21 November 2019 How To Buy The Right Piano This Holiday Season

How To Buy The Right Piano This Holiday Season

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Many parents start with the best intentions. Their kids express an interest in music, so they buy an inexpensive keyboard for the holidays in hopes of pushing them towards their dreams. 

It’s frustrating to find a few months later that the keyboard is in the back of the closet, never touched after a few weeks of playing. What went wrong?

Those inexpensive keyboards aren’t designed to be much more than a toy. They don’t sound right. Often, they aren’t in tune. And you can’t become musically inclined by playing with a toy. 

The only way to be serious about music is to buy the right piano that works for your skill level. 

When you’re ready to buy the right piano for your needs, the first step is to decide between an acoustic or digital piano. Both have pros and cons; it’s important to consider these five things before making your final selection:

The sound

In general, a good piano has great tonal quality. When you touch the keys and play music, listen to the sound produced. Even pianos from the same manufacturer can have different sounds, so it’s important to try out every piano you’re considering before you buy. 

The keys

Ensure all keys create sound and have a smooth surface free of damage. Keys should have resistance – something not all digital pianos have. When you strike a key, there should be sufficient cushioning to reduce the shock to your fingers while you play. 

The brand

Select a reliable brand that will bring you years of enjoyment. A lot of brands have earned good reputations and stand behind the pianos they produce. You can check out our selections here on our site, or stop by and we’ll show you our preferred models. 

The location

 Consider where you’ll place the piano in your home, and how often you’ll play it in your selected location. Pianos should never be placed where there are drastic temperature fluctuations, where they’ll be subjected to heat or moisture, or in direct sunlight. If you want to move your piano on a regular basis, or you have a small location with lots of family members coming and going, a digital piano might be of benefit to be able to plug in headphones to play at any time. 

The warranty

When you buy a piano off Craigslist or from a private owner, what you see is what you get. When you buy a piano from a dealer, you’ll have a warranty that will protect your purchase for the foreseeable future. Ask about our warranties – we’re happy to share with you the easiest way to bring home a piano and start enjoying it today. 

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18 November 2019 When Is The Best Time Of The Year To Buy A Piano?

When Is The Best Time Of The Year To Buy A Piano?

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While playing piano is an activity you can enjoy every day of the year, there are certain times of the year where buying a new piano is better. Piano dealers cycle through seasons and holiday events, just like your favorite big box store. If you consider your time wisely, you’ll know you’re getting the best deal possible on a piano that will give you years of enjoyment. 

When should you consider your purchase?

Summer

People don’t often associate summer as a time for being indoors and playing the piano. That’s what makes it the perfect time to invest in a new piano. Piano dealers are often slower, stocking up fall and the start of school. Because business is a little slower, you can work with a dealer to get the best choice for your needs. They’ll spend a little more time evaluating your wishes and desires, and can help you find the best deals. You’ll also be able to have it delivered on your time schedule, prioritizing your delivery around your life. 

End of summer

End of summer means back to school. Piano dealers know that this is one of the biggest times to start extracurricular activities, so you’ll find lots of deals on both new and used pianos. This is also one of the most popular times to get new inventory, which means you’ll find deals on older pianos too. 

November and December

One of the most popular gifts around the holidays is a piano. You’ll find them available at all kinds of stores. But don’t be fooled by buying a toy piano from your favorite big box store. Instead, look for the best deals at your local piano dealer. They know how important a high quality instrument is, so they’re happy to help you find the best deal to suit your family’s needs. 

Spring

If you’re looking for a high quality used piano, spring may be a perfect time. A lot of homeowners choose spring as the ideal time to downsize. Our selection goes up in the springtime as we sift through some of the best used pianos in the marketplace. 

Is there a best time to buy a new piano? The best time is when you’re ready to bring a new instrument into your home. If you’ve been dreaming of a new piano, why not make today the day. You’ll love being able to create music any time you desire. We’re happy to help you choose the right piano for your family’s needs. 

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14 November 2019 Why Is A Piano So Expensive?

Why Is A Piano So Expensive?

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Why is a piano so expensive? One look at this complex instrument, and you should know you’re dealing with an ordinary product. 

No matter if you select an upright or a grand piano, there are dozens – hundreds – of parts to make them into the instrument they are. If you open the lid and peer inside, you’ll see they are filled with intricate detail, not something that comes together easily. 

If you slap a piano together quickly on an assembly line, you’d know it at the first touch. The sound wouldn’t be right. Even the feel wouldn’t be as it should. 

Pianos are expensive because …

  • They are made from the very best wood. The wood helps create the sound. And depending on the instrument, the wood has to be moldable to create a one-of-a-kind piano. Have you ever seen a grand piano that lights up the room? Now take a second look at the wood, the way it curves and flows. The way that it glows. 
  • Pianos are not made from a machine. That means every single piano is made by hand. (Just look at the process used to make Steinways.) It takes hours, days, weeks, to make every single part come together and form our modern day pianos. Depending on the size and the brand, a piano will have over 100,000 parts. And when you’re fitting them all into place by hand, ensuring they come together to create a beautiful sound, the price of the final product rises accordingly. 
  • Pianos use a combination of keys, hammers, and strings to create sound. Hundreds of strings are carefully aligned inside the body of the piano, each cut to a precise length. They have to be fitted in the right way, and tuned once they are finalized into place. Not only does this take hours of time, but it also takes skill and knowledge to know what to listen for with every key that is played. 
  • Depending on the piano you select, you’re also buying into the brand. Steinway. Bosendorfer. Chickering. These companies have built up a reputation for having high quality, all of the time. They spend extra time on every piano ensuring it meets certain standards. When you sit down at one of their pianos, you know you’ll make wonderful music, not too bright or mellow, with a full, rich, dynamic range. You have to pay for that. But you’ll also be rewarded with high quality, every time. 
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10 November 2019 How Playing Piano Can Create Mindfulness

How Playing Piano Can Create Mindfulness

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Mindfulness is the process of becoming fully aware of the present moment. It’s about becoming fully aware of thoughts, feelings, and actions, and using them to stay calm and focused on where you are. 

While how well mindfulness impacts a person’s health is still out for question, studies show that it does have impact with everything from anxiety and depression, to post traumatic stress disorder. 

When people think mindfulness, they usually think of meditation. But increasing evidence suggests that playing the piano can have a similar effect. Playing the piano offers proven benefits that more people are paying attention to – both physical, mental, social, and emotional impact. 

Physically, when you play the piano, it can have therapeutic results. While you play, anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure, and even immune responses decrease right along with it. 

Mentally, playing the piano may increase your thinking ability. A study conducted by one researcher showed that when kids were active in different after school activities, those who were given piano lessons saw the largest increase in IQ. 

Socially, piano gives you more focus and perseverance. Playing the piano takes time and effort. It’s not something you’ll accomplish in a matter of weeks; it’s a lifetime endeavor. It takes practice and patience, and makes you a better team player. 

Emotionally, playing the piano increases your listening skills. When you play, you listen for distinct differences in tone, speed, even quality of the music. This transfers over to both voice and body language of the people around you. Piano players make better listeners at reading different situations.

Want to give your child mindfulness early in life? Maybe it’s time to have them start playing the piano.  

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7 November 2019 Do Pianos Really Increase In Value?

Do Pianos Really Increase In Value?

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When you buy a piano, a lot of things go through your mind. You probably think things like:

Am I getting the best piano for my money?

Will this piano be good enough for my child to learn on?

How do I know if I’m getting the best deal?

Yep, for a lot of new piano players, the thoughts center around the financial aspect of buying a piano. But most new piano players don’t think about the investment opportunities for purchasing a piano. 

When you purchase an acoustic piano, it can be an investment, and it’s possible it will appreciate in value over time. 

How? 

Acoustic pianos – especially grand pianos – are built to stand the test of time. Many grand piano brands – Steinway, Bosendorfer, Chickering, Kimball – are well known in the industry, and build such high quality instruments that you can often sell them for the same or more then you paid for them. Of course, you have to understand the piano you’re buying in the first place. And that’s where a reputable dealer can help. 

When it comes to selling on the open market, it can be every piano player for themselves. Because a lot of newbies don’t understand the marketplace, they often try to bargain their way into a good deal. Because there are so many “free” pianos listed in ads and online, it’s hard to compete. Teaching a newbie is difficult at best. 

But if you have questions about making the best purchase for today, one that will offer years of playability plus give you an investment opportunity for the future, it could be the best purchase you’ve made in a long time. 

Whether you’re looking for a new piano, want to invest in a great used piano, or just have questions about caring for the piano you already have, we’re here to help. Give us a call today. 

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29 October 2019 How Often Should I Tune My Piano?

How Often Should I Tune My Piano?

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How often should I tune my piano? 

After all, you want it to sound its best every time you play. You also want to keep your piano in the best shape possible. All of that relies on having your piano tuned on a regular basis.

But how often should you hire it done? What are the secrets to tuning your piano? Here are a few things to keep in mind. 

Pianos have 231 strings attached to the keys and hammers inside your piano. Together they create about 170 pounds of pressure. Every time you press down on a key, it triggers a reaction to create noise. The key triggers the string to move and complete its action. 

But under that much pressure, the tension slowly fades. It might not be noticeable right away, but over time it changes. 

That’s why tuning your piano is so important. 

That tension changes every day, whether you play it or not, whether you move it or not. It depends on age, whether it’s brand new, or is a family heirloom. 

Think of your piano as a living, breathing object. It changes depending on everything that makes your house a home. The air around it. The humidity levels. Changes in weather. Even the way you use it. 

If your piano is brand new, follow your dealers and manufacturers guidelines. In most cases, it’s important to have your piano tuned once every three months during the first year. This is called the breaking in period. These steel strings are adjusting to the pressure they’re under inside the piano. It’s easy for them to move and fall out of tune. 

As pianos age, tuning should take place once or twice per year. If you work with a tuner on a regular basis, they can help you set up a plan that works best for you. 

If you have an old piano that hasn’t been tuned in years, they might not be able to take the strain of tuning. The wires may be brittle, breaking if they are turned. 

Moving a piano doesn’t necessarily make your piano go out of tune. Instead, it’s the impact of the new surrounding area that can affect it. Don’t have it tuned the moment it arrives in a new home. Instead, wait and let it adjust to its new area – new floors, new heating and cooling systems, new humidity levels. Only then should you bring in a tuner and let him adjust your piano. 

When was the last time you had your piano tuned? 

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25 October 2019 How To Move A Piano By Yourself 

How To Move A Piano By Yourself 

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If you own a piano, you know the joy it brings to your life. No matter how often you play it, every time you sit down you feel yourself get lost in the melody. Maybe it has sentimental value; it belonged to your mom or grandma. Maybe it has financial value; it’s worth more now than you paid for it. 

How are you going to move your piano from your current home to its new location? 

We’re one of the most mobile societies in the world. Americans move on average 12 times in their lifetime. The average person will move regularly, about every seven to ten years. Whether you’re moving to a new neighborhood, moving up to a larger home, downsizing, or moving to a new city across the country, it can take a lot out of you. Packing up boxes and moving heavy furniture can be difficult at best. 

But a piano is different. It’s bigger. It’s heavier. 

Think you can move it by yourself? 

Take a look at the structure of your piano for a moment. An upright may seem easier to move than a grand; the size is smaller. But it’s still heavy, with the weight disproportionate in the center of the instrument. Those tiny stability legs and pedals are at risk. 

To move a piano by yourself, you need several things:

  • Lots of equipment: bubble wrap for protection, heavy-duty dolly to help you move, weight-lifting straps for movement, ramps, pads, protective cloth.
  • Precise measurement – will the piano fit around every corner, through every doorway, into every room?
  • Ensure the piano is wrapped so the lid stays in place and all the intricate details won’t be stressed during the move. 
  • Enough people to safely move the piano without injuring one of the movers.  

Do you have all of that?

If not, it might be better to hire an experienced piano mover, one who can guarantee your piano makes it to its final destination in the same condition as when it left. 

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22 October 2019 Can I Tune My Piano Myself?

Can I Tune My Piano Myself?

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As a homeowner, there are a lot of DIY projects you can take on. Want a new color in the bedroom? Grab a can of paint and liven things up. 

If you know what you’re doing, you might head out to the garage from time to time and change your car’s oil. It’s a messy process, but some homeowners are mechanically inclined, and have the necessary tools for the job. 

So it’s natural to go into “DIY” mode all the time as you face challenges around the home. You have a piano for your kids to learn on. You were told it needs to be tuned from time to time. 

How hard can it be? Can’t you learn it from a video online? It would save money. 

So you type “can I tune my piano myself” into the search engines and you’re off to your latest DIY project. 

Tuning a piano isn’t an easy process, no matter how many videos you watch. The people that tune pianos for a living take years – hundreds of hours of practice – before they are skilled enough to handle any situation. 

Most pianos have 88 keys. The number of stings depends on the model, but in most cases, it’s around 230. To create sound from treble and tenor notes, it takes three strings. Bass notes decrease from three strings to two, with the lowest using one string. 

That means to control sound from every note isn’t about adjusting one string. It takes adjustment of multiple strings; touching just one can quickly leave the sound wildly out of tune if you don’t do it right. 

You can buy a tuning wrench. You can even invest in tuning software to assist in the tuning process. Technology has come a long way, and most tuners rely on a program extensively. 

But proper tuning is something only an experienced tuner can do. There are many techniques to get it right, and a good tuner will tell you over and over again: I just know.

If you’ve asked yourself “can I tune my piano myself” – anything is possible. But if you want it done the right way, so that your piano has a rich tonal quality, it’s best to hire the job done. 

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18 October 2019 A Guide To The Different Types Of Pianos

A Guide To The Different Types Of Pianos

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Pianos come in many different styles, designs, shapes, and sizes. How do you know which one is best for you?

Start right here with our guide to the different types of pianos. It depends on many things, like:

  • Size of your home
  • How often you play
  • Your decor taste
  • How much you choose to invest

Overall, acoustic pianos fall into one of two categories: vertical or horizontal. Verticals are uprights. Horizontals are grands.  

You’ll find verticals or uprights are the most popular category as they fit into many different spaces. It’s also one of the most affordable instruments you can purchase. 

The soundboard is vertical, so the strings and dampers run downward across the board. As a note is played, the hammers strike outward, and take a bit longer to return to resting position. That causes a slight delay. 

But don’t think every grand is superior in performance to an upright; it isn’t true. Both verticals and horizontals can be high quality investments that will provide you with years of enjoyment. 

In each category, you might run across different names. 

Vertical:

Spinet – 33 to 35 inches high, the smallest of the pianos. It’s a popular choice for small spaces, but will have less power and accuracy than other models. 

Console – 40 to 43 inches high, it produces a more enhanced tonal quality, and comes in a variety of styles and finishes. 

Studio – 45 to 48 inches high, you’ll find this in schools and training center. It’s durable and has a high quality sound. 

Full – 48 to 60 inches high, this is the tallest of the uprights. You’ll probably find this in your grandparents’ home, and maintains its sound over time. 

Grand:

Petite – 4’ 5” to 4’11” is the smallest of the grands. 

Baby – 4’11” to 5’6” is one of the most popular because of its aesthetics, sound, and affordability.

Parlor – 5’7” to 6’4”

Ballroom – 6’5” to 7’5”

Concert – 7’6” and above

The largest of pianos you’ll find in the best music halls around the world. Why? Because they create the best music. 

There are many different types of pianos – how do you know which is best for you? Stop by today and let’s consider your options. We’ll help you find the right piano for your needs. 

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14 October 2019 How Did The Piano Get Its Shape?

How Did The Piano Get Its Shape?

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Have you ever wondered why pianos are shaped the way they are?

What’s more, there are two very distinct piano shapes – vertical (upright) and horizontal (grand). How did they both become so popular and widely accepted when they look nothing alike? 

If you look back at just the last 100 years or so, very little has changed in piano shape. People used either an upright or grand in their home, depending on how much room they had. In concert halls and music school, grands were preferred because of their tonal quality and ability to project out to an audience. 

Even when you head back 300 years, very little has changed in look and feel. Once today’s modern look was achieved, it worked. Though piano manufacturers have tweaked the process nonstop ever since, what you see today with acoustic pianos was very similar to what’s been produced over the past several generations. 

Of course, if you continue your journey back, you’ll find changes become more stark. 

The harpsichord is considered to be the start of modern day pianos. It was invented around 1700, and was a way to control the sound and make it easier to play. It came with two keyboards stacked on top of one another. No matter how hard you pressed down on a key, the sound produced was the same.

Move back hundreds of years before the harpsichord and you’ll find a clavichord, where keys were installed on more traditional harps and organs, making it easier to play notes and ensuring proper tone. 

Before that, string instruments were used to create sounds much like our modern day piano. Monochords used strings and movable bridges to change intonation as a person played. This video shows a monochord in action. 

Yet eventually, our modern day pianos were created to provide the best experience and make it easy to bring music into your home. Whether you select an upright or grand, it’s the perfect way to enjoy music everyday. 

What’s the best piano choice for your home?

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