28 September 2022 Watch Out For These Piano Scams

Watch Out For These Piano Scams

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If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. 

That’s great advice to remember as you’re shopping for pianos. Thanks to a rise in internet shopping, we have dozens of ways to look for “good deals.” And often, those good deals are nothing more than piano scams trying to take advantage of people shopping for a piano. 

One of the biggest piano scams involves a sweet ad placed on sites like Craigslist, offering a piano for free. It’s usually an old widow downsizing from a large family home, wanting to give away the family piano for “free” to a good home. 

Here’s the catch: when you call, they’re willing to part with it for free. But you have to pay for the moving expenses, which are upwards of a couple thousand dollars. They have a site for you to visit, put in your credit card, with promises your piano will show up in a few days. 

Guess what? The piano never arrives. And you’re out a couple thousand dollars. 

Another scam takes the first scam, and reverses the situation. If you’re trying to sell a piano, it’s important to watch out for the buyer taking the piano without ever paying for it. There are dozens of ways to pay for things today: Paypal, Vimeo, wiring, and even the oldest payment of writing a check. If you release the piano to the buyer before checking to receive final payment, you may be out the piano and the money. Payment fraud is huge. Check the payment before you release the piano. 

Do you know the technician working on your piano? While there are many reputable tuners and piano restoration professionals in business today, scammers are always looking for ways to make a few bucks. If you don’t have experience with a technician, start with smaller jobs as you get to know their work. Be wary of any technician who offers to do extensive work quickly, or take away a portion of the piano with the promise to bring it back when it’s fixed. Taking the keys or soundboard may be just a way of getting high quality parts to sell to another resource for money. If you have questions, it’s better to say “no” and think about the situation, researching it more before you say “yes.”

Watch out for the decal scam. This is prevalent with the highest-quality pianos in the industry. When a restoration company rebuilds a piano, they may use parts from a variety of resources. As a finishing touch, they place a high-end decal on the piano in order to pass it off as higher quality than it really is. You buy the piano expecting a high-quality instrument. It’s anything but. 

How can you avoid piano scams? 

Do business with a reputable piano dealer. They take care to offer new and used pianos of the highest quality. They stand behind their products and their services. 

Whether you have a question about a possible piano scam you’re experiencing, or have questions about investing in a piano in the future, contact us today. We’re here to help you with all of your piano needs. 

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24 September 2022 Is Upgrading Your Piano a Good Investment?

Is Upgrading Your Piano a Good Investment?

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Is a piano a good investment? It depends on your purpose. 

When most people buy a starter piano, it’s to move into a hobby they’ve been considering for a while. They enjoy music, and the thought of creating it is exciting. They are ready for all of the rewards that come with playing the piano. 

Yet upgrading brings something else to the table. You’ve played the piano; you understand what it brings to your life. Now you’re ready to upgrade and have a higher quality sound. 

A new learner requires stability of the notes to hear what you’re playing while you practice. With a higher quality instrument, it takes the sound to the next level. You can hear the difference. 

Of course, piano brands have a lot to do with it. Certain brands hold their value better than others. What matters the most is a high-quality soundboard. Choose a soundboard made from solid wood rather than one created from composite materials. The soundboard is the heart of the piano, it creates the tone and voice of the sound. High-quality materials will ensure a high-quality sound. 

In most cases, you’ll also find pianos that maintain their value and become a good investment using more timeless finishes, like polished ebony. It’s classic and endearing, and has become synonymous with a high-quality instrument. 

Once you’ve upgraded, you’ll have to provide regular care to ensure the value remains high. That includes things like:

Regular tunings – most piano brands suggest tuning the instrument on a yearly basis. But that changes depending on your situation. New pianos need several adjustments during the first year, as the strings adjust to their positioning. If you move the piano, tuning can help ensure it stays in good playing condition. Stick with a regular tuning professional, and they can recommend a schedule that works well for your situation. 

Proper conditions – pianos can be very finicky instruments if the environment is constantly changing. Move it away from windows or doors where it might be in the line of drafts. Keep it away from vents and registers where it will receive a constant stream of conditioned air. Avoid direct sunlight as UV rays will impact the finish. Avoid too much humidity, as it can lead to warping. Avoid dry air, as it can cause the wood to crack. 

General care – be cautious of what you clean your piano with regularly. Dust it to avoid buildup along the keyboard. Keep the lid closed then it’s not in use. Constant pounding of the keys can cause them to stick; be careful to clean them with a mild solution of soap and water, and never let moisture saturate between the keys. 

Is a piano a good investment? Should you consider upgrading to one that currently suits your needs? Yes! If you enjoy playing and are ready for a better sounding instrument, it will help you become a better player. 

Music is something you can carry with you for life. Upgrade to a higher quality piano today, and enjoy making music for life. 

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21 September 2022 You’re Never Too Old To Learn The Piano

You’re Never Too Old To Learn The Piano

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When are you too old to learn the piano? Is age ever a factor? Many adults might feel they should hold back, and let children have all the fun making music. 

While adults may learn differently than kids, it’s never too late to take up the piano. In fact, some evidence suggests you may have an easier time because you’re more committed to following through and getting to the end result you desire. 

Need a few more benefits? 

Better health

As we age, we focus more on doing what’s right for our bodies. We eat better. We pay attention to the amount of exercise we get. We do activities for brain health. 

brain-than-just-listening in your 60s and beyond can boost your brain’s health as well as help decrease memory loss and cognitive function. One study found that people who learned to play the piano between ages 60 and 85 showed more robust gains in memory, verbal fluency, speed at which they processed information, planning ability, and other cognitive functions than those who hadn’t received lessons. 

Think it’s too late? Think again. 

More time, less failure

As we age, we tend to understand how to prioritize the things that are important to us. We have more time for the things we truly want in our lives. If you want to play the piano, dedicate the time it takes to practice. Carve out time you spend watching television or reading, and start to play instead. 

Adults are also more aware of what it takes to move past failure. Their dreams shift. Priorities change. Instead of seeing yourself in a full time career, maybe your desire to play is to learn to play your favorite songs. You understand goal setting. You know what it takes to achieve results. You may also better understand how to set realistic goals, and what it takes for you to see the end result. 

Life experience

When kids sit down to play a song, it may be the first time they’ve heard it. As adults, we have the advantage of a lifetime of learning. Want to play Elton John, Maroon 5, Bach or Beethoven? You’ve heard it before, and have a good understanding of how the rhythm goes. 

That comes from a lifetime of experiences. You may never have sat down at a piano before, but you’ve been to enough concerts to understand how music works. You see how the various instruments work together to create a magical sound. You understand harmony and melody. 

Maybe you’ve never played piano before, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start now. 

There are many reasons why you’re never too old to learn the piano. The question is: Will now be your time? 

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18 September 2022 Want to Improve Your Health? Play the Piano

Want to Improve Your Health? Play the Piano

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People learn to play the piano for many different reasons:

  • To create music
  • To learn the classics
  • To pursue a career in music
  • To increase memory skills
  • To play a favorite song

It’s usually about the music. But there may be another reason too. Studies consistently show that if you want to improve your health, learn to play the piano. 

We’ve become more aware in recent years of the importance of mental health. Playing the piano helps people relax, experience less anxiety, and overall have less stress. Want even more benefits for playing the piano?

Stress relief – sitting down at the keyboard gives you an outlet for your stress. Pour out your anxiety into your music and let the stress fall away. 

Confidence – as you work through a song, you’ll discover your “can do” attitude improves as you accomplish more with your music. 

Memory – it takes a lot of coordination to play with both hands while reading music in front of you. As you work your way through harder music, you’ll find your memory improves too. 

Multi-tasking – working two hands together while they are each doing different things can seem a bit challenging at first. But the more practice you have, the more you’ll find your mind stays on track with several tasks at hand. 

Focus – pay attention to the rhythm, tempo, music, and how your body moves to the song. Block everything else around you, feeling how the music moves through you. You’ll be able to bring these skills forward into other areas of your life. 

Playing the piano should never cause pain. As you move forward, a teacher can ensure you use proper technique, and gain all of the benefits of playing the piano correctly. 

And enjoying playing the piano for life.

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14 September 2022 Do I Need a Piano If My Child Is Starting Lessons?

Do I Need a Piano If My Child Is Starting Lessons?

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Children often have many desires, running from activity to activity as they try to find what they enjoy. As a parent, that can be difficult on the budget, trying to keep up with the costs required to enter every activity. Should you rent? Should you buy? Should you wait until your child shows real interest? 

What’s a parent to do? 

Is a piano necessary?

Like all activities your child will start, they need to have the basic equipment at hand before they sign up for lessons. And to play the piano, you’ll need to bring a piano into your home. 

This isn’t the time to pick up a small keyboard at your local big box store. It may look like a piano, but it definitely doesn’t play like one. If it’s nothing more than a toy, your child will never pick up the nuances of what it takes to play the piano. 

Pianos have weighted keys to aid in playing. They use 88 keys for an entire span to play every song. Without a proper instrument, they won’t develop the correct technique. 

When should you buy a piano?

Pianos can be expensive. It isn’t easy to put out the money necessary for your child to start lessons and see if they enjoy making music. 

Yet like every activity, it’s a journey, not a destination. Are you prepared to help your child develop a love of music? If so, you’ll need to get them proper tools to help them learn. 

You wouldn’t expect a child to learn soccer without the proper shoes or a flat ball. You wouldn’t expect them to fall in love with cooking without investing in pots and pans. Every hobby, every activity, has its own tools of the trade. It’s required to learn properly and fall in love with the activity. 

What’s a parent’s best plan?

Luckily, there are many ways you can get the best tools without breaking the bank. 

You may be tempted to look online, and give the “free” piano on Craigslist a try. That can be an expensive endeavor. With nothing to compare it to, you may wind up with a piano that barely plays, and is way out of tune. That’s like playing soccer with a flat ball. 

By trusting a piano dealer, you’ll be able to compare used pianos with new ones, and hear the difference between price points. You’ll learn what makes a quality instrument, and discover the best instrument for your budget. 

Starter pianos are great places to start – they give your kids a great chance at falling in love with music, while keeping the price low to fit within your budget. 

Have more questions? Stop by today. When you need a piano, we’ll help you find the right selection to suit your needs. 

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10 September 2022 Are Acoustic Pianos Still Relevant?

Are Acoustic Pianos Still Relevant?

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You’re thinking of buying a new piano. Should you look for an acoustic piano? Or should you move towards a digital piano? Which is more relevant, and will provide you with an experience you can grow with? 

Old versus new technology

Over the last two hundred years, we’ve had a whirlwind of technological advances. 

Cars have gone from basic forms of transformation to vehicles with impeccable safety standards. They’re even starting to drive themselves. 

Film cameras were once the norm. Now you can accomplish so much more with even just a phone in your hand. 

Or consider the novelty of a typewriter. Yes, they’re still fun to have in an office. They can be reminiscent of days gone by. But when you really want to sit down to work, you’re going to pull up your computer every time. 

Acoustic or digital?

For today’s piano players, if they walk into a room to practice before a concert and they see an acoustic and a digital, which will they choose? In most cases, they’ll move towards the digital. 

We’re accustomed to the precise movement that comes with digital. We can open up our computers and have access to the best editing software, sometimes for free. We’ve grown accustomed to precise sounds – and a clunky, out of tune acoustic piano might not be the first choice when two options are available. 

Today’s digital pianos offer preciseness you’ll never find with old technology. While it’s fun to look at, may hold memories from our ancestry, they don’t have the quality that comes with upgraded technology. 

Is it time to upgrade your piano? 

If you haven’t looked at today’s pianos, you haven’t discovered what upgraded technology can do for the way you play. 

Today’s top digital pianos play like the acoustic you learned on. They aren’t keyboards you’ll find at your local big box store. 

Instead, they offer the best of what an acoustic piano delivers. And then they offer more. They give you the opportunity to play even better; to use technology to its fullest. Play. Record. Enhance. Whether you just want to sit and relax and play your favorite song, or you have the desire to be the next YouTube sensation, it’s possible with today’s technology. 

Are you ready to upgrade to something that transforms the way you play the piano? 

Stop by today and check out our latest technology. There’s a perfect piano waiting for you. 

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7 September 2022 Should I Think About Repairing an Old Piano?

Should I Think About Repairing an Old Piano?

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While it’s sometimes nice to get new things, other times something old and familiar is much more appealing. 

Your piano has sat in your living room for years. Or maybe you grew up playing it – you remember your grandmother sitting down to play. While it may not be considered an antique by others, it has sentimental value, and you have no intention of trading it in for something new. 

But it doesn’t play the way it used to. When you sit down at the piano and run through your scales, you can hear notes that just aren’t quite right. It’s noticeable, and it’s getting worse. 

Should you consider repairing your old piano? 

Yes!

If your piano has sentimental value, fixing it up and making it playable again will keep the memories alive. We all have personal assets in our homes that remind us of people and places that were important in our lives. If you remember singing Christmas carols with the family, or learning to play when you were a child, renovating the piano is a great way to keep an important part of your life close by. 

Or maybe you have young children now, and you’re considering afterschool activities. Sports or the arts? While sports encourage teamwork and provide a workout, the arts feature learning that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Music is a gift that keeps on giving – it improves IQ, helps with memory skills, and encourages lifelong learning. 

Are you considering repairing your old piano? 

Before you take the next step, inspect the piano inside and out. Does it have cosmetic damage? Are keys broken? Does each key create a sound? By looking at the piano, you can quickly determine how much care or neglect it’s had over the last few years. A neglected piano will take more time and repair to bring it back to working condition. A poor quality piano may not be worth repairing. 

How do you know? 

If it’s important to you, it’s worth the time to talk with an expert about the possibilities of restoration and repair. 

Give us a call today. We can help you determine the right path for you, whether it’s repairing your existing piano, or investing in a new one. 

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4 September 2022 The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Purchasing a Piano

The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Purchasing a Piano

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As a piano dealer in business for many years, we’ve helped a lot of families purchase a piano and bring music into their lives. We can usually tell within the first few minutes of talking with a buyer how successful their music journey will be. 

It’s in their approach. It’s in the questions they ask. 

If you’ve been thinking of purchasing a piano, whether for yourself or your child, starting with better questions will give you an edge towards success. 

Here are the biggest mistakes we see when a buyer comes in looking to purchase a piano:

What’s the cheapest way I can get a piano to see if my child sticks with it before investing more?

This seems logical; why spend a lot of money on an instrument if your child hates it from the very first lesson? Yet by taking this approach, you’re setting your child up for failure before they ever touch a key on the piano. You’re telling them from the start you don’t believe they’ll stick with the process. Most buyers with this approach wind up leaving the store and finding a cheap keyboard from a big box store that is little more than a toy. When their child quits in a few weeks, their point is proven, and they move on to the next hobby. 

Can’t I just rely on the internet to learn?

Yes, there are a wide variety of tools and resources online. Head to YouTube and you’ll find a plethora of videos that show you how to play the piano. Search using a keyword like “play the piano” and you’ll find a wealth of information:

  • Play the piano for beginners
  • Play the piano with your computer keyboard
  • Play the piano like a pro
  • Play the piano easy songs
  • Play the piano by ear

Yep, the number of results goes on and on. Now try to pick a video and learn. We bet you’ll spend a lot of time even trying to find a video that’s high quality at best. You’ll spend far more time hunting for videos than you’ll actually spend learning. Learning from the internet is difficult at best. If you want true dedication to the craft of learning the piano, it’s much better to find quality resources from the beginning. 

What about Grandma’s piano? Isn’t that good enough?

This isn’t a bad choice at all. If you have a family heirloom, one you remember sitting down and playing when you were a kid, it can bring happy memories into your home. But understand what it might take to make Grandma’s piano worth playing. You’ll have to move it – try and move it yourself, and you might damage the inner workings of the piano. And if Grandma’s piano hasn’t been tuned in decades, it may take extensive renovation to bring it back to playing condition. Still, the memories may warrant the repair work. And if that’s something you’re interested in, we can talk more about that. 

Do you see yourself in any of this? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Whether you or your child wishes to bring music into your world, the best way to go about it is with a plan. 

With an open mind, stop by today. We’ll show you a variety of pianos, and give you a better idea of how to make your music plans successful.

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28 August 2022 How Often Should Piano Hammers Be Replaced

How Often Should Piano Hammers Be Replaced

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A piano hammer is the part of the action that strikes the strings when a key is pressed. Hammers are responsible for producing sound as you push down on each key. 

They are manufactured with a thick, stiff felt stretched around wooden molding using tension. This tension creates a “bounce” factor that causes the hammer to “bounce” off the string after it strikes it, creating a specific vibration or tone. 

As one of the most moveable action items in a piano, it should be no surprise to learn how durable this mechanism is. Over time, the piano’s strings tamp down on the felt, breaking down the fibers with each repeated strike. This impacts the piano’s sound. When you press a key without a clean blow, it strikes without intensity, generating a harsh sound that isn’t pleasing to the ear. 

Once you notice this, it’s time for the piano hammer to be replaced. 

Is this something you’ll have to do often? It depends. A concert piano that is used regularly for performances will undergo much more maintenance and care than a piano used periodically in a home environment. 

Playing is one factor, but it isn’t the only one. Location matters – is the piano in harsh conditions with direct sunlight, changing temperatures, and lots of humidity? That can wear down the felt quickly too. 

There isn’t a specific lifespan for when you’ll replace piano hammers. Instead, it’s important to watch for signs of change, guiding you to make repairs long before they wear down and need total replacement. 

Piano hammers have a characteristic egg shape. As they connect with the strings and begin to harden into grooves, a professional is able to reshape the hammers back to their original condition. Most piano hammers can be reshaped up to three times before the shape and hardness require repair. This restoration process involves using fine sandpaper to return it to the required shape. 

How do you know when it’s time? 

The first step is with an audible clue. When hammers are worn down, the piano will create a harsh and unpleasant sound. The tone will be different from what you’re accustomed to. 

The second is by looking at the hammers. If the grooves in the felt are half the diameter of the strings themselves, then the hammers require reshaping at a minimum. As the tracks move closer to the same width as the strings, then the hammers will require replacement. 

Do all pianos need to have hammers replaced? Yes, eventually. This is where the action happens, where sound is created, and where the most stress is created. 

Regular maintenance will ensure its quality to keep your piano in good working condition. That includes replacement of items like the piano hammers from time to time. It’ll keep your piano playable.

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24 August 2022 When Should You Replace Your Piano?

When Should You Replace Your Piano?

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How often should you replace your piano? Pianos are one of the most durable personal items you own. Still, they can’t last forever. What should you watch for? How will you know?

Pianos aren’t like other pieces of furniture. For many households, it’s one of their prized possessions. It may have been handed down from a favorite grandmother. They may intend to hold onto it until their children want to bring it into their own homes. 

Yet even though pianos come with the stigma of strength and longevity, they are delicate instruments that will wear down over time. Each piano is built from more than 10,000 pieces, all working together to create a classic design. Wooden parts are connected to metal wires, held together by adhesive glue. Even with proper maintenance and repair, it won’t last forever. 

Here is an example of the average lifespan. 

Year one

Your piano needs a lot of TLC during its first year. With wood and metal recently formed and fitted together, it requires consistent tunings during this time to ensure it stays in proper condition. Without these tunings, it will need more repair, including voicing and pitch correction, in the future. 

Year two to year ten

With proper care in the first year, the piano stabilizes by the second year. As long as your piano acclimates well to the surroundings, and isn’t placed in a volatile environment, (humidity swings, drafts from windows and doors, direct sunlight, etc) it should settle in and require regular tunings. The tone may change as the hammers flatten or change their shape from the constant wear of moving against the strings. Voicing is a part of a regular maintenance plan. If you work with a piano technician regularly, they will be able to offer guidance on keeping your piano in the best shape. 

Year ten to year thirty

Maintenance is critical as your piano settles in. If it’s a high-quality piano, it should wear in nicely as it’s well cared for. Hammers will continue to wear over time. The action will start to wear depending on how often it’s played. This is where well-cared-for piano ages well compared to one neglected and pushed aside. With temperature variances and humidity swings, soundboards can crack, strings and pins can rust, and the finish can dull. 

Year thirty to year fifty

This is where a piano wears down. Hammers wear down. Action starts to fail. Tonal quality disappears. Even with regular tuning, a technician may start to recommend repair and restoration. 

This is where people start to wonder if replacing your piano is better than making significant repairs. This is where it’s time to ask questions:

  • Does the piano hold significant meaning to me:
  • What does a reconditioned piano look like? Is it worth it to me?
  • Would I be better with a new piano? 

This can be a difficult decision, especially if there is an emotional attachment to the piano. 

Need help? That’s what we’re here for. 

We can help you make the right decision to suit your needs. Whether repairing the piano you have, or purchasing a new or used one to suit your needs better, we have the answers you’ve been looking for. 

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