19 August 2015 Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Buy A Piano

Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Buy A Piano

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There are many benefits to buying a piano for your home. If you play, you understand the value of having music in your life. And if you have small children, you’ve probably heard about all of the great benefits of having them learn to play the piano.

Yet buying a piano is a challenging process. Do you buy old or new? How do you select the right piano for your home? While it’s important to find the answers to your questions before you finalize your purchase, it’s also important to ask the right questions.Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Buy A Piano

Why am I buying a piano?
It may sound like an obvious question, one you’ve already thought about. But taking the time to determine why you’re buying a piano can help point you towards the right instrument. Will you be using it as a stress reliever? Will your kids be practicing several days of the week? Will it be as much a focal point for your living space as a musical instrument you will play every day? By sharing these answers with a piano dealer, he can point you towards pianos you may have never considered.

How much can I spend?
If you’ve ever searched Craigslist and been excited by the $200 piano listed online, you may need to rethink the value of a piano. It’s easy to find “good deals” on pianos online. However, most “good deals” are rarely good deals. They may have been neglected for years, severely out of tune. They may have internal water damage, which in effect ruins the playability of a piano. And while the outside may look good, you’ll quickly discover why it was such a good deal. If you want you (or your child) to create beautiful music, investing in a quality piano is important. There are many options for purchase, they key is to always choose based on the best quality for your money, not price.

Upright or grand piano?
For many people, this decision is easily made depending on space available. If you place a large piano in a room to small for it, the tone will not resonate properly. Both uprights and grands can produce high quality sounds. Both uprights and grands can be beautiful additions to your room’s décor. Aesthetics is just as important as acoustics in this case.

What about warranties?
Depending on where you buy and what type of piano you purchase, you may receive warranties from the manufacturer, or from the dealer. Make sure you fully understand any options before you buy.

Is brand important?
While some people come in, knowing only a certain brand will do, there are many brands available today that can be a welcome addition to your home. A well known brand, such as a Baldwin or a Yamaha, is always a good choice. Ask to see a variety of brands and learn what the differences are. Make sure you touch and feel the keys, as well as examine the instrument’s cabinet. Can you see this in your home for years? Ultimately that’s what matters most.

What about growth?
While it’s important to meet your needs today, it’s equally important to ensure they will be met for years into the future as well. If your high school son wants to learn to play piano to form his own rock band, it may be worth considering a quality digital piano, something portable he can carry on the road. If you want to ensure quality music is in your life through your retirement years, investing in a grand piano for your family room may be the perfect addition for your home.

As with any investment, research is important. By investing in a quality piano now, and properly maintaining it along the way, your investment will bring a lifetime of enjoyment.

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12 August 2015 Are There Benefits To Learning On A Digital Piano?

Are There Benefits To Learning On A Digital Piano?

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Whether your kids are a little bit country, or a little bit rock and roll, the ability to play the piano has a lot to do with being like their favorite music artist. While they may be willing to play Bach or Beethoven for awhile, what really gets them going is playing like Coldplay or Maroon 5.

And while learning on an acoustic piano gives them the basics, where they start to have fun and really feel the music is when they have all the options available to them on a digital piano.Are There Benefits To Learning On A Digital Piano?

If you are considering investing in a piano, if you focus in on quality, a good digital piano is designed to accurately simulate acoustic pianos. Precision weighted keys recreate the feel of an acoustic keyboard. High level digital sound technology is strategically positioned to produce organic acoustic piano sound.

Then digital pianos offer more. They can be the perfect balance you need to keep your child interested in piano playing for years.

Quiet Practice
Today’s families are busy. One child may be ready to practice the piano while another needs quiet time to finish homework. One parent may be on a conference call while another is fixing dinner. With a digital piano, you can plug in and monitor the sound with headphones. This allows the player to block out outside noises and other distractions, while keeping the surrounding family space quiet for other tasks going on.

Record and Listen
Digital pianos are built using today’s top technology. Start by recording your practice sessions to play back and learn. It can help you become more proficient with trouble spots, and can help you perfect tiny problems you may be having with your playing. It also allows you to transfer your music from piano to computer, giving you access to all kinds of design and editing programs to make original music that much better. This can aid in composition for a budding musician ready to begin creating his own tunes.

Broader Access To Sounds
While digital pianos are designed to mimic acoustic pianos, they also are equipped with a large variety of sounds. They have more traditional organ sounds – strings, harpsichord, church organs, guitar, bass and synthesizers, and go way beyond to add just about any flair and originality as you create. While younger children may love experimenting, older, more experienced kids can use it to grow beyond the standard playability, which can give them more desire to push forward and become even better.

Continue To Grow With Apps
With today’s technology, anything is possible. And by incorporating smart technology either through phones or tablet devices, you can take advantage of many of the apps that liven up practice sessions and make music more fun. They can help a budding artist understand theory, help them develop their own music, or become more proficient with notes and scales. They can provide motivation instead of making it feel like a chore.

If a digital piano sounds like a perfect investment for your budding artist, stop by and see all of your options today.

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5 August 2015 Why Your Piano Repair Should Come With A Warranty

Why Your Piano Repair Should Come With A Warranty

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As a regular piano player, you value the sound it makes. In order to keep it working properly, you invest in regular tuning and repair. Pianos are not something you need to replace all the time. With a little tender loving care, it can not only last a lifetime, it can be passed down from generation to generation.Why Your Piano Repair Should Come With A Warranty

Owning a piano shouldn’t be a burden. It’s a big investment, something that should be considered carefully so that it provides all the benefits you need as your practice improves and your ability to create more advanced sounds continues to grow.

A piano is made of materials like wood, felt and wire which are subject to wear and tear over the years. These materials can wear as a piano is played over and over again, but other things impact them as well. Temperature change, climate change, even the final resting spot your piano has in your home will all impact the playability of a piano over time.

Along the way, a piano should be tuned. A newer piano will have to be tuned more frequently as the strings stretch. Over time, regular tuning is also necessary to keep the sound at its peak performance.

Yet as time progresses, materials continue to wear down.

  • Felt hammers wear
  • Strings break
  • Keys become damaged and worn
  • Action parts wear out
  • Action needs to be regulated

Piano tuning is a part of regular maintenance. Piano repair needs a professional to perform more extensive care.

And once it is performed, a good piano repair company will also provide a warranty on both parts and labor. This provides you with assurance that the repair job was performed properly, and that quality parts were used that will provide you with long time performance and enjoyment.

Have any questions about the condition of your piano? Does your piano need tuning or repair? The best place to start is by asking questions. We’re always here to help.

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27 June 2015 New Accessories For Your Piano

New Accessories For Your Piano

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

Piano Covers

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

Bench Cushions

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

Grand Piano String Covers

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

Caster Cups

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

Pedal Extenders

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

Metronomes

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

Lighting

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

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

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19 June 2015 Should You Buy A Used Digital Piano?

Should You Buy A Used Digital Piano?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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13 June 2015 Should I Get An Acoustic Or A Digital Piano?

Should I Get An Acoustic Or A Digital Piano?

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

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

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

You should consider a digital piano if:

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

You should consider an acoustic piano if:

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

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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.

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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.

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5 March 2015 What’s New With Today’s Pianos

What’s New With Today’s Pianos

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If you are ready to give your child the gift of music, many look no further than to the traditional piano. It’s an instrument you can learn to play on your own, taking in both roles of harmony and melody, fully creating the sounds you desire most.

When you think of the sound and playability of a traditional piano – an acoustic piano – little has changed from the peak of their What’s New With Today’s Pianospopularity a century ago. When you sit down to play, running your fingers over the keys on a keyboard, you can easily create the sounds that have been created generation after generation.

Where have the technological advances to pianos been made over the last few years? In digital technology.

To the casual consumer, the concept of a digital piano may equate to the thought of inexpensive toy keyboards that can be purchased at big box stores or electronic stores. You’ll find several options being pushed hard around the holidays.

Comparing these toy keyboards with today’s digital pianos is similar to comparing a toy car you would purchase for your three year old, to the luxury sedan you have parked in your garage.

Today’s top digital pianos are capable of producing sophisticated sounds. Digital pianos are software driven, electronically created, and designed to produce amazing sounds. Depending on the make and model, some digital pianos have been created by sampling some of the top, most sophisticated pianos in the world, which means your resulting sounds will be rich and vibrant. What’s more, they step beyond the sounds of a piano, often incorporating hundreds of other instrument voices into their memory, giving you the ability to create any sound, any mood you desire.

From the beginning, digital pianos offer a wide array of technology tools to help the beginner. For a brand new player that has never played before, choosing a piano with light up features that can “light” the way to playing a song can be exciting. And motivating to keep going.

As your abilities increase, on screen displays can provide you with pointers and tips for increasing your playing skills. Its easier to hear the song, touch the keys, and see the notes, putting all of your new skill set into play.

Digital pianos bring the power of an entire orchestra conveniently into your home environment. If you have a budding musician, going digital can expand the possibilities tenfold. Not only will he have the ability to create entire symphonies with a few strokes of the keys, he can also tap into the Internet and be able to collaborate with may tools that exist all over the world. He can share his attempts at originality, download and store new music, even connect with peers and mentors that can quickly help his level of music sophistication grow.

And the more sophisticated a musician gets, the more tools become available. Digital pianos can come with preset features, providing sounds not possible with a more traditional instrument. How about layering effects? Blending sounds to create unique musical movements. The possibilities are only as limited as a player’s imagination.

If you’ve never looked at what a digital piano can do for the creativity of your child, maybe its time. Stop by, we would be happy to share with you all of the wonders that make today’s digital pianos true works of art.

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