14 June 2014 Should You Learn To Play The Piano On An Inexpensive Piano?

Should You Learn To Play The Piano On An Inexpensive Piano?

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One of the most common questions people ask us is about purchasing a piano for the very first time when you have a small child ready to take piano lessons. Since no one else in the home plays, and the parents aren’t sure if the child will really enjoy the piano, can they buy the least expensive piano they can find to “test the waters” before moving up and investing in something of better quality?Should You Learn To Play The Piano On An Inexpensive Piano?

The short answer to this question is no. Buying a piano should never be about price alone. You should never buy the least expensive piano you can find just for the sake of getting a piano. Instead, you should focus on getting the best possible piano you can at the price you are willing to spend.

Here’s why.

When you focus in on price, you’ll wind up purchasing a piano that may be anything but musically inclined. Let’s say you purchase a piano off of Craigslist. Its been sitting in storage for several decades until the family clears out the home to sell it. They sell the piano for “nothing” because they are simply trying to get rid of it and make a little money in the process. It hasn’t been played or tuned in years. And it may or may not be in need of serious repair.

When your child sits down to play, she starts out playing a few notes and simple songs. But as she taps out the tune, it doesn’t make sense. What she hears at her piano teacher’s place isn’t what she hears on her own piano. The notes are off and don’t create the same musicality she hears on one that was well taken care of. She doesn’t “get” the song or understand the tune because it simply isn’t there.

Her frustration grows. She fights about practicing. And the entire concept is dropped as she moves into some other activity in her life.

If you’ve ever heard a musician play slightly out of tune, you understand how detrimental it can be.

In order to appreciate music, you have to be able to hear the tune, no matter how simple your beginning songs may be.

Which is why purchasing the best instrument you can afford, and making sure it’s the best quality it can be, is vital to starting and continuing to play the piano.

If you get the best instrument you can afford, you won’t be sorry. Your child will appreciate the sound she is making and hearing, and possibly continue down the path of playing for a much longer period of time. And because a high quality piano holds its value as well, if you do choose to sell it in the future, you will be glad you made the sound decision of purchasing a high quality instrument.

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The Rebuilding of a Steinway Piano

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What is the number one selling piano in America? The Steinway piano. For most people, if they are familiar at all with manufacturers of pianos, they have heard of the Steinway name.

Steinway began as a piano manufacturer in New York by German immigrants. Later they opened another location in Hamburg, Germany. Today they operate out of both locations, and are known throughout the world for their quality. If fact, here in the US, 5 out of every 8 pianos produced each year carries the Steinway name.

And because of the name, a Steinway piano is a good investment because it retains its value now and will continue to do so for many years to come. Steinway pianos have high demand because many people have their minds made up that they will only purchase a Steinway piano.

Yet the longer you own a piano – any piano – like anything, it will need maintenance, repair, and eventually even rebuilding. So the question becomes “if you rebuild a Steinway with anything but Steinway parts, is it still a Steinway?”

Like most questions, there are two sides to the thought.

Lets take the example of replacing the soundboard. The soundboard on a piano is responsible for the tone the piano produces. The soundboard is often thought of as the heart of the piano. If you remove the original Steinway soundboard and replace it with something else, in essence it no longer produces the same sound it was once capable of. And therefore in many eyes, its no longer a true Steinway piano.

And in addition to the soundboard, there are many other pieces to a piano: strings, hammers, felts. What if these need replacing? The more you replace, is it still a Steinway?

Steinway & Sons pianos aren’t in the business of selling used Steinways or in selling Steinway parts. They are in the business of selling new pianos. They are not a parts manufacturer.

So let’s say your family has A Steinway piano from the 1950s, and it is finally passed down to you. You want to rebuild it and put in on display in the center of your home.

If you call Steinway and ask for the parts you need, they may send you Steinway parts. But because they no longer build the Steinway in your home, they may not match what was used in the past. The weight could be off or the geometry may be wrong. Many things could have changed, meaning that the fit isn’t up to original standards, and the quality of the sound goes down.

If you deal with a reputable piano restoration company, they know to use reputable manufacturers that will only supply high quality parts that will match particular vintages of pianos better than what Steinway may have at the time. An exact match means the tone remains as high quality as possible.

So the question is often left to you, the customer and the piano player, to supply the answer. What is the most important aspect of having your Steinway in top quality condition? We can answer all of your questions, and help you make the right choice for you.

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4 June 2014 The 3 Rs of Piano Restoration

The 3 Rs of Piano Restoration

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“Wisdom doesn’t necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.” ~Tom Wilson

When it comes to pianos, unfortunately age isn’t always the best of friends. Even under the best of conditions, as a piano ages, things begin to wear. And once something passes the point of no return, the only way to move forward is to have it fixed.

In the world of pianos, a piano may need one of 3 Rs: repair, reconditioning or rebuilding.The 3 Rs of Piano Restoration

Repair

A piano is typically in need of repair if it has an isolated broken part, such as a broken string or an improperly working pedal. The key is isolated – usually one problem exists and it’s a relatively easy fix to get it back into working order. It doesn’t need work in upgrading the condition as a whole, instead it usually involves one part.

Reconditioning

When a piano is in need of reconditioning, it usually has multiple problems and in general needs upgrading of the whole piano. The key with reconditioning is the piano is usually in a fairly good shape, the parts are still in working order, possibly with problems or defects. Reconditioning involves taking the current piano and making it better, typically by overhauling the existing parts. For instance, an upright piano may need resurfacing of the hammers and twisting the strings for better sound. It may involve a thorough cleaning, regulating the action and tuning of the entire piano. While reconditioning a piano, a few broken parts may be found and repaired, but overall reconditioning is the process of keeping what’s there intact, and making it better.

Rebuilding

Rebuilding is the most complex of the 3 Rs. A piano rebuild is a complete renovation of an existing piano. It may include restringing the piano, replacing the pinblock, or replacing the soundboard. It may include replacing the hammer heads, damper felts or the key bushings. It may include replacing parts of the piano case.

Ideally, rebuilding means putting the piano back into factory new condition, using as many new parts as necessary to return it to original condition. However, the rebuilding process is always a unique process depending on the individual piano itself. If a piano needs restringing, its classified as a rebuild.

To find out exactly what your piano needs to get it into top working order, give us a call today.

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31 May 2014 3 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Restored Piano

3 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Restored Piano

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The piano is one of the oldest instruments we use in our modern society. We’ve upgraded the piano, moved it into the digital world, and even used technology to increase the style and sound. But overall, the piano is still one of the most versatile instruments around.

Whether you’re just starting out, or have been playing for years, when it comes time to buy there are many questions that begin forming in your mind. New? Used? Buy a small keyboard from a discount store? Or invest in something that will last a lifetime?

3 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Restored PianoIt can be a very difficult process indeed.

Pianos typically come in one of three ways:

  • New
  • Used
  • Restored

New is self explanatory. If you choose to buy a new piano, you will have a make and model created this year using today’s materials and technology. It’s a viable option for someone that wants quality sound at a reasonable price.

If you are open to other opportunities, you may consider used or restored. That’s where the confusion sets in. And it leads us to 3 questions you should consider:

What is the difference between used and restored?

The two words seem interchangeable, but that’s not the case. If someone purchases a piano now, a year or two down the road they may decide to sell it due to a move, or they simply don’t play any more and want to free up the space for other things. When they sell it, its considered used.

Will a restored piano hold its value more?

A restored piano is usually a high quality piano created 30, 40, even 50 years ago or more. It still functions well, may have sentimental value, and overall is in good shape. It needs fine tuning to bring it back to its original quality.

Pianos hold their value well. And if a restored piano has sentimental value – it may have been owned by a famous pianist, or in the home of a prominent official – it can be highly valuable both now and in the future.

What do I need to know about a restored piano?

Restored pianos usually come with a history. If you buy from a private citizen that history may be lost in translation. But if you buy from a dealer, often times you will have details on the life of the piano. Pianos depreciate very little, and with a little work, can sometimes appreciate. The more you know, the more you’ll be able to share throughout its life with you.

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The Grand Piano Restoration Process

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I was touring a home of a historical figure on a recent trip. As we moved from the study to the main living area, the room opened up with two story ceilings. One wall was floor to ceiling windows. And several sitting areas were created with furniture, the highlight was a grand piano sitting in the middle, ready to entertain at a moments notice.Piano Restoration, Rebuilding and Reconditioning: Know What You Are Getting

The guide explained how the room was specifically designed to provide the best acoustics for music. And a volunteer quickly moved from the audience when she asked if anyone played. True to the guide’s word, the sound was amazing, and for just a moment, the entire tour group imagined what it must have been like sitting there listening on a regular basis, enjoying the gardens that were on display through the windows.

There’s something about a grand piano that brings magic to those around it. Its not just the music it makes; the look and feel of the piano doesn’t just blend in with the woodwork, it becomes the focal point for the entire room.

For many people, owning a grand piano is at the top of their bucket lists. To be able to have a room in which to display it, and have it masterfully placed in a position all can enjoy is worth the investment.

If you have a grand piano in your life, keeping it in top quality condition is important. You tune it when needed. You repair it when required. But after so many years of tuning and minor repair work, it might be time for something more.

The grand piano restoration process is unique and specialized. It depends on the current condition of the piano, and what is needed both to keep it in as close to original condition as possible, while returning its sound to one that makes beautiful music.

Every grand piano that goes through restoration has several aspects that will be addressed: pinblock fitting, soundboard repair or replacement, and action part replacement. Pinblocks may be one of the most vital corrections to a restored grand piano.If its not properly created and fitted, it will either be untunable for as long as it should, or may not produce the quality sound it once had. Soundboards have a long life, and without extensive damage can often be repaired to maintain originality with your piano. And with every piano, the action parts – mechanical components that create the sound, such as strings, hammers, hammer shanks, springs, pads, etc – simply wear out over time. All can be fixed or replaced, depending on the condition.

Do you have a room ready and waiting for your restored grand piano? Give us a call today, and we can help you decide if restoration is the right path for you.

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24 May 2014 Questions To Ask A Piano Restoration Company

Questions To Ask A Piano Restoration Company

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Anyone can say they are piano restoration experts, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are. If you want to find the best company to help you restore a piano that holds special meaning for you, be prepared with a list of questions as you head out looking for the right person for the job.

Why should we choose your company?Questions To Ask A Piano Restoration Company

Listen closely to how a company responds. Do they talk more about what they do, or how they can help you? Piano restoration services aren’t about the piano, and they aren’t all about how good the business is. Instead, its all about your needs and what means the most to you. A good restoration company will listen to you and offer you what you need most.

Is my piano worth restoring?

If a piano has sentimental value for you, its worth restoring. People think about piano restoration services for a variety of reasons. Some love their pianos, maybe they’ve been in the family for generations. Bringing it back to the best sound and the best look, without compromising the original quality is what restoration is all about. Some people have an antique that needs work, and with a little TLC, it might increase the value. Their desires are to sell; restoration is a way to make it more valuable. Both situations are viable as a reason to restore. Make sure the restoration company knows your ultimate goal so they can give you the best advice on the direction to move towards.

Why is it hard to compare restoration services from one company to the next?

Piano restoration is an art form. No two pianos are alike, and no two restoration projects will be the same. Each restorer uses his own methods, has his own ideas, and believes what he does based on the experience he has had in the past. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all that you read online, the best way to move forward is to give us a call or email us, and we can offer you sound advice from someone who’s been in the business for over 50 years.

What if I don’t live near the restoration company I’m considering? If I live in Atlanta, should I consider someone in Memphis?

The key to working with a piano restoration company is finding someone you resonate with; someone you feel will do the best job for you. We have clients all over the country, and have close relationships with a variety of piano moving companies. Great restoration companies know the importance is in getting the job done right, not limiting based on geographical region.

What if I don’t have a piano, but I have special requirements in the piano I want to buy? I’m looking for a vintage piano, and want to make sure its restored to mint condition. Can you help?

A great restoration company is a part of the industry. They understand new and old, vintage and antique, as well as high quality restoration. If you have specific requests, the best place to start is with a conversation. A great restorer will have many contacts within the industry, and can start making calls on your behalf, looking for the perfect piano for you.

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21 May 2014 Piano Tuning and Piano Repair

Piano Tuning and Piano Repair

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One of the most commonly asked questions we receive pertains to piano tuning.

A piano is a living, breathing instrument. Over time the sound adjusts based on the conditions around it. Climate, environment, where a piano sits, how often its played, all impact the overall sound quality. And around every six months or so, an adjustment helps keep it in quality condition, creating proper sound for the months ahead.Piano Tuning and Piano Repair

Piano tuning is the process of removing the tuning pins within the piano with a tuning hammer, then setting them to the appropriate tension in order to produce the correct sound.

The action, or the mechanics, of the piano are not regulated or removed during the piano tuning process. The way the piano plays will n0t be chanced. Tuning only refers to bringing the notes back to the correct sound. If the action of the piano had a problem before tuning, it will remain after the process unless repairs are made to correct it.

During the piano tuning process, if a tuner identifies a problem, he will notify the owner of the potential problem either before or during the tuning process. The owner can then decide how to proceed in order to bring the piano back up to full working condition.

Typically, a normal piano tuning process can help maintain a piano’s sound quality if it is tuned about every six months.

If a piano hasn’t been tuned in a year or two, or undergoes dramatic environmental changes between tunings, a tuner will typically perform a “pitch raise”, essentially a double tuning in order to bring a piano back to working condition.

If a piano hasn’t been tuned in years, before you schedule a piano tuning session, it may be wise to have it evaluated first for potential restoration and repair. The evaluator will be able to provide you with detail on how much work it would take to being it back to working order, or give you other options if you desire to have a quality piano in your life.

Have additional questions? The best way to proceed is to give us a call today to schedule the right service for your situation.

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17 May 2014 Restoring Your Vintage Piano: Where To Start

Restoring Your Vintage Piano: Where To Start

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Contemplating restoring your vintage piano? One of the first places to start is determining how old your instrument is. Here in the industry, we use a handful of historical publications that cross reference brand names with serial numbers in order to target the date your piano was produced.

To find your serial number, most pianos have the brand name and serial number inside the instrument near the strings or the soundboard. An upright will have the information just inside the lid, or stamped on the back of the piano. A grand will usually stamp the information near the soundboard. Organs and melodeons are usually stamped inside the cabinet, or will sometimes use a handwritten tag or sticker, depending on the age. Keep in mind that any ages or dates you find within these stamps are likely to be associated with the date the manufacturer went into business, not the date the piano was manufactured.Restoring Your Vintage Piano: Where To Start

If a piano has ever been unprofessionally finished or restored, the original brand information may have been removed. Look throughout the inside of the piano. The inside information usually remains, even if the unprofessional finisher placed identifying material on the outside hoping to increase its value.

Once you find the brand name and serial number, give us a call and we will assist you in determining the age of your instrument.

Age can sometimes correlate to value, though if the piano is unrestored it may only be worth a fraction of its potential. Think of a car sitting in a garage, covered in rust, and nonoperational due to neglect. It has little value. But if its restored to its original beauty, depending on the make and model may provide a tidy sum. Pianos work in a very similar manner.

When a piano is professionally restored, it refers to the process a professional uses to rebuild both the internal and external parts of the piano. Restoration includes rebuilding all of the working parts within the piano, as well as the cosmetic items that give the piano its look and feel.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen the market for vintage pianos increase dramatically in part due to the education and ability to learn more about the process. When vintage pianos sat in storage or an old garage, they were passed along from family to family with little thought of their value. Today, because people care more about value, we have more people interested in restoring their pianos, and likewise more people willing to invest in a quality piano that has quality through and through. If you have a piano and are wondering what your next step is, give us a call today. We’ll help you with the process and give you the steps to take to restore your own vintage piano.

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15 May 2014 7 Things You May Not Know About Piano Restoration Services

7 Things You May Not Know About Piano Restoration Services

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1. Some retail piano stores may tell you your piano isn’t worth restoring. If they only sell new/used pianos, and don’t offer restoration services, they have a vested interest in getting you to buy a new or used piano. The only way to find out truly what value your current piano has, and to discover the best direction you should take for bringing a fully functioning piano into your life is to build a relationship with a piano company that offers all three. They will show you the comparisons, and let you decide what choice is the best for you and your situation.

2. A typical piano has over 12,000 parts to it. When it comes to restoration, the purpose is to bring back the piano to its original quality, using new parts where needed and relying on refurbishing the parts that can be saved.7 Things You May Not Know About Piano Restoration Services

3. We understand that a lot of pianos that we get restoration requests for have sentimental value. And in most cases, every piano has the potential of being able to be restored. If the piano has spent its life indoors, even if its in a garage or storage unit, it probably can be restored. If it was left outside and exposed to the elements, particularly extensive water damage, its generally beyond repair. If you have any questions, the best place to start is with a conversation – give us a call.

4. By definition, any piano that isn’t new is used. But differentiating between a used and a restored piano usually comes down to the piano’s origins. The Golden Era of the piano was around the turn of the 20th century. Before radio and television became the mainstay of the home, pianos were usually front and center for every family. Piano playing skills were a mainstay, with almost every generation taking up the ability at some point in their lives. With the great depression and the subsequent generations finding other activities to venture into, and mass production making its way into our society, we soon found an abundance of pianos in all price and quality levels. And at the same time not everyone choosing to play.

So in general, a used piano will be 40 years or less. A restored piano or a piano that is viable for the restoration process is usually older than 40 years, was hand-built, and contains details and fine quality workmanship that makes it something to be fully appreciated now and in the future.

5. If you want a piano with history, you can request buying a restored, vintage piano rather than looking at new or used. Many pianos come with stories, and we understand if you have your heart set on something specific. If you have a brand, make or model, we will do our best to find exactly what you are looking for.

6. Restoration isn’t synonymous with replacement. For instance, part of the restoration process is the art of voicing the hammers. If a hammer is worn, it won’t produce quality sound. It takes skill and patience to file each hammer back into working condition, so that it produces the correct sound when it makes contact with the wire.

7. Strings are not created equal on a piano. Every piano uses its own size and style – using the wrong size can cause configuration problems, causing the sound to be distorted. A quality restorer understands this and always uses the right tools and products for the brand, style and size of the piano being restored.

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10 May 2014 Piano Restoration Is It A Do It Yourself Project?

Piano Restoration Is It A Do It Yourself Project?

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I have a family friend who is downsizing and asked if I wanted their old piano. Its been down in their basement in storage for years and hasn’t been played or tuned during that timeframe. I have young kids that I would love to have learn to play, and this seems like a great way of getting a piano for them. Should I do it? Can I clean it up and make it playable on my own, or should I hire a professional piano restoration team instead. I played piano myself as a child, but that’s been years and I’m not sure I have what it takes to make this a do it yourself project and make the piano functional as well.

Some things are easy do it yourself projects. And some things aren’t. Piano restoration falls into the latter category. Here’s why.Piano Restoration Is It A Do It Yourself Project?

First of all, a piano has many different parts, each that have to be in good working order for it to be a playable instrument. Sure, you can play a piano even if its wildly out of tune, but will you have an enjoyable experience when nothing sounds quite right to your ear? Its hard for anyone to learn or appreciate music in that situation.

The first determination is to find out what works and what doesn’t. Soundboards tend to dry out, shrink and crack as they age, especially if they are in an environment they aren’t well suited for and has varying temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year. Keys can be worn, strings can be broken or missing, rust can be set in place, glue joints can be coming apart. In short, there are many things that may be wrong, and if you don’t have the knowledge or skill to look for the underlying problem, fixing it is an impossibility.

Your first hurdle is often the moving process. It isn’t like a chair or table you can pick up and put in the back of a pickup truck and drive back to your home. Depending on the size of the piano, you could do serious damage to the piano or even to you, the movers, if you attempt it on your own. Piano movers are always recommended as they have the experience to get it safely from one location to the other.

Piano restoration can be something as simple as restoring the case in which the piano resides, to something complex like restoring the entire piano, inside and out. Cost varies depending on the amount of work that needs to be done, and the type and style of piano we’re working with. The only way to truly know what work needs to be performed is to view the piano itself.

Would your family friend be open to having a piano restoration consultant come out and look at the piano before you consider the move? It’s the only way to determine what value the piano holds for you and your family.

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