10 March 2021 Practical Tips For Pianists Who Play At Church

Practical Tips For Pianists Who Play At Church

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Church music today can mean a variety of different things. To a small traditional church, it might mean organ and piano music with a choir. To a large congregation, it may mean a large band with modern songs. 

That can give any pianist a full array of ways to share their music with their community. 

But how can you make it even better? We have a few tips for you. 

Always be learning

If you’re playing for your church, chances are you’ve been playing piano for a while. You already know that piano playing is a lifetime endeavor, not something you can learn in a few months or even years. If you choose to play for your local congregation, step up your practice sessions to become better at what you’re sharing. Work through new songs before you ever sit down with the band or choir. The more practice you’ve had on the work you’re going to share, the more ideas you can bring to your first practice session. 

Practice with the band and choir

As you bring new music to the table, talk with other members about how you can change it up. Should you match the ranges of the singers, or should complement them in other ways? Can you add your own flavor to make the songs more meaningful? Especially if you have other highly energetic musicians, find ways to bring a new flair to your performances. It could be the boost you need to attract new members to your church. 

Always be prepared

It’s good to note that every week, you’ll be doing live performances. That takes improvisational skills too. Always be prepared for spontaneous changes in the program. Have ideas planned with the rest of the musical performers. Practice this – how can you make changes and yet have it feel like it was all planned? The more you work together, the more creative you can be. 

Church pianists have a special role in bringing the community together. Your job is to fill each program with the joy and love of music. 

What can you do to make that a more enjoyable experience? 

Filed Under: Piano Playing
7 March 2021 Scared of Performing? What To Do When You Have A Bad Performance

Scared of Performing? What To Do When You Have A Bad Performance

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Many players have dreams of creating music for other people. Whether you want to join an orchestra, play in a pop band, or simply perform for your friends and family, it can be scary to take the first step and open up your music to others. If you’re scared of performing, what can you do to overcome your fears?

First, keep in mind that even the greats have had bad days. They didn’t get to be great musicians without failure along the way. 

That’s the reason it’s important to keep performing. If you’re scared of playing in front of a crowd, do it anyway. If you have a bad performance, learn from it, and do it again. Learn from it. And remember these things. 

Keep playing

Many bad performances start when you have stage fright, and forget where you are in the piece you’re playing. Don’t stop. Keep playing. Even if you skip a large portion of the song. Make something up if you have to. If you take command of your performance, even if it goes in the wrong direction, often, the people around you won’t know. 

Say thank you

Every one of us has been in a situation similar to what you’re going through. And depending on where you’re performing, you might have a lot of support from people you know. When they tell you how well you played, or complement your performance, take it in. Say thank you. Don’t apologize for your performance – it’ll show your weaker side. Tomorrow is another day. 

Process your performance 

A bad performance hurts. But you can learn from it. Process it. What did you do wrong? What could you have done differently? How will you change up your next performance? Don’t wallow for too long. Get back in the game, and schedule your next performance. 

Get back on the stage

The best way to overcome any angst you might feel about performing is to jump on the stage again. Don’t let your feelings hold you back from your bigger dreams. 

As you evaluate what went wrong, use that to fuel change in your performance. 

Didn’t practice enough? Schedule even more before your next show. 

Had a problem getting out of your head? Find ways to increase your self-esteem. 

The good news is there are many ways to do better at your performance. Speak with your instructor about different plans of action. They’ve been there too, and often can help you select books to read, classes to take, or even other coaches to hire, all to help you improve your skills. 

Part of the beauty of being at a live performance is anything can happen. Audiences appreciate that interaction. 

It’s all in how you handle it that matters most. 

Filed Under: Piano Playing Tagged With:
4 March 2021 Want To Be A Better Piano Player? Go To Musical Events

Want To Be A Better Piano Player? Go To Musical Events

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Becoming a better piano player doesn’t just involve more practice. It also means becoming more musically inclined. 

When you listen to music, pick out the different instrumental parts. Listen to the way the music flows and works together. 

Don’t rely solely on your digital player to play your favorite tunes. Expand musical awareness by spreading your wings and listening to more genres. Attend musical events to learn even more. It’s one of the best ways to improve your musicality. 

Attending musical events will help you:

See other musicians in action

Listening helps you feel the music. But when you watch someone produce it, and awakens your senses. An orchestra will showcase how a pianist plays and adds to the melody. A rock band will showcase tying a performance together. Don’t just feel the music; pay attention to how the pianist adds to the overall experience. It can help fuel your own fire the next time you sit on the bench and play your favorite song. 

Realize how all instruments work together

You weaken your own ability if you focus on one type of music. Instead, attend many different types of musical events. Go to a jazz club. Buy tickets to your local symphony. Head out to the park and dance the night away to country western. R & B can teach you about rhythm. See how all of it works together to create music we know and love. 

Network for more ideas

Don’t stick with large events that draw in hundreds or even thousands of people. Find local events where you can get more personal with both the musicians and the other attendees. You can ask questions, find recommendations for teachers, or open up your mind to other possibilities: ever thought about turning your love for music into a career? Or considered composing and publishing your songs? You may discover a new love and interest merely by listening to others in your local community. 

At a minimum, attending musical events will give you a new way of looking at how you currently play the piano. Schedule one into your calendar today. 

Filed Under: Piano Playing
28 February 2021 Yes, Playing Piano Can Give You Better Health

Yes, Playing Piano Can Give You Better Health

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Why do you like to play the piano? Do you enjoy making music? Do you love the familiarity of the practice? 

According to many medical facilities, there’s an additional reason you should play the piano: for better health. What can playing the piano regularly do for your health?

Better motor skills

To play the piano well means using a variety of different skills all at the same time. Your left hand moves in one way while the other creates an entirely different sound. Your eyes follow notes on sheet music while your brain puts everything together. A young child will use this process to refine movement and focus, while a person reaching their later years can use the same process to keep their skills honed and well refined. 

Better reasoning and comprehension

Studies consistently show that people with years of piano practice do better on tests, and have a higher IQ. Focus on producing music and refining your practice approach equip you throughout life for better ways of thinking and communicating to those around you. 

Better stress relief

We live in challenging times. You can’t go through a day without hearing more about self-care and how important stress relief activities can be for your well-being. Playing the piano can accomplish that throughout your life, whether it’s to help you remain calm before an important test, or fight off heart disease when you’re older. 

Better memory

There are many medical issues we worry about as we age: heart disease and memory issues, to name just a few. Playing the piano and making music has been shown to improve memory power and reduce the chances of debilitating diseases like dementia. Even when patients with dementia sit down to play, it’s been shown to help reduce anxiety and access memories that can help with communication. In short, playing the piano can help with speech and language all throughout your life. 

If you’re looking for a hobby that can make a difference in your life, throughout your life, look no further than the piano. Start playing the piano today, do it for better health tomorrow. 

Filed Under: Piano Playing Tagged With:
24 February 2021 Can Piano Apps and Software Be As Good As Piano Lessons?

Can Piano Apps and Software Be As Good As Piano Lessons?

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This is the year many of us are looking for a new hobby. Does that mean this will be the year you finally start playing the piano?

Yet we’re also still dealing with the aftermath of a pandemic. We spend more time than ever at home. Many local businesses don’t offer services in a commercial setting. More and more businesses are creating virtual options. 

What about piano lessons? Can you learn piano from piano apps you’ll find online? Do you need one on one instruction from a teacher sitting next to you? Is virtual really an option? 

Glad you asked. Here’s our take on learning piano. 

Piano apps provide convenience

Let’s start with the biggest reason why people love online learning – convenience. And when you invest in piano software, convenience is the number one benefit. 

No more driving to a thirty minute lesson, dropping your child off, and having to waste a little time while they play. Piano apps allow you to sit down at your convenience, get your daily practice in, and jump right into your next routine. 

With most piano apps, you’ll find they can be adaptable based on your needs. You can change the way you learn, have options that suit your tastes and needs, and be able to practice in a timeframe that suits your needs. Want to practice at 6 am? Or maybe sit down while everyone else is asleep? That’s no longer a problem – an app allows you to do it all on your time – anytime. 

Piano apps provide options

This is something worth mentioning again. Everyone learns differently, at their own pace, and in their own way. 

Using a piano teacher provides a more structured environment. 

We’re not saying working with a piano teacher is bad – it’s actually quite beneficial for you to work through problems with the way you play that technology will never pick up on. But we do feel there are many options available to help you learn in a way that suits you best. 

Working with technology can give you the ability to:

  • Select from hundreds of songs
  • Track your progress
  • Practice anytime you desire
  • Keep costs low – piano apps are often available with a one-time fee

Piano apps are only beginning to grow in popularity. With technology advancing at the speed it is, it’s a matter of time before we find even more benefits to using it to help you perfect your piano playing, and find ways to fit it into your life even more. 

Filed Under: Piano Lessons Tagged With:
21 February 2021 Should You Sell or Trade Your Piano?

Should You Sell or Trade Your Piano?

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When you look back at 2020, it’s easy to see the chaos. But a lot of good came out of it too. 

Did you slow down and spend more time with your family? Did you make hard decisions about the activities you participate in? 

Instead of spending time in the car moving from one place to the next, we’ve learned that being still can also be good. Which is why many families are finding music once again. 

While the sale of pianos may have been dropping in recent years, with a pandemic in place, the numbers have turned around. With more time on their hands, many parents see the benefits of putting their kids in piano lessons, and many more are taking it up themselves. 

Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to start playing. With nothing more than a Youtube video, you can start tinkering out music immediately. Of course, that can lead to bad habits, so many progress into starting up lessons in one form or another. With the internet, you can find any type of training you desire – your teacher can be halfway around the world. You can discover just how fun it is to sit down at the piano you’ve had in your home for years, and start playing once again. 

But just as quickly, you might discover this isn’t the piano for you. It was your mom’s – or grandmother’s – and it just doesn’t suit your needs. 

Should you sell or trade your piano? Does it have any value?

That depends. 

Thanks to manufacturing techniques and globalization, pianos have been mass produced for years – decades even. Some pianos are worth more than others simply by the way they were built. You can quickly determine value by looking at the name – a Steinway may have, unheard of names may not. 

You should also ask yourself why you’re selling your piano in the first place. Is it difficult to play? Will it stay in tune? Does it fit in with your decor? 

The very reasons you’re thinking of trading in your piano may also be what holds others back from purchasing it. If a piano will take work to make it playable again, it’s often better for the buyer to start with a better piano to begin with. 

Still, it never hurts to look at your options. 

We can also help you with that. We often purchase used pianos, and help you trade up to a better one. 

It starts with a phone call. Are you ready to invest in a better piano for your family this year?

Filed Under: Owning a Piano
17 February 2021 How Long Does It Take To Rebuild A Piano?

How Long Does It Take To Rebuild A Piano?

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Have you discovered an old friend in your living room? Has your piano shined in a new light thanks to the recent stay-in-place orders? 

Many families have rediscovered the joy of learning a new craft, and piano offers lifelong benefits. 

Still, you might also have discovered that your piano is no longer perfect. It hasn’t been tuned in a while. Even the finish is a bit off. It’s a family heirloom, it once sat in your grandmother’s home. You’d love to make it the center of attention once again. 

But should you rebuild it? How long does it take to rebuild a piano?

The answer is: it depends. 

In most cases, it will take months from beginning to end. 

To rebuild a piano means bringing your current piano back up to playable condition. Will it take a new key set, or will a few repairs to the old ones do? Will the soundboard need to be replaced? How about the details that make your piano stand out?

If you replace parts with new ones, those projects can be completed in a shorter time frame. If your piano requires fixing parts already in place, that could extend how long it takes. 

Each piece is evaluated for its playability. Each part is either rebuilt or replaced. And slowly, your piano is built back up to a playable condition. 

This is about refinement. When you get your rebuilt piano back, it will be like it’s brand new. 

If you have a piano you’re thinking of rebuilding, to keep it in the family and continue to play it, the best place to start is with a phone call. We can ask you a few questions to start the process. 

Filed Under: Piano Renovation Tagged With:
14 February 2021 What It Takes To Build A Piano

What It Takes To Build A Piano

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Take a look around you. What does it take to make all of the things you use on a regular basis?

Your computer is made from plastics, composites, semiconductors, and metals. 

Your coffee pot is made from plastic, metal, and glass. 

Many things are sent through an assembly line, put together quickly and shipped from the factory and into your home. 

But what about a piano? What does it take to build a piano? 

Modern pianos use a variety of materials, including high quality wood, metal, steel wire, and molten iron. 

Wood is used in crafting the rim and creating the outer case, as well as many internal parts. Metal is used to develop the cast iron plate, while molten iron is used for the casting process. 

Of course, there is a difference between the creation of a one-of-a-kind Steinway, and lower-end, budget-friendly pianos. But in general, all pianos take time to move from beginning to completion. 

The rim is one of the most critical processes, made of wood to give it its strength. You’ll find different manufacturers prefer different species of wood, with spruce and maple varieties topping the list because of their tonal properties. It’s also up to the species to create a dense and hard structure for building the rest of the piano around. Because the rim is curved and smoothed into place, wood is the best choice. 

For a grand piano, it requires construction of both an inner and outer rim. Layers of wood are pressed together, giving it its unique shape. The inner edge also contains things such as the pinblock, cross block, and braces that support the soundboard. These are molded, sanded, lacquered, before being joined together. 

The structural components are created and applied to the piano. The pinblock and cast iron plate generate the framework for supporting the tension of the strings. This isn’t an easy process. Engineers use a variety of raw materials to complete molds before final construction. It takes detailed work to incorporate each part into the final product, drilling holes, placing pins, and tying it all together. 

The soundboard is all an essential component. Without it, you wouldn’t have a piano’s classic sound. While a grand piano has a horizontally placed soundboard, an upright stores the soundboard vertically behind the strings and frame. It’s important for a soundboard to move through production correctly to achieve a set moisture content to be able to give support to the structure, before being curved and installed into place. 

The piano keys of today are made from a durable ivory-like plastic – ivory is no longer installed, and is illegal to sell. You may hear them referred to as “ebony and ivory”, but both are dyed and created from plastic. 

The piano strings are steel wire, strung at varying lengths and diameters to produce different tonal qualities for all 88 keys. 

Finally, the keys are laid into place on a keyboard that makes the instrument playable. This keyboard is a lightweight wood designed to hold all 88 keys snugly into place, while protecting them and making them playable for years to come. 

Want to know more about the differences between brands? Want to determine which brand will suit your needs? Stop by today, and we’ll help you find the right piano for your family. 

Filed Under: Buying a Piano
10 February 2021 I Have a New Piano … Now What?

I Have a New Piano … Now What?

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Buying the new piano is the easy part.

It’s what comes next that trips people up. Especially right here in the heart of a pandemic. You’re stuck at home. You want to play. But where do you go from here?

Maybe you can’t get out and go to your local community center to sign up for group lessons. Maybe the neighbor who everyone recommends is no longer giving lessons.

What’s next?

The good news is there are plenty of options to help you learn piano now.

Hire a piano teacher

Maybe your local piano teacher is no longer teaching, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find many who are. Just like other business models that have transferred their services online, you’ll find many piano teachers have done the same.

Instead of traveling to a home or music store, you can work one on one with a piano teacher from the comfort of your home. Head to Zoom or your piano teacher’s preferred program and you’ll get individual instruction from someone who can help you perfect your skills.

If you don’t know someone in your community offering piano lessons, do a quick Google search. You won’t have to rely on who is in your community – you can find someone who meets your requirements from anywhere in the world. This is also a good tip if you’re perfecting your skills, and looking for a particular type of instructor.

Online piano teaching

What if you could learn the piano from one of your favorite musicians? There’s an app for that.

This is a way to make learning fun. Using technology, you can work your way through a variety of lessons, pick songs from your favorite artist, and learn from some of the best in the business. If Harry Connick Jr was helping you improve your skills, would you play along?

Luckily, we’re at a point in history where this is possible. Playgroundsessions.com is a program produced by music legend Quincy Jones, with a little help from some famous friends. You choose what you want to learn, and have the option for going as fast or as slow as you desire.

What’s next?

If you have a new piano, your next step is to take action. Choose the perfect method of learning for your needs.

If you haven’t invested in a new piano yet, we can help. No matter what level of piano you’re looking for, we have the perfect piano for you. Give us a call today.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano Tagged With:
7 February 2021 Have a Question About Piano Removal? We Have Answers

Have a Question About Piano Removal? We Have Answers

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We’ve been in our local community for over sixty years, supplying families, schools, churches, and other institutions with a wealth of knowledge about pianos. From sales to master piano tuning, restoration services, and even moving your piano safely and securely from one place to another, if you have a question about your piano, we have the answers. 

Sometimes, your piano no longer suits your needs. What do you do with your piano?

You have four different options:

  • Sell it
  • Trade it in
  • Donate it
  • Dispose of it

How do I sell my piano?

If your piano is of showroom quality, selling it might be an option for you. Depending on the manufacturer, you might be able to sell it back to an authorized dealer. Most dealers sell both new and used pianos. Many high quality pianos hold their resale value well, and are built to last for decades. 

Of course, you can also sell it outright within the piano community. Many piano owners have good luck selling on their local classified websites, or even by placing ads online. You can also check within your local community – music stores, teaching facilities, or other music-related businesses may offer a way to sell your piano to people in your neighborhood. 

How do I trade my piano in?

Trading it in is also an option when you choose to purchase a new piano for our showroom. If you’ve purchased a starter piano years before, and are ready to upgrade to a higher quality piano, we might be interested in taking your current piano in as a trade. Call us first, we may need a piano technician to visit your home and assess the value. Then you’ll know what you can use as you shop for your upgrade. 

How do I donate my piano?

There are many facilities and institutions that will take in gently used pianos. We can often advise you of places that will accept used pianos. School systems, for instance, commonly look for pianos to use in their music or theater programs. You might also check with smaller churches or even private music instructors. They receive requests frequently for ways to bring music to their community – your piano may be just what they are looking for. 

How do I dispose of my piano?

Not all pianos are in good condition, and have enough value to move to another location. If your piano has been neglected, hasn’t been tuned in years, and no longer is in good working condition, it may be time to dispose of it. One of our movers can pick it up and dispose of it for you – just give us a call.

Have a question about your piano? Just ask. We are the piano experts here in Memphis. We’re here when you need us. 

Filed Under: Piano Moving
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