26 April 2015 How To Find More Piano Students

How To Find More Piano Students

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In today’s world, getting kids to have an interest in playing the piano is a difficult road to take. There are many things vying for a child’s time. And as a good parent, adults spend their time pouring over the latest reports and articles that help them decide the best direction to go. Two things now dominate our youth:

  • Science, technology and math – STEM subjects
  • Sports

How To Find More Piano StudentsSTEM schools are in such demand, many schools are converting programs to appease the desire. And when it comes to sports, a parent won’t think twice about spending thousands of dollars on the right equipment, camps and training packages to help their child become a star.

With that much attention on those core subjects and activities, the arts are being lost in the process. While this isn’t news to anyone, it is something to consider if you are in the music business, and looking for ways to find more piano students.

There are plenty of kids to go around, and many parents are trying to help their kids find the best path they can. Music and the arts have unbounded benefits, yet in many cases these benefits are getting lost in the messaging that currently is being spread into these other core areas.

Music can improve grades, improve cognitive reasoning, help with memory, even improve SAT scores. When today’s tiger moms and helicopter parents hear the benefits, many of them give music a second look. The key is to market with the positives, and teach parents the benefits their children will learn if they focus on a few minutes of music each week.

When building a piano lesson business, planning for the long term is the best place to start, and referrals will keep your business going month after month, year after year. The starting point is to begin educating the population around you about the benefits of playing the piano. Private teachers should be willing to work with public school systems to provide quality music programs to the masses. When parents begin to see the benefits, they will demand more programs, including private lessons.

When kids learn music at an earlier age, they become more proficient with music theory earlier in life. Music is a skill that can continue for a lifetime. An 80 or 90 something can appreciate music while attending a concert (or even playing in one) in a way they never could with a sport.

While connecting with places in your community where parents and kids regularly attend is a starting point, you also have to continue the marketing process online. Its an online world, with parents doing a lot of research at their favorite online sites before they make any decisions. Do you have a blog? Are you listing your services on places like Craigslist? People can’t learn more about you and your benefits unless you are there to tell them about it. Do a little research and find instructors already doing these things. Use them as a guide.

The more active you become, the more your services will be in the public eye. The key is in the education. Talk about what you do, and the piano lesson business will grow.

Filed Under: Piano Playing Tagged With: ,
23 April 2015 Quick Tips For Learning The Piano Keys

Quick Tips For Learning The Piano Keys

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The very first time you sit down in front of a piano, it can be a little intimidating. With that many keys, how will you ever learn them all?

Chances are you’ve heard of middle C. Middle C is the C closest to the center of the piano. This is the key that keeps you anchored when you play. It’s usually about where you sit, and it will be an active part of the majority of your songs.Quick Tips For Learning The Piano Keys

Middle C is usually found under the brand of the piano located above the keys.

  • On a 61 key piano, it’s the 3rd C.
  • On a 76 key piano, it’s the 3rd C.
  • On a 88 key piano, it’s the 4th C.

The music alphabet runs from the letters A through G. A always comes after G, and begins the alphabet over again. And every letter to letter of the alphabet is an octave – A through G is one octave.

When you sit down and play an octave – A through G – the tone will never change. The range will sound different, and be lower or higher depending on the range of notes you play. But overall, you will hear the same tonal quality from octave to octave.

A piano’s black keys always form the pattern of a set of 2 followed by a set of 3. Find any set of 2 black keys; the white key in the middle will always be a D. From the D, you can move up and down the alphabet, filling in the letters.

The black keys from the sharps and the flats. They are a half way point between the tonal quality of a note. If you move to the black key to the right of the G, for instance, you will press the G sharp key. The black key to the left will give you a G flat.

Now that you understand what each piano key represents, learn to recognize them quickly by reviewing often, and applying it to the way you play every day.

Filed Under: Piano Music, Piano Playing Tagged With: ,
18 April 2015 Is Piano Easier To Learn Than Other Instruments?

Is Piano Easier To Learn Than Other Instruments?

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As a parent, it’s important to expose your child to many different things. And for many reasons, introducing them to the art of creating music should be at the top of the list. But what instrument is best for a young learner? Is piano easier to learn than other instruments? Or should you introduce guitar or violin early on, and wait for more complexity later?Is Piano Easier To Learn Than Other Instruments?

There are many thoughts and rules on when to introduce an instrument. And in a lot of cases it does come down to personal choice. If a child has her heart on being a great piano player, that alone can give her the motivation to become one. It works the same with any instrument out there.

But if you had to pick one instrument to begin with, one to learn on, is piano the “easiest” choice?

In general, the piano makes a great starter instrument for a number of reasons.

Overall, a piano is an easier instrument to play for young children when compared to its string counterparts. To make a sound on a piano, you simply have to press a key. On a guitar, you have to strum at a string (often holding a pick) and simultaneously press down on a string with your other hand. Similar functionality occurs with other string instruments, such as a violin. This two handed coordination can be difficult for some children, and can allow them to become frustrated early on. Which means in many cases they quit long before they realize the fun in producing music.

When kids start playing, they imagine themselves on stage like their favorite pop star, or strumming out a tune in a similar manner to the gaming world. When it doesn’t happen as quickly as they anticipate, they can lose interest. To make those sounds on a guitar, a person has to learn chords and lead techniques that won’t come in the first little bit of practice. And in fact, it can be very difficult for little hands to master these techniques early on. With a piano, even complex songs can be simplified so a beginner can play tunes they recognize, which can provide them more motivation to carry forward.

The piano is more comprehensive for learning music. Piano music involves both treble and bass clefs, and allows you to play both melody and accompaniment. Instruments like guitar only use the treble clef, and trumpets or flutes will only express melodies. If a child decides to take their music skills to the next level, and pursues music in college, most will have to take some piano because of the complexity involved. The piano provides for a more comprehensive view of how music works. And many students express that they wish they had pursued piano from an earlier age, to help them with a more thorough understanding as they grew.

So is piano easier to learn on then other instruments? While it could be debated, it is true that piano overall will give them a more comprehensive appreciation for the music they make. And isn’t that the goal anyway?

Filed Under: Piano Lessons, Piano Playing Tagged With: ,
15 April 2015 Why Piano Is The Best First Instrument To Play

Why Piano Is The Best First Instrument To Play

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Why is the piano often thought of as the best first instrument to play?

Pianos make playing easy
To play a piano, you simply have to press a piano key. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. And because even small children can learn how to pick through notes and create songs they are familiar with, piano allows them to feel like they are creating music much earlier than other instruments.

Pianos sound good from the startWhy Piano Is The Best First Instrument To Play
Chances are you’ve heard the sounds a brand new trumpet, flute or violin player make. Not very pleasing. In fact, it takes practice to make musical sounds at all, and may take very long periods of time for a student to learn the skills needed to have great tonal quality and produce a good, pleasing sound. With a piano, when you press a key a note comes out, and its always on key (providing the piano is properly tuned). You can’t miss creating the right sound when playing the piano; practice simply perfects the way the notes come together.

Pianos offer a great sense of pitch
The piano has the most complex pitch of any instrument, from the lowest to the highest of notes. Because of this, music is written in both treble and bass clef, which allows a person to learn to read both clefs with ease. If and when they choose, they can move to another instrument and learn to play it faster. A well tuned piano will always create the perfect sound when a note is played, which helps a player develop a keen sense of pitch from the beginning.

Pianos play both melody and accompaniment
The piano is one of few instruments that allow you to play both the melody and accompaniment. As an early beginner, a piano player can play simple melodies they can hear and recognize. As they advance, they can begin to add chords to change the tunes and make them more complex. This helps develop a high sense of music theory, teaching how music comes together in complex ways.

Pianos develop a stronger sense of music theory
The piano provides a straightforward approach to music. The low notes are on the left, the high notes on the right. The white keys are interlaced with the black keys making sharps and flats easy to learn. And when translating music to the keyboard, lines and spacing are easy to translate from music to instrument.

Piano makes a great foundation
Because the piano is such a versatile instrument, it can provide enjoyment throughout a person’s lifetime. If they choose to continue music into college, it’s a great foundation for providing skills that will transfer easily to other instruments, or even allow a student to do better in math or sciences. Some of the most successful medical school candidates are music majors; music theory has its benefits. For whatever reason a person chooses to move forward with music, if you are looking for the perfect instrument to begin with, look no further than a piano.

Filed Under: Piano Lessons, Piano Playing Tagged With: ,
11 April 2015 Piano: The One Instrument That Gets Better With Time

Piano: The One Instrument That Gets Better With Time

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When parents choose to offer the gift of music to their child, cost is usually one of the top considerations.

If they select a violin, a cello, a viola, or a guitar, they know they will have to select a student instrument, sized correctly for how big their child is. As they grow, new instruments will have to be purchased as they move into better programs, or potentially audition for top schools such as Julliard. While a starting instrument may cost a few hundred dollars in the beginning, it can quickly reach into the tens of thousands of dollars as they perfect their skills and require better sound.Piano: The One Instrument That Gets Better With Time

Parents expect replacing the tools of the trade as their child grows and changes.

But what if a child chooses piano?

Piano is the one instrument that, if chosen correctly, can last a lifetime.

Over the years, manufacturers of pianos have come and gone. Some were good, some, well, not so much. But as the years have rolled by, some of the best continue to be sought after instruments that people are not only proud to play, they are proud to display.

Think Steinway.

Think Baldwin.

Think Yamaha.

And of course many more.

When pianos are built, if they are built with top workmanship from the best materials available, they are built to last. If they are well cared for over time, they will continue to last from generation to generation.

The key is in the maintenance.

A well maintained piano is placed in an environment where temperature and humidity are kept at a relatively consistent basis. It is cleaned on a regular basis. It is tuned on a regular basis. And when necessary, repairs are made.

With just these few things in place, the same piano a child learns on at 5 can be playing well when she reaches 105.

Ready to invest in a quality piano that will last a lifetime? Give us a call or stop by today.

Filed Under: Buying a Piano, Owning a Piano Tagged With: , ,
9 April 2015 How Often Should I Replace Piano Strings

How Often Should I Replace Piano Strings

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“I’ve never owned a piano before, but am now looking at one for my young daughter who would like to play. Depending on which one we get, how often will I have to replace the piano strings? Is there a difference between getting an old piano or a new one?”

The average modern piano that is in use in most houses across America today have over 230 strings with a combined tension of 15 to 20 tons. And if you upgrade and move into the concert grand pianos, the combined string tension will be up to 30 tons or more.How Often Should I Replace Piano Strings

With that much tension, you could assume that strings would easily break, needing repair on a frequent basis. That’s not necessarily true.

When a manufacturer builds a piano, his main area of focus is on the scale design, which refers to the calculations made to determine the pitch, diameter, length, and the tension of each wire. A good piano will have a better scale design, which means the engineers within the manufacturer spent the time constructing the piano in such a way that it plays at a superior level. They test, do more calculations, construct and test again until the ideal sound is achieved.

If you look at the wires within your piano, you’ll discover that more than one wire is used to produce each note. For the bass notes, one or two wires may be used, while the higher notes will have three. The wires used for each note helps determine the volume of the sound. A large bass string will produce more volume than a smaller plain wire. The volume is balanced by increasing the number of strings for treble notes, and fewer for the larger, fuller notes in the bass section.

Occasionally a wire may break and will need to be replaced. Piano strings can break for a variety of reasons.

  • In most cases, a string becomes rusty, weakens and breaks.
  • The string may become kinked or bent over time.
  • The string may be defective.
  • Strings can become brittle over time.
  • They are used extensively and simply wear out.

When a string breaks, there are several options.

In some cases, a broken string can be repaired by splicing in a short piece of new wire into the existing wire. The advantage is by using the old wire, it will better match the tonal quality of the surrounding strings.

In some cases, the broken string can be replaced by new wire. Piano wire comes in different sizes and types, so its important to choose a gauge wire that matches the one being replaced.

And in some cases, for an older piano, it may be best to restring the entire piano. If strings break on a consistent basis, or rust is prominent throughout the strings, it may be better to bring new life to your piano and provide it with a complete restringing.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Renovation Tagged With: ,
4 April 2015 The Piano Buyer’s Guide For First Time Buyers

The Piano Buyer’s Guide For First Time Buyers

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One of our most common piano customers is a young family looking for an instrument for their young child. And with good reason. With all the data out there on how music can improve memory, learning abilities, even SAT scores down the road, music is one of the best investments you can make for your child.

Yet one look at piano prices can often times make a young family think twice.The Piano Buyer’s Guide For First Time Buyers

Before you give up on integrating music into your child’s life, look at your options.

The piano industry estimates that last year, around one million pianos were sold, with around 50,000 of them or so being new. That means only 1 in 20 were new; the rest coming from a variety of sources, both private parties and authorized dealers.

Because fewer new pianos are being made, it has opened up a world of opportunity in the restoration of old pianos. And frankly many of them can be far superior to what is available new today, given the quality of workmanship that was put into the construction years ago. Many, many people not only ask for a specific model and make of piano when purchasing, they demand it.

Pianos hold their value well if you take care of it on a regular basis. If you purchase a piano from a reputable dealer today, and provide regular tuning and maintenance over the years, you’ll find you can easily trade it in down the road.

Don’t get caught in the common disbelief of finding the cheapest instrument you can. Many budget minded families find a piano in a relative’s home that has been in storage for years, or pick up a piano off of Craigslist for next to nothing, only to wonder why their child doesn’t respond to the music.

Imagine choosing a bicycle for your child with flat tires, or sending them into a football game without proper padding. When you purchase a piano that isn’t properly tuned and doesn’t sound quite right, it can be difficult to play. If you don’t “hear” the music you are making, its difficult to want to continue to practice.

And that $200 bargain you found online may take hundreds, even thousands of dollars to bring it back into working condition.

Remember, before buying any piano, new or used, it should be in tune before you purchase it. If the seller can’t provide you with a tuning certificate showing you its recently been tuned and approved, don’t accept it. This is your guarantee of a properly working piano.

If you have any additional questions as you make your final selection, feel free to give us a call or stop by today.

Filed Under: Buying a Piano, Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
1 April 2015 Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Buying

Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Buying

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With as many decades in the music business as we have, we’ve had a lot of questions come our way. Whether you are looking at buying, selling or restoring a piano, have questions about learning how to play, or something in between, we usually can provide you with the answer quickly. (And if you stump us with your question, we’ll research it and get back with you!)

Over the years, these are just a few of the most frequently asked questions we receive.

How much does a piano cost?Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Buying
This is obviously one of our top questions, and one that can be the biggest for concern, especially if you are living on a budget. Pianos don’t have to be the most expensive item in your home, and they can be quite affordable depending on what you choose.

Your first choice in choosing a piano is deciding between digital, upright and grand. Then you’ll have to decide between new and used. In many cases your ultimate decision should be based on the space you have for your piano, and how you will play it. A band member who chooses to take his piano with him wherever he goes has different needs than a family that would like a piano on display in their home.

Can you find pianos for thousands upon thousands of dollars? Of course. If you have a very specific make and model in mind, a one of a kind piano that will truly be a pleasure to own and to play, yes its available. But that’s not our norm. Our normal piano sale is to people just like you, looking for a quality piano to make music more enjoyable as you play.

Can I trade in my old piano?
The simple answer is yes. We’re always interested in the piano you currently own, and helping you upgrade to something that suits your needs today. If you have any questions, the best place to start is by giving us a call. We can take a look at what you have and determine the value of your piano before we start the process of finding a new one for you.

Why should I buy a new piano instead of buying one of Craigslist?
Why is it that you can find a piano for a few hundred dollars on Craigslist (or sometimes even for free)? Logic tells you its because someone has a worn out old piano that’s been in storage for years, and they’re truing to sell it today to make a few extra bucks. But like anything on Craigslist, you have no idea the condition its really in. Was in stored in a corner of the living room, or out in a shed in the backyard? Was it tuned last year, or several decades ago? Was it covered and cared for, or was it used for storage, with things place both inside and on the outside of the piano? With Craigslist, there are no guarantees. With us, there are.

Why does a piano require regular tuning?
A piano is mostly made out of wood. As the environment around it changes, the wooden structure changes as well. Temperature variations, humidity levels, air flow from vents and doorways, even sunlight streaming in from your window all can take its toll. As the wood swells and contracts, the relationship with the connection between the sounding board and the steel wire strings changes as well. The result is a piano that gradually goes out of tune. Regular tuning brings the piano back to its optimal level of performance, giving you the best sound possible.

How often do I have to tune my piano?
We usually recommend two to three times a year for best performance. Ideally, having your piano adjusted at the beginning of each season, to adjust for the changes that occur with the seasonal changes would leave your piano in top shape. If you have a new piano, it may need more regular tuning for the first year or two as it adjusts to its new environment. And if you move your piano to another room, or to another home, a tuning will adjust it for its new environment.

Have additional questions? Give us a call today.

Filed Under: Buying a Piano Tagged With: , ,
28 March 2015 Piano Tuning: Fact or Fiction?

Piano Tuning: Fact or Fiction?

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If you are new to the world of playing the piano, the entire process can be a little overwhelming. Much has been written on how to buy a piano, are new or used pianos better, and what the impacts are of not purchasing a quality piano. But what about maintenance?

Owning a piano is for the long haul. If you are going to play it regularly year after year, your piano will require maintenance. But what does that mean? Can you do it yourself? Are people just trying to make money off the maintenance process, or is there really something to be said for hiring a professional to help you with your piano tuning process?Piano Tuning: Fact or Fiction?

A piano is constructed from 80 percent wood products, and withstands about 20 tons of pressure on an ongoing basis. Many things can impact that relationship – humidity, temperature, movement, and even standing alone over time with no movement at all.

A piano is a living breathing thing. As it changes, even minutely, it will change the tension, and therefore the playability of your piano.

When a piano tuner comes into your home, it may be confusing to watch what he’s doing. After all, he sits down and hits a few notes over and over again, while tinkering around on the inside of your piano. He sits there for an hour or two, and hands you a bill. In some cases his work is complete and will hold you for a few months. In other cases he may have additional recommendations for repair work required to bring your piano into full adjustment.

In either case, it is his responsibility to make sure you understand the process. It is your responsibility to ask questions and learn all you can about the process.

A tuner provides minor and major repairs, adjustments, will regulate the action, voice the hammers, and make recommendations to optimize the functionality of your instrument. This isn’t a process that is learned quickly. A good piano tuner will have thousands of hours in at piano tuning to develop the knowledge needed to understand what he is doing.

It can’t be learned from watching a video online, or reading a book over a weekend. It takes practice. It requires on the job training to learn to “hear” where problems exist, and what is required in order to bring it to the optimal working condition.

Is piano tuning a necessary part of regular maintenance? Only if you wish for your piano to be at its peak performance level whenever you desire to play. To schedule your routine piano tuning appointment, give us a call today.

Filed Under: Piano Playing, Piano Renovation Tagged With:
26 March 2015 How Music Can Impact Your Health

How Music Can Impact Your Health

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Music can have a profound impact on your life in many ways.

But study after study shows that music can go way beyond, and actually make an impact on your health as well.How Music Can Impact Your Health

Take, for instance, what some have called the Kenny Rogers Effect.

When people suffer brain injuries, such as strokes, when they listen to music while undergoing standard therapy, they fare better in their progress towards recovery.

Listening to favorite songs helped people perform better, and thus activated more therapeutic effects that lasted for the long term, helping them improve at a faster rate. While scientists tried a variety of music in a variety of genres, they found the songs that provided the greatest benefits were performed by artist Kenny Rogers, thus the Kenny Rogers Effect was born.

While studies continue to determine the long-lasting effects music has on the brain, other studies continue as well.

Music May Help Prevent Seizures
Seizures can be very damaging to the body. It has been shown that music by Mozart played on the piano has seizure reducing effect in the brain when played within five minutes of exposure. In some cases, it has also worked with patients in comas. While experimentation with other forms of music is still at a minimal level, it may be a reason to bring out the classical music the next time you sit down to play.

Helping Combat Parkinson’s Symptoms
Music is good for the brain, its been shown to be true over and over again. But what about the body?

Victims of Parkinson’s suffer from muscle spasms, locking muscles and problems with balancing. By using music therapy, it has been shown to resolve many of the physical issues faced by many victims currently suffering with Parkinson’s.

Have you ever listened to music – even music you don’t enjoy – and found your foot keeping beat to the music? Its because portions of your brain that deal with rhythm and movement are so automated, we require little thought to feel the beat. This movement isn’t handled by the same process we use to make other moves, such as walking up the stairs. Instead, the brain associates music with movement, and sends the movement signal to your legs. In some cases, music can trick a broken, unresponsive body into movement and action, and bring balance back into the lives of people that may have lost it.

Do you have any stories on how music has helped with the health of someone important in your life? With so much growing evidence showing the benefits of music, why not make it a regular part of your routine.

Filed Under: Piano Music Tagged With: ,
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