7 February 2020 Keep Your Piano Healthy

Keep Your Piano Healthy

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A lot of things can impact your piano. The air supply. The weather. The way you play. The condition of the room. 

If you’re bringing a piano into your home, and you want it to remain in good condition for years to come, there are multiple things you should do to keep your piano healthy. Here’s where to start. 

Think about placement

Do you have a spot picked out inside your home where you anticipate placing your piano? Take another look at that spot. The wrong spot can have a detrimental impact on keeping your piano in good playing condition. The inner workings can’t take extreme temperatures or variances in air quality. Therefore you should avoid:

  • Placing a piano against an outside wall
  • Placing a piano underneath a window
  • Placing it next to a door on an outside wall
  • Placing it near vents and registers
  • Placing it near a fireplace
  • Placing it near a window or door that is opened frequently
  • Placing it in direct sunlight

And all of these can cause the wood in the inner workings of the piano to expand and contract quickly, risking cracks in the overall structure of the piano. 

Think about daily habits

Depending on the size of your piano, it may take center stage within your room. Grand pianos often have a commanding presence, and change everyday living space into full-fledged music rooms. 

Yet don’t turn your piano into a clutter station. The only thing that belongs on a piano is sheet music. Don’t be tempted to put a flower vase on your piano; pianos and water don’t mix. 

Skip placing books, picture frames, or even nicknacks on top; it can take away the sound quality of the instrument. 

If you do smoke, avoid smoking near your piano. The soot and smell can impact the tonal quality and looks of your piano. 

If you don’t play regularly, you may even wish to consider closing the lid to protect the piano keys, and consider a piano cover to ensure the finish stays protected. 

Every piano is unique. With every piano, it’s playability is determined by the instrument itself as well as how well it is treated inside your home. Take care of your piano, keep your piano healthy throughout the years, and it will last you for generations. 

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4 February 2020 How To Clean Your Piano Key Tops

How To Clean Your Piano Key Tops

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Take a good look at your piano. Where’s the biggest potential for dirt and grime? If you said the tops of the 88 keys, you’re correct. 

Every day you sit down and play, touching them with your finger tips. Some will get more of a workout as you touch it again and again and again … hello, middle C. 

How do you keep them looking their best? How do you keep them playing their best? 

Read on to learn how to clean your piano key tops the right way. 

First, take a moment to determine what the key tops are made of. If your piano was built before the mid 1950s, there is a potential for the key tops to be made of ivory. After 1956, the US officially banned the use of ivory, meaning pianos built or imported after this time are made of plastic. 

Ivory doesn’t add value to your piano. However, it does change the way you keep the key tops clean. 

Start by using a damp cloth that is wrung out well. Excessive moisture can penetrate through the porous ivory surface and loosen the adhesive that is holding it in place. Once this occurs, it can start to damage the wooden piano surface underneath. 

Use a natural or light colored cloth as it can transfer pigment to the ivory keys. Use two different cloths, one for the light keys, and one to clean the black keys. 

When cleaning plastic or synthetic key tops, follow the same course of action. Use a light, natural cloth for cleaning. Use a mild detergent or cleaning solution to remove dirt and grime. 

Always wipe the keys down from back to front instead of side to side. This ensures any moisture rolls off the pianos rather than falling between the keys themselves. Work a few keys at a time, ensuring they are properly dried before moving on to the next set of keys. 

Killing germs is equally important, especially during cold and flu season. You can take a small drop of antibacterial soap on a small damp cloth and wipe down the individual keys. Don’t use too much soap or you’ll be left with a sticky residue. Be sure to follow with a damp cloth to ensure the tops are clean. 

Avoid using things like rubbing alcohol or other harsh chemicals as they can penetrate through the key tops and destroy the keys themselves. 

When was the last time you cleaned your piano key tops properly?

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30 January 2020 The Must-Have Accessories Every Piano Player Wants

The Must-Have Accessories Every Piano Player Wants

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Whether you’re trying to find the perfect gift for the piano player in your life, or are trying to outfit your own music room at home, it takes more than a piano to be a great player. Like every hobby, playing better means purchasing several piano accessories that will help playing and practice to be even better. 

Piano Stool

Yes, you can sit down to play the piano on anything. But if you want better practice, and ultimately want to become a better player, the piano stool is an important part of the process. Without the right piano stool, you’ll have poor posture and hand positioning at the keyboard, which can lead to back and arm strain, and eventually carpal tunnel. The right stool allows you to play more comfortably for a longer period of time. 

A Stand

Depending on the piano you select, you’ll need a place to put your music rather than leaving it strewn all over a table. Be sure it’s wide enough to handle the music you wish to play. If you’re investing in a digital keyboard, you’ll also have to select a keyboard stand. Is portability important? Or do you prefer something more permanent within your home? 

Headphones

It’s not just digital pianos that allow you to use headphones while you’re playing. Some acoustic pianos now offer you the option of being able to use them too. Headphones are a great way to allow you to practice night or day, without interrupting other activities within the household. It’s also a great way of practicing through rough spots without the embarrassment of having those around you hear your mistakes. 

A Metronome

When you have a metronome nearby, it allows you to develop tempo with every song you play. It can be difficult working through more difficult pieces. A metronome helps you build up to the tempo you choose, and allows you to stay consistent throughout the song. 

Do you have the right piano for all of your needs? We can help. Stop by today and see our full line of pianos. There’s something for everyone, at every skill level, and for every taste. We can help you choose based on your needs and desires. 

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26 January 2020 What’s Really Important When Selecting A New Piano

What’s Really Important When Selecting A New Piano

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There are two kinds of piano shoppers:

  • The ones who are buying their first pianos
  • The ones who are upgrading to something better

Because they are looking for something entirely different, their approach to selecting a new piano varies. 

If you’ve never played the piano before, you might not understand the value in selecting the right instrument. A piano is a piano, right? Well … 

Not exactly. 

Many pianos are made by hand. That makes every single instrument out there different. They play differently. They sound different. They feel different. 

If you’re selecting a new piano for the first time, you might not understand how important it is to sit down and really listen to the way the piano sounds. You might not know to compare it with other models, other manufacturers, other options. 

If you’re looking for a new piano and you have years of practice behind you, you might have a few more requests in mind. Maybe you have features you have to have – they’re non-negotiable. Or maybe you have a specific brand in mind. 

Our best advice to you is to come in with your mind wide open. 

The higher up in the music business classical pianists move, the more set they become on what they want to play. But is that all about sound and playability? Or is it more about marketing?

Some of the oldest brands in the business might have professional clout. They’ve always been the best, so they assume they will always be the top of the line. That isn’t always so. 

There are innovators, even in the piano industry. Inventions that can make you a better piano player, provide more musicality, and give you more opportunity to play. Pianos that take advantage of today’s technology and make you a better player. 

Are you in the market for something new? What process are you using for selecting a new piano? We can help you find the right instrument for you. 

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20 January 2020 Finding A Piano Competition Near You

Finding A Piano Competition Near You

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Want to take your piano playing to new levels? Find and enter a piano competition near you. 

You like to play. You love to listen to masters within the industry. Why not marry the two together and enter your own competition? 

You might think: Not me. Maybe you’re nervous about performing in front of others. Or maybe you don’t believe you’re good enough. Surely there are others better than you … right?

Maybe you’re thinking about it in the wrong way. 

Piano competitions aren’t just about winning prizes. It’s not about ranking you in order based on who shows up for the event. A piano competition can provide you with so much more. 

Critiquing

Up until now, you probably haven’t had a lot of critiquing of your piano playing. Your instructor has their opinions. Family and friends will most likely say: you’re great! When you step onto a stage, you’ll be heard by new people, new judges, all that can look at your work and make suggestions for ways to improve. You can also listen to what the judges say about others: how can you use that in your own practice and training? 

Meet others in the industry

Who exactly is your competition? By attending one, you can start to see the other talent in your local area. And as you talk to other players, you might discover further ways to improve your own work. Are there better instructors that can help you grow? Other competitions you can attend? Scholarships to attend local, national, or international schools? Ask questions and keep your ears open to learn all you can as you attend. 

Training

Just because you’ve entered a competition doesn’t mean you can’t learn as well. A lot of competitions offer masterclasses from judges or others in the industry to give you a wealth of knowledge. Make plans to attend everything you can; sometimes, they hold these classes a day before or after the competition. Sign up if you can, and ask lots of questions to improve your own talent. 

How to find a piano competition

You can start by asking your current piano instructor. Check in with your local music store. If your local college has a music program, you can contact them too for insight into regional competitions. Don’t forget Google – a few searches will bring up a wealth of information. And ask around every time you play in competition – what others would people around you recommend? You’ll be surprised at what you can find once you open up and start searching. 

Piano competitions are a great way to pursue excellence and get a chance to practice your craft in front of a live audience. You might just find yourself in ways you’ve never imagined before. Make 2020 the year you improve you by entering a piano competition. 

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17 January 2020 Why You Should Learn To Play The Piano – Science Agrees!

Why You Should Learn To Play The Piano – Science Agrees!

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Imagine trying to learn a new sport – football – at the age of 85. 

That’s not going to happen. No matter how well physically an 85 year old is, the thought of running up and down a field probably isn’t reality. 

Now imagine an 85 year old sitting down and learning to play the piano. A little more realistic, right?

Musicality isn’t something that ever goes away. You can pick up an instrument and learn how to play, whether you’re 5 or 85. You bring different things to the table. You learn for different reasons. 

And once you learn to play the piano, you’ll have a lifetime to perfect it. It will stay with you and be a part of who you are until the day you die. 

It’s not just musicians, educators, or piano dealers that say this. It’s backed by science too. 

Playing the piano can fine tune your brain, both biologically and neurologically

You don’t have to look farther than some of the greatest musicians on earth to know that they remain sharp well into their sixties, seventies, eighties, and beyond. Think Paul McCartney or Mick Jagger. A study out of Northwestern University confirms it too. There is biological evidence that keeping music in your life has a good impact on the aging process. It impacts everything from retaining memory to hearing. 

Playing the piano gives you a full body workout

When you listen to music – especially classical music – a whole host of benefits occur in your body. But when you engage in the actual act of creating music, it ramps up and helps you even more. Think of it as a whole body workout, mind and body. It strengthens multiple areas of your brain, increasing concentration, focus, and memory. It carries forward discipline into multiple areas of your life. 

Playing the piano reduces stress and anxiety

Do you have stress or anxiety in your life? It almost seems like a silly question, doesn’t it? Who doesn’t? But studies show that adults who sit down at the piano have a therapeutic way of reducing stress and anxiety. The simple nature of sitting down and practicing can help calm your nerves and improve your self-awareness. It gives you a chance to breathe deep and take the focus off what’s not working in your life. 

Playing the piano changes your brain structure and mental awareness

The great thing about playing the piano is you can pick it up at any time, no matter how old you are, and the results are instantaneous. Multiple studies confirm that playing music can change the way their brain processes information. Your brain stays stronger and you become more mentally aware of your surroundings. You don’t have to be good at it, or even reach a certain level before it kicks in. This is something you do for you. It’s something that works for a lifetime. 

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13 January 2020 Why You Should Play Classical Music On The Piano

Why You Should Play Classical Music On The Piano

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A lot of people start playing the piano because they have a desire to play a favorite song. But playing the piano is more than playing your favorite pop tunes on the keyboard. If you really want to develop your skills as a pianist, it’s important to play classical music on the piano too. 

According to an article by Primphonic, classical music doesn’t have a popularity problem. Instead, it has an accessibility problem. When asked, up to 31 percent of Americans state they enjoy listening to classical music. That rises with age as well as education levels. 35 percent of those with a degree enjoy classical music, while 48 percent with postgraduate degrees enjoy it. 

But listening isn’t the only thing that benefits your life; playing classical music has a variety of benefits too. 

It enhances concentration levels

Classical music requires almost all areas of the brain to be activated to play it correctly. It requires you to concentrate on tempo, pitch, rhythm, note duration, reaction time, and hand-eye coordination as you read through the music. 

It teaches discipline

Learning to play classical music on the piano is one of the most challenging things you can take on. It requires frequent practice and discipline to stick with the task at hand until you achieve success. 

It’s great for your joints

Any type of movement is great for your body, and piano playing is no exception. It helps keep the joints of your wrists and fingers agile while improving your posture as you sit. It also allows your joints to remain loose, aiding with degenerative diseases such as arthritis. 

It’s great for your memory

The more you play classical music, the more you stimulate the brain. And according to research, it can help improve your memory as well as help you retain larger amounts of information. It enhances the ability to memorize things. 

It gets your creative juices flowing

Classical music is some of the greatest music ever produced. Sitting down and mastering it will allow you to express yourself creatively. Whether you do it for yourself or perform in front of an audience, you’ll begin to see the world in new ways. 

It’s fun!

The more you learn to enjoy playing the piano, the more you’ll want to explore. Classical music lets you play with all kinds of styles, tempos, and rhythms, giving you a chance to have fun with it no matter what your experience level. If you want to be a better pianist, give classical music a try. You’ll love the way it teaches you to play. 

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10 January 2020 Piano Scams You Should Be Aware Of

Piano Scams You Should Be Aware Of

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Do a quick search online for “piano scams” and you’ll find many different complaints about how people lost money by trying to buy or sell a piano. 

Ultimately, they can all be lumped into three categories:

Trust 

The first involves trust. We all want to believe people are inherently good. That’s not always the case. 

If you’re purchasing from a private owner, are you sure you’re getting a piano in good working condition? Are you sure it’s the piano they claim it to be? 

Private individuals often push pianos in lousy working condition onto people, claiming ignorance when asked about playability. “I don’t know” or “It’s been sitting in the corner for years” is often their reply. If you don’t understand much about the working condition of a piano, it can be difficult to determine how functional it is in just a few moments of time. 

Fake

When people refurbish a piano, it’s often necessary to replace the name decal on the piano. Did you know they are easy to buy?

That’s because rebuilders and refinishers have a legitimate need to be able to brand a piano as they finish their work. Unfortunately, less than scrupulous refurbishers often try and make a piano look more valuable than it really is. Imagine if you saw a Steinway label on a piano that really wasn’t a Steinway? Would you know the difference? Would you pay the price? 

Stretching The Truth

There’s a third way that’s slightly different from the fake piano from above. Over the years, piano manufacturers have folded into one another again and again. New piano manufacturers have also opened up in many other countries around the world. 

With all of this “intermixing”, it’s sometimes hard to tell quality based on name. For example, The Baldwin piano is an American company that has produced pianos for decades. Yet Howard pianos were built under the Baldwin brand, and are considered a lower production line. Could Howard pianos technically have a Baldwin brand? In theory. But it would be a misrepresentation of the true origin of the piano. 

Know Your Source

The world of pianos is changing. That’s why it’s more important than ever to know your source. 

If you have questions about purchasing a piano you can enjoy for years to come, stop by and chat with a member of our sales team. You’ll be confident about your final selection, and know you have a quality instrument that will be a joy to play. 

Filed Under: Buying a Piano
7 January 2020 Why Piano Practice Is Important

Why Piano Practice Is Important

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Why do we need to practice? The most obvious answer is: to get better. 

But it really goes beyond that. 

Piano practice gives you the ability to dive into the music and perform it to the best of your ability. Whether your performance is only for yourself, or you have dreams of playing in Carnegie Hall, our desire to get better stems from the ability to perform. 

Practice might seem like an easy thing to do. Just sit down at the piano and play. But it’s more complicated than that. With only a few strategies in place, your piano practice will improve, and you’ll enjoy playing and performing even more. 

Listen

Playing the piano isn’t just about touching the keys and making a sound. It’s also about hearing what you’re playing. To improve the music that you make, you have to listen to what you do. It’s also important to listen to others that play too. 

Are you trying to improve the way you play classical music? Listen to it. Pull it up on your Spotify and listen on your way to work or school. Feel the way a classically trained musician puts it all together. You’ll be surprised at how much listening can improve the way you play. 

Focus

There’s so much more to playing music than focusing on the notes. It’s also about the tiny details that change a piece of music from good to great. The more complex music you work with, the more the direction they’ll have written in the music. Are you taking all of those details into account while you play? It might not come easily, but focus in on every detail. Play sections over and over again, paying attention to a different detail each time. Slowly, you’ll see progress in the way you play, and hear it in the final melody. 

Beat

Consider the last difficult piece of music you worked on. Certain parts flowed while others were more difficult to carry through. You played to tempo in some areas where others dragged. One of the best ways to overcome that is to set the beat. Use a metronome to create a workable rhythm, and then play the entire piece up to speed. Work on the difficult parts until you can play them well. You’ll see improvement every time you sit down to play. 

What tips do you have to make your practice better?

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3 January 2020 Keep That Resolution – Learn Piano This Year

Keep That Resolution – Learn Piano This Year

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A lot of people add “learn piano” to their resolution lists each year. Yet only a small number succeed. Want to change your odds? 

Try giving yourself even better reasons to learn to play. There are many benefits to learn to play the piano; it will change your life in more ways than one. 

Encourages creativity

Playing the piano takes a lot of thought and an equal amount of hand-eye coordination. It triggers the part of the brain responsible for creativity. When you activate your mind by playing and practicing, you’ll see it carry over into other areas of your life. 

Increases organization

If you want to learn to play the piano well, you have to build it into your life. And that takes both time management and organization skills. It’s a fun way to develop lifelong skills. 

Improves concentration

Scientists have proved that it takes discipline to play music. It activates different parts of your brain every time you sit down at the keyboard. It increases your patience as well as allows you to be more focused on everything you do. 

Improves coordination

It takes a lot of skill to play the piano well. Your left hand plays one tune while your right hand plays another. Your eyes watch the music as your brain takes in the notes. 

Prevents hearing, processing, and memory loss

Continued research shows that the auditory skills required to play the piano slow down things like hearing, processing, and memory loss. Piano has also been used successfully in a wide variety of music therapies, including use for cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s or neurological disorders like autism. 

Improves learning

When piano lessons are taken in conjunction with regular school activities, there is increasing evidence that it improves abilities such as reading, language skills, math, and reading comprehension. 

Increases self esteem

It takes a lot of work and dedication to play the piano well. When you master new songs or put on a performance, it can raise your confidence levels and make you more sure of your abilities. 

Is this the year you learn to play the piano?

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