25 June 2013 Why Piano Lessons Benefit Children

Why Piano Lessons Benefit Children

posted by Leave a Comment

Parents today are discovering the vast array of extra curricular activities for their children.  With competing schedules for soccer, ballet, debate, campfire girls, and the like, why should a parent consider complicating their already busy schedule with music lessons?  More specifically, why should parents consider enrolling their children in piano lessons?Why Piano Lessons Benefit Children

  1. Piano lessons improve fine motor skills – Piano lessons can greatly improve a child’s fine motor skills.  Piano requires children and adults alike to control multiple fingers at a time.  Hands may be moving in opposing directions, speed or rhythm at any given point in a piece.  In order to master these skills, children taking piano lessons learn to develop a better control in all their motor skills.


  2. Piano lessons improve confidence – There is nothing quite like a child who has worked hard on a piece and successfully performed it before others.  This experience will build a child’s confidence and prepare them to better face successes and failures in the future.


  3.  Piano lessons teach perseverance – You can’t learn a piece overnight, at least not one at your proper level.  Piano lessons will teach children the ideas of perseverance and practice.  Practicing will give them skills necessary to work hard until a task is complete.


  4. Piano lessons improve performance at school – Children who take piano lessons do statistically better in school.  Piano (or any instrumental instruction) introduces children to many foundational elements in math.  This understanding has been linked to a higher score in science and engineering as well.


  5. Piano lessons improve concentration – Not only do students score higher in school, but they are better able to focus in school.  Instrumental instruction and practicing by necessity develop concentration skills in children.


  6. Piano lessons help children be more rounded – Piano lessons introduce children to a world they would otherwise never know.  This introduction helps them grow into more rounded, well educated individuals.
Filed Under: Piano Lessons
20 June 2013 Advantages of Buying a Used Piano

Advantages of Buying a Used Piano

posted by Leave a Comment

It’s summertime and your kids are bored. You remember taking piano lessons as a child, and now is the perfect opportunity to give them that same love of music. But first, you have to buy a piano for them to practice, and with so many styles and brands, new and used, how are you ever going to choose? Used pianos are a good option for you to consider for many reasons.

Advantages of Buying a Used Piano

  1. The upfront cost of used pianos can be less expensive than new pianos. If you have a price range in mind when shopping for a piano, this is good news for you. For one, you are more likely to find the style of piano you were originally considering at a lower price. As well, you might also consider getting a piano that would have been outside your budget as a new instrument. Though restoring the piano will add to this initial cost, buying used still is often the less expensive option.


  2. There is more choice of styles and finishes, and people looking for an antique piano can have good luck. It can be more fun when shopping for used pianos simply because of how many interesting styles and varieties there are. By looking at older pianos, you can also find not just an instrument but also an interesting piece of art or décor for your home.


  3. Used pianos don’t depreciate in value like new pianos do. If you were to buy a new piano and then sell it again in a few years, there is a good chance that it will lose a lot of its value in that time. By buying a used piano, there is not as much of a risk of this happening. As its value has already depreciated before you bought it, it won’t depreciate in value much more than it already has if you were to sell it later on.


  4. Problems can be fixed. A used piano, no matter how gently treated, will have signs of wear and tear on it. Yet by buying it used from a quality piano dealer, you are ensured it is in good working condition and will be an asset to your home. Pianos are meant to be played. Yet over the years, playing, sitting, and environmental changes can take its toll – that happens to both new and used. For your piano to remain an asset in your home, periodic tuning and maintenance will help it stay in the quality condition you are purchasing today.


  5. You are likely going to have to invest more time in looking for a used piano that you like. There is such a variety out there compared to new pianos, especially in styling and sound, that it might be more challenging to find that instrument that fits what you have in mind. Test out many different pianos and find one that suits your needs. Come in and try a few out – let us know what you are looking for. If we have an idea in mind, we can help you look for it. And get you the perfect addition to bring music into your home.
Filed Under: Owning a Piano Tagged With:
18 June 2013 6 Tips for Adults Pursuing Piano Lessons

6 Tips for Adults Pursuing Piano Lessons

posted by Leave a Comment
    1. It’s never to late to start learning or to continue learning from when you were a child. Some people falsely believe that only children are able to successfully learn to play an instrument. With time and diligence though, an adult can easily become proficient in playing the piano.6 Tips for Adults Pursuing Piano Lessons


    2. A teacher can help you no matter what your experience level is. Whether you’ve never played before or if you played a bit as a child, having one-on-one help can assist you in a variety of ways.


    3. Be patient with yourself. Playing the piano, like any other skill, takes a lot of practice. It will be challenging at times, but let learning be a fun experience for yourself, not a frustrating one. As well, be proud of your accomplishments along the way, whether it’s as small as a good lesson or as big as learning to play a new piece of music. It feels good to succeed even in little ways when you’re learning something new.


    4. Set schedules and goals for yourself. Set aside times during the week for practice. Write down what you want to accomplish, whether this is an individual practice session goal or a bigger picture goal. Doing these things will keep you on track with your learning and help you stay focused overall. It will also be easier for you to see how far you’ve come since you started playing. If you have any questions about whether your goals might be too unrealistic, talk with your teacher about it. They will be able to help you set goals appropriate to your skill level.


    5. You can help yourself succeed by practicing in more effective ways. Practice as soon as you can after you’ve had your lesson. This will help you retain the new information and skills that you’ve just learned from your teacher, bringing them into your long-term memory. As well, it’s more effective to practice for shorter increments a few times a week (or every day if you have the time) than to cram it all into a single long practice session once a week. You will also have more fun and grow as a performer when you spread practicing out.


    6. Have fun with the process! You are taking a big step in deciding to pursue a new skill, and while it should be challenging, it shouldn’t become just another frustration in your life.
Filed Under: Piano Lessons
13 June 2013 The History Of The Piano

The History Of The Piano

posted by Leave a Comment

Pianos today are one of the most popular instruments and are widely played throughout the world. But how did this instrument get its start to grow to such popularity today?

Stringed instruments date back to the ancient world. The earliest types were created by attaching strings to gourds, boxes, and other similar items. People would then pluck the strings to make music. These simple instruments steadily grew more complex, and in 14th and 15th century Europe, people added keys to their instruments to play them. During this time period, the harpsichord and clavichord were invented. These were instruments that were similar to pianos but with some significant differences that limited how effective they were. The harpsichord’s playing volume couldn’t be varied, which made it less expressive. The clavichord on the other hand was more expressive, but it was too quiet.The History of the Piano

The earliest version of the modern piano was invented in the early 1700s in Italy by Bartolomeo Cristofori. Originally called the pianoforte, this new instrument solved the problems of the harpsichord and the clavichord. Its volume was controllable, and it was loud enough for large performances. These early pianos were fairly similar to today’s pianos. However, they were smaller and lighter- one of Cristofori’s models weighed about six times less than an instrument made today.

The first half of the 19th century brought about the Industrial Revolution, which changed many aspects of life in the western world. The piano too underwent changes during this time, transforming it into the instrument that it is today. For one, changes in the metal industry allowed people to produce higher-quality piano wire, which gave the instrument the more powerful sound that’s heard today. As well, it allowed for the piano to be made with a stronger iron frame. Other innovations that changed the piano into what it is today include using felt hammers instead of leather or cotton ones, reversing the colors of the piano keys from black to white, and increasing the tonal range of the pianos from five octaves to seven, which allowed for more complex music.

Music around the world would not be the same without the piano and all of its changes throughout the years. Whether you’ve been playing since you were a child, or  “learning the piano” has been on your bucket for years, there is a perfect piano solution for you – just give us a call and we would be glad to help you put piano music into your life.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
12 June 2013 Piano Lessons May Improve SAT Scores For Teens

Piano Lessons May Improve SAT Scores For Teens

posted by Leave a Comment

Piano Lessons May Improve SAT Scores For Teens

The nightly ritual begins. The child gets home from school and lies on the couch with a snack. The parent yells at her to start in on her homework, practice the piano, clean up her room. And so the fighting (and eye rolling) begins. Maybe it’s easier just to quit the piano lessons? What’s it truly doing for her anyway?

With it becoming seemingly more competitive to get into a good college, parents and teens both focus on getting good SAT scores. During this crucial point in life, many teens put the arts aside to focus on their studies. However, studies show that high school students who are involved with music making receive higher scores than their peers on the SAT.

The benefits of learning to play an instrument start early. Even before they begin school, children can benefit from learning about music. One study showed that preschoolers given music lessons were more advanced than their peers, especially with abstract thinking skills, which benefits them throughout their life. Children in early elementary school who were involved with music were more advanced than their peers in math, reading, listening, and language skills. Music helps give children a good foundation so that they can develop skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.

Through several studies done over the years, the same is seen to be true for teenagers taking the SAT too. Teens involved with music scored about 50-60 points higher on the verbal section and about 40 points higher on the math section. In addition, these studies show that the longer teens had been involved with music, the larger the gap was between them and their peers.

Another study looked at how music can affect students with a lower socioeconomic status, as poorer students aren’t as likely to have received music lessons at an early age. When these students were involved with the arts, however, their SAT scores were given a similar boost.

These studies show how important music can be for all ages. Playing the piano is not just a hobby. It can also be beneficial in other parts of your and your whole family’s lives.

Filed Under: Piano Lessons Tagged With: , ,
« Previous Page