4 November 2020 Why You Shouldn’t Be Playing The Piano

Why You Shouldn’t Be Playing The Piano

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We’re all looking for activities we can take on at home. While sports may once have dominated your after-school life, parents today are looking for activities that can be done at home. 

Why not piano? 

Studies show kids that play the piano do better in school, have higher concentration levels, become better at reducing stress in their lives, and have an activity they can carry with them throughout their lives. 

But like every activity you consider, playing the piano isn’t perfect. There are a few reasons you should consider before you introduce it into your child’s life. 

It’s a big commitment

The only way to get better at playing the piano is to do it regularly. That means practice sessions will become a part of your regular routine. Are you ready to enforce and encourage regular practicing? Are you ready to help your child set goals and follow through? It can be frustrating, especially when you can’t seem to get past hurdles, but it can be a rewarding experience with endurance. 

It’s expensive

Playing the piano can be an expensive pastime. In order to become proficient at it, it’s important to have the right equipment. This doesn’t mean you can pick up a cheap keyboard at a big box store and think you have all the equipment you need. In order to truly love playing the piano, you have to invest in a high quality instrument. Add in lessons, music, and more, and it can be an expensive endeavor. 

It takes room

When you invest in a piano, you’ll have to display it somewhere in your home. While an upright can sit against a wall, a grand takes considerably more room. While you can invest in a digital piano, just ensure it’s high quality. It should have all the features of a traditional piano, including weighted keys and a full keyboard. You might be able to tuck it away and bring it with you when you go, it should still be considered a professional keyboard, one that allows your child to learn and grow. 

It needs tuning

A piano changes over time, no matter how much you play it. It will need tuning periodically to ensure it sounds its best. Teach your kids that this isn’t a toy. It demands respect, and should never be a place to stack old papers, or allow dust to accumulate. All of that can take its toll on maintenance, and require even more work when you’re ready to play. 

Like every activity, it’s important to weigh your options before you commit to an action. But if you choose to encourage your kids to play the piano, you can be sure you’re giving your child a lifetime of enjoyment.  

Filed Under: Piano Playing
28 October 2020 Piano Practicing Tips To Improve Your Ability

Piano Practicing Tips To Improve Your Ability

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Piano practice – what’s your take? For most new piano players, they start by focusing on time. Thirty minutes a day sounds like a good place to start. 

Would it surprise you to learn there’s a better way, and it has nothing to do with timing? One of the best piano practicing tips you can learn from a professional is to stop focusing on time, and pay attention to quality instead. 

Why? Because sitting at the keyboard bored out of your mind for thirty minutes every day won’t make you a better player. The only thing that will do is make you quit that much sooner. 

Playing the piano is about enjoyment. Set up your piano practicing the right way, and you’ll enjoy it that much more. 

Start with a goal in mind

Each day, you’ll be working towards a goal. Playing a passage in a song. Conquering a particularly tricky piece without stopping. Focus on that instead. Give yourself goals around what you wish to accomplish. Maybe you choose to play a certain section perfectly three times. So you work hard to play it, then do so well three times. It may take ten minutes or forty-five, but if you do it this way, you’ll feel good about the session when you walk away. 

Create a peaceful place to play

Most families choose to place the piano in an area where the family hangs out. But that can lead to distractions, especially with other family members coming and going. While we don’t suggest playing the piano in a corner in the basement, be aware of the distractions around the place where your piano players will play. 

Then take away other things that can reduce attention span. Never allow a phone anywhere near the piano. Make sure the television is turned off. Do what you can to create a peaceful environment. That will allow the player to play, and not think about everything else that’s going on in the room. 

Practice is practice

If you’ve ever been a part of a workout routine, you know they are structured for maximum results. Warm up and loosen up. Do a high intensity workout routine. Finish by cooling down and relaxing. 

The same applies to piano practice. Warm up with something to get your fingers moving; scales will do. Then work on your goals for the day. Finish with something fun – something you enjoy doing, possibly your favorite song. 

Above all, practicing the piano should be fun and rewarding. The more active role the participant takes in creating the experience, the more they’ll enjoy the process. 

Filed Under: Piano Playing
25 October 2020 Piano or Keyboard – What’s For You?

Piano or Keyboard – What’s For You?

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So you want to learn to play the piano. The first step in the process is getting an instrument you can play as you practice. 

While that may sound like an easy task, from the moment you start looking, you’ll find there are many ways to fulfill the task. You can find inexpensive keyboards at your local big box store. Or you can invest in an acoustic piano that can be a part of your home for years to come. What’s the right choice for you? 

Let’s start with keyboards. What makes digital keyboards increasingly popular is their ability to connect with your computer, and share your creations with family and friends on social media. It’s turned many musicians from players into creators, all at the touch of a button. You can serve as your own orchestra or band, using your keyboard to create dozens of different sounds and setups. 

That makes it sound like investing in a keyboard is the right choice for everyone. Not so fast. Keyboards might be perfect for creating a variety of sounds, but it can also create a reliance on mechanics to create the sounds you are looking for. 

When you take the time to learn how to play an acoustic piano, you are getting down to the basics of learning to play. It’s more difficult at first, because you’re learning how to create music with precision. You’re learning the touch of the keys and the timing of the sounds. You’re learning volume, voice, and how to strike the keys. You’re learning what the pedals are, and how to hold your hands to play properly. This is about knowledge of music, more than utilizing technology to create sound. 

Before you invest in a piano or keyboard, ask yourself a few questions first. 

  • Where will you play the piano or keyboard?
  • What is your ultimate goal?
  • Will you be predominantly playing for yourself?
  • Do you hope to play with a group?
  • Do you hope to transfer your skills to other instruments?

The more you choose to make music a part of your life, the more important it is to get down to theory, and have a broad understanding of how the piano works. 

What’s the best choice for you: piano or keyboard? 

We’d love to hear what helped you make your final selection. 

Filed Under: Buying a Piano Tagged With:
21 October 2020 Piano Practice and Cognitive Function In Elderly

Piano Practice and Cognitive Function In Elderly

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Think playing the piano is only for kids? Think again. Studies show piano practice can be equally beneficial for adults of every age. 

The results are especially encouraging for elderly. Playing the piano has positive effects on a variety of things, including cognitive function and overall quality of life. 

If you’re considering the piano, no matter what your age, here are a few reasons to give it a go. 

Increases brain power

Just listening to music has been shown to activate your brain. It can help improve memory, attention, motor function, language processing, and emotion. But when you play an instrument, it enhances each of those functions even more. Brain scans of musicians and non-musicians have been shown to have significant differences. Playing can keep you more involved, and increase brain plasticity throughout your lifetime.  

It makes you smarter

One of the reasons piano practice is recommended for children is because it increases IQ. Studies show that adding music lessons to your daily routine can improve your test scores. But what happens as a child can also occur throughout your lifetime. If you want to keep your brain active and functioning well, sit down at the piano regularly and practice the music you love. 

It makes you happier

Studies show that when people have more to do in their leisure time, they are happier, healthier adults. Whether it’s reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles, or having a book talk with friends, staying active can make a difference in how much you enjoy life. Practicing the piano takes that to another level. It involves using many different skill sets, including visual scanning, attention, and motor function. It requires you to think on a different level. And that can bring contentment to your life. It allows you to escape other things that may be happening, and just enjoy yourself for a while. 

If you’re looking for something you can carry on into every stage of life, give the piano another look. Piano practice is both meditative and therapeutic, and can be a refreshing challenge every time you sit down. 

Filed Under: Piano Playing Tagged With:
18 October 2020 Can Free Piano Lessons Work For You?

Can Free Piano Lessons Work For You?

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Free. Thanks to the internet, you can find anything you want for free. But as the adage goes, you often get what you pay for. Sometimes free isn’t really free after all. 

Yet a lot of perfecting your ability to play the piano comes from commitment and dedication. If you want to learn to play, and have the desire to be the best piano player you can, sometimes free resources can help you refine your skills. 

How can you learn for free? How can you refine your skills?

Start by listening to piano music

Often, we listen to music without thinking about how it’s created. The next time you listen to your favorite musician, pay attention to the instruments. Can you pick out the piano? What other instruments are being used? You can listen for chords you can try and play yourself. The more you start paying attention to how music is created, the more you should expand and listen to other genres as well. How about heading to your local orchestra for a concert? Or watch videos online and pay attention to what instrument does what. This can help you improve your own skills rapidly. 

Read biographies of the greatest musicians in the world

Biographies are designed to provide you with insight into how people thought and the actions they took. Sometimes you can pick up pieces of information and use it to apply to your own life. Plus, they can be interesting and entertaining. You can even move from reading about a musician, to watching them on the big screen. Wasn’t Bohemian Rhapsody an epic movie? 

Visit your favorites on YouTube

You can find just about anything you desire on YouTube, including the best piano players in the world. This gives you a chance to not only listen to them, but to see them in action. YouTube has another skill that can help you improve your piano playing. It recommends other videos the algorithms think you might enjoy. Expand your repertoire and learn all you can about making music. 

Don’t ignore technology

Every day, technology is taking us to new heights. If you have access to something online, give it a try. Maybe a game you’ve been given access to, or free music that catches your ear. Maybe a site for you to learn and listen to. Or an application that can help you improve your practice. Just be aware of what helps you grow, and what sucks away your time. 

Are you ready to become the best piano player you can be? Why not give free piano lessons a try. Just be aware of how they’re helping you improve the skills you hope to achieve. 

Practice and play because you love it. Any kind of learning you can do that helps you improve is as beneficial as it can be. 

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14 October 2020 How To Learn Piano All By Yourself

How To Learn Piano All By Yourself

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When you have a small child and you’re enticing them with new hobbies, it’s natural to sign up for classes and have them participate. But for adults, we prefer to do things ourselves. When we start up a new hobby, many times, we do research online, watch a few YouTube videos, possibly invest in a workbook or other type of guide to help us along. 

A new hobby is meant to take away stress, not add to it. And a lot of times scheduling regular lessons away from home is more stress than it’s worth. 

Which is why in many cases, it’s easier to learn piano all by yourself. 

But is that possible? Can you learn piano all by yourself and do it justice? 

Yes. You can learn piano with a little determination and a whole lot of practice. Take it at your own pace. Here’s how. 

Invest in a piano

When you think about piano lessons for your kids, you’re likely to invest in quality materials to ensure they have a chance to get it right. But when we invest in things for ourselves, sometimes we put quality on hold, and search by price alone. A piano isn’t something you can skimp on. If you buy a cheap keyboard at your local big box store, you won’t truly learn how to play, and will only grow frustrated throughout the process. 

Spend some time finding the right piano for your needs. Why not make an investment in something nice, something that will add to the decor of your home? You’ll be more likely to play it. Others in your home may pick it up too. 

An acoustic piano will give you all you need to learn this new skill. You can select vertical if you’re short on space, or maybe now is the time to go all in and select that grand piano you’ve had your eye on for years. 

Learn the skills

Once you have your new piano in place, it’s time to learn the basics of the keyboard. Sit down and learn the major keys, where middle C is, and how the keys flow. Learn the differences between tones, what sharps and flats sound like. See how each of the notes looks on music. There are many ways you can accomplish this, both with video training and with apps and games. Have fun with it; you’re more likely to stick with it if you enjoy it. 

This is also when you should be learning about chords. Basic chords work together to play several notes together to create one harmonizing sound. Again, you can find a variety of recourses to help you learn the basics. 

This is also the time to learn correct finger placement and correct posture. If you don’t sit right at the piano, it can cause muscle problems, and make the entire process less enjoyable. This is about training all muscles for strength and helping you become a better player. While you can do this on your own, through online resources, it may be wise to check in with instructors periodically so they can help ensure you’re doing this right. It really does have a big impact on the way you play. 

Reading music

After you get the mechanics down of how to play the piano, it’s time to start reading music. Again, there are a wide variety of online tools ready and waiting to help you along. Start with basic music and learn in a straightforward way. Select more complex music as you advance and understand the basics. 

There isn’t a right or wrong way to learn to play the piano. Go at your own pace. 

But the one thing you should always implement is: practice, practice, practice. 

It’s the best way to ensure your love of playing the piano grows.  

Filed Under: Piano Playing Tagged With:
11 October 2020 Should I Let My Child Quit Piano Lessons?

Should I Let My Child Quit Piano Lessons?

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Starting your child on piano lessons is often the easy part. You invest in a piano, you buy a few music books, you hire a piano teacher. 

But months or even years in, your child isn’t thriving. She doesn’t enjoy it, and it’s more of a chore than a fun activity. You’re tired of forcing the issue. Should you let your child quit piano lessons?

That’s a top many parents struggle with each year. After all, with dozens of activities to choose fro, and an increasingly rigorous school day, is piano worth it? 

Should you let your child quit piano lessons?

Here are a few things to consider as you’re making your decision. 

What is she really learning?

If you talk regularly with her piano teacher, has she noticed a change in behavior? Can they help to change what she’s learning? 

Many kids start out with specific goals in mind. Maybe they want to play the piano like their favorite musician. But when they get into the everyday learning that starts at the beginning, it can be boring and humdrum. 

Talk with the instructor. Would she benefit from changing to a different class? Maybe group lessons would get her excited again. Maybe switching out the songs that she’s playing. 

Especially at the beginning, it’s important to investigate different ways of accomplishing the goal. Is there a way to entice learning in a new way?

Evaluate goals

Sometimes kids get too busy, and they grow tired of having an overstuffed calendar. This may be time to sit down with her and discuss what’s really important. 

Some kids love music. They want to explore it from different angles. But because they are over-scheduled, they lose interest and grow weary. Find out what your child really loves and put other things aside. It may also be time to add other fun activities that surround her interests. 

If she truly does love music, how can you get her involved in other ways? Can she play the piano with a band? Or how about joining a local musical – it’s a great way to show off her talents. Kids often don’t know how they can use their skills. It’s up to you to give them options. 

Talent

This often has to do with self-doubt. If your child wants to quit because she thinks she doesn’t have talent, it might be time to consider what’s going on. Is she a perfectionist? Is she scared of playing in front of people? 

Most musicians aren’t born with talent. Talent comes from years of practice and determination. 

Talent can also be determined by goals. Do you want to be professional? Or do you just want to play music for your own enjoyment? Two different paths. 

For most, the concept of playing the piano is all about self enjoyment. And if you enjoy what you’re doing, what else matters? 

Filed Under: Piano Lessons
7 October 2020 Establishing a Target Plan for Which Piano To Buy For Your Church

Establishing a Target Plan for Which Piano To Buy For Your Church

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If you’re a musical director for a church, it can sometimes be difficult to ensure you have the right pianos in place for all of your musical needs. Especially if you have members willing to donate one they are no longer using. 

Should you accept it? Or should you hold out for one better suited for your needs. Even if it means you have to pay premium dollars for it later on. 

There is a difference between a piano designed for home use, and one created to handle commercial applications. The tonal quality of one for a small home is different than one that will project music out into a congregation or auditorium. 

Large Sanctuaries

Whether the piano is to be used as a solar instrument or one that accompanies vocalists, it’s not recommended to buy anything less than a 6 foot grand piano that is performance or professional grade. If you have a large congregation, will be recording performances, or regularly hold recitals or other musical events, you might upgrade to a seven to nine foot performance grand piano. The sound increase will make the music stand out that much more. 

Choir Rooms and Rehearsal Spaces

Because these rooms are smaller and less critical, you have more options for what piano to use. A grand 5’6” to 6’ is perfectly acceptable in these situations. You can also move to an upright; just be sure it’s a professional series and can produce high quality sound. A performance quality upright 46 inches or taller can often produce superior tonal quality to many grands under 5’6”. 

Verticals between 48 and 49 inches are built for performance, with larger soundboards, longer strings, and heavier hammers. They work well for choir accompaniment. 

Verticals over 50 inches can often sound like a grand piano, and have good projection in smaller auditoriums. They are often less expensive than the smallest of grand pianos, making them a good choice in these situations.  

Grands 5’6” to 6’4” are midsize grands, and are too small to be considered professional. They work well in rehearsal spaces, or rooms where accompaniment is their only purpose. 

Semi-grands range from 6’5” to 7’11” and are built to provide high quality sound in smaller halls. They do very well for accompaniment work. 

Full concert grand 8’ to 9’ or longer are reserved for professional settings where solo work occurs regularly. If you will be showcasing piano in your concert series, this is the best piano to have on hand. 

What size piano is needed for your church setting? 

Filed Under: Buying a Piano
3 October 2020 Succeeding With Piano Lessons as an Adult Learner

Succeeding With Piano Lessons as an Adult Learner

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Remember when you took piano lessons as a child? Maybe you suggested it to your parents. Maybe they pushed you into them. Yet, at some point, life got in the way, and you gave up piano to pursue other things. 

Now, as an adult, you’re contemplating what hobbies to take on. And playing the piano has surfaced as a skill you want to pursue. 

With a few tips in mind, there are ways you can bring it into your life and work on being a better piano player. It’s not impossible to learn, no matter what your age. 

Find a good teacher

Teaching comes in a variety of media formats today. It doesn’t mean you’ll have to head to your local music store anymore. Instead, you can search online and find many different programs virtually too. Consider private lessons as well as group learning, as they each have their own benefits. It’s important to select the right teacher, one who understands adult learning, and won’t pair you with a younger audience you’re not comfortable around. 

Look at other platforms

You can find ways to improve your playability in a variety of means. Download an app. Play a game. Watch a video course. Or even check out your local orchestra for musical theory. Becoming a better piano player isn’t just about playing. It’s also about understanding the way music is created. 

Create a practice environment

Like any hobby, the only way you’ll get better is if you practice. Schedule it if you have to. Then stick with a plan. Make it a time you enjoy playing, one where you can relax and focus on your music. If it becomes a chore, you’re less likely to do it. So pick a time that works for you. Maybe after a long day when you need stress relief. Or first thing in the morning when you’re full of energy. Don’t worry about starting and stopping a clock. Instead, play what feels comfortable to you. Because the more you enjoy it, the more likely you’ll be to play on a regular basis. 

Learn patience

Playing piano is a lifelong experience. The more you do it, the more you’ll learn, the more you’ll enjoy. This isn’t about burning through music as fast as you can. It’s more about challenging yourself and learning something new. Pick out songs you love and work on perfecting them. You can even look for ways to showcase your new skills – how about performing a concert for friends and family? Goals are good to give you something to work towards. 

But no matter what your end goal is, keep in mind it’s all about learning. It is possible for adults to succeed at piano lessons. It’s up to you to define what that means. 

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28 September 2020 How To Clean and Polish Your Piano Finish

How To Clean and Polish Your Piano Finish

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Your piano is a delicate balance between looks and sound. And while your piano might sit next to a table, armoire, or even curio cabinet, you can’t clean it in the same fashion. 

Different finishes require different levels of care. What’s the best way to clean and polish your piano?

Satin Finishes 

For some people, a piano with a satin finish is the only way to go. You’ll notice a satin finished piano anywhere in the room. It reflects light easily, and is usually finished with a lacquer, polyester, or some other finish that gives it its unique shine. 

To achieve this look, multiple layers of finish are rubbed into the wood. Between each layer, the finish is lightly sanded before the next layer is applied. By the time the final coat is laid into place, the high-gloss sheen gives it its signature look. 

What gives it its shine also makes it difficult to clean. Oils from fingerprints are easily trapped and are not easily removed. If you rub the finish the wrong way, you’ll be able to see the cleaning trails in the shine. 

To keep this finish looking its best, less is more. Never use water on the finish. However, you can use a dry-damp microfiber cloth with back and forth motion to wipe it down. Avoid waxes, petroleum-based products, cleaning products you get from your favorite big box store, and any product with ammonia. These products will all strip the finish and cause it to dull. 

High-gloss Finishes

A high-gloss finish will reflect both light and images, and is usually created using a polyester material. It combines synthetic resins that harden during curing, and create a hardness that’s durable. 

One of the main reasons this stands out over satin finishes because it’s easier to maintain. More traditional cleaning products may not hurt the finish, but they can lead to an uneven appearance. It’s a good idea to keep your cleaning methods simple, using a mild solution to clean up messy spots. Microfiber clothes are an easy way to clean messes and fingerprints from the finish. 

Open-pore Finishes

If you opt for a natural wood veneer instead of an ebony finish, you might have an open-pore finish. They are created in similar fashion to other furniture you keep in your home, such as tables or headboards. They are created by sanding the wood to a smooth finish, then applying a sealer and a coat or two of lacquer to seal in the wood. 

If you own a piano with this type of finish, you can care for it similarly to your other furniture items made out of similar materials. Just be sure to stick with natural materials, as product containing things like paraffin waxes can leave a sticky residue on the finish. Avoid spraying any product near any of the working parts, such as the keyboard or turning pins or strings, as this could damage and corrode the materials. 

What do you do to clean and polish your piano? 

Filed Under: Owning a Piano Tagged With:
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