24 September 2020 Can Video Piano Lessons Work?

Can Video Piano Lessons Work?

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This year has brought on new ways of learning. It’s also made each of us think about what is important. What hobbies do you want to take up? What activities are most important?

That piano that’s been sitting in your living room untouched for several years may be just the thing you start up again this winter. 

But if it’s been a while since you played, and you’d like to increase your knowledge on how to play, it’s time to look at your options. While you might not be ready to head out for group piano lessons, why not look towards technology? Video piano lessons may be just the thing to get you playing once again. 

Video piano lessons can walk you through many different methods for playing the piano. From staring up and learning the basics, to refining your approach and improving your technique. 

Video training is growing in popularity because you can refer to the training again and again. Watch it. Learn from it. Apply it. Review it. You can do this again and again until you’re comfortable with what you’re learning. 

Video piano lessons are great for teaching things like hand placement and keyboard layout. You can learn basic lessons about musical symbols and how music is laid out. It can even showcase different games and platforms you can use to make learning fun. 

Video piano lessons are a great way to teach the fundamentals. You can learn note placement and how to play scales and chords. You can review this content again and again, until it becomes a habit. 

Not all of playing the piano is based on fingers to the keys. Posture, arm movement, feet placement, and flexibility are all a part of it too. You can watch the necessary skills on video, and ensure your setup is good for your playing ability. 

Creating music is only a part of being a good piano player. The other part comes from understanding music theory. You can use video training to watch many different aspects of piano history, including diving into all types of genres, from blues to jazz to classical. Watching musicians in action can create a direct impact on the way you play yourself. 

What does it take to become a better pianist? Video piano lessons can be one way to learn how to be a better player. It can give you the skills you need now to bring the love of music into your life this year. 

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21 September 2020 Is It Time To Have Your Piano Rebuilt?

Is It Time To Have Your Piano Rebuilt?

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You love your piano. It’s been in your family for years. But is it worth it to rebuild it?

If you’ve made the decision to have your piano rebuilt, your first step is to find the right person for the job. We get a lot of calls from people finding out more about the process, because a piano is the one heirloom that can stand the test of time. 

But is it worth it? Will a rebuild help create an instrument you’ll be proud to display and play for years to come? That’s something a technician will dig deep for before they make the final determination. 

Pianos have up to 12,000 parts. And considering pianos can live for decades, eventually, those parts start to wear out. Pianos are also subject to the environment around them. That firestorm that recently ravaged thousands of acres? That hurricane that caused the power to be out for a week? All of that plays into creating the condition of your piano. 

Playing the piano isn’t the only thing that breaks down individual pieces. Even sitting unused for weeks – months – at a time can take its toll on different parts. Wood can dry out and crack. Strings can tighten and rust. 

That’s where piano building comes in. This is a time-consuming process. It’s also expensive. This isn’t something you do with every piano; a high-class restoration project can only make a piano as good as the original foundation it was built on. The piano rebuilding process includes:

Rebuilding the action. That includes the frame, keys, keytops, hammers, underlevers, and other moving parts. This is what gives your piano the touch, sound, and tone. 

Rebuilding the soundbox. This includes the soundboard, bridges, strings, pinblock, tuning pins, damper felts, and other structural parts of the case. A lot of rebuilding projects start when the strings no longer can be tuned. 

Rebuilding the cabinet. This is usually for cosmetic purposes, when the outside finish no longer shines. Refinishing the cabinet is the last part of the process, and one of the most expensive as the refinisher will have to replace wood and hardware to match the original condition. 

Not all pianos are worth rebuilding. That’s because not all pianos are high enough quality to be worth the time and process. It’s not a good investment, as you’ll never recoup the cost it takes to bring it back up to mint condition. 

It’s better just to purchase a new, high quality instrument to get the most playability for your money. 

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18 September 2020 What To Know About Piano Prices

What To Know About Piano Prices

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When most families decide to bring a piano into their lives, hoping the kids love and value being able to make music, their first stop on their journey is to try and find a good deal on a piano. 

Yet piano prices can be difficult to assess. After all, how do you compare what you’ll pay from a dealer with the “deal” you find on Craigslist, which is essentially getting the piano for free? 

Why should you pay when you can haul one away for no more cost than finding a truck and committing an hour or so of your time?

First, let’s talk about piano dealers. 

When a piano dealer opens up a retail shop, it’s usually as a small business. They have a love for all things musical, and have chosen to share their joy of creating songs by helping others choose the right instrument. 

A piano dealer obviously has to set the prices high enough to cover costs. But you’re also paying for:

Skill – they have access to know and understand dozens of piano brands, and have selected quality ones they think their customers will love. 

Knowledge – they’ve been around pianos for years – decades – and know what to look for when making a purchase. They can quickly assess your needs and help you make the right choice for what you want in a piano. 

Guarantees – the dealer has thoroughly evaluated every piano they sell, ensuring you get a high quality instrument. If for some reason it has problems during the warranty period, you’re covered. 

Deals – a dealer also knows how to find the best deals. If you’re looking for a particular piano, they can help you find it. They can help you find the diamond in the rough. They can set you up with a rental to determine how well piano fits into your life. They can help you trade up to a better piano when you’re ready. 

Remember, piano prices aren’t just about the piano. It’s about the other services that go along with it. 

Does the piano come with a bench, or will you have to buy one? 

What level of customer service comes with both pre and post sale?

How comfortable are you you’re making a good choice, one that will help you and your kids truly find the love of creating music? 

If you want to give your kids the gift of music, you have to choose the appropriate tools to help them along. 

We can help. Stop by today and compare many different pianos we have in stock. We’ll help you choose the right piano for your needs. 

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14 September 2020 How To Select a Performance Piano

How To Select a Performance Piano

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A piano is a piano, right? If you’re a concert pianist, you know that statement isn’t true. 

Because every piano is created in a different manner. Every piano has its own voice. And to play a piano that has a deep, rich sound perfect for your ears, that makes playing it that much more enjoyable. 

As a pianist grows in capability, chances are they play on a variety of instruments. They become more experienced at what makes a great piano, and what doesn’t. 

Performance pianos are often purchased for commercial settings – a concert hall, a church, or a school. Occasionally they are purchased for home use too, especially if the homeowner is a professional. 

While the average person might not be able to tell the subtle differences between pianos, a true professional will. And when it comes to buying, they usually have a preference in mind. 

Start there. Start with brands, makes, or models you desire. Then pay attention to what’s available in your market. If you have several on the table, eliminate the least powerful. 

A piano is all about self expression. It’s about creating the right sound for you and your audience. 

In the end, it’s a personal choice. 

Evaluate every instrument you are considering for:

Power – a piano is one of the most powerful instruments in an orchestra. It commands attention no matter what the size of the hall. Be sure it projects that power outward, and can sound good in its final location. 

Tone – tonal quality is all about pitch, timbre, sustain, and volume. This is about the sound the piano creates internally, and how it projects that sound out. 

Action – you can’t just purchase a piano off the internet. You have to sit down and play them. Because pianos are ever-changing, you can’t assume a piano today will remain in the same condition. It changes over time. But it should feel and sound natural, especially to the person playing it. It can be adjusted over time to create different sounds, but playing it will help the pianist feel the music it can create. 

Performance pianos should be acclimated to its final resting point, whether in a concert hall or in your home. Once it’s been inside for a few days, a tuner can ensure it’s properly regulated. Also, keep in mind that different people may be playing it, and have different ideas on how it should sound. We recommend acclimating it extensively, giving everyone a chance to play it and voice their opinions. 

That will help you create a piano that’s right for its location, for years into the future. 

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11 September 2020 Advice on Buying a Used Piano

Advice on Buying a Used Piano

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When parents decide to sign up their child for piano lessons, they are faced with several decisions. The first being based around buying an instrument. 

  • Is buying a used piano okay, or do we need to invest in new? 
  • Will my child quickly lose interest in playing the piano?
  • A piano is a piano. They can start to learn on anything; can’t we just upgrade when they show interest? 

Of course, many parents wind up selecting a piano that doesn’t motivate their child to take action. And their interest in music wanes. 

Why?

If a piano is too old, doesn’t play well, or doesn’t provide the proper resources for a child to learn with, it becomes useless to a child. But a child can’t express this. They don’t understand what’s wrong. They just know their playing isn’t satisfying, they can’t achieve the results their teacher is looking for, 

For these reasons, we recommend learning all you can about a piano before you buy. 

Buying a used piano doesn’t have to be difficult. Your child can do quite well by learning on a used instrument. The key is in what you buy. 

Yes, you can find used instruments on Craigslist. You might even be able to find them for free. 

But if you do a little investigation, their story is often something like this. You call up the owner and they say:

“It was my mother’s. I’ve had it in the basement for a couple of decades. It’s in good condition. Nobody’s played it for years. But the finish still shines.”

The finish isn’t what matters. It’s the internal workings that create a piano worth playing. And if it’s been sitting there that long, untouched, chances are the wood and strings and other components aren’t in their best condition. They’ve slowly degraded over time. 

Without proper tuning, it won’t sound its best. And there’s a chance it can never return to its proper sound. 

Is that what your child will be learning on? 

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7 September 2020 Buying a High End Piano

Buying a High End Piano

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A piano is a piano, right? 

Even in your heart, you know that’s probably not true. Why would there be so many sizes and shapes and brands if that were the case?

Still, we have a lot of conversations like this one:

“My daughter wants to play the piano. Why isn’t the free one I can get on Craigslist good enough? I can’t tell the difference anyway.”

“Have you ever compared the tonal quality of several pianos?”

“No. But a piano is a piano, right?”

Like every product you purchase, you get what you pay for. 

Those pianos you can pick up for a few hundred dollars will perform at that level. If they don’t have any value, there’s a reason for that. Maybe keys don’t work. Maybe the notes will sound a little off. It may have a tinny sound. 

And that impacts playability. 

There are significant differences in the manufacturing process of different levels of pianos. 

Some are handmade, while others are mass-produced. What that means is some instruments are created in a factory, every piece screwed, hammered, or bound into place in the quickest way possible to get it out on the floor, for sale, ready to bring in a profit. Others sit in the factory, lovingly worked on each day until the creator feels the piano is finally ready to release. 

Quality pianos are produced with performance in mind. They pay attention to all of the characteristics that make a piano sound great. Every tone, every touch, is played over and over again until each note sounds just right. 

Let’s go back to a parent wanting to give their child the gift of music. Sure, you want to ensure they like to play and will stick with it before you invest in more. 

But piano isn’t something you pick up and learn in a few simple lessons. It’s something that becomes a part of you, throughout your life. 

It’s a friend, something you can sit down and play when the feeling arises. It can be an ebb and flow throughout your life. It’s there, waiting. 

And that’s when buying a high quality piano matters most. 

Because it can be with you for a lifetime. 

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4 September 2020 How Your Piano Is Impacted By Indoor Air Quality

How Your Piano Is Impacted By Indoor Air Quality

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Have you ever thought about your home’s indoor air quality? Every year, a variety of things filter inside. 

You heat your home in the winter, cool it in the summer. It’s impacted by high humidity and bitter cold. Fires can bring ash and soot, and more dust than you can handle. Hurricanes can bring in mildew, mold, and more. 

When any storm hits our community, it’s a lot to take in. You may have landscaping needs to care for, or even broken equipment throughout your home. 

Don’t ignore your piano. Even if it appears to be okay on the outside, indoor air quality can take its toll on how well it works. 

Weather

Extreme heat in the summer. Bitter temperatures in the winter. And a swing of humidity changes of 50 percent or more throughout the year. How is that impacting your piano? 

Cold weather is known to be hard on piano strings. It causes them to contract, meaning they shorten and tighten up. Warmer temperatures cause the opposite reaction. It jars connections loose and can cause the sound to become slightly distorted. High levels of humidity can cause the soundboard to swell, while low moisture will cause it to shrink. 

It’s an ebb and flow throughout the year. And all of it impacts how well your piano plays. 

Smoke damage

If you’ve ever watched a stream of smoke after you blow out a candle, you understand the complexities of what it can do. Smoke is what you see with the incomplete combustion process of carbon matter. While smoke generally dissipates quickly, it can create a residue. The more smoke, the more impact it has throughout your home. Wipe a finger across the finish of your piano; this residue may have settled in. 

While it may seem like a simple task to wipe it away, it comes with odor as well as soot. It can move through the cracks and into the inner workings of your piano. Over time, it can cause everything from discoloration, corrosion, and even extensive damage throughout. 

Chemical cleaners

You haul out a variety of cleaners for your weekly routines. Glass cleaners, all-purpose sprays, even air fresheners to create a clean scent left behind. But what do all of these have in common? Chemicals filling your air supply. And with doors and windows closed, your ventilation system in full gear blowing heat or cool air to every room, it can also move chemicals throughout as well. 

Those chemicals land somewhere. They can impact the finish of your piano, bury deep inside and weaken joints and connections. 

Pay attention to what chemicals are in everything you spray. Not only will it protect your piano, but it can create cleaner air to breathe – a win/win for everyone in your household. 

These are just a few of the many things that can impact your piano all year long. 

Keep your piano in good working condition by having it tuned on a regular schedule. A professional will ensure your piano is working well, and is in the best condition, inside and out. 

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31 August 2020 How Piano Playing Impacts Child Development

How Piano Playing Impacts Child Development

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As a parent, you’re concerned with child development from the moment you find out you’re pregnant. You scour the internet looking for ways to improve your child’s skill set. You sign up for different classes to push them in all the right places. 

Yet with so much to choose from, how are you sure you’re signing up for the right things? 

Sports promise team building and coordination. Computer based classes push STEM concepts. 

But what about music? How about piano playing? 

It doesn’t take a lot of research to discover music has a profound effect on human development. Looking back throughout time, music has always been a part of our lives. We use music for enrichment, for its calming factors. We’ve used music to tell stories. 

That’s because music builds neural pathways throughout the brain. Neurologists who study this believe it has a whole range of benefits, from problem solving to better memory skills throughout a child’s life. 

Have you heard of the Mozart effect? Simply stated, the research behind this says that children who listen to classical music are smarter. As they listen, it builds a child’s sense of hearing and the ability to process the sounds as it hears it. The distinct patterns in highly skilled works of art can increase cognitive performance. 

While it is truly difficult to determine if music puts your child on a different path, making them smarter, there is solid proof it does improve child development. It helps develop skills such as:

  • Language skills, including increased ability to pick up foreign languages
  • Stress reduction skills, which can help with anxiety and mood regulation
  • Patience and discipline
  • Fine motor skills
  • Improved memory and concentration
  • Self confidence and self esteem
  • Higher scores on tests

Yes, having music in your child’s life will influence your child’s behavior. The sooner you make it a part of their daily lives, the more they can gain. Babies are musical. They love to listen and even play with all kinds of musical instruments. Studies show that when you start playing before the age of seven, it changes the way the brain forms and grows. That stays with a child for life. 

Is it time to give your child the gift of piano playing? 

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25 August 2020 Keep Your Kids Motivated With Piano Lessons With These Tips

Keep Your Kids Motivated With Piano Lessons With These Tips

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Want to give your kids a gift? Looking for something that will help them for a lifetime?

Invest in piano lessons. Buy them a new piano.

Playing the piano is something a person can do throughout their lifetime. Any time you sit down and play, you learn something new. 

Of course, you may start your kids off knowing it’s something they can enjoy for a lifetime. But somewhere down the road, it will become a game of wits – they won’t want to practice, and you’ll find any way you can to keep them going. 

“I don’t want to practice.”

“Playing the piano is boring.”

“Why can’t I go outside like my friends?”

Yep, you’ll hear it all. It’s the struggle that every parent has trying to keep their kids engaged in an activity they lose interest in. 

And no matter how much we’d love to tell you there’s an exact science to keeping them playing, there isn’t. But we do have some tips to help increase the odds. 

Find the right piano teacher

Remember back in school how some teachers you loved, others – not so much? It’s called chemistry. We all connect with certain people in the world. And those people, they are the ones that motivate us to do better. In order to keep your kids engaged in playing, you have to find that teacher. The good news is you don’t have to rely on your local community anymore. With virtual learning, your piano teacher can be anywhere in the world. Find someone that “gets” your kids and you’ll find a motivated learner. 

Change practice expectations

Rigid practice times may work for some, but not for everyone. Some players may thrive on playing every day at the same time for a certain time period. Thirty minutes at three o’clock may keep some motivated. But for others, it can feel like quicksand. This is about motivating your child. Maybe they would do better with ten minute increments. A few scales before breakfast. Playing their favorite piece right after lunch. And a few minutes of challenge with something new right before they go out to play. That’s okay. Whatever keeps them playing works. 

The sticker challenge

Kids are motivated by earning prizes. But it doesn’t have to be large to create a sense of fun. Create a star chart and let them earn stickers as they play. Have them cash them in for fun things they enjoy. You can even stick with the music theme and give them opportunities to grow in their studies. New sheet music, downloads from their favorite bands, or even a ticket to a concert can all be great motivators. Plus, it can give you and your child fun outings together. 

Let’s hear from you. What tips do you have for keeping your kids engaged with piano lessons? How do you keep them playing the piano every day? 

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21 August 2020 How Digital Sheet Music Helps You Play Better

How Digital Sheet Music Helps You Play Better

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Remember the days of visiting a music store and browsing through the sections of sheet music? It could take time to find the perfect piece you wanted to bring home, practice, and learn. 

Like everything in our world, smart devices have changed the world of sheet music. Digital sheet music can provide a variety of resources to make learners find new connections with the music they play. It’s not just notes on a page anymore. Digital sheet music has powerful ways of connecting you with the music you play. 

Interaction

Depending on which digital app you choose, you can change up how interactive the music can be. Students can choose songs they love, giving them even more reason to play every day. It can help adjust the tempo, giving beginning students a chance to learn at a slower pace, picking up speed as they learn and grow in confidence. 

Feedback

Many of the newest additions to the digital sheet music world also bring AI to the table. Not only can you follow along on your tablet, but it can “listen” and adapt based on your playing. If you make mistakes, the digital sheet music can adjust, giving you feedback on how to grow more successfully at your playing. Try that with traditional sheet music; you had to rely on an instructor, which you may only have facetime with thirty minutes per week. 

Tracking

Having digital sheet music allows you to track your progress. It can also help parents participate in a child’s learning, having full visibility of what they are learning. This can help students stay accountable for their learning, and overall make them better players. It can help them set goals and stick with schedules. 

Convenience

One of the biggest reasons people like digital sheet music is the convenience factor. Instead of having to tote around a bag filled with papers, risk leaving some of them at home, or worse, losing them, you have it all conveniently stowed away on your portable device. No more printing off extra copies and worrying about leaving them behind. 

What’s more, going paperless will also make your piano playing practice more sustainable. You won’t have to worry about how much paper you use, or print off new sheet music as you make changes to your work. It’s all conveniently stowed on your tablet, ready to go at any time. 

Do you use digital sheet music? 

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