3 September 2019 Use One Of These Metronome Apps For Better Piano Playing

Use One Of These Metronome Apps For Better Piano Playing

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Playing the piano today means striking a balance between old technology and digital helpers. Even if you prefer an acoustic piano passed down from your parents or grandparents, you can’t deny using apps to make the playing and learning process a little easier. 

For many piano players, using a metronome is a part of regular practice. It can be an essential process for learning new music. But how do you know what’s the best metronome app to purchase? You don’t know how good it is until after you make the purchase and download it to your digital device. Check out these metronome apps, available on both IoS and Android. 

Metronome+ 

Metronome Plus is a musician’s toolkit available to IoS users. It offers free solutions with more detailed tools available through in-app purchases. The metronome mode is sleek and simple, with customization available to suit your needs. You’ll also find things like a recorder to record and share your practice session, auto loop functions to adjust the tempo over time, and a setlist to record your favorite settings. 

MetroTimer

MetroTimer is available for both IoS and Android devices. It offers a timer feature below the metronome that helps you pace your practice sessions. While the free version is basic, upgrade and you can access things like custom time signatures, accents and subdivisions, interactive beat editor, and a preset list. 

Metronome

Metronome by Gismart offers a basic free version with upgrades that give you a more intuitive interface. This app offers digital and classic experiences, letting you control the interface. You can also practice your rhythm and timing using a Bird Beat game that helps with memorization and rhythm patterns. 

Pulse

Pulse is a simple, straightforward app that has a sleek design. All of the options you’ll need – subdivisions, time signatures, etc – are available in the settings menu, and it’s one of the few that memorizes your current settings and uses them the next time it’s opened. 

Tempo

Tempo is an iOS app available in both free and paid format. The free version is simple with all the basics you’ll need to get started – 8 time signatures, 6 rhythm patterns, 2 color themes, and an Italian tempo marking option. For even more, upgrade from Tempo Light to the full app.

Do you use a metronome app not mentioned here?

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27 August 2019 Why Do Pianos Depreciate?

Why Do Pianos Depreciate?

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When you purchased your last car, the value dropped the moment you drove off the lot. You drive it. You put miles on it. It gets a few dings. Maybe you repair it after an accident. It depreciates every single day. 

Most things in life work that way. You buy it. You use it. And then you dispose of it, depending on what it is. If you’re lucky, you can sell it in a second hand store, on eBay, or possibly in a garage sale. 

A piano works is no exception.

You buy it and it begins depreciating from the moment it arrives at your home. 

How it goes down in value depends on what you’re buying, the manufacturer, and the model. 

Dealers sell new pianos straight from the manufacturer. As a part of a capitalistic society, new always costs the most. The moment someone else takes ownership, the price begins to go down. 

And like other high-valued assets, the biggest drop comes within the first two to three years of life. That’s when the biggest depreciation exists. You’ll find pianos often drop as much as 20 percent the first year, usually settling into 5 percent for years two or three. 

Of course, this can be altered in many ways. What make and model did you purchase? How well do you care for your piano? Do you tune it regularly? Does it have appropriate levels of humidity? 

Not every piano depreciates in value over time. In some cases, a piano can appreciate and be worth more than you paid for it. Some of the bigger brands like Steinway, Bosendorfer, and Yamaha are always in demand. 

Their quality is so good, they tend to hold their value better than others. 

You might also find some come in limited editions, meaning they were produced with special qualities in mind. Especially in the professional arena, people often develop a liking for one particular brand and sound. If your piano meets certain qualifications, it can rise in value instead of going down. 

If you use your piano in a commercial application – a school or a church, for example – it’s often important to understand your options and select based on personal needs. Do you regularly switch up your pianos, purchase on a regular cycle? Depreciation may be just a part of doing business. If you’re looking for long term, maybe only a higher quality will do. 

Whatever your needs, we’re here to help. Just ask. 

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22 August 2019 What’s The Difference Between Handmade and Mass Produced Pianos?

What’s The Difference Between Handmade and Mass Produced Pianos?

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Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, we live in a world where everything can be made faster, easier, cheaper, etc. But speeding processes up isn’t always a good thing. 

In the piano industry, you have two choices when investing in a new instrument: uprights or grands. As a manufacturer, with that choice made, the pieces can easily be manufactured by an automated process, and assembled using mass production processes. 

But there is a difference between these mass produced pianos, and one that is assembled by hand. Yes, there are still companies that do it the old fashioned way. And it can be a big difference in sound. Is it worth the difference in cost?

Let’s start with one of the main differences that has a lasting impact – the piano harp.

The piano harp is a large, cast iron plate that gives a piano its structure. This is the form that holds string tension and must take over 20,000 pounds of tension to create sound. This harp is made from a single cast, which can be made in one of two ways. 

The first is wet sand casting. A template is made and is pressed into sand. Once removed, molten iron is poured into the mold, allowed to cool and cure for several months. This creates strength and alignment, both of which are necessary to ensure quality sound from an instrument. 

The other is vacuum casting. A mold is created of the piano harp intended to use in production. It’s lined with a special membrane, a vacuum sucks the molten iron into the layer, and the product is finished in record time. These harps require no seasoning, need less finishing work, and can be put into assembly line processing in no time. Meaning the number of pianos produced increases exponentially. 

Because of the way they are produced, vacuum piano harps are thinner, and create what some say is a tinier sound. Wet sand casting produces a thicker piano harp, and is refined by hand until it produces the quality the builder is looking for. 

This, of course, creates a more expensive instrument. But knowing every item on the piano was touched, strung, applied, and built in with a one-person, one-product process means your piano will be the best it can be. 

That doesn’t make mass produced pianos bad; instead, it gives you more flexibility with what you’re willing to pay and bring into your home.  

A handmade piano will have more value over the life of the piano. It may give you many more years of play before it requires extensive repair or restoration. It may be easier to maintain over the decades. 

But if your goal is to bring the love of music into your home today, with the thought of upgrading as you or your child progresses with your desire for playing, a mass produced piano may be your perfect choice. 

What piano is best for you? Stop by today and we’ll help you select the perfect piano for your home. 

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19 August 2019 Should Your Child Compete In Piano Competitions … Or Not

Should Your Child Compete In Piano Competitions … Or Not

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If your child has been playing the piano for a while, and they enjoy the process and want even more, you might be faced with the idea of piano competitions. Should they participate in piano competitions? 

This goes beyond casual practice. It’s not something you can work up to quickly. 

Should Your Child Compete In Piano Competitions … Or Not

Yet academics and teachers agree that a little healthy competition can have big impact on kids that participate. But is it for your child?

Knowing your child

The first question to ask is how well your child will handle it. Have they asked to compete? Do they enjoy competition? Do they enjoy playing for an audience? This is something only you and their teacher can assess. 

Increase their learning

Piano competitions can be incredibly beneficial to participants. It gives them a chance to play on some of the finest pianos in the world. It also gives them a chance to play in front of an audience, and receive feedback and advice from professionals in the field. If your child has dreams of making music a part of their lives, this can be the perfect opportunity to explore ore of what music has to offer. 

Become a better player

Not only will your child have to practice more, but they will also have more reason to practice. When they are introduced to pianists that play at a higher level, they will be motivated to increase their piano skills too. 

Develop stronger personal skills

Preparing for a competition means they will have to focus even more on practicing. They will have to master different skills to understand every aspect of a piece of music. They will have to learn to perform well under pressure. They will have to understand both failure and success. 

Success

Nothing feels better and improves self-confidence more than knowing you’ve done a job well. Awards can accomplish that like nothing else. Sitting in front of an audience and knowing you placed well in a competition has a long lasting impression. And the more recognition you receive, the more it can lead to other things, including scholarships or even careers. 

Is your child ready for piano competitions? 

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14 August 2019 Do Pianos Hold Their Value?

Do Pianos Hold Their Value?

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Purchasing a new piano can be a daunting task. It’s not as easy as running to the sporting goods store and picking up a soccer ball. You can’t store it as easily as a new pair of sneakers. 

Purchasing a new piano is an investment in your future. Selected correctly, you can expect your piano to give you a lifetime of enjoyment. And whether you’re ready to move up in quality, or simply downsize and give the next generation an opportunity to play, pianos can be an investment that pays you back when you’re ready to sell. 

But how do you know which pianos hold their value? Is it based on style? Make? Brand? 

Every piano is different. It depends on all of that and more. Yet there are a few general principles that determine how much value a piano will hold over time. 

First of all, realize that pianos depreciate just like every major asset you own. As soon as you bring them home from the dealer, they start the depreciation process, sometimes losing as much as 20 percent in the first year alone. Then they continue to move downward depending on a variety of factors:

  • How well they are maintained
  • How much humidity impacts the parts
  • Replacement parts
  • Tuning, voicing, and other care

But not all pianos depreciate at the same rate. Mass-produced pianos are going to go down in value more than ones that are lovingly created one at a time. If you choose the best names in the business – Steinway, Bosendorfer, or Yamaha – they can actually go up in value over time. 

Why? Because of the quality. They’re that good. 

If you select a limited edition instrument, they also tend to hold their value and be more valuable in the resale market. These instruments have unique finishes or special components that make them wanted on the open market. 

Do pianos hold their value? The best answer is: it depends. If you want a high quality piano you can play for a lifetime, we can help you with that. If you care about long term value, we can help you with that too. Stop by today and consider your options from our complete stock of high quality instruments. You’ll find one you can love for a lifetime. 

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21 April 2019 How Long Can A Piano Go Without Being Tuned?

How Long Can A Piano Go Without Being Tuned?

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No matter what you purchase, taking care of it is a lifetime process. When a piece of equipment comes with a several year guarantee, the manufacturer assumes the item will be well maintained throughout its life. 

The piano is no different. Pianos can last decades, but only if they receive proper maintenance. Pianos aren’t a “buy them and leave them alone” kind of item. 

Instead, when you purchase a piano, it’s necessary to bring in a trained tuner to keep your piano in the best condition possible. 

The first tuning should be shortly after you bring the piano into your home. Place your piano in its final resting spot and wait three to four weeks. Then bring in a tuner. It’s important for your piano to have the chance to acclimate to its new surroundings. A piano breathes and settles in based on room conditions and temperatures. How Long Can A Piano Go Without Being Tuned?

No matter how old your piano is – whether you bought it new or used – the sound quality won’t hold forever. Even if you can’t hear the difference, the need still exists. The longer you wait between tunings, the more inflexible the tension of the strings will become. 

Tuners, in general, recommend tuning a piano at least twice per year. Spring and fall work well because that adjusts for the harshest of conditions during the coldest and warmest months of the year. A string’s tension is strongly connected to the temperatures of the surrounding area. 

Don’t think not playing the piano makes a difference. If you don’t regularly sit down and play, your piano is still impacted by other conditions. The temperatures still change. The wood, metal, and wiring are all still impacted. 

Normally, tuning takes one to several hours, depending on how well the piano has been kept. If you haven’t tuned your piano in years, it might take more than one tuning sessions in a row to allow the piano to stay in tune. It might even take repair of the internal parts to ensure a proper sound. Likewise, a new piano, or a piano that has recently been upgraded with new strings will require more tunings in the first year. This is to allow the tension to settle into its new surroundings, and adjust it to hold its sound. 

When was the last time you had your piano tuned?

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14 April 2019 6 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Piano From A Private Seller

6 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Piano From A Private Seller

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Looking for a good startup piano for your child to begin on? Heading online will provide you with lots of opportunities to find used pianos. 

Unfortunately, finding a “diamond in the rough” can be difficult at best. If you purchase nothing more than a piece of junk, your child will never have the opportunity to understand what it’s like to create beautiful music. If the piano doesn’t sound right, there will be little to hold her attention. 

Private sellers simply want to get rid of their pianos. With just a few questions, here’s how you can protect yourself from purchasing a bad piano. 

Why are you selling?6 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Piano From A Private Seller

This may sound like a question many private sellers would hide behind, you’d be surprised at how much sellers are willing to give. Do they say things like: its sat in my garage for years, I just want more room? This is a sure sign of neglect. If they haven’t taken care of the piano, there is no way it’s going to be in tune, and create a great sound when you sit down at the keyboard. 

How old is the piano?

This gives you insight into how knowledgeable a seller is about the piano. How long have they owned it? Do they know the history? You can also use this to judge the history. If it’s just a few years old and it looks like it’s been around for a century, it’s probably not in the best working condition. 

Who played the piano? 

There’s a difference between allowing kids to bang away on it, or an adult using it to play and relax every day. 

Has the piano been well maintained?

If someone cares for their piano, they will quickly provide you with a maintenance schedule and all the steps they took to maintain it and keep it in good working condition. They may even have suggestions about technicians they’ve used to tune their piano in the past. They will also tell you if they’ve ignored maintenance, meaning the piano probably hasn’t been tuned in years. 

How often has the piano been moved? 

Not everyone uses professional piano movers. Regular movers don’t understand how to move this bulky, sensitive instrument. If a piano is moved frequently without the proper support, the internal workings of the piano are more at risk. 

How much do you want for it?

You’ll often pay a lot more for private pianos than you would from a dealer. Dealers know a piano’s worth. A private seller always feels a piano is worth more than it is, because of memories. And if they don’t charge anything at all – that’s probably the most telltale sign of neglect. If they don’t care about it, they haven’t done much with it. And that means it’s not going to play very well. 

Want a quality instrument your child will love playing? Start with the best. It’s the best way to give them a chance at loving the art of making music for life. 

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1 April 2019 Why Every Note On Your Piano Uses Multiple Strings

Why Every Note On Your Piano Uses Multiple Strings

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f you’ve ever looked inside your acoustic piano, you’ve noticed a plethora of strings attached to tiny hammers that move every time you press down on a key. 

While it might seem like a piano would have one string attached to every note, that isn’t the case. Depending on the key you strike, the note will be produced with one, two, or even three strings. 

The higher notes on the piano will use three strings to produce a sound. 

The lower notes will use two strings. 

The lowest notes will have a single string. Why Every Note On Your Piano Uses Multiple Strings

What’s more, if you use the damper pedal to create a quieter sound, the strings are impacted by the action as well. When you press the damper pedal, the action is shifted inside the piano so that the hammer strikes fewer strings – it moves down to one or two. 

Head back in time; the piano was originally called piano-forte. Loosely translated, forte means strong, or loud. That’s because when striking the keys, you can produce a loud, full-bodied sound like no other instrument. The strings allow this transfer of energy to occur. 

If you had just one string attached to every key, the higher notes would produce a smaller sound. Those upper notes wouldn’t have the same high-quality tone and volume that you get from the lower notes. Multiple strings provide more tension. Multiple strings give you a more robust sound. 

Multiple strings also provide a tuner a greater chance of producing a quality sound. As a tuner is working to bring each note into tune, she can actually detune the string combinations to change the timbre. As she compares note to note, her goal is to produce a rich, warmer sound. 

The strings on your piano are vitally important to the sound of your piano. If they are out of tune, you’ll hear it every time you press down on a key. 

When was the last time you had your piano tuned?

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25 March 2019 What Piano Brands Should You Consider?

What Piano Brands Should You Consider?

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When you’re in the market for a new piano, looking at all the different piano brands out on the marketplace can make it difficult at best. 

Like other products, if you purchase a high quality piano brand, you’ll know it’s made with care, meeting the high standards the brand name is known for. There are many manufacturers that have been around for decades, and still believe in doing things the old fashioned way. Many pianos were made lovingly by hand, with individual care put into every step of the process. 

For example, we sell high quality Bosendorfer used pianos. Bosendorfer continues to rank high on the quality scale, being one of the oldest and most prestigious manufacturers of acoustic pianos. They are known for their intricate hand-craftsmanship, and their inspiring, rich tonal quality. They don’t just produce a piano, they create a work of art. And they’ve been doing so since the early 1800s. What Piano Brands Should You Consider?

We also carry Steinway & Sons. Steinway & Sons have been manufacturing pianos since the mid 1800s. They are well known in the piano industry for creating some of the best pianos to own. When you walk into a home with a Steinway sitting in the middle, it instantly says quality. Steinway’s are also top of preferred pianos from the biggest musicians in the world. Because they are at the top of the preferred list, the pricing of a Steinway can scare some people away. They aren’t for the hobbyist, and instead, are preferred by people wanting high quality and to invest in a piano that will last a lifetime. 

Of course, there are many high quality manufacturers that are perfect for entry level too. Baldwin is one of the largest piano manufacturers in the US, having been founded in the mid 1800s in Cincinnati. While they are considered more affordable than Steinway’s, they are also known for their reliability and tonal quality. They have detailed craftsmanship and will increase in value if they are well cared for. 

Or how about Yamaha? This is probably one of the most recognized brands. They also top the affordability list. These precision-made pianos are crafted in Japan, and are some of the most widely used pianos in practice rooms and home studios. If you take up the piano and play in different places, chances are you will sit down at a Yamaha at some point in your career. 

These aren’t the only high-quality brands you should consider when you’re ready making a purchase. There are many piano brands that would be a perfect addition to your home. Have a question? The best way to see the difference is to stop by and take a look. We’d be happy to let you play several different brands and hear which would be the perfect choice for your home. 

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21 March 2019 What Music Teaches You About Life

What Music Teaches You About Life

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How many times a day does a song play in your mind? 

We teach kids the alphabet with a song. We recall the best times we had in school with music. No matter what memories you recollect as you move through life, chances are there’s a tune that goes along with it. 

Music is an important part of our lives. From age 1 to 100, life wouldn’t be the same without music. It provides entertainment and helps us get through the toughest time of our lives. We face it all a little easier knowing a familiar tune shows us the way. 

But what happens when you create music instead of just listen to it? What Music Teaches You About Life

Studies show it impacts you in many ways. 

When you create music, your creativity increases. Creating music gives you a chance to express your creative side. No matter if you’re performing a popular piece of music, or have authored your own, your personality can shine through. 

Whether it’s for yourself, or you’re on stage performing in front of an audience, creating music lets you:

  • Connect with your audience and build stronger relationships
  • Helps you conquer your fears and perform to please those around you
  • Soothes your anxieties by giving you a chance to face them head on
  • Develop a can-do attitude
  • Appreciate acceptance from those around you
  • Feel inspired to pursue your dreams and push yourself to achieve even more
  • Build self-confidence

Have a budding musician in your household? Want to let your kids be more creative, build more self-confidence, and give them a can-do attitude? Why not let them play the piano?

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