7 December 2018 7-problems-youll-have-as-a-pianist

7-problems-youll-have-as-a-pianist

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Do you love playing the piano? We do too. But if you’ve been playing the piano for any length of time, there are a few problems you’ll have that only another piano player will understand. 

Trying to play when your fingers won’t cooperate

You sit down to play. You know the music very well. But somewhere between your brain and your fingers the message gets lost. Your fingers simply won’t cooperate and play what you want them to play. Sit back. Take a deep breath. Flex your fingers a bit, and try again. 

Playing with cold fingers7-problems-youll-have-as-a-pianist

Cold fingers aren’t as nimble as they are when they warm up. They seem to feel stiff and even a little numb. While you might prefer to practice in a cool room, warm up your fingers before you sit down to play at your optimum ability. 

When you forget a piece you’ve played for ages

Nothing can be more frustrating than knowing you can play a favorite piece of music well, then sitting down and forgetting where to start. Focus. You often forget because you’re in a new place or playing in front of people. Take a few extra minutes to calm, and focus on what notes you need to play. 

When you play perfectly by yourself, but mess up every time you’re with someone else

When you’ve practiced to perfection, it’s fun to sit down and play for your teacher, family, or friends. Yet no matter how many times you nailed it playing on your own, you mess up when you play for someone else. Nerves are a funny thing. Even if you aren’t nervous, your fingers can often seem like they have a mind of their own. Relax. Try it again. 

You want to play piano everywhere you go

Have you ever walked into a room with a beautiful baby grand front and center? Of course, you have to give it a whirl. How can you keep your hands off such a beautiful instrument? 

You know when you’re piano is out of tune

You sit down to practice and you hit “that note.” You know which one I’m talking about. It sounded perfect the day before, but suddenly it sounds … off. And you can’t help but notice again and again. That’s why true pianists have a professional tuner they can call in at any time. You can’t play if it’s out of tune, right?

You never want to stop

Playing the piano is something that gives you joy. You never want to stop. And the good thing about playing the piano, is you never have to. Piano is one of those activities you can do whether you’re 5 or 105. It’s a stress reliever. It’s a memory maker. No matter what your age, it’s an activity you’ll enjoy throughout your life. 

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3 December 2018 How To Creative An Effective Piano Room

How To Creative An Effective Piano Room

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Looking for an ideal place in your home to practice the piano? Here are a few tips to create the perfect environment to make playing fun. 

Create the right atmosphere

When you design your home, you decorate for all kinds of occasions. You select colors that match your mood and style. You add accessories to show off your personality. The piano isn’t something you just throw into a room and have it set apart from the rest of your decor. Instead, decorate around it to make it blend and flow with the ambiance of the room. Add flowers nearby. Incorporate artwork or photographs to help it blend in. Be sure it’s well lit to make playing easier, and to show off your piano. 

Have the right tools nearby

As you progress with your lessons, you might be in need of a variety of tools. Music, pencils, highlighters, blank scorepads, paper, a metronome – keep it all close by. Many piano benches have storage built right in. You might also have a storage box or shelves in the room where all of your supplies are close at hand. Having to get up and find tools can detract from your real purpose; it’s easier if you have everything close by. How To Creative An Effective Piano Room

Have goals

What is your ultimate goal as a piano player? Do you wish to do it for enjoyment? Are you hoping to join a band? Do you want to play just for your own relaxation, or is your goal to play for an audience? If you want a room where people listen to your music, be sure to have comfortable seating that is clearly set up to listen to the music. You might even select a room that can change as you progress, including space to move from an upright to a baby grand. 

Understand the instrument

Playing the piano is a lot more than plucking the notes and creating music. It also involves understanding the way the piano creates sounds and music. Think of it as a foreign language – you have to work to understand all the nuances of the language. In your music room, you might also wish to incorporate a sound system that allows you to hear the great artists of the world, both old and new. Don’t just listen for pleasure, dive in and pull different parts of the music out. Analyze what makes the artist and the performance really stand out. 

The more you listen, the deeper you get into the process, the better you’ll become. 

Playing the piano is a lifetime of learning and enjoyment. And if you enjoy the process every time you sit down to play, you’ll ensure it’s a process you enjoy for the rest of your life. 

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26 November 2018 Your Ultimate Piano Purchase Guide

Your Ultimate Piano Purchase Guide

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Digital pianos. Electronic keyboards. MIDI controllers. Whatever happened to the good old fashioned piano?

Along with everything else in your life, the piano has taken some fairly radical steps forward, thanks to technology. But if you’re looking at bringing music into your home and the piano is your choice in instrument, you have a lot of options available to you. 

Acoustic Piano

For most of us, when we hear the word “piano” our minds drift to the traditional piano you imagined sitting in the corner of your grandmother’s home. They’ve been around for generations and are a great option for anyone desiring to learn to play. Your Ultimate Piano Purchase Guide

Acoustic pianos are often the centerpoint of a room. They have a variety of finishes and styles to match your personal taste. They have a look and feel you can’t find in any other instrument; plus a richness in tone that is hard to replicate. 

Yet we also understand that they aren’t for everyone. They can be expensive and they take up a lot of space. That’s fine if you have a large home. But if you prefer urban living and small spaces, a traditional piano may be beyond your means. 

Digital Piano

Think of a digital piano as a souped-up acoustic piano. Yes, you have to plug it in. But it has all the versatility of an acoustic piano, plus it adds a few extras today’s modern players will love. Want to practice without disturbing the rest of the house? Just plug in the headphones and you’re on your way. 

While digital pianos are often slimmer than acoustic pianos, they are still pretty heavy and bulky. And no matter how much you try, they never will provide you with the high quality tone you can achieve with the very best acoustic pianos. 

Keyboards

Keyboards are synonyms for portability. You can pack them up and take them with you, or simply tuck them into a closet or underneath the bed when you are through. That makes them ultra-convenient in tiny spaces. 

To get modern features comparable to traditional acoustic pianos, be prepared to look at high quality manufacturers. Focus in on keyboards with weighted technology, and tonal quality that’s comparable to acoustic sounds. 

MIDI Controllers

MIDI controllers are the ultimate in portability. Their slim profile makes them easy to carry anywhere. Musicians can incorporate MIDI controllers directly into their recording setups. But they don’t have built-in speakers, so if you want to hear what you’re playing, you need to be connected to technology. 

While selecting a first piano doesn’t have to be difficult – you can always upgrade in the future – it is important to select enough options to be able to create beautiful music from the beginning. Nothing is more frustrating to a new piano player if they can’t “hear” quality while they play. 

What are you currently playing on? 

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23 November 2018 Can You Buy A Piano On Amazon?

Can You Buy A Piano On Amazon?

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It used to be if you wanted a piano, you’d head to your local dealer. Craigslist gave you the opportunity to buy directly from an owner. Ebay expanded your search location, giving you access to buy from anyone, anywhere in the world. So why not Amazon? With just a quick search, Amazon can pull up a wide variety of pianos and piano related products and let you search with your fingers through their selection. 

Shouldn’t that be good enough?

We search Amazon for what we want and need. It’s turned into our go-to tool. 

It gives us a low price. It can have it delivered within days, sometimes even hours. And we can read reviews to determine what others have to say. What’s not to love?Can You Buy A Piano On Amazon?

While that may work well on things like toasters and books, for more personalized items, it’s still a difficult way to shop for pianos.

Let’s take a look at some of the reviews. 

One reviewer said this about a piano he bought:

There are better pianos out there, but not for the price. The keyboard has nicely weighted keys that are comfortable to play. 

That could motivate you to say yes to this piano. But what if he bought the piano for his child to tinker with? He had no intention of making music with it for years to come. And when you feel the keys, “cheap” is the only term that comes to mind. 

Or consider this review:

This is the best money I’ve spent.  The feel of the keys is extremely realistic. And I play several hours every week.

What she doesn’t tell you is how novice she really is. Has she ever sat down at another piano and had the ability to play? How well do her skills transfer over?

A five star rating from someone who uses it more like a toy might not be the best review for you to judge the quality. Spending a lot of your money on something that never sounds quite right to you would never be considered a bargain. 

A piano is a personal item that is best found through touching and feeling. You can hear the differences between pianos. You can feel the differences between the keys. 

And the best way to find the perfect piano for you is to come in and find the perfect one for you. 

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21 November 2018 Budgeting To Learn To Play The Piano

Budgeting To Learn To Play The Piano

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Want to learn to play the piano? Like every activity, there are a few costs involved to make your desires come true. 

First, there is the expense of the piano itself. This will be the biggest part of your budget. But there are different ways to fit it into your monthly expenses. 

Finding a piano “for free” on Craigslist isn’t the answer. In most cases, these pianos have been stored in basements or garages for years, and are often out of tune and no longer playable without major restoration. You’ll have more work then you want just to get it into proper playing condition. Budgeting To Learn To Play The Piano

By going to a piano dealer, you can find a high quality piano that meets your budget goals. You can even start out smaller scale, upgrading as your child becomes better and enjoys the process more. 

You might even invest in a digital piano instead. If you move to an electronic piano, just be sure it’s high quality and has weighted keys that mimic acoustic pianos, and are mechanically similar to the sound and feel of a real piano. Digital pianos do have the added benefit of being able to fit in tighter spots – perfect for apartments, condos, or dorms – and have a headphone jack that allows a person to play without disturbing others in the room. 

Of course, the piano is only part of the process. You’ll also need to budget for lessons as well. Lessons come in several different structures: one on one, group format, or self taught. For many, a combination of the three is the best choice, giving you what you need when you need it most. 

You’ll also have incidentals along the way. You’ll have to invest in sheet music. You might have to invest in extras such as a new piano bench or a metronome. And if your child keeps progressing, performance attire may be added into the budget. 

Playing the piano isn’t the least expensive hobby a person can take up. But it can be one of the most rewarding. It’s a skill that can last a lifetime. 

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14 November 2018 Piano Key Restoration

Piano Key Restoration

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Do you love your piano? Has it been in your family for generations? 

Is it looking a little shabby? Are the keys yellowing, cracked, or missing? Do they sometimes press down and never pop back?

It may be time for a little restoration. 

Key TopsPiano Key Restoration

The first place to start is with the key tops. By replacing the tops, it can add life and charm to your older piano. Keep in mind that if your piano is antique and still has ivory keys, replacement with ivory might not be an option. It is illegal to buy and sell ivory. However, in some cases, a technician might be able to find ivory top keys for a historical restoration. 

Key Bed

While the tops of the keys may be cracked or chipped, the problem might be deeper if your piano doesn’t play correctly. The key bed consists of several different components. During restoration, many things may be repaired or replaced. 

Rail pins – these pins balance each key into place when the hammer is activated

Key bushings – these felt pieces are used within the pin holes to keep fluidity in the action

Capstans – these are the screws that hold the keys into the action

Key buttons – these are pieces of wood glued to the key tops for balancing

For proper key restoration, it requires both quality workmanship to ensure the piano sounds as good as it looks. 

A good restorer will ensure that your piano looks as close to original as possible. They will select proper key materials to ensure a professional look. They will also ensure proper function throughout. That means:

  • The notches of both black and white keys are properly made for a tight fit
  • The key edges are properly cleaned and finished to avoid dirt and buildup from occurring over time
  • The key edges are flush on all sides to avoid dysfunction when the keys are pressed

Are your piano keys in need of a little restoration? 

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7 November 2018 Selecting The Right Piano Brand Before You Buy

Selecting The Right Piano Brand Before You Buy

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Are you ready to buy a new piano? What brand should you buy?

There are many words of advice on selecting the type of piano: upright, grand, or digital. And a lot of that depends on space and your ultimate goal. If you’re traveling with your piano, or you don’t have a lot of room, a digital makes perfect sense. If you want to use it as a statement piece in your home, nothing but a grand will do. 

But when you’ve narrowed down your desires enough to finalize your purchase, what brand should you select? Is there a difference?Selecting The Right Piano Brand Before You Buy

Do a quick search online, and you’ll find there are hundreds of different brands across the world. Wikipedia lists just a partial list, and if you click and look at it, you’ll be scrolling for quite a while. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_piano_manufacturers

Dig a little deeper, and you’ll quickly get confused. 

So many brands. 

So little time!

What’s someone in the market for a piano to do?

Our first word of advice is to focus in on quality. 

Many different brands build high quality pianos. Many different brands produce a piano that can endure a lifetime of enjoyment. 

Start by reading our recent post The 10 Best Piano Brands Ever to understand a little bit more. 

Want what some consider the best? Read all about Buying A Used Steinway Piano.

 

Need a little more advice? Take a look at our Guide To Piano Brands.

Then stop by and see what the different pianos offer. 

You can’t compare when a private seller only has one. What you see is what you get. 

But when you shop with a reputable dealer, you can compare and learn for yourself what will provide you with the best sound. 

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28 October 2018 Should You Try And Move Your Piano Up Stairs By Yourself?

Should You Try And Move Your Piano Up Stairs By Yourself?

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Are you moving into a new home? Congratulations. A lot goes into finding the perfect home and moving all of your personal belongings from place to place. 

Chances are you’ve boxed everything up according to room. You might have called in a moving company to help you with the move. 

Did they give you a quote on moving the piano? 

The problem is, pianos aren’t like other pieces of furniture. They are sensitive instruments that can take a beating when moved, especially when they aren’t handled with the care they deserve. And depending on what type of piano you have, they may be one of the heaviest, bulkiest items in your home. Should You Try And Move Your Piano Up Stairs By Yourself?

You can’t heave that on your back and walk down the stairs. It simply won’t work. 

Stairs are one of the biggest problems in moving a piano. How do professionals do it? They use specialized equipment. They use:

Piano moving straps in order to keep all of the moving parts together. It’s important to keep the lid down to ensure your piano stays safe, and hands and fingers don’t get trapped underneath. 

Piano dollies are used so the mover doesn’t have to lift and carry as it moves across landings, staircases, and hallways. 

Piano planks are used so the movers don’t have to lift and carry up each individual step. 

Most movers also use special gloves to help them grip and handle the piano with ease. 

Take a look at your move. How many stairs are involved? Do your staircases involve turns and landings? 

It’s not just your new home; it’s the entire process. To ensure your piano stays safe, be sure to hire someone right for the job. 

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21 October 2018 Can An Old Piano Be Tuned?

Can An Old Piano Be Tuned?

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What if your piano has been neglected for years? What if you move a family heirloom into your home, and you know just by striking a few keys that it’s been years since the last tuning?

Can an old piano be tuned? 

The answer is yes. In most cases, every piano can be tuned. The real question is how much the piano is worth. 

Some pianos have simply worn out. No matter how much you tune the piano, they will still sound tinny and worn. They may play the song in tune, but the voice is anything but high quality. Can An Old Piano Be Tuned?

Still, if a piano has been neglected for years, it can still be tuned to be playable. When pianos are tuned, they are adjusted to be brought up to concert pitch. This is also known as A440, or standard pitch. 

A concert pitch brings an instrument in tune with accompaniment. They are designed to be played together and sound good together too. 

However, if a piano has been neglected, it might not be able to be brought up to standard pitch. It may be brought up to be in tune with itself, but never back to concert pitch. 

Most manufacturers recommend that a piano is tuned once or twice every year, depending on the surrounding area. The more climate changes a piano endures, the more changes in household humidity, the more tunings it will require. 

It can also change depending on how often it’s played. A heavy handed pianist may throw the notes out of tune with every song she plays. 

Is there a best time of year to tune a piano? The answer is: it depends. 

Many tuners would recommend at the change of seasons. This is when the most significant changes in weather occur. It’s when your piano will deal with the biggest changes in humidity levels. 

Still others would recommend setting up tunings on a schedule. If you prefer certain months of the year, stick with them year after year. 

When was the last time your old piano was tuned?

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18 October 2018 Are App or DVD Piano Lessons Worth It?

Are App or DVD Piano Lessons Worth It?

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It seems as if everything has been touched by technology. Why shouldn’t the way you learn piano too? 

Do a quick search for piano-related apps and you’ll find they can help you with just about anything. We’ve highlighted a few of them here and in our gift guide. 

They’re fun to play; but are they educational too? Can you really learn to play the piano, and become a better musician, all with an app or a DVD?Are App or DVD Piano Lessons Worth It?

If you look closely at most of the promises with these learning systems, they say they’ll have you playing the piano in a short period of time. And that’s true. With color-coded guides and quick tutorials, they can have anyone finding middle C and plucking out a tune. 

In the short term, apps and DVDs for piano lessons work. But where they start to fall through is in the long term. 

Piano lessons through technology are rudimentary at best. They teach you about chords. They help you put your fingers together to play a song. You learn about rhythm, melody, and chords just enough to help you put together your favorite music. And this can have any beginner excited about their progress. 

But that’s when things become more difficult. That’s where having an instructor pays off. 

An instructor listens to your wishes and desires and gives you feedback on how to proceed. They offer suggestions when you’re struggling with a piece of music. They help tailor your instruction towards your goals. 

This comes from developing a relationship between you and your teacher. This also comes from diving deeper into understanding musicality, and how music theory applies to what you’re learning. This is especially important if you want to transfer your knowledge to other instruments. 

When it comes to piano learning apps or DVDs, you get what you pay for. Yes, they may be a great place to start. Yes, they can offer a lot of tips and tricks to help you start to play. But if you want to be the best piano player you can be, at some point, hire an instructor. They are your best course of action for success. 

Filed Under: Piano Lessons, Piano Playing Tagged With: ,
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