10 January 2015 Restoring The Pinblock

Restoring The Pinblock

posted by

What’s one of the most important parts to any piano? Arguably, many people would point towards the pinblock.

The pinblock is designed to hold the tuning pins tightly in place so the piano does not go out of tune. Pinblocks are usually made of hard maple or beech wood, and are usually laminated so that the end grain of the wood presses up against the tuning pin from multiple directions.Restoring The Pinblock

Tuning pins are about 2 ½ inches long and are made of steel. They are embedded into the pinblock about an inch in depth, with the remaining inch being visible above the wood.

In most cases, tuning pins become loose for one of two reasons.

First, the pinblock may simply be worn out. After years of tuning the pins and moving them back and forth, they simply cause the hole in the wood to be larger than the pin itself. Its similar to a wood screw that has been stripped.

Second, the more serious of the two problems can be a cracked pinblock. Cracks can form in the pinblock between two or more of the tuning pins. The crack causes the holes to open up and the pins become so loose they will not stay in place. Cracks can be caused by a number of things, including an excessively dry environment, or by an inexperienced technician who pounds the pins in without the proper support from behind.

Is the pinblock worth replacing? That all depends on the piano and the pinblock. If a pinblock is cracked in an inexpensive upright, its often not worth the cost of fixing it. If a name brand grand piano is suffering from a worn out pinblock, a trained technician may be able to restring the piano using oversized tuning pins, and give your piano several more decades of life.

The only way to know for sure is to have a trained technician inspect your piano. Give us a call today.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Renovation, Piano Restoration Tagged With: ,
6 January 2015 “Cheap Piano For Sale” Isn’t Always A Good Thing

“Cheap Piano For Sale” Isn’t Always A Good Thing

posted by

As a musician, names can mean a lot.

When it comes to owning a piano, having one of the better names such as Steinway, Chickering or Knabe on display can be a source of pride and accomplishment.

But upgrading from the family heirloom that’s been passed down generation to generation, to an in-demand piano can present its own set of challenges … mainly cost.“Cheap Piano For Sale” Isn’t Always A Good Thing

Yet in today’s world, finding a “diamond in the rough” seems like a pretty easy thing to do. All it takes is a quick scan on Craigslist to find many bargains listed with great names, and even better price tags. How can you say no to a bargain?

The ads always go something like this:

Used Steinway piano in good condition

Stored in heated garage for past 15 years

Needs some refinishing work

$100

Wow! What a deal.

The picture shows the stain is gone in places, but overall, it looks like its in good condition. A little staining, maybe tuning it a little, and it should be good to go.

“I’ll take it!” And the deal is complete.

Unfortunately, if you truly want a piano you can play, that sounds good, and will add years of enjoyment to your life, you may have just made the worst deal of your life.

Here’s why.

The first step is getting your “new” piano home. You can pay to have a professional piano mover move the piano from the heated garage to your home. Or if you stick with the bargain concept, you can get a few friends to help you move it. That will involve renting a truck and finding several people that are willing to move a several hundred pound instrument into place. And pianos aren’t an easy thing to move; they are large, their weight is disproportionately placed in several areas, they are bulky, they are heavy, and they have tiny legs that can easily be broken off. And that’s just the outside. Heavy banging or sudden jarring can cause even more damage to the intricate pieces on the inside that give a piano its life and its sound.

Once you get it to its final resting spot in good condition, its time to call in the experts. If a piano has been sitting in storage for 15 years, you can bet it hasn’t been tuned in at least that long. Is the pinblock still in good shape? Are the strings in working condition? Will it hold a tune? How much time will it take to get it into tune? This is where the fun can begin, and where your real cost can start. In the best scenario, it can take a simple tuning, revamping a few strings, and regular maintenance to bring it back into playable condition. At the worst, it may not be playable without extensive restoration.

Even though it’s a Steinway, even Steinway’s have different values. Has it been damaged in its life? Is it an upright or a grand? Does it have a full range keyboard? There are a lot of variables that will determine its ultimate worth, both before and after potential restoration.

While each phase takes time, it also takes money. And unless you are a trained professional, most are projects you simply can’t take on yourself. In some cases it may take hundreds or even thousands of dollars to bring a piano back into good working condition. And if you don’t have the time or the money to do it, it may wind up back in the garage once again – only now its in your garage instead.

If playing the piano is your goal, start with a piano in playing condition from the moment it arrives in your home. And start making beautiful music tonight.

Filed Under: Buying a Piano Tagged With: ,
3 January 2015 How Piano Lessons Help Your Memory

How Piano Lessons Help Your Memory

posted by

There is a lot of research and evidence going on right now around the concept that mental stimulation can improve your mental well being. Visit any wellness site or pick up a magazine targeting people as we age and you’ll find all kinds of “games” and other exercises that can help your brain get stronger, thus improving your memory.

And that’s what we’re all after, right? From the very first time we have a “senior moment”, we start questioning our future paths. According to the Alzheimer’s Association:

  • More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s
  • Every 67 seconds someone in the US develops Alzheimer’s
  • Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States

How Piano Lessons Help Your MemoryPretty scary statistics. And if you know someone who has Alzheimer’s, or feel your risk factor is above average, you’re probably spent even a little extra time worrying about your own future. Have you specifically tried something new, hoping it would improve your brain’s health?

While new games, exercising, even starting a new hobby can all help you keep your brain healthy, there is one activity that may have been on your bucket list for awhile that has long been studied for its brain boosting power: music.

Many neurologists have studied the impact playing an instrument has on the brain. When studies have looked at introducing children to the joys of making music, and have followed the study as they incorporate music into their lives, they’ve found the impact can have amazing effects:

  • Listening skills are improved
  • Language skills are improved, including reading ability, verbal fluency, memory, and second language acquisition
  • Music training improves the ability to stay focused on means and goals and see things through to fruition

Kids that continue on with music into their teens and twenties have been found to:

  • Be better at test taking
  • Score higher on tests like SAT and ACT
  • One of the top majors in college that move onto medical school is music

All of that adds up to motivating evidence showing the relationship between brain health and music.

If it can achieve those kinds of results in children and young adults, imagine what it can do for a person throughout their life.

Are you looking for activities to help keep your brain in top function? Playing the piano may be the perfect choice. From choosing the perfect piano, to selecting the right piano teacher, we’ve been helping customers all over Memphis for years put music into their lives. We would be happy to help you too; stop by or call today.

Filed Under: Piano Lessons Tagged With: , ,
31 December 2014 How To Break Your Piano Practice Bad Habits

How To Break Your Piano Practice Bad Habits

posted by

We all have them with everything we do. We start out with the best of intentions. But something gets in the way. And soon, our bad habits stand in the way of us achieving the kind of results we’ve always desired.

Yes, I could be talking about anything. After all, how many of us really want to stick with that diet we started when fresh baked chocolate chip cookies are put in front of us?How To Break Your Piano Practice Bad Habits

When it comes to playing the piano, we all start out with the best of intentions. After all, the goal is to play beautiful music with one of the most versatile instruments around.

But like all great intentions, things can go array. And before long you may be finding yourself dreading practice, questioning why you ever wanted to play the piano in the first place.

Problems with practicing the piano usually fall into one of several categories:

  • Timing issues
  • Playing issues
  • Goals

Timing

Playing the piano means practice. If you don’t set up a routine to practice on a consistent basis, you will never improve your skills. One of the most common bad habits is not incorporating practice into your weekly routine. Its easy to “get busy” and have something else take its place. But if the piano is truly important in your life, the only way to make it happen is to practice on a regular basis. While it doesn’t have to be every day at a certain time, you should be able to carve out time every week. Once you find a routine that works for you, stick with it and make it a priority. When you see the results, you’ll be more likely to keep the pattern.

Playing

Many people try and learn piano on their own. They watch a few videos, read a book or two, or refer back to lessons they’ve had in the past. The problem with doing things on your own is you may not be doing things the right way. If your posture is wrong, it may be causing problems with your arm or hand movement. If you don’t understand the music, you may be playing with the wrong tonal quality. With every task you do, every new hobby you try, the only way to perfect it is through practice and critique. A piano teacher’s job is to give critique; to help you through the bad habits and turn them into good. If you’ve been stuck for a while, it may be a simple “a-ha” moment that can help you make a few leaps.

Goals

When it comes to playing the piano, is it simply to play a piece of music, or enjoy playing a piece of music? If your goal is to simply play it, the enjoyment may be lost. You practice to get the notes right, playing it through again and again to make it from beginning to end.

Music should never be approached in this manner. It doesn’t matter the difficulty of the piece of music, how many songs you can learn in a period of time, or how quickly you advance into difficult pieces. Instead, its about letting the music flow through you. When you “feel” the music, it accomplishes a lot. It gives you enjoyment, it takes away stress, it fills you with a sense of accomplishment. Take a look at your true goals; are they on target to enjoy the music you make? Do you have the things necessary to make this a reality?

Whether its trying a new song, or creating a new music room that will allow you to play to your full potential, without the right goal in mind, you may just be setting yourself up for failure.

Filed Under: Buying a Piano, Owning a Piano, Piano Music Tagged With: ,

Grand Piano Finishes and Styles

posted by

If you are in the market for a piano, you’ll quickly find that there are many more options with upright pianos versus their counterparts, the grand piano.

Yet when most people think about a piano, and choose to put it on display in their home not just as a musical instrument, but also as a piece of art, more than likely the grand piano will be the instrument of choice.Grand Piano Finishes and Styles

Grand pianos come in a variety of woods: mahogany, cherry, walnut, oak are the most common. In some cases you’ll find an ebony piano, which is made of inexpensive, sturdy veneer that has been painted black. Higher priced pianos may be constructed from exotic woods such as bubinga or rosewood.

In addition to the type of wood itself, the piano can also be finished in a variety of ways. You’ll typically find pianos finished in either a high gloss or satin finish; high gloss gives a mirror-like effect, where as satin reflects some of the light. You’ll also find flat finishes, more common in European pianos, in which the grain is not filled in before finishing, giving it a grainier texture with an overall flat lighting quality. And in some cases, you can special order a piano in a variety of colors, including ivory or white, or even in bigger and bolder colors such as red or blue.

Most piano finishes are either lacquer or polyester. Lacquer was the most popular finish during the 20th century, with polyester becoming more popular in the 80s and 90s. Lacquer finishes are a smoother finish, which also means they can scratch easier than their counterpart, the polyester finish. Polyester finishes are more durable, and are a great choice in high traffic areas, such as a church or a school.

While the overall look of a grand piano is one that is easily recognizable by all, there are distinct qualities that can add style to your final selection. A traditional grand piano has a solid piano case, straight or slightly tapered legs, and usually a rather plain, solid music rack above the keyboard.

A Victorian style brings out the finesse of the late 1800s, with large, round fluted legs and a fancy music rack. Still other styles, such as the Queen Anne or French Provincial, provide elaborate curved legs similar to the period in which it originated, and will offer embellishments and music racks that compliment the style.

Whether you have a specific look and style in mind, or simply want to have artistic expression in your home, a grand piano can add style like no other piece of furniture can. Let us help you find the perfect addition to your home today with a grand piano.

Filed Under: Buying a Piano, Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
24 December 2014 The Best Value In Pianos: The Restored Piano

The Best Value In Pianos: The Restored Piano

posted by

Want to know the best kept secret in the piano industry? It’s the restored piano. Very few items exist that appreciate in value the older they get. Whether you own an heirloom piano in need of repair, or are looking to purchase a piano for your family, your school, your church, or your place of business, a restored piano may be the perfect choice for you.The Best Value In Pianos: The Restored Piano

A restored piano has the advantage of:

  • Having a higher quality level of materials than you’ll find in many modern day pianos
  • Having hand crafted construction with embellishments to match
  • Having historical value that will continue to appreciate with age
  • Producing musical tones that will only come with time-aged wood
  • Giving you the opportunity to lower your costs while increasing your ability for a better piano

What’s the difference between used and restored?

The words “used” and “restored” are not synonymous.

As time goes by, fewer people are purchasing pianos, and therefore production of new pianos has decreased as well. In many cases, people of today want a piano as much for the beauty of the instrument as they do for the sound it produces.

If a piano has been built in the last 40 years or so, and is a lower priced piano, it may be a mass produced piano from China or Indonesia, built with particle board or compressed paper. They are considered be entry level by some, but in most cases will have a limited life.

Pianos built around the turn of the 20th Century were considered the best of its class. With state of the art craftsmanship, decorative embellishments, and the rich beauty of hardwoods, the detail can rarely be found in today’s production. While they may need restoration to enrich the wood, improve the sound quality, or repair well used pieces, its quality will never be matched by a mass produced piano.

Is my piano worth restoring?

Many people come across old pianos as they head to estate sales or are gifted with a piano from friends and relatives. While they may be a welcome addition to your household, as you play a few notes you may question the value. If the notes sound a little off, the first thing you may ask yourself is if its repairable?

Some pianos are worth saving; some are not. Some have value because of the manufacturer or the era they originated from; some are beyond repair.

While you can start with the manufacturer and do a little research online, the best way to understand your piano’s value is to have a reputable dealer evaluate its condition.

In many cases, the restored piano is the best kept secret of the piano world. Whether you have a specific make or brand in mind, or are simply shopping for your first piano and want an exceptional deal, the restored piano may be just what you are looking for.

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

Where Are Today’s Pianos Made?

posted by

When many people think of a new piano, they tend to think in terms of years gone by. Old names in the piano industry have changed over the years, with manufacturers varying greatly. The number of pianos produced every year has also been changing, giving way to new leaders both domestic and from abroad. In the 1970s, the majority of the pianos sold in the US were made in the US by about a dozen different makers. Hundreds of thousands were sold every year.

Fast forward to today’s market and you’ll find an entirely different dynamic. Numbers have now dropped to around 40,000 new acoustic pianos sold annually, with over 30 different companies from around the world producing around 70 different brand names.Where Are Today’s Pianos Made?

How did this change happen?

In the 1960s, Japanese manufacturers began a wave of imports that took America by storm. That gave way to pianos from Korea being imported in the 80s and 90s, which put most American manufacturers out of business.

As Korean wages rose, it moved piano production to Indonesia and China. The 2000s was also a time for technological advances and computer aided design that allowed manufacturing quality to raise substantially. Even pianos at the lowest price range could have dynamics and precision only found in higher price models of yesteryear.

Since the 1990s, the European manufacturers have also aggressively been targeting the US, giving even more choice to the high end marketplace. To better survive the global economy, more companies are diversifying and increasing their product lines to move into all price ranges. Because parts and labor are being used interchangeably, it often blurs the line between the lower, mid and upper ranges, allowing consumers to be the winner in getting higher quality at an affordable price.

What does all of this mean to you?

If you are in the market for a new piano, the options are better than ever before. Stop by and compare some of the top names in the industry, and find the perfect piano for your needs.

Filed Under: Buying a Piano Tagged With: ,
17 December 2014 Are You Up To Date On State Ivory Regulations For Pianos?

Are You Up To Date On State Ivory Regulations For Pianos?

posted by

In the piano industry, regulations have changed significantly over the years. Up until the 1950s, ivory veneering was used to cover a piano’s keys and give it the smooth, ivory look we’ve all come to associate with a piano.

Yet in the 1950s, things began to change. We began to understand the brutal nature of the ivory industry, and began abandoning the old ways of covering the keys on a keyboard with ivory, and turned to plastic instead. By the 1980s, the European market was on board with the ivory ban, and today no new pianos are built containing ivory.Are You Up To Date On State Ivory Regulations For Pianos?

Nonetheless, the US Fish and Wildlife Service continues to do its part regarding the sale of ivory, and has taken steps to increase regulation against the sale, import and export of anything ivory.

Under new Federal regulations, a piano with ivory keys will be prohibited from most sales both across state lines, for import or export, and in some cases will no longer be able to be sold within a state itself. Individual states such as New York and New Jersey have passed their own bills eliminating the sale of a piano with ivory keys within its borders. This means that anyone – individuals or dealers – will not be permitted to buy, sell, or take in trade a piano with ivory keys.

These new regulations are a hot topic among industry experts, partially because of the confusion left behind. The law is designed to put an end to elephant poaching once and for all. In some areas where elephants used to live in mass – Chad, for instance – over 90 percent of the population has been eliminated due to poaching, with less than 500 surviving.

The idea is that if things can’t be exported, imported, or sold, they will become difficult to part with and lose their value. That makes things difficult, especially for musicians who travel throughout America from abroad.

The proposed regulation does have an”antique” exemption clause for pianos more than 100 years old. But keep in mind that its often difficult to document and prove a pianos age, and you must have meticulous documentation on file in order to be safe. If a piano has had repairs or restoration in the past, it no longer qualifies, and will disqualify from the exemption.

If you own a piano that has been in your family for generations, private ownership is fine. But keep in mind that the likelihood of both selling it or in some cases even working on it is decreasing all the time.

 

Have further questions? Give us a call today.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Renovation Tagged With: , ,
13 December 2014 What Is Piano Voicing?

What Is Piano Voicing?

posted by

When you begin to learn a new hobby, there are more aspects to learn than just the craft itself. Take, for instance, learning to play the piano. Not only do you have to learn the notes, scales, and finger placement, you also have to learn the buzzwords of the industry.

Like voicing.

Voicing refers to the changing tone of the instrument. Tone can be thought of as the brightness or mellowness of the sound. A note may be perfectly in tune, yet vibrating at a consistency that sounds harsh and bright. It can have a fullness to it that makes it seem like it hovers in the air, or it can have a flat, dullness to it that barely creates a presence.

There are three basic problems when it comes to tone:What Is Piano Voicing?

1. Select notes don’t seem to blend in with the others

2. Entire sections seem to be out of balance with each other – the bass may be bold while the treble is weak

3. The entire piano seems to be balanced, but the overall tone is too bright or mellow

These problems have nothing to do with tuning, and everything to do with voicing.

When you listen to music through a stereo system, you can control the sound in a variety of ways. The easiest is by turning the volume up or down depending on your preference. But with a sophisticated system, you have more controls than that. You can adjust the treble or bass to make the music sound richer and fuller. You can move the sound from one channel to another, creating surround sound. You are not changing the music; just the way you hear it.

The human ears are designed to pick up many different frequencies. Every frequency has its own volume and pattern. That’s why you can distinguish a friend’s voice calling to you across a crowded room, or why a mother can hear her infant cry in a room full of children.

If a piano is in tune and properly voiced, it will create a harmonious sound that is not only a joy to listen to, but also a joy to play. Imagine a beginning piano player sitting down and playing her first tune. She hears the melody, but knows the sound simply isn’t right. That’s where frustration can begin to set in.

Voicing is bringing every note into balance so that one note compliments the other as it is played. Instead of each note working individually, they work together to create one harmonious sound.

How is this accomplished?

Through proper tuning. The strings must be properly seated and firmly in place. Hammers must be in proper working condition and centered on their strings.

Think this is a job for just anyone? Think again. This is where the art of tuning comes into play. The art of listening and diagnosing the tonal weakness takes years of experience and a great deal of patience.

If its been a while since your piano was tuned, you may have noticed some issues with the tone. The voicing may be off. Which means its time to schedule tuning with a trained professional and bring it back into full working condition. Give us a call today; we can have your piano playing beautifully again in no time.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Playing Tagged With: , ,
11 December 2014 Gift Giving Guide For The Piano Player In Your Life

Gift Giving Guide For The Piano Player In Your Life

posted by

It seems as if gift giving gets a little more difficult every year. We’re all busy people. And in most cases, if we want something, we simply buy it. Why wait around for one day of the year, and hope someone reads your mind and purchases what your heart truly desires. Its much easier to get it yourself, right?

Yet at the same time, nothing can say “I love you” more than receiving a gift that is well thought out, and truly shows you know what the other person wants. You’ve taken the time to consider what means the most, and have put thought and care into the gift you give.Gift Giving Guide For The Piano Player In Your Life

If you have a piano player in your life, you already have a few indications in place to help guide you in the right direction. Piano players love making music. And by acknowledging that love and giving a gift that can help them do it more, or make it even better, you are giving a lasting gift they’ll think of all year through.

Piano Lights

When you sit down to play a song, most people start by propping open a book to read the music as they go along. The better you can see the music, the easier it is to play. While any light may do the job, there are specific lights designed for the type of piano you are using. Why not surprise your loved one with the gift of light?

Piano Benches

Piano benches aren’t a one-size-fits-all piece of furniture. Instead, they come in a variety of styles and sizes. When people invest in a piano, in many cases the piano bench is an afterthought, simply purchased to make do for the moment. If that is the case with your loved one, why not surprise them with a bench made for the instrument? Styles and sizes are designed to compliment the type of instrument – upright or grand – and the height of the instrument to ensure proper hand placement. When in doubt, measure the height and bring it in. We’ll help you select the perfect tool for the job.

Piano

When a piano player truly loves the art of making music, one piano is never enough. They may have the old upright in the corner, the one handed down from generation to generation that they learned to play on and love more than anything. But what would they do with a grand piano on display in the family room? Or a digital piano they can transport to different locations and use whenever they desire?

With so many options available, the best way to choose the perfect gift is to come by and select something from the heart. We can help you find the perfect gift for the piano player in your life, and have it wrapped up and under the tree in plenty of time for the big day.

Filed Under: Piano Playing Tagged With: ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »