10 June 2021 Piano Playing Is Good For All Kinds of Ailments

Piano Playing Is Good For All Kinds of Ailments

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Do you eat better to improve your health?

Do you exercise to stay fit? 

What if you could do something for your brain to make it stay healthy too?

You can. 

Piano playing has been around for hundreds of years. And while it’s easy to look at it as a wonderful hobby that adds music to your life, there’s more to it than that. Studies continually show that piano playing can help what ails you, and make you happy and healthy for life. 

Piano playing reduces stress

This past year has shown us stress can leap to entirely new levels. It also showed us we can stop and spend more time at home doing the things we love. Stress can release into the body in many different ways. For some, it shows up as mood changes, fatigue, and even digestive problems. For others, it can slowly impact health until you have chronic conditions. But taking up a hobby can give you a release for that energy. Piano playing requires concentration, and gives your brain a chance to relax from the constant barrage of content that comes at you all the time. Piano playing allows you to go into an almost meditative state, which can help lower blood pressure and allow the tension to release from your body. 

Piano playing improves cognitive function

People have long since documented that piano playing in young children can improve memory, help with language, and increase test taking skills. When you continue playing as you age, it can help improve memory, slow the process of dementia, and help increase brain function. If you push your skills, learn to read sheet music, and become better at piano playing through daily practice, it can continue to help you grow as an individual, and give you purpose and drive. 

Piano playing increases self esteem

As people age, they spend more time alone. For some, that can be a lonely experience, which can lead to adverse effects such as further withdrawal. Playing the piano increases your skills and allows you to concentrate on things outside of your norm. It gives you a chance to connect with people on a different level, especially if you start taking lessons. Share what you do – you’ll be amazed at how it can help connect you with others in the world. 

Music therapy is just beginning to break into helping people with all kinds of ailments. Whether it’s listening or playing, participating actively, or simply sitting and listening, music can have a long lasting impact on our health. 

Have you turned to piano playing over this past year? 

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4 June 2021 What Can Be Fixed Easily After Buying a Used Piano?

What Can Be Fixed Easily After Buying a Used Piano?

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What started out as a good deal can suddenly turn into a headache. You wanted a piano for your child to learn to play on, and all you got were problems. 

We hear that story a lot. 

When you start the process of buying a used piano, you might not understand what can be easily fixed, and what is a much larger endeavor. We’re here to help. 

Piano parts that can be easily fixed:

Piano body – dings, scratches, and other blemishes can be filled. You can also paint or stand the piano body with a bit of effort. Keep in mind that body damage is often a signal of neglect, which means further damage might exist on the inside. 

Keys – if chips or other blemishes occur on the ivory or black keys, they can be repaired easily. If a piano is old enough where the keys are still made from ivory, ivory can no longer be used in commercial applications. 

Strings – if a string is broken or missing, it can be replaced. Keep in mind that new strings won’t match the tonal quality of existing strings, meaning you might hear it in the way you play. 

Hammer felt – layers of felt can deteriorate over time. Smoothing out hammer felt can give you more years of playing. 

Soundboard – soundboards are created from several different layers of wood. Over time, these can crack under pressure or from varying temperature variations. A cracked soundboard can also detach from the ribs, which produces a buzzing sound as you play. Depending on the severity of the crack and how many other parts it impacts, it can be replaced easier than other parts within a piano. 

Piano parts more difficult to replace:

Pinblock – the pinblock provides the pins in which the strings are attached. Once this fails, it requires a complete rebuild. 

Hammers – while hammer felts can be replaced without extensive repair, the hammers themselves are a more expensive endeavor. If they are broken or have worn through the wood, it might be a complete restoration. 

Bridges – the strings lay across the bridges and resonate sound through the soundboard. Without these bridges, the piano wouldn’t function. It’s also a difficult repair that requires extensive time and expense to get it right. 

Buying a used piano? Before you take it home, make sure you know its playability. Some things are easy to fix. Some are more difficult, and costly. We can help you find the right used piano that will give you years of playing. How can we help you? 

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28 May 2021 Is It Okay To Buy a Used Piano?

Is It Okay To Buy a Used Piano?

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For many hobbyists, the thought of playing the piano can be exciting. It can fulfill a childhood dream of making music. It can be a healthy pursuit as you age. 

But if you’re intimidated by new piano prices, you might have turned to used pianos. Are they worth it? What should you know before you buy a used piano?

First, understand there are risks when buying anything used. If you’re purchasing from an individual based on a Craigslist ad, you could wind up with a piano with lots of problems. It’ll take a lot of money bringing it back up to working quality, and that can defeat the purpose of trying to get a “good deal.”

Buying a used piano doesn’t have to be scary. You can find great used pianos that will give you years of enjoyment. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you shop. 

The lifespan of an acoustic piano

The average acoustic piano is designed to be playable for about 60 years. That means a piano sitting in the house of your grandmother since she was a little girl might have reached its peak. There are thousands of working parts inside, and any one of them can wear down or break over time. This is where it pays to know a piano’s backstory – was it well cared for, tuned regularly, and repaired and restored as needed? 

Tuning is important

Often, pianos are left in a room forgotten as a family grows, interests change, and time marches on. Even if a piano isn’t used, it still needs regular maintenance to keep it operating well. Weather changes, climate and humidity changes, and other effects from normal living can all impact the different parts of a piano. Piano strings can pull or stretch even if you don’t play it regularly. Rust can form. Wood can warp and wear out. Keys stick, and the action can cause further damage. All of this is caught by regular tuning and maintenance. Without it, a piano can deteriorate quickly. 

Not all brands are equal

Ford. Mercedes. Walmart. Gucci. One word can evoke different thoughts and impressions. It works with pianos too. Because pianos were once all the rage, a lot of manufacturers jumped in and tried to make a buck. Cheap imitations may have seemed like a good deal, but people quickly found out these pianos weren’t much better than toys. That also means they won’t hold their value over time, nor will they be quality instruments for you to practice on and enjoy as you learn to play. Stick with reputable pianos – this is where we can help you find a piano that will stand the test of time. 

Moving a piano can be expensive

Sure, you can take the piano stored in a friend’s neighbor’s basement. All you have to do is move it. That’s where the real headache begins. A professional mover ensures the piano stays safe and the movers avoid risk. Pianos are heavy, bulky items that can’t be moved as easily as a sofa or table.  Your friend’s neighbor might try and help you wedge it up the stairs and around corners. We ensure your used piano arrives safely in your home, a quality instrument ready for you to play. 

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24 May 2021 4 Things To Compare When Buying A New Piano

4 Things To Compare When Buying A New Piano

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For many purchases we make in life, we spend time doing a fair amount of research before making our decisions. Of course, a three-dollar item is easier to decide on than a three-hundred-dollar item. The more we’ll have invested means more time thinking about the outcome. 

From the moment you start looking at pianos, you know they’re different. You can search online and find free pianos on Craigslist. You can also find resources for one-of-a-kind pianos that will run in the millions of dollars.

Why the difference? How do you know if you’re getting a good piano? How do you trust your decision? 

Before you make your final selection, there are a few things to compare before buying a new piano. 

Sound

A piano is a piano, right? If you’ve ever sat down and played one, you know that isn’t true. If you play three different pianos, you’ll likely hear three very different sounds. A lot goes into sound creation: materials used, construction, and placement of the piano. It also makes a difference in the way you play. If you don’t “feel” the sound a piano makes, it might not be an enjoyable experience. Test several and learn the difference. You’ll be amazed at what you hear. 

Feel

You can tell a real piano from a toy. They feel different. The keys are weighted to allow you to control the keys as you play correctly. Without learning to play with a properly functioning keyboard, you won’t be able to transfer your skills from one piano to another. Sit down and touch the keys – feel the way they move. You can tell the difference. 

Looks

While you should always buy a piano based on the way it plays, looks can be important in determining which is the best instrument for you. Do you like the finish? The size? The color? You should also take a peek inside the kid and ensure everything looks clean and well cared for, especially if you’re buying used. Even if you have never played before, a quick peek inside can alert you to potential problems before you buy. 

Warranty

What happens if you get your piano home and there’s a problem? If you buy from a dealer, you may have a warranty to cover certain faults. If you buy from an individual, you’ll probably take it as-is, and be on your own to correct whatever potential problems you have. 

Buying a piano can be a major purchase. Rather than having buyer’s remorse as soon as you get home, spend a few minutes with these four comparisons to ensure you select the right piano for your needs. 

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21 May 2021 Mistakes People Make When Cleaning Their Piano

Mistakes People Make When Cleaning Their Piano

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When you get into cleaning mode, it’s easy to clean everything in your home in the same manner. 

Grab a rag and start dusting. 

Haul out the vacuum and lug it to every room in your home. 

Select your favorite bottle of cleaner and start cleaning. 

But before you head over to your piano, it’s important to stop and think twice about what you do. 

Pianos have delicate wood and lacquer finishes. Their keyboards are connected to many parts that can warp or be destroyed with certain chemicals or solutions. Water is not a piano’s friend. 

Still, you want your piano as clean as possible. When people sit down, they touch the keys. That means germs could easily move from one to another. 

Start every session by washing your hands. That takes away germs, dirt, food, or other contaminants before you touch the keys. There’s nothing wrong with making it your number one requirement before anyone takes a seat at the piano. 

When you do clean, leave your sprays in the closet. Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe away the dust. If you need a deeper clean, consider a diluted solution of a neutral detergent instead of reaching for a bottle. 

For those tiny corners where dust may settle, you can take a cotton swab and carefully remove the dirt. 

Your piano may shine in the light; it’s only natural to want to use a furniture polish and enhance the sine. But most chemical cleaners will have the reverse effect. Those polishes can dry the wood out, dull the shine overall. That can lead to cracks in the wood, and reduce the sound quality of your piano. 

If you have questions about how to keep your piano clean, give us a call. 

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18 May 2021 Piano Playing, Mental Health, and Self Care

Piano Playing, Mental Health, and Self Care

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This past year, self care has taken on an entirely new life. Stress is a part of our everyday lives. It’s here in ways we never thought possible, and it’s impacting all of us in new ways. 

While staying in place had an impact on all of us, it did make us look at ourselves and try and find ways of bringing peace and calm to each new day. People picked up new hobbies at record-breaking speed. Making bread became a new norm. 

But once we settled into our homes, and realized we’re home to stay, we started finding new opportunities that passed us by before. 

Is piano playing a new hobby for you? Congratulations. Studies show it’s one of the best activities you can take on for your mental health. It’s not just good for living through a pandemic; it can help you with stress relief for life. 

Piano playing relieves stress – when you sit down to play the piano, you can’t bring your problems to the keyboard. It requires full concentration, which makes you leave your cares behind. It gives you something else to focus on while you’re creating music. It’s also a booster to your self-esteem, as well as gives you a more positive outlook on life. 

Piano improves concentration – had brain fog this past year? A lot of people have. It’s difficult to concentrate when the world is changing at break-neck speed, and you’re doing everything you can to keep up. When you sit down to play the piano, it regulates you to split your concentration to read the music, interpret the notes, and move that down into your hands to take action on the keys. Don’t forget about your foot to tap the sustain pedal as needed. You can’t have other things on your mind and play well. Playing allows you to push “stuff” away for a while, and focus only on what’s important now. 

Piano improves language – when you’re playing the piano, your listening skills automatically gain a boost. You listen for intervals and chords while playing, and develop voice and a sense of pitch. This transfers into your language skills as well as your memory. It helps you pick up the fine tonal qualities that make you better at listening, as well as hear sounds and differences in a new way. This helps kids become better at school, learn foreign languages faster, and do better on tests. It continues throughout life, assisting seniors to remember better and be more concise with their language skills. Hand-eye coordination also improves as you connect with the keyboard with all of your senses intact. 

Sometimes taking control over your mental health starts with stress relief. Whether you’re just starting to play the piano as a new hobby, or have played for years, it’s the one activity that you can carry with you through life, and have it inspire you every time you sit down. 

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10 May 2021 Back Ache? You May Be Sitting at the Piano Wrong

Back Ache? You May Be Sitting at the Piano Wrong

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Why do you have a back ache when sitting at the piano?

You may be sitting at the piano wrong. 

You may have also experienced it when sitting at a computer. Your shoulders tense up. Your arms tighten. Your hands feel sore. It may even hurt to breathe. 

What’s wrong? 

Part of playing the piano correctly comes from your posture. If your hands can’t move freely across the keys, it impacts the way your body moves. You’ll feel it long after you step away from practice. 

If you’re feeling any back pain after practicing, it’s time to ensure you’re sitting correctly at the piano. 

Start by straightening up. Your parents may have told you as a child to sit up straight, shoulders back, feet on the floor. The same applies to sitting at the piano. This makes you stronger at your core, and instantly gives you more confidence in the way you play. 

Evaluate your bench. Not any old chair will do. If you’re sitting improperly in front of the keyboard, it can lead to aches and pains throughout your body. Your feet should never be dangling. In fact, you should have weight on your feet, with them both solidly on the ground. This allows you to lean in and use your core power as you maneuver through octaves on the keyboard. 

Relax the wrists. But not too much. Think of an invisible bubble underneath, as you move it while you play. If your hands “hang”, you can injure your wrists. They need to stay flexible yet firm, giving you full control over every note you play. 

Pedals. Think of your body creating a base while you play. It moves from solid feet on the floor, up through your legs into your core. It centers on your buttocks on the bench, and back down again. When you move your right foot onto a pedal, it should never take away from the core structure you create to hold you in place. The left foot is on the floor, helping control the weight while you move and play. 

Stretch. Let the music move you while you play. And in between, take a breather and move your arms overhead. Wiggle your fingers. Rotate at the waist. Give yourself permission to relax, from your head to your toes. This makes you aware of where your tension is, and helps you focus on being in a better position when you return to the keyboard. 

Whether you need a new piano bench to ensure better placement, or want a new piano for better playability, we’re here to help you with all of your piano needs. 

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7 May 2021 Stopped Playing The Piano? Take It Up Again!

Stopped Playing The Piano? Take It Up Again!

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For our kids, we tend to keep their days a little more rigid. School. Afterschool activities. Homework time. Practice time. Family time. Their days are carefully chunked into a variety of things to keep them moving throughout the day. 

But for adults, it can be a bit more challenging. We have to get the kids to school and their activities. We have to get to work. But the days can quickly spiral out of control with a phone call or a sudden emergency. 

Your mom calls and needs a little help. 

Your furnace stops working – it’s cold in the house!

And suddenly, all your plans for extra activities go by the wayside. 

That’s how many adults stop playing the piano, even though they have the best intentions. They skip a day of practice, planning to catch up tomorrow. One day goes by, then two. And before you know it, you haven’t played in weeks. 

That’s normal!

Every piano player has experienced that from time to time. 

The key is in recognizing it and doing something about it. 

Start with your why – why did you take up the piano in the first place? Did you want to play a favorite song? Did you use it for relaxing at the end of a hectic day? Use that to recharge yourself and get started again. 

Create a new plan – why did you stop? Was something not working with your playing schedule? Too often, we try and place activities at a time that doesn’t make sense. Maybe we’re tired at the end of the day. Maybe that’s the timeframe when friends and family call with questions and problems. Re-evaluate your piano practicing schedule and see if there is a better time you can play. 

Calendar it – whether you take lessons from a teacher is up to you. Whether you work with someone, or choose to do it on your own, if it’s on your calendar, you’re more likely to do it. You block out the time, and you have it facing you each day. Keep things simple. This gives you a visual cue to stay on track. 

Motivate – give yourself a reason to start up again. What song have you really wanted to play? Find music that challenges you to play it, yet isn’t so difficult it’ll take you months to get there. 

You can also find a community that helps you stay on target. The great thing about the online world is you can find all kinds of resources to help you stay on track. Whether you’re playing with a local group, or simply have a forum to stay in touch with other pianists, it’s a great way for you to stay on track playing the piano throughout the year. 

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3 May 2021 Age is an Advantage When Taking Up The Piano

Age is an Advantage When Taking Up The Piano

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One of the most common questions we get is: can adults learn the piano? 

We believe age is an advantage when taking up the piano. Here’s why. 

You’re ready to commit to learning

We place kids in activities to introduce them to new things. We have no idea what they’ll take to, what they’ll like, what they’ll enjoy. As adults, we have a deep understanding of what brings us joy. We’re ready to commit to the things we want in our lives. If you’ve set your eyes on playing the piano, you’ll be more dedicated to its outcome. 

You can process through holdbacks

Kids can get frustrated and not have a voice to tell you what’s wrong. As an adult, we have the power to ask questions, do research, and discover solutions to our problems. A top complaint for adults learning to play the piano is figuring out how to put all the pieces together – reading music, and having the left and right hands play differently on the keyboard. With a little research, you can discover how others get through this process. You’ll learn patience and discover how others manage. You’ll have the knowledge to keep working through until you figure things out. 

You can be flexible with the process

Like other hobbies, piano playing isn’t meant to be an end result. It’s the process. It’s the journey. And you can discover a variety of ways to keep it fresh in your life. While you may wish to work with an instructor, you might also choose to find a group to share your newfound hobby. Maybe you sign up for a membership with your local symphony, seeing firsthand how others take it to the top. 

You can ask for help

For many adults, we understand help is just a phone call (or internet search) away. You’re not the first to start down this path. There are many others just like you facing challenges and enjoying the new hobby you’ve decided to pursue. Whether on an online forum, or asking someone in your local community, there’s always a resource waiting and ready to help you along. Just ask. 

What questions do you have about starting up piano? What advantages have you found at piano playing at your age? 

When you’re ready to take your piano playing to the next level, we can help. Let us know what questions you have about playing the piano. 

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28 April 2021 What You Should Know Before Signing Up For Piano Lessons

What You Should Know Before Signing Up For Piano Lessons

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Are you contemplating what hobbies to sign up for? Are you looking to give your kids the gift of music?

Every activity needs an initial investment before you begin. But for some, the idea of starting up piano lessons can be a little scary. 

You need a piano, but what kind? Will any keyboard do? 

We’re happy to share a little advice with you. 

Piano or Keyboard?

You can find keyboards in a lot of places these days. Are they worth the investment? Before you hand over even just a few hundred dollars, it’s advisable to spend a little time learning more about pianos. 

The main difference is sound. If you choose the wrong keyboard, it won’t have a high quality sound. That means no matter how much you or your child put into the learning process, they’ll never achieve a good sound. 

That builds frustration, when you can never produce a song the way it was intended. You’ll have a greater chance of abandoning your goal of learning to play because the playability just doesn’t feel right. 

Keys

Acoustic pianos – the more traditional piano – uses weighted keys. If you’ve ever played a song on a more conventional piano, watch how the keys spring into action. There’s a slight give to the way the keys are played. 

Depending on how a less expensive keyboard is produced, it may not have that same functionality. That means skills won’t be transferable from one piano to the next. It also means you might not be able to play a song as it was written. Maybe a key is too heavy for a young learner to use. 

Traditional manufacturers create 88 keys in proper proportion, to ensure you get the appropriate sound from every note on the keyboard. They also ensure the touch feels the same, to give you a skill you can use for the rest of your life. 

Music

From your very first lesson, it isn’t all about the notes and the sound. You’ll also be learning valuable information about reading music, technique, and musical theory. In order to fully understand each of these lessons, it’s important to have the proper equipment in order to complete your practice. 

Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to duplicate the lesson when you get home. If you have any questions about the process, you can learn a lot from an instructor. 

Are you ready for piano lessons?

Before you take your first class, spend some time learning more about the process. A good piano will ensure you lots of years of enjoyment, and give you the right tool to enjoy the process. 

Will this be the year you learn to play the piano? 

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