4 July 2015 Tips For Cleaning Your Digital Piano

Tips For Cleaning Your Digital Piano

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Digital pianos offer more flexibility and more movement than traditional acoustic pianos. And for many aspiring musicians, the ability to bring their pianos with them anywhere is one of its biggest benefits.

But with portability comes the increased likelihood of your piano showing its wear and tear a little sooner. With frequent cleanings and a little TLC, your piano can provide a long life no matter how much traveling you do.Tips For Cleaning Your Digital Piano

Piano Keys
The most obvious part of the piano that will show wear quickly is the keyboard. Yet if you clean the keys the incorrect way, you can permanently damage the instrument.

Prepare a cleaning solution by adding two drops of dishwashing liquid to a bowl of warm water. Use a clean, soft, color-free cloth, dampen it, and rub it gently over the keys one at a time. This process will remove fingerprints and any grime left on the keys. After you finish with a key, take another dry soft cloth and wipe off any moisture left behind that may damage the keyboard. If you have a particularly stubborn stain, do not try and clean them on your own with harsh chemicals or abrasives. Contact us directly for help with stubborn stain removal.

To Make Keys White Again

With age and wear, keys tend to appear yellow over time. In order to whiten them and make them appear new again, follow a few simple steps.

Create a mixture of a half cup vinegar with two cups water. Use a soft damp cloth to gently rub the keys one at a time. Make sure the cloth is damp, with no excess water that can leak and damage in between the keys. Wipe them with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture.

Maintenance Tips

  • In order to prevent dust from accumulating on your keyboard and in between the keys, you should keep a cover over the keyboard at all times when not in use
  • Avoid using water and liquids near the piano. Keep drinks away, and avoid putting plants or other household materials around your piano to avoid potential spills
  • Wash your hands before playing the piano to keep the keys clean and in good playing condition
  • Keep your digital piano away from windows and avoid direct sunlight. It is important to keep any piano away from extreme climate conditions, including hot or cold air, or humidity
  • Never use harsh chemicals on your keys or piano. This includes most commercial products you’ll find at your favorite store, or hard cleaning agents such as bleach or alcohol.

A digital piano will give you years of enjoyment if you learn to take care of it and maintain it along the way. With simply cleaning routines, your piano will look and sound good whenever you are ready to play.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
2 July 2015 Troubleshooting A Digital Piano

Troubleshooting A Digital Piano

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To keep an acoustic piano operational and producing optimal sound, maintenance and regular tunings are required. For digital pianos, the same level of maintenance is not required. Think of your digital piano in a similar manner to your computer; because its electronic, it doesn’t need a lot of basic care to run properly.Troubleshooting A Digital Piano

That said, a digital piano still has moving parts. And on occasion, troubleshooting may be needed to fix small problems that may arise through normal course of wear and tear. Here are a few tips to try when you run into issues while playing your digital piano.

Sticking, Jammed or Broken Keys

The biggest potential problem with a digital piano comes from its largest moving pieces: the keys. Sticky keys can be a problem for both digital and acoustic pianos because over time, dirt, dust, and other debris can get trapped between the gaps. Since a digital keyboard runs on circuitry, moisture can also be a problem. While humidity from the surrounding area can and will cause a key to jam, spilled liquids will present an even bigger problem. Which is why its important to keep all forms of liquid – drinks, plants, etc – away from the piano itself.

When keys become jammed or broken, they are fairly easy to replace. If you have jammed or unresponsive keys, notes that do not play, volume control issues, or other non-working parts, it is more than likely a circuit issue and a new contact board will be needed. If your piano is still under warranty, its best to let the manufacturer work with the piano as any tinkering can null and void the warranty.

Power Problems

Digital pianos run in one of two manners: batteries or an electrical source. If your digital piano runs on batteries, check your battery pack first. Battery packs should be fully charged regularly to keep the piano working throughout your playing session. If your digital piano runs on electricity, start by verifying the electrical cord is firmly in place. If power is generating through the circuit, a short circuit could have occurred to the power system, and the only way to have it fixed is to assess the damage through a reputable repair shop.

Software Issues

A digital piano runs in a similar manner to your computer. If you notice the system freezing, or the piano seems to lock up from time to time, it is likely that the software is to blame. Factory reset buttons on the piano will help restore a piano to working condition. Locate this feature by checking with the user manual. Please note that the reset button will bring your digital piano back to its original operating state. Any data you have stored within your piano has the potential of being lost, so regular backups should be made to decrease the likelihood of losing your work.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Playing, Piano Renovation Tagged With: ,
27 June 2015 New Accessories For Your Piano

New Accessories For Your Piano

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While your new piano is self-sufficient and doesn’t require a lot of things to make it operational, there are a few accessories that you might want to consider.

Piano Covers

New Accessories For Your PianoIn most homes, a piano is more than an instrument; it’s a part of the décor. Because of the quality, it’s often purchased to match other furniture throughout the home, and is designed to add value and charm to whatever room you choose. However, if you’ve purchased a piano for a church or a school, a piano cover may be in order to protect the piano’s finish from accidental damage, as they are usually placed in rooms with a lot of activity. Piano covers come in vinyl or mackintosh, which is a very tight weave fabric that provides water resistance. Most are black or brown in color, and have a fleece like material on the inside to keep the piano finish safe and scratch free. You can get thicker pads for more protection if your piano is moved on a frequent basis.

Bench Cushions

In order to make your wooden piano bench softer, a bench cushion is available. Bench cushions are made in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, colors and fabrics. They come in tufted or box edged format, and all have straps to secure them around the bench.

Grand Piano String Covers

String covers are available for your grand piano, designed as a way to provide a reduction in sound volume, and to be used as protection against dust. They are available in a variety of colors designed to compliment your piano’s finish.

Caster Cups

Caster cups are small cups to be placed under the wheels of a piano in order to protect the flooring. They come in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes and materials, including plastic, wood and acrylic. You can find them designed to match your piano, or choose acrylic to allow the carpet or hardwood flooring to show through. If the caster cup has felt on the bottom, be aware that the color dye can sometimes bleed through into the carpeting because of the weight and pressure applied.

Pedal Extenders

A pedal extender is designed to aid a person whose feet do not comfortably reach the pedals. They can be as simple as a brass pedal that bolts onto the existing pedal, or a more sophisticated box design that is finished to match the piano and give it a complimentary look.

Metronomes

Whether you are a teacher or a student, a metronome is designed to help improve timing. Metronomes come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, and are available from the very basic to new digital models.

Lighting

Whether you choose lighting that attaches to your piano, or a lamp that sits off to the side, good lighting is essential as you read through your music. Whatever your tastes, there are lighting choices perfect to compliment your décor.

Have additional needs for your piano? Give us a call or stop by today for one of the widest selections of piano accessories in the Memphis area.

Filed Under: Buying a Piano, Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
24 June 2015 Why Hire A Piano Mover?

Why Hire A Piano Mover?

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I was visiting a friend over the weekend, and took notice of the neighbor’s moving out of their home. They had hired a moving company to help with the furniture. Two men quickly went back and forth between the home and the truck, loading up the belongings.Why Hire A Piano Mover?

After a short while, they exited the home with a large upright piano between them. Huffing and puffing, they pulled, pushed, wiggled and shoved this poor instrument until it made its way out of the door. Needing a rest, they leaned it up on end, balancing it on its weakest, most fragile legs. And from there, they banged and bumped it down a flight of stairs, rocking it as they made their way down to the ground level and out to the truck. Then not so carefully, they wedged it between a dresser and a table, and threw a blanket over the top. On to the next piece of furniture.

Unfortunately, that is a common scenario.

Pianos – both uprights and grand – are not furniture. And moving like it is just another piece of furniture can have its costs.

  • Imagine breaking a leg off the front.
  • Imagine breaking a pedal.
  • Imagine a heavy dresser or table smashing and breaking through the frame.

Your valuable instrument can have extensive damage in a matter of moments.

Piano uprights can be moved intact. Grand and concert pianos must be carefully dismantled and moved in pieces. These parts must be wrapped in special blankets, with a board fastened around it with straps.

Once a piano is secured, only then should it be moved from its location to the truck. A piano moving company will have a special dolly to help move it across surfaces. Great control is needed as a piano is moved down stairs and through tight corners and doorways. A professional piano mover also understands that it is sometimes easier to hoist a piano rather than move it up or down stairs.

A piano is a refined instrument that is highly sensitive to moisture, heat and cold. Imagine what happens to a piano that spends several day in below zero weather during transport. Or a piano traveling across desert climates in the middle of July. Without a properly equipped truck to handle varying levels of temperatures and humidity levels, a piano can quickly be damaged from the inside out. It’s not just the bumps and bruises that have impact.

While movers are invaluable for getting you into your new home, rely on them for your furniture, and rely on professional piano movers for your piano. You won’t be disappointed.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Moving Tagged With: ,
19 June 2015 Should You Buy A Used Digital Piano?

Should You Buy A Used Digital Piano?

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Your child has expressed an interest in piano, and with a little research you’ve quickly determined that a digital piano is the way to go. They are lightweight, they take up less room, and your budding artist can connect to his computer and be his own composer in minutes. It’s the perfect item for any musician dreaming of being the next rock star.Should You Buy A Used Digital Piano?

Yet your biggest concern is how much to spend. Instead of buying new, maybe a used digital piano is the way to go. A quick look at Craigslist will show you there are many options out there from people within your own community. But is that the best way to go? Used digital pianos can bring on unnecessary risk if you look to the online world to buy. Here’s why.

Reason #1 You’ll probably pay too much
Think about the last laptop or phone you purchased. You probably spent hundreds of dollars, only to be able to upgrade it in a few months for a big boost in technology, with the price often staying relatively the same. That’s the thing with technology; it changes every day.

The same applies to digital pianos. What was an industry standard a year ago may be something that’s archaic at best today. That means that if someone spent $2,500 on a digital piano a couple of years ago, it may now be worth a quarter of the cost simply because technology has changed. By buying new, today’s digital pianos come with far better features and actions at a fraction of the cost.

So even if you do get the original digital piano in the box, with the promise it’s never been played, there simply is no way of judging how good the deal is unless you first find out what a new digital piano has to offer.

Reason #2 Digital pianos can be easily damaged without showing it
Just because a digital piano looks original and is still in its original box doesn’t guarantee its sound quality. Buying it second hand means the piano may have been kept in the box with little play, or was bought for the kids to treat as a toy piano. You don’t know. What looks good can quickly lose its appeal if a little playtime begins showcasing what was truly wrong. When keys begin to break, the circuit board shorts, and the “extra” noises begin to appear, the heartache begins. And if your budding rock star can’t produce quality music and has trouble getting sound at all, he may give up on his dreams simply because of a lack of opportunity around him.

Reason #3 Technology makes a new one better
Digital pianos come in all sizes and costs, with options to match any budget. If you want to create the best music possible, having access to the best technology possible is important. You wouldn’t use a computer still running on DOS and expect to use programs developed for today’s world. Likewise, choosing a digital piano that is several years old may prevent you from connecting to today’s modern equipment. And what fun is becoming a song writer if the piano can’t connect up with the latest version of whatever sound editor you choose to use? In the digital world, technology matters. And in order to have every opportunity to do what you choose to do, you’ll need equipment that matches up perfectly.

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17 June 2015 Should You Replace Your Piano Bench?

Should You Replace Your Piano Bench?

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Most pianos come with a bench, and if you’ve had your piano for years, chances are you’ve been living with your piano bench for years too.

But does that make it the right accessory for the job?

Benches typically come in two basic types: a fixed height or adjustable. Consumer grade pianos usually come with a fixed height bench that either has a wood top to match the finish of the piano, or with a padded top to compliment the color of the piano. Because most piano benches come with the piano, they are usually small replicas of the piano, with the legs matching the legs of the piano. Should You Replace Your Piano Bench?

Most piano benches also come with music storage compartments. Simply lift the bench and you’ll find extra storage space to keep everything you need for practicing and playing the piano. All in all, the standard piano bench will service you well throughout the years. But there are many reasons you may consider upgrading to an adjustable piano bench.

Adjustable benches are preferred by children, adults who are shorter or taller than average, and by serious amateurs or professional piano players that spend a lot of time at the piano. The standard height of a piano bench is 19” or 20”, while an adjustable piano bench can be set anywhere from 18” to 21”. By adjusting the height and moving it slightly, anyone can get the proper posture and angle to the keyboard, making playing that much easier.

A high quality adjustable bench will have a heavy steel mechanism to help raise and lower the bench. In a duet size bench, these benches can easily weigh 60 pounds or more. These benches will also come in a variety of styles and finishes, perfect to match any style of piano. Keep in mind that like anything, you can get higher and lower quality adjustable benches. While a high quality bench can last a lifetime, lesser quality benches come with mechanisms that aren’t as hardy, and therefore can break or have problems earlier on.

A new type of adjustable bench contains hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms for raising and lowering the seat. This makes the bench easily and effortlessly adjusted with a handle on the side of the bench. (Similar to the office chair you may have in your office.)This can offer an advantage to piano players that have wrists that are easily fatigued, or in teaching situations where the bench is raised and lowered multiple times throughout the day.

To see all of your options in piano benches, stop by today.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
13 June 2015 Should I Get An Acoustic Or A Digital Piano?

Should I Get An Acoustic Or A Digital Piano?

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Have a child that wants to make music? Ready to invest in a piano?

For many parents today, the first decision starts with what piano to buy. Is it better to go with an acoustic piano, more traditional in nature? Or is it better to go with a digital piano, and add the power of electronics to the possibilities?Should I Get An Acoustic Or A Digital Piano?

As with most decisions, there is no right or wrong choice.

You should consider a digital piano if:

  • You have limited space. While an 88 key digital piano is about the same width as an acoustic piano, where the digital begins to save space is in the depth.
  • You want to limit the sound and have your child be able to practice silently. If you invest in any quality digital piano, it will have the option of a headphone jack for silent play. This can be a great option especially when living in tight quarters, such as with other family members around practicing or doing homework, or in apartment or dorm room settings.
  • You want access to more sounds than just the piano. With a digital piano, you can produce many other sounds – guitar, saxophone, trumpet, violins – all with the touch of a button.
  • You want to transpose keys instantly. This can be a great function when working with other musicians or singers, and they have a desire to drop the key of the song.
  • You want something portable and stowable. Digital pianos weigh a fraction of what an acoustic piano weighs. And if you don’t have room for it, you can simply pack it up and stow it away.
  • You want a piano with minimum maintenance. Digital pianos never require tuning, and aren’t overly sensitive to the elements, such as high or low temperatures, or high humidity situations. Electronic failures are uncommon, but keep in mind that they can be debilitating when they happen.

You should consider an acoustic piano if:

  • You are a beginner and want to develop good technique. Most teachers will have their students learn on an acoustic piano because of the different technique involved.
  • You want a real piano sound. As much as a digital piano can copy the sound of an acoustic piano, the only way to get the real thing is to play an acoustic piano.
  • You want a multi-generational heirloom. A good acoustic piano will always have more value than a digital piano. When you think of playing in a classic concert hall, or imagine adding ambiance to your home with a piano, its always with an acoustic piano. They’ve been passed down from generation to generation, and will continue to do so.
  • You desire the classic piano look. Nothing says quality and class more than having a grand piano in the middle of the room.
  • You desire a beautiful piece of furniture. Acoustic pianos come in a variety of woods and compliment any décor.
Filed Under: Buying a Piano, Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
10 June 2015 Caring For The Finish On Your Piano

Caring For The Finish On Your Piano

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A piano brings a lifetime of enjoyment to any home. But if you are ready to purchase your first piano, as with any investment, taking care of it from the beginning will ensure you lifelong quality and workmanship.

Today’s pianos are finished with a variety of materials, from lacquer to modern polyurethanes and polyester resins. A piano’s finish is designed to protect the wood from dirt and spills, as well as reduce damage from every day circumstances, such as humidity changes within the room.Caring For The Finish On Your Piano

Piano finishes are designed to protect the piano without the need of polishes or waxes, and in fact are best protected with simple maintenance.

Avoid finish damage to your piano

Your piano’s cabinet is made out of wood, and like all wood, it is subject to expansion and contraction as humidity changes. With extreme variations, the wood will begin to develop tiny cracks and even begin separating in certain areas. Locate the piano in a stable area of your home, away from direct sunlight, and away from drafts, dampness or heat sources. Also avoid placing anything on the piano which can lead to scratches, or can spill liquid onto the finish, such as a plant or a drink.

Regular dusting

Rubbing dust across your piano can instantly cause scratches. Use a feather duster or a damp cloth to pick up dust without the impact of scratching. Choose a cloth made of soft cotton rather than a harsher material, such as a synthetic fabric. Also make sure you wipe any moisture immediately, as moisture can quickly get into the grains and start the damage process.

Cleaning the piano finish

Occasionally you may find smudges or fingerprints on the finish. If a damp cloth doesn’t remove it, you can dampen your cloth with a mild soap solution. Never use traditional furniture polishes or lemon oils claiming to protect wood finishes. They offer no protection from scratching and can actually soften the finish over time. They also contain silicone and oils that contaminate the wood, leaving it vulnerable to extensive damage.

Cleaning the piano keys

Piano keys often become soiled from oil and dirt on fingertips. To clean the keys, use a soft cloth dampened with water and a mild soap. Make sure the cloth is wrung out, and is damp, not wet. Wipe the keys from back to front rather than side to side to avoid moisture falling between the keys. Clean only a few keys at a time, drying them immediately with a dry cloth.

Have any more questions about cleaning your piano? Give us a call. We’d be happy to advise you on how to protect your investment for years to come.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Restoration Tagged With: ,
6 June 2015 3 Myths Holding You Back From Starting To Play The Piano

3 Myths Holding You Back From Starting To Play The Piano

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When people first have the desire for starting to play the piano, they have a lot of misconceptions and myths programmed into their minds. Yes, playing the piano can bring a lifetime of joy to your life. Yes, playing the piano can be an entertaining activity for young and old alike. But when it comes to the art of playing the piano, things get a little misconstrued.3 Myths Holding You Back From Starting To Play The Piano

Have you ever thought:

  • Playing the piano is all about the finger work.
  • Playing the piano means learning to read music.
  • Practicing the piano means playing a piece over and over again until I reach perfection.

Read on and find out why each of these aren’t true.

Playing the piano is all about the finger work.
Have you ever watched a talented piano player in action? Their fingers zip across the keyboard, interweaving from top to bottom to create a magical tune. When you witness how fast their fingers move, it’s a common misconception to think that piano playing is all in the fingerwork. Yet piano playing doesn’t start in your fingers, it actually comes from your arms. Piano playing is about swaying the upper body in dance-like format. Moving the upper arms in rhythm to the beat. Rotating the forearms to move the hands from point to point. Flicking the wrist up and down. Piano playing is a workout not just for the fingers, but for your entire body.

Playing the piano means learning to read music.
There is a difference between learning to play the piano, and mastering the piano. Have you ever heard a song several times, started to hum along, and eventually learned the words and the chorus enough to where you can sing it too? Of course you have; we all do it every day as we sing along to our favorite tunes on the radio. Even as a small child we learn to quickly pick up songs and rhythm from all around us. Think Happy Birthday, or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Those tunes instantly pop into your mind. And if you were to sit down at a piano, you could probably pluck out the tune just by playing with the notes. That’s playing by ear. And many of today’s top piano teaching methods begin with playing by ear, not by reading music. Reading music is an advanced form of playing. It involves the ability to look up at the sheet music and process the notes, while transforming that down into your hands so they can hit the correct keys. For many learners, that ability comes later in development. The most important part of playing the piano is enjoying it first.

Practicing the piano means playing a piece over and over again until I reach perfection.
Playing the same piece over and over again would become monotonous at best. Especially if you don’t enjoy the piece, or continue to perform the same parts incorrectly. Instead, practice means pulling out sections of a song to add more to them. If you have trouble with a particular section, work on those few lines until you have it the way you like. Then incorporate it back into the entire piece. By practicing sections at a time, you can hone in on where your difficulty lies, and fix the problem quickly. You’ll perfect the piece quicker, and enjoy your music playing abilities on a whole new level.

Filed Under: Piano Playing Tagged With: ,
2 June 2015 Is It Worth Repairing My Piano?

Is It Worth Repairing My Piano?

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“I have an old piano handed down to me from my parents. I haven’t played since I was a kid, but now that I’m nearing retirement I’m thinking of picking it up again. It’s been in storage for years, so I know it will need a little work before I can bring it into my home and play it. I know after a little research that the piano market isn’t what it used to be. Should I spend the money to repair my piano? Should I just buy a used one?”

Great question; it’s actually one of our most popular.Is It Worth Repairing My Piano?

A lot of people have old pianos handed down from parents, grandparents, or other relatives and at some point decide they would love to pick up piano playing again. The only thing is if you’ve ever played a piano that’s sat for years with no repair and no maintenance, you’ll quickly discover it doesn’t play quite the way you would like it to. The notes sound a little tinny. The scales seem to be a little off.

A piano is a living, breathing instrument made up of wood, wire, and other materials that gradually break down even in the best of conditions. And as those changes occur, a trained technician knows what to look for, how to correct the problem, and how to bring it back to proper working condition.

But when something breaks down and it isn’t repaired, the deterioration continues to occur. Over time, small problems can become big problems, requiring more work to bring it up to par.

One of the things you mentioned is buying a used instead of repairing your own. That’s an option, but only if you know where the used piano has been. If you purchase a used piano from a friend or from an ad on the Internet, your chances of purchasing a piano in worse condition than the one you own is likely. After all, you know where your piano has been for years; you have no idea where the one you are buying has sat. If you buy from a reputable dealer, you will know its in the best playing condition possible. Anything else may give you more headache than enjoyment.

The second question you asked was whether it was worth repairing your piano. Without knowing the brand or seeing the piano, its difficult to say. But in most cases, repairing a piano to playing condition is a doable option. Does it have sentimental value? If it sat in your grandmothers and parents home for years, it may be an antique you will treasure for years to come. And if it’s a well-known brand, it may actually increase in value and hold its investment by making the repairs necessary to bring it back to playing condition.

If you would like to find out more, the best way to move forward is to have one of our technicians see the piano and help you make the final decision.

Filed Under: Piano Renovation, Piano Restoration Tagged With: ,
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