7 June 2022 Sanitizing Your Piano To Stay Healthy

Sanitizing Your Piano To Stay Healthy

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The last two years have changed our approach to cleaning. We are more conscious about what we touch and how germs are spread. 

That makes any item that’s touched regularly more susceptible to spreading germs. It makes us more consistent in our cleaning methods. 

Yet pianos are different from door knobs or desktops. You can’t clean piano keys the way you can a smooth surface. Spray and wipe down a desktop, and you’re ready to go. Spray keys, and you may cause extensive damage to the internal workings of the piano. 

Still, you want the surface area clean, germ-free, and reduce the chances of it becoming a super spreader. 

What should you do?

First, learn what’s safe and what isn’t. 

Hydrogen peroxide is available at any pharmacy, and is safe for piano keys. Simply dampen a cotton pad with hydrogen peroxide and use it to wipe down the keyboard. Wipe from back to front and ensure the pad isn’t saturated, leaving trace amounts of moisture to sit on the surface for long. Follow up with a dry towel to ensure liquids are removed. 

Do not use bleach-based disinfectants or any cleaning product with a citrus base. These will damage the keys over time. 

For the exterior of your piano, it’s quite easy to keep it clean and germ-free. Using a soft cloth, dampen it with plain water to remove any dust or fingerprints that may occur. Never apply any liquid or cleaning product directly. Instead, spray the cloth first to ensure the piano doesn’t receive too much moisture during the cleaning process. 

Do not use solvents or chemicals of any kind. When in doubt, refer directly to the manufacturer to find recommended cleaning and disinfecting products. Or give us a call; as a piano dealer, we can recommend the best ways to keep your piano in good working condition while being germ-free too. 

Avoid dampness at all costs. If moisture is allowed to seep down between the keys, it can cause swelling. This prevents the keys from moving, and hampers the movement as you play. 

You can have a sanitization station near the piano before playing. Before sitting down, use a hand sanitizer, ensuring that it’s thoroughly rubbed in before touching the keys. Keep it and any other liquids away from the piano – vases, drinks, or other liquid products can ruin the finish and the sound. 

Do you practice good hygiene before sitting down to play the piano?

Filed Under: Owning a Piano Tagged With:
4 June 2022 What Can Be Fixed on a Used Piano … And What Can’t

What Can Be Fixed on a Used Piano … And What Can’t

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When you’re looking to bring a piano into your home, a used piano can be a good option. However, if you bring home a used piano of poor quality, it can hinder the ability to grow your music talent and enjoy the process. A poor quality instrument will:

  • Cost more in repair work
  • Produce a poor quality sound
  • Reduce playability
  • Make the process of playing no fun

The entire reason to play the piano is to enjoy the sounds and music you create. If a poor quality instrument doesn’t allow you to do that, you’re less likely to play. 

When shopping for a used piano, look at:

Brands – don’t skimp on quality. Choose a recognized and high-quality brand that will stand the test of time. 

Age of the piano – a piano has a reasonable lifespan, just like any other personal asset you may own. A top-quality brand that has been well cared for and well maintained can last anywhere from 20 to 100 years. The more you know about its history, the more assurance you’ll have for longevity. 

Playability – even if you’ve never played the piano before, the human ear is still wired for sound. Sit down and start playing every key, starting at the left of the keyboard, touching every note in order as you move to the right. Listen for variances in tone, and note severely out of tune, or a key that won’t play. Also note any buzzing or rattling noises. 

Inside and outside – while some individual sellers might fix up the cabinet and make it shine, telltale signs can often be discovered by peering inside. Fixing a chipped key is easy. Fixing a broken soundboard is all-encompassing. If you aren’t sure what to look for, having someone with you who can, or working with a reliable dealer can ensure you purchase a used piano that will be a part of your home for years to come. 

Things that may be easily fixed include:

  • Cabinet blemishes
  • Chipped keys
  • Missing strings
  • Loose tuning pins
  • Hammer felt

Things that aren’t easily replaceable or repaired include:

  • Pinblock
  • Piano bridges
  • Hammers

What questions do you have about buying a used piano?

Filed Under: Buying a Piano Tagged With:
28 May 2022 3 Ways To Tell If Your Child Is Ready For Piano Lessons

3 Ways To Tell If Your Child Is Ready For Piano Lessons

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Beethoven studied music from an early age, and wrote his first composition at 12 years old. 

While your child might not be the next Beethoven, giving them the gift of music early can help them succeed in life. Playing the piano has been proven to:

  • Improve language skills
  • Improve memory
  • Encourage creativity
  • Improve time management and organization skills
  • Improve math skills
  • Improve reading comprehension
  • Strengthens hand and eye coordination
  • Boosts self-esteem

Start too early, and your child might not be ready for the task of playing the piano. Push too hard, and they might fight you every step of the way. 

Your child may be ready for piano lessons if:

Have a sense of maturity

Kids mature at different rates. When your child has control over their motor skills, and can pay attention to one specific activity for 30 minutes, they may be ready for piano lessons. Assess how they would act with one-on-one coaching for a half-hour, follow instructions, and enjoy the process. 

They are motivated to play

We often recommend introducing the piano to the home before you start lessons. Let them play without pressure. Introduce them to piano apps to play games. Take them to concerts and show them how the piano adds to music. If they’re excited about the process, they are more likely to stick with it. 

Literacy skills are advancing

When a child loves to read and explore words and language, they are ready to explore the language of music. Music theory requires the ability to read and write. If they are familiar with words creating stories and ideas, they’ll be more open to exploring music notation and its relation to a song. 

Is your child ready for piano lessons? 

Let us help you find the perfect piano to suit your needs. 

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24 May 2022 What Price You Can Expect To Pay for a Used Piano

What Price You Can Expect To Pay for a Used Piano

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When you hear the word “used,” it’s easy to be confused by the meaning. 

Used can encompass many different levels of use – gently used, or end-of-life. And for a piano, it can be a little intimidating trying to determine its worth. 

For many new piano players, a used piano is a perfect choice to start with as you discover the joy of playing. But if you begin to look around at the prices of used pianos, it can be a little confusing. 

How can one instrument command such a difference in pricing? 

How much should you really be willing to pay? 

Comparables

When you purchase something like a dishwasher, you select based on brand, features, and personal tastes. A piano isn’t much different. But when you’re new to music, it can be a little confusing comparing pianos. 

There are many different brands and manufacturers available in all levels of pricing. Some target new players, while some cater to professionals. You’ll see a wide variance in pricing, matching the quality of the piano and how it sounds while playing. 

Uprights are typically lower than grand pianos. In each of the styles, you’ll have different levels of quality – average, better, best. 

In the used market, you’ll have gently used pianos, with some instruments having been rebuilt. 

As you find brands you’re interested in, you can do a little investigating to determine the quality of the brand. You may even recognize some, such as Yamaha or Steinway. But don’t let an unknown brand push you away – there are many high-quality pianos on the market today. 

Condition

Brand matters. But the condition of the piano is what will give you playability for months or even years to come. 

There are two things to consider: playability and serviceability. 

When you sit down to play the piano, does it sound good to your ear? Does each of the keys play without sticking? Are they in tune as you move up the keyboard? Even a brand new player can hear when something is off. 

Serviceability also matters. If the piano hasn’t been tuned in years, it might not be able to hold a tuning. This goes beyond appearance. The cabinet may look great, but peering inside can alert you that the piano wasn’t well cared for. 

If you aren’t sure what to look for, trusting a reputable dealer will ensure you get a high-quality instrument. You can also bring along a trained pianist or technician to ensure the piano is truly in good working condition. 

Filed Under: Buying a Piano Tagged With:
21 May 2022 3 Tips For Memorizing Piano Music

3 Tips For Memorizing Piano Music

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Do you have a recital coming up soon? Many people aren’t as afraid of playing in front of people as they are of forgetting the music. 

Memorizing piano music isn’t something that comes easily to everyone. It can leave you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. What if you sit down at the piano and forget everything? What if you simply can’t remember the song?

Memorization techniques aren’t something you’re born with. Instead, memorization is a trained technique that anyone can learn. 

What kind of learner are you? 

Not everyone learns in the same manner. 

Visual learners learn best through sight. They like seeing and observing through pictures or demonstrations. 

Auditory learners learn best by listening. They want to hear what the music sounds like before they play it. 

Reading learners prefer the written word. They love to take and review their notes. 

Kinesthetic learners learn best through experience. They love to dig in and experience it all at a touch. 

One of these methods probably jumps out at you when looking at these four methods. Once you’re aware of how you learn, you can put your energy towards finding tools to help you use that method more effectively. 

Practice memorization using these three methods

Memorization requires three steps:

First, record the new memory in your mind using your preferred method. You might read through the music without playing, listen to someone else play it, or play it yourself. 

Next, work on retention. This is where practice comes into play. It requires you to play it enough to move it from short-term to long-term memory so you can recall it later. 

Finally, it requires using recall to ensure you can bring the information back out and put it into practice. 

Repetition

Recital dates are spaced months apart to give you time to work on memorization. When you work on a piece repeatedly for days on end, it stays in the front of your mind. Ensuring you can recall it requires moving it to long-term memory. You can do this through spatial repetition. 

This requires you to work on a piece, then set it aside and move on to something else. After a few days away, pick up the piece again and start working with it. Do this in your preferred learning style. 

You can also review your music at different times of the day. If you always play at 3pm, change it up and practice in the morning or before you go to bed. Adding a little newness to your routine can change how you absorb the music process. 

Memorizing piano music doesn’t have to be a complex process. The key is giving yourself the time to learn the piece, and recognize your best approach. 

Filed Under: Piano Playing Tagged With:
18 May 2022 3 Things To Know Before Saying YES To a Used Piano

3 Things To Know Before Saying YES To a Used Piano

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Have you decided to enroll your kids in piano lessons? Congratulations! It’s one of the best gifts you can give your child. 

Yet finding a quality used piano can be a difficult task when you have no idea what you’re looking for. It’s easy to fall for “free” – you’ll find lots of ads giving away a piano for free. 

How do you know what to look for? How do you know what to choose?

Before you start looking, educate yourself a little on the most important aspects of a piano. It’ll help you make a better choice. 

What is a piano?

A piano is an instrument that makes beautiful music. It’s a conglomeration of 10,000 parts in which every one of them is used to create sound. 

You have wood and metal, strings and keys. The standard piano uses 88 keys to provide a full range of music. 

Every piece on a piano goes through changes as it sits, as it’s played, and as it ages. When constructed well, they can last for a very long time. 

But the strings used to move the keys and create the sounds will slowly move out of place. That’s where a tuner comes in, and ensures they are brought back into position. They adjust the tension to ensure it’s accurate again. 

How do I choose a piano?

Start researching piano brands and you can quickly get overwhelmed. How do you choose? Which one is best? Good news – it’s easier than you think. 

Very quickly, you’ll start to notice that some brands move to the top. When handmade pianos come out of Vienna, Germany, or Italy, they tend to get the highest prices. These are the pianos you’ll see on display when visiting your local symphony. It’s because of the sound they create. 

Yet as a beginner, you can start with something lower. What matters most is what sounds good to you. 

Sitting down and playing it will help you get a feel for the sound it creates. Is it chirpy? Is it tinny? Is it out of tune? This is where you’ll immediately hear the difference with a used piano that’s been sitting in the basement for years, unplayed and unconditioned. You can quite literally hear the difference. 

Watch for the biggest concerns

You don’t have to be a piano inspector to tell if you’re getting a good used piano. Instead, pay attention to what you’re looking at. 

Examine the exterior. Is there any visible damage to the outside?

Open the lid and peer inside. Is there evidence it was well cared for?

Inspect the keys. Ensure they are all even, not chipped, and movable. 

Ask questions like: when was the last time it was tuned? 

You’ll get a feeling about the quality even after a few minutes. 

Bypass the problems and move straight to quality

Instead of playing a guessing game with online shopping, or visiting garage sales in your local community, stopping by our location will provide you with a full range of high quality used pianos. 

We know the quality because we’ve inspected them ourselves. 

We can help you find the right used piano to suit your needs. 

Filed Under: Buying a Piano Tagged With:
14 May 2022 Buying a Used Piano: Craigslist or Dealer, Which Is Better?

Buying a Used Piano: Craigslist or Dealer, Which Is Better?

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When you’re in the market for buying a used piano, places like Craigslist can be appealing. With a quick search, you can bring up several pianos in your area. Who can ignore the low, low prices? And who can ignore catch-lines like: You haul it, it’s yours for free!

That can save you a lot of money when you’re first starting out with your new hobby. Why not take what you can find on Craigslist? What would make a piano dealer better?

#1 You’ll avoid a broken-down piano

If you’re an experienced piano player, you may recognize a faulty piano through pictures, the words the private party uses, or even from a first glance when you walk into the room. 

If you’re new to playing the piano, you don’t have that skillset yet. A piano may look good on the outside, but it could be a lemon in the ways it plays. 

When you buy a used piano from a dealer, their reputation is on the line. They thoroughly inspect all used pianos, make the necessary repairs, and sell it to you with confidence knowing you’ll be able to play it for a long time. 

#2 You’ll learn by comparing

A piano is a big-ticket item. It’s not something you’ll be replacing soon. As you make your final selection, it’s important to ensure you have a piano that sounds good to your ear. 

Buying through Craigslist means you have one opportunity to buy – take it or leave it. When you visit a dealer, they can show you multiple pianos at your price point. You can sit down and play them, hear them, and feel which one is right for you. 

#3 You’ll get a warranty

Private sellers have one goal in mind: to sell the piano. While you might be able to bring a technician along to check the piano over, you’ll be limited to making your decision in a short timeframe. 

When you trust a dealer who is a part of the community, you’ll have their reputation behind them. Their goal is to turn you into a happy customer who will tell others about your experience. They want to make you happy and put warranties behind the action. 

#4 Your piano will be delivered

Buy a piano from a private party and you’ll have to bring a truck with you. Try to move a piano yourself and you’ll discover just how bulky and heavy they are. (And fragile!)

Moving a piano takes a particular skill to ensure it arrives safely without damage. Damage doesn’t always show up on the outside. With over 10,000 pieces, it’s often the intricate details that matter most. With a dealer, they will ensure it arrives safely, and often provide the first tuning to make sure your piano is ready to play from the moment it’s delivered to your home.  

Are you thinking of buying a used piano?

Stop by today. We have an extensive line of high-quality used pianos that will reliably serve you for years to come. Why risk buying a used piano on Craigslist when you’ll receive the best. Compare, and find the right piano for you today. 

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10 May 2022 When a Piano Can’t Be Tuned

When a Piano Can’t Be Tuned

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When parents decide to enroll their children in piano lessons, the first task is to buy a piano for their kids to practice on. And that’s where many parents go wrong. 

With a little search online, you’ll find an array of pianos available for purchase. Search Craigslist and you’ll even find pianos for free … simply haul them away, and they’re yours!

But is that the best way to bring a piano into your life? That’s usually where many parents go wrong. 

Here’s why. 

If you find a free piano, or one for a very low cost, it’s usually from a homeowner that no longer wants the piano, and has no idea how to get rid of it. They may try to sell it to no avail. So they offer it for free using online resources. 

When people reach this point, it’s usually because the piano has no value. Chances are it’s sat without being played for years. 

Maybe it sat in a corner without maintenance. It was stored in a basement or garage, subject to harsh conditions. 

And that impacts playability. 

When you get it into your home and play it for the first time, you might hear something off. The tone is off. The notes don’t blend together. 

So you call in a professional to tune your piano. And that’s when you get the bad news: it can’t be tuned. 

A piano is made from wood and metal. If not properly cared for, exposure to the environment, including heat, cold, and moisture, will all take its toll. Extreme dryness can crack the soundboard and pinboard, eliminating any chance that the pins holding the strings can be fixed without complete renovation. 

When you receive the bad news from a technician, you’ll have two choices: renovation, or purchase another piano. 

Isn’t it better to ensure you have a quality piano your first time around? 

Filed Under: Owning a Piano
7 May 2022 The Only Reason To Ever Buy a Piano

The Only Reason To Ever Buy a Piano

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When we buy many things for our home, we tend to use a checklist to settle on the best choice. 

When you buy a piano, you need a different approach. 

Here’s why. 

Let’s say you’re in the market for a new dishwasher. Before you head to the store, you do a little research and define what’s best to suit your needs:

  • You measure your space
  • You find a quality brand with a good service record
  • You define what features you want your dishwasher to have
  • You select a color to match your decor

You don’t “fall in love” with a dishwasher. Instead, you find one that best suits your needs. It’s a workhorse inside your home, one you rely on every day. 

But a piano is different. If you take the same course of action when buying a piano, you’ll wind up purchasing a piano that doesn’t suit your tastes. 

Some people approach piano buying as a task-based exercise:

  • Measure the space
  • Set a budget
  • Select a color
  • Focus on price

But focusing on the specifications and not on the way the piano sounds can lead to buyer’s remorse. 

Pianos are a personal taste. They each produce sounds in a different way. And it’s that sound that makes you fall in love with making music. 

When you sit down to play, you experience the joy of creating a unique blend of sounds that all come together to create a song. 

If it’s out of tune, for example, hitting specific notes will make you cringe. It will make you pull back, not wanting to experience that again. And that might end your desire to play. 

If you’re in the market to buy a piano, why not ensure it’s the best instrument for you? Don’t buy the first one you see. Spend time with the instrument, and make sure the piano you select is ultimately the best one for you. 

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4 May 2022 Can You Really Learn From Online Piano Lessons?

Can You Really Learn From Online Piano Lessons?

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It seems as if everything we do has moved online. You can use virtual for just about everything you do. Schedule a visit with your doctor? Have a meeting with your staff? Online works for just about everything. 

Including online piano lessons. 

Are online piano lessons right for you or your child? There are a few things to consider before you sign up. 

Student motivation

Only you can know how you or your child learns best. Are they the type that listens well to instruction? Do they need physical attention to keep their mind on their work? Can they self-regulate their actions with only a few verbal queues? If so, online piano lessons may be the perfect choice for learning. 

More individualized attention

Finding an instructor with your desired goals and objectives in mind isn’t always easy. But if you can search online for your learning style, you can find a specific instructor that helps you play at the level you choose. Whether you want to be the next rock star, or prefer classical instruction, you’ll find an instructor perfectly matched with your desires. 

Engagement 

While in-person instructors rely on physical interaction between student and instructor, a good online piano lesson can include a variety of modalities for learning. From videos, to apps, to group performances, with the world as your learning environment, teachers can get creative with what they include in their lessons. 

Growth

What makes online piano lessons so powerful is that they allow students access to whatever they desire. Get specific about what you want to achieve with your piano lessons. How well do you want to play? What do you choose to do? 

Then go out and find it. With a little search, you can find any kind of lessons to motivate you. 

We are turning into a digital world. While face-to-face has its positives, combining it with online piano lessons will allow you to boost your skills and become the type of piano player you truly want to be. 

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