per day. 

Do a little research, or talk with your piano instructor about rescheduling your practice routine. You’ll find yourself enjoying the piano once again with a few changes. 

You have too many distractions

Do you find yourself thinking of other things while playing? Find a way to put distractions aside before you play. 

Even if you rely on your phone for practice apps, can you put other tools on hold, so you’re not interrupted by dings, bells, and whistles? It’s one of the biggest distractions for productivity across the board – putting it aside may help you practice better each day. 

You’re playing the wrong music

Maybe you picked up sheet music because you love the song, but if it’s beyond your capabilities, it may be more frustrating than motivating you. 

You should also work with your instructor to select music that motivates you to want to play more. While every piano player should learn the basics, you should also be able to play things you love. 

You don’t have the right motivation

Maybe you learn better with a group. Maybe you need a new instructor. Maybe it’s time to show off your skills by scheduling a recital or concert. 

We all have different things that motivate us. Before you give up on your dream to play the piano, ask yourself what would make you fall in love with it once again. 

In today’s world, there are many ways to utilize your piano knowledge and give you motivation to become a better player. 

Learning the piano is a personal journey, one that changes consistently throughout the years. Keep moving forward – it’s a skill you can use for a lifetime. Enjoy!

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