26 September 2015 A Piano Teacher’s Guide To Buying And Owning A Piano

A Piano Teacher’s Guide To Buying And Owning A Piano

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Thinking of starting up a piano teaching business? As a teacher, the piano you choose will need more care than one that sits in your home and is played as you find the time. Not only are you teaching another how to play the notes and hear the music, you’re also teaching them how to love and care for music for the rest of their lives. If you don’t have a great instrument for them to learn and grow with, they may never have a true desire to continue on.A Piano Teacher’s Guide To Buying And Owning A Piano

The first step is selecting the best piano possible.

Whether new or used, the piano you teach with should be at its optimal level all the time. Quality is key for each of your clients to touch, see, feel and hear the music being produced, and be able to pick up the nuances as you guide and coach them.

Depending on the playing ability of each student, you should also be willing to add in different opportunities for playing. Can your students play on both vertical and grand pianos? Do you have a digital piano available? Can they hear pianos played in different acoustics? Students will come in with different desires, different dreams. What are you willing to teach?

Once you have your pianos in place, it’s equally important to keep them in top condition. Because of the amount of time your piano will be in use, and because ear training is an important part of any musical education, your piano may require more regular tunings than other pianos. Instead of scheduling tunings on a yearly basis, or simply when you have time, it may benefit you to work with a regular tuner who comes to know and understand your piano. He will better understand the working environment and be able to make suggestions along the way.

While regular tuning is important, you may periodically have to adjust the mechanical parts to compensate for the effects of wear. Regulation involves three systems – the action, trapwork and damper.

The action takes the power of the fingers on the keys and transfers it to the hammers that strike the strings. This action requires adjustment to properly respond to a pianists performance. Because the action goes out of adjustment slowly over time, you may not notice it in the beginning. But it will impact performance. A smooth action provides the opportunity for a better playing musician.

The trapwork includes the levers, dowels and springs that connect pedals to the action. The damper is the mechanical part of the piano that stops the motion of the strings and controls the keys and pedal system. If either is sluggish or isn’t keeping up with demand, it can impact a performance over time.

Along with regular tuning, regular maintenance and inspection should be included to guarantee your piano is in top shape, no matter if your students are practicing, or getting ready for a performance, or for the audition that may change their lives. To work with a regular technician allows them to get comfortable with your piano, make suggestions and recommendations along the way, and help you keep your piano in top working condition all year through.

How can we help your piano teaching business?

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12 September 2015 7 Things To Look For In A Used Piano Before Buying It

7 Things To Look For In A Used Piano Before Buying It

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“I am considering buying a used grand or baby grand piano for my home. I’ve played piano since I was a kid, and now that I’m approaching retirement, I would like to spend more time playing. I want an acoustic piano, not a digital, and having the old, elegant style becoming a centerpiece in my living room is as important as the music it creates. I know a lot about playing the piano, but I’m not sure about selecting a quality piano that will last me for years. What should I look for in a used piano before buying it?”7 Things To Look For In A Used Piano Before Buying It

Great question. And because of the amount of used pianos there are on the market today, it’s one we get quite frequently. Putting looks and sound quality in the forefront of your mind is an important starting point.

Other things to consider:

The condition of the piano
The best place to start is with a quick overview of the piano inside and out. You can quickly tell if a piano has been well cared for, or if it has been neglected. Look for signs of neglect and signs of abuse. You can also judge based on where the used piano is – a piano in the corner of a dark and humid basement will tell a different story than one on a piano dealer’s showroom floor.

The value of the piano
No, you don’t have to invest in a Steinway to have a quality piano in your home. However, certain brands will provide a higher quality tone. Ask questions about the brand and do a little research online before you buy. You can learn fairly quickly about the pros and cons of each piano brand.

Look at the interior
The soundboard is a wooden plate at the bottom of the case. All reinforcement ribs should be properly glued and in place. The bridge should be solid, straight, and uncracked.  The strings should be properly conditioned and in place. Look for deep grooves on the hammers; the more worn they are, the more harsh tonal quality will be. The pin block should also be evaluated to make sure pins are properly placed and aren’t loose or broken.

Look at the exterior
Are pedals attached? Do they move properly and impact the tonal quality? Are all keys in place? Strike every key to make sure it plays and functions properly. If it sounds like they strike twice, are dead, or seem sticky, it’s a sign repair is needed to bring it back into proper working condition. Also look at the finish. If its faded or shows weather damage, you can assume it wasn’t well taken care of.

Ask about the history
One simple question can release a lot of clues about a piano’s well being. Many people will launch into a long, elaborate story about where the piano originated from, and the status of the piano over time. While it may not be a fail-safe way to determine quality, you can make instant judgement calls when someone says “It was stored in the shed for decades” versus “It sat lovingly in my grandmother’s living room for years.”

How much immediate repair the piano will need
As you analyze each part of the piano, you can quickly determine how much money will go into repair before it is operational. A used piano sitting on a dealer’s showroom floor will be ready to play the moment it arrives in your home. A “good deal” on Craigslist may require months of work and hundreds or even thousands of dollars of repair work to bring it into playable condition.

How well will the piano fare while being moved
You can’t throw a grand piano in the back of a truck and expect it to fare well during travel without a little TLC. Look for weak points and make sure they are well kept and preserved during the move.

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3 September 2015 The 10 Best Piano Brands Ever

The 10 Best Piano Brands Ever

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If you’re in the marketplace for a piano and you want to make a statement with the piano sitting front and center in your home, you want to make sure its one of the best piano brands on the market today. And after a little search time, you can find a short list of what people consider to be the best piano brand today.The 10 Best Piano Brands Ever

Surely names like Steinway, Baldwin and Boesendorfer would make the list. Kawai and Yamaha would likely show up too.

But what makes them the best?

Is it the piano itself? Is it the way its built? Is it the materials used? Is it the music it makes? Is it the reputation of the company?

Or is it all of the above?

Yes, to be considered “the best” is subjective at best. But there are things that each of the top contenders have that give them the limelight. And there are things you can look for in whatever piano you choose to purchase to make sure you are buying the best quality piano to meet your needs.

To be considered the best, the manufacturer should build each piano with the utmost attention to detail. Every piece should be chosen with care, materials selected to produce the greatest sound quality possible.

The manufacturer should emphasize both quality materials and attention to technology. Today’s technology can help scale a piano to meet exact specifications, including shape of sound boards, placement of bridges and ribs, length of strings and thickness of bracing, all of which helps produce the most amazing sound possible.

The manufacturer should spend its time developing the highest quality piano products for the market. In today’s world, that stretches beyond  acoustic, upright and grand pianos, and includes digital, portable, synthesizers and more. Pianos today have many functionalities to meet all kinds of demands. By understanding how to create the best sound possible in one category, many will take that knowledge and build it into something more.

The manufacturer should care about quality. You can find pianos built entirely by hand, with each piece meticulously handcrafted into place. You can find pianos designed for specific needs – from conservatory models to historical designs. You can find pianos whose name has stood the test of time, and who consistently evokes quality, value and excellence. You can choose a piano that will provide you with a lifetime of pleasure; an investment truly worth all of the time and energy you put in.

Yes, choosing the best piano in the industry is subjective. The list of the top 10 piano brands ever will change depending on who is creating the list. But the quickest way to find the perfect piano for your home or studio is to stop by our showroom and see all of the opportunities waiting for you.

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31 August 2015 Buying A Used Steinway Piano

Buying A Used Steinway Piano

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For many musicians, they don’t own a piano until they own a Steinway & Sons piano. Steinway’s are arguably the most coveted pianos in the world. Owning a Steinway represents commitment to excellence, and offers musical enjoyment for many years to come.Buying A Used Steinway Piano

Because Steinway pianos can be some of the most expensive pianos on the market, many turn to buying a used Steinway piano when purchasing a piano for their home. But what should you look for?

A piano can be broken down into three distinct areas:

  • The body of the piano contains the soundboard, the bridges, the pinblock, the ribs and the strings
  • The action of the piano contains the hammers, the hammer shanks and flanges, the dampers, the repetition levers, the keys, the key tops and the key frame.
  • The casing of the piano contains the lid, the frame, the music rack, the key cover, the pedals and the hinges

Over the years, repairs might be made to bring each piece back into working condition. If a complete rebuild occurs, it would require all of the above to be replaced. While some rebuilders demand on using only Steinway parts when making repairs, other rebuilders aren’t as arduous as others and will use parts easiest to find. While playability is important, it also brings into question “is a Steinway really a Steinway if it doesn’t have Steinway parts”. It’s important to consider and to talk with the person you are purchasing the piano from to understand the originality of the piano you are considering.

Inevitably the search for used pianos turns to the Internet. And in many cases you’ll find a wealth of information on the piano forums. Keep in mind that these forums are filled with a mixture of people with interest in piano. You’ll find the homeowner who picked up a piano for free and considers any music to be an acceptable form of entertainment. You’ll find technicians and wanna-be refurbisher who make a little extra money on the side tinkering around with something they enjoy. And occasionally you’ll find a reputable piano expert that’s been in the business for decades – however these are few and far between.

The Internet doesn’t take into account the musicality of a piano. A photo can never fully tell the real story of the piano. Without interaction between you and the piano, you have no idea the true condition a piano is really in. Even something in “good condition” is subjective depending on the person making the claim.

The only way to purchase a quality Steinway & Sons piano is to visit your local piano dealer where you can physically hear and play a variety of pianos, and have a face to face conversation with an expert that values their reputation in the community, and will offer you the best advice about selecting the right piano for you.

Give us a call today to find the perfect Steinway piano for you.

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15 August 2015 How Important Are Foot Pedals On A Piano?

How Important Are Foot Pedals On A Piano?

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When you invest in a piano, you understand quality is important. Notes must play to the best of their ability. The piano must be tuned for proper playing. Sound is important.

But what about the foot pedals on a piano? How important are they? Will a beginner use them anyway?

It’s easy to forget the foot pedals as you make your way through the checklist before you buy. Yet each were created for specific purposes.How Important Are Foot Pedals On A Piano?

The modern foot pedal configuration has been in use since the late nineteenth century with three foot pedals in place: sustain (damper pedal), sostenuto, and una corda (soft pedal).

The una corda was the first mechanism invented to modify the piano’s sound. This function is used by depressing the left pedal on modern pianos. The soft pedal modifies timbre and color of the tone, not just the volume.

The sustaining pedal is the right pedal on the modern piano. The pedal raises all the dampers off the strings so they keep vibrating after a key on the keyboard has been released. It allows the notes to resonate and mix together.

The sostenuto pedal allows pianists to sustain selected notes while keeping other notes unaffected.

With an acoustic piano, pedals are conveniently placed and attached to the frame located centrally underneath the piano. The framework attached to the grand piano often had a symbolic shape of a lyre, and it still carries the name “pedal lyre” today.

With a digital piano, pedals may or may not come standard with your setup. If you look at the back of your synthesizer or digital piano, you may notice input devices labeled “CTRL1 and CTRL2” or “SOSTENUTO” or “DAMPER”. These inputs are for the foot pedals and will enable you to change the timbre and expressiveness of the piano in much the same manner as on an acoustic piano.

If you are purchasing a used piano, it’s important to ensure the pedals function correctly, and provide you with the ability they were intended to perform. If not, it can signify problems with the piano.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Playing Tagged With: ,
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.

Filed Under: Buying a Piano, Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
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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1 August 2015 Piano Problems? You May Need Properly Bushed Keys

Piano Problems? You May Need Properly Bushed Keys

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The last time a piano technician came into your home to tune your piano, did you hear him mention your piano keys may need rebushing? What are properly bushed keys? And why is it important to the overall playability of your piano?

Properly bushed keys provide the foundation for accurate key leveling and spacing, and create a more solid and secure feel to the action of the keyboard.Piano Problems? You May Need Properly Bushed Keys

Each key on a piano is held in place by two pins. The balance rail pin is near the center of the length of the key, and the front rail pin is at the front. There is a hole near both sections in which the rail pins fit into place. Each of these holes is bushed with a thin layer of felt.

When the piano is new, the bushings are loose enough to allow the key to move freely up and down, yet tight enough so that the keys don’t slip back and forth.

With a lot of play and repetition, the felt bushings become worn and compressed. You may start to feel the wiggle from side to side as you play, and may even knock together with neighboring keys. As a long time player, this can be more than a little disconcerting. But to a new player, this can eliminate the desire to play.

There is a proper way to fix worn key bushings and replace them altogether. This must be done with precision, as the work is delicate and misplaced bushings can drastically impact the sound of the piano.

Each felt bushing must be steamed and lifted out.

Next, the right thickness of felt must be created to assure a proper fit. The felt is held in place with special cauls and hot hide glue, while the edges are carefully trimmed to prevent them from poking up and disturbing the fit of the key.

After the glue is dried, the cauls are removed and keys are put back into place. If the rebushing was performed correctly, little adjustment is needed to get the piano back into proper working order.

Have a question about the playability of your piano? Give us a call today.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Restoration Tagged With:
29 July 2015 Do The Felt Hammers On Your Piano Need Recontouring?

Do The Felt Hammers On Your Piano Need Recontouring?

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Every time you play a note on your piano, the felt hammer depresses down onto the string, striking it to create sound. This happens over and over again as your fingers run across the keyboard pressing down note after note.Do The Felt Hammers On Your Piano Need Recontouring?

In all pianos, vertical and grand, the felt hammers become grooved over time from this action. As they strike against the string, it compresses the felt just a little. Over time, this can begin impacting the sound your piano makes.

If your piano is rarely played, this process may take decades. If your piano is heavily played, it may take a few years. And if your piano is used daily in a practice room at a music school, for instance, the time frame may shorten considerably.

When hammers are new, only a very small area of the hammer is striking the strings. As the grooves begin to wear into the felt, a half inch or more of the face of the hammer may be striking the string every time it is played. This can cause a harsh and uneven tone.

If you open up your piano and look down at the hammers, you will notice the grooves in the felt, with almost a dirty or heavily worn look to them. The hammers should not be fixed so they look “clean”. Cleaning the felt will not fix the problem. Some attempt to take off a thin layer with a dremel tool to fix the problem, yet this is largely a cosmetic fix that will not impact the overall tonal quality. Others have even attempted to clean the felt with soap and water; this only risks further damage to your piano.

An experienced piano technician can recontour the hammers, restoring them back to original shape. The hammers are “filed” in such a manner as to take off very thin layers of the felt until no string grooves remain. This allows the original curve of the hammer to once again take place.

Keep in mind that the felt hammers can only last so long, even with regular maintenance and recontouring as needed. Eventually the hammers must be replaced.

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25 July 2015 When Moving A Piano Does It Need To Rest Before It Is Tuned?

When Moving A Piano Does It Need To Rest Before It Is Tuned?

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When a piano is moved, it can go out of tune due to a number of factors:

  • Humidity levels may change
  • Temperature levels may change
  • Bumps and bangs can knock it out of tune

It also depends on the length and distance of the move. Are you moving it from the living room to the family room? Are you moving it 10 minutes away? Or will it be moved half way across the country?When Moving A Piano Does It Need To Rest Before It Is Tuned?

Longer moves will typically provide more opportunity for a piano to expand and contract based on the different environments it resides in. Yet even a slight movement can sometimes have a big impact.

Where is a piano coming from, and where will it be moved to? Some pianos are well taken care of, tuned every four months, and being moved from your old home to your new home. Other pianos may have been stored in a basement for years without tuning, and moved into a home for a young child to begin lessons. Big difference in the care it had before the move; big difference in the approach to take to bring it back in tune.

If a piano is on a regular maintenance schedule, it’s probably okay to keep to that schedule and your piano will continue operating at peak condition.

If a piano has been sitting in storage for years without maintenance, the first tuning may not have full effect. In order to bring it into tune, it may take several attempts, which means working on it from the moment you move it will start the process.

If a piano is coming from a desert community and will be placed in our more humid climate here in Memphis, it may take a few days of adjustment to settle in to its new environment. Give your piano time to adjust to its new surroundings, then schedule a piano tuning session to perfect its pitch.

If a move is in your future, start by talking with a professional mover first. They can help walk you through the process, and provide you with the best advice for maintaining the sound quality of your piano.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Moving Tagged With: ,
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