22 July 2015 A Guide To Keeping Church Pianos In Top Shape

A Guide To Keeping Church Pianos In Top Shape

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Music is an essential part of any church program. From practicing for performances, to teaching music in the classroom, to performing for Sunday events, most functions center around the piano.

With the piano being the highlight at many activities, it’s important to maintain each piano in the church, and keep them in good working condition throughout the year. It’s difficult to enjoy a program if you can hear an off, tinny sound somewhere in the background.A Guide To Keeping Church Pianos In Top Shape

Most churches have a number of pianos throughout the building. Where a piano is located determines how much maintenance it will need.

The sanctuary piano typically is front and center for weekly services, and either sits alone or is used in conjunction with an organ. A sanctuary piano needs first class maintenance. At a minimum, schedule at least two tunings a year, and a regularly scheduled maintenance routine of regulation, voicing, cleaning, etc.

The balcony piano is often used in conjunction with the sanctuary piano, depending on the set up of the choir and the congregation. Yet because this piano is typically out of sight, it’s easy to forget about it during regularly scheduled maintenance. A thorough check up is also needed to keep it in good working condition, providing a quality sound for the various events throughout the church.

Classroom pianos are often designed to help run Sunday school and special events. While these pianos are not typically heard by a high number of people, it is important for them to have good tonal quality because they are usually linked to practice sessions and helping develop an interest in music. If the piano is out of tune or isn’t voiced properly, it can impact the way a child learns to appreciate music.

Fellowship hall or basement pianos might not be front and center of every event that occurs in these rooms, yet when they are in use, full attention is given to the music being produced. To encourage an appreciation for music and for more people to play, quality sound is mandatory.

With all pianos, temperature and humidity control can be a problem. To save on energy costs, many churches keep a careful eye on temperature, keeping it comfortable only when the church is in use. That means heat and cold can impact the various pianos throughout the church in different ways. Be sure all pianos set away from windows and doors where drafts and direct sunlight can impact them most. Also be aware that this temperature variance can play havoc on the tonal quality of the piano, requiring more tune ups throughout the year.

To coordinate a regularly scheduled maintenance routine for the pianos in your facility, start by having a qualified technician evaluate your current set up, and determine a schedule that is right for you.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Renovation Tagged With: ,
14 July 2015 5 Biggest Challenges To Avoid When Moving A Piano

5 Biggest Challenges To Avoid When Moving A Piano

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Moving even under the best of circumstances is stressful at best. But when you add in oversized items that have special meaning, the stress can increase tenfold.

Proper planning is the starting point for a successful move, followed by having access to the correct resources for the job. Many times problems can be avoided simply by relying on resources that have experience doing the task at hand. A general mover has experience in moving standard items – boxes and furniture. When you throw in out of the ordinary items – like a piano – the struggle begins.5 Biggest Challenges To Avoid When Moving A Piano

Packing and Unpacking

When a mover comes into your home, they have experience in moving everyday items. They bring the right box for your dishes, for example, and understand that by wrapping each in bubble wrap, and tightly fitting them together in the box, they will most likely make the move in perfect condition. The same does not apply with out of the ordinary things. A grand piano cannot fit in a box, and bubble wrap will have little effect. A proper piano mover has access to the right equipment and the right protection to make sure your piano is moved safely from location to location.

What if it breaks?

A grand piano can be worth thousands of dollars. A grand piano may have sentimental value, or have been in the possession of one of the greatest piano players of our time, making its value priceless. Regular movers don’t understand that as they are trying to “heave-ho” it through a small doorway. And in many cases, they won’t offer full value when mistakes are made and your piano is damaged. Regular movers may say they “cover” and insure whatever is on their list to move, yet you may think twice about the likelihood of your prized possession actually making it to its final destination in one piece.

Safety

Imagine two guys lifting a grand piano onto its side and trying to wedge it around a corner, down the stairs, and through tight doorways. That’s a lot of stress on a piano. It’s even more stress on the bodies of the people moving the piano. Moving is a high risk job, with injury potential at every turn. And when you add in out of the ordinary items, risk and injury is almost guaranteed … unless you have the skills and the tools necessary to do the job the right way.

Moving day

When moving day arrives, the day stretches on and most often takes far more time than anticipated. Now add in additional time for moving a large, bulky piano. What if it gets wedged in around a staircase? What if it simply won’t go down? A move can increase from a day to several days if you don’t have the proper resources in place. And calling in an expert with emergency expectations is always far more stressful than having it planned from the beginning.

Storage

What if you are moving into a rental until your new house is complete? What if you downsize into a home and your piano simply doesn’t fit? Where will you store your piano until further accommodations can be made? A general mover may recommend a storage unit out by a warehouse. A piano mover can guide you to proper placement to keep your piano in the safest conditions until decisions can be made.

Generalists are rarely the answer when doing out of the ordinary things. If you are planning a move in your future, start by calling an experienced piano mover first, and reduce your stress immediately by having one less thing to worry about on moving day.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Moving Tagged With: ,
11 July 2015 Is Piano Repair Really Necessary?

Is Piano Repair Really Necessary?

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When was the last time you repaired your car?

It probably started with a small noise. If you ignored it, the noise escalated. And if you continued ignoring it, eventually the car stopped working, and the repair became a major event. What started out as a simple fix – replacing a belt for instance – became a major repair – replacing the engine.Is Piano Repair Really Necessary?

The same holds true with your piano.

A piano first shows signs of a problem in simple ways. A note goes out of tune, or a piano pedal sticks. If you ignore the problem, it escalates to the point of severe damage.

In many cases this happens when people are living on a tight budget, or if they stop playing the piano and it becomes a piece of furniture they ignore. Pianos need tuning and repair to keep them in top playing condition, whether they are played regularly or not.

Hire A Piano Technician As Soon As Possible

The right time to hire a piano technician for tuning is at the first indication something is not right. A qualified technician can repair it quickly and bring it back to proper condition. A large number of piano owners realize the potential savings regular tunings have on the quality of their piano, and choose to have their pianos tuned twice per year. This will ensure a quality sound all the year through, and provide you with a quality instrument that can be passed down from generation to generation.

Hire a Highly Experienced Piano Technician

Unlike today’s cars that can be plugged into a computer to show the technician what is wrong, a piano requires a personal touch. Although a piano player may pick up a few things about tuning as they play over the years, there is a difference between doing it yourself and hiring a professional with many hours of experience. A professional learns the fine tuning skill by practicing and learning and working on a variety of pianos. He understands what indicators to look for and what sounds may need further repair. Never judge a piano technician by price alone. Instead, find out how many years they have performed piano tuning, and how many hours they have spent in the process.

Why Tuning Is The First Step Towards Repair

In general, the first indication of a problem begins with piano tuning. A piano technician will spend time working with each note to ensure it is properly in tune. As he works through the process, he may indicated other problems – felt that is loose, or a potential problem with a hammer. As he notices things, he will make you aware of the situation and decide the best course of action to ensure your piano remains at optimal level.

Typically a quality piano tuning process will take anywhere from one to three hours. Anything less may be an indicator that a piano tuner doesn’t understand his job.

If you have any questions about the piano tuning process, give us a call today.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Renovation Tagged With: ,
10 July 2015 5 Signs Your Piano Needs Refurbishing

5 Signs Your Piano Needs Refurbishing

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Some projects are perfect for the do it yourselfer. Some projects aren’t.

Changing the color of the walls of your family room is a perfect do it yourself project; grab a bucket of paint and go. But when it comes to refurbishing the piano that takes center stage in your family room, it’s best left to the hands of a true professional.5 Signs Your Piano Needs Refurbishing

Start with the keys

The easiest place to start when checking the condition of a piano is with the keys. The keys should be played one at a time listening to them closely. The tuning may be off, meaning you might not hear a quality pitch as we walk from note to note. Listen beyond for buzzing sounds or harsh multi-tones even when you’re pressing just one key. Also pay attention if a key creates no sound at all, which could be a sign of further internal damage.

Test the pedals

When you press down on a pedal and find it non-responsive, it can be an indication of a bigger problem. Many people ignore the pedals, with little intention of using them in the first place. Check them anyway as it can be an indication of larger problems inside.

Inspect the hammers for wear

Each hammer within the piano is covered in felt. Timbre is achieved when the hammerhead felt strikes the strings and produces the desired note. Worn felt reduces both timbre and tone. Make sure felt is intact and wood does not show through. Also keep in mind that felt is attached to the hammers through pressure, not through glue. In many cases it can be easy to spot a do it yourself attempt to improve the quality, which can actually work against you.

Examine the bridge and pinblock

The bridge is the wooden piece between the soundboard and the hammers. It helps keep the piano in tune. This wooden piece should not be out of position, warped or cracked. The pinblock holds each string ensemble in place with tuning pins. Likewise, the pinblock must not be cracked or warped, and the tuning pins should be tight. Piano strings are attached in groups of two or three, and if the pinblock is damaged, the piano will remain out of tune. If you see signs of rust anywhere, it probably is a result of water damage and may be beyond repair.

Inspect the soundboard

The soundboard is the foundation of the piano. If the soundboard is cracked, warped or damaged, the rods will not move correctly, and the hammers and felts will work improperly, producing the wrong sound or no sound at all.

One of the worse sounds for people to hear is an incorrect note on a piano. But that is not a true indication of a problem with a piano. If damage is at a minimal, and the note is merely out of tune, piano refurbishing can be an easy process. It may be as simple as tuning and replacing a few worn parts. The only way to determine for sure the true potential of the piano in question is to start by having a professional evaluate the piano.

Have questions? Give us a call today.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Renovation, Piano Restoration Tagged With: ,
4 July 2015 Tips For Cleaning Your Digital Piano

Tips For Cleaning Your Digital Piano

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Digital pianos offer more flexibility and more movement than traditional acoustic pianos. And for many aspiring musicians, the ability to bring their pianos with them anywhere is one of its biggest benefits.

But with portability comes the increased likelihood of your piano showing its wear and tear a little sooner. With frequent cleanings and a little TLC, your piano can provide a long life no matter how much traveling you do.Tips For Cleaning Your Digital Piano

Piano Keys
The most obvious part of the piano that will show wear quickly is the keyboard. Yet if you clean the keys the incorrect way, you can permanently damage the instrument.

Prepare a cleaning solution by adding two drops of dishwashing liquid to a bowl of warm water. Use a clean, soft, color-free cloth, dampen it, and rub it gently over the keys one at a time. This process will remove fingerprints and any grime left on the keys. After you finish with a key, take another dry soft cloth and wipe off any moisture left behind that may damage the keyboard. If you have a particularly stubborn stain, do not try and clean them on your own with harsh chemicals or abrasives. Contact us directly for help with stubborn stain removal.

To Make Keys White Again

With age and wear, keys tend to appear yellow over time. In order to whiten them and make them appear new again, follow a few simple steps.

Create a mixture of a half cup vinegar with two cups water. Use a soft damp cloth to gently rub the keys one at a time. Make sure the cloth is damp, with no excess water that can leak and damage in between the keys. Wipe them with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture.

Maintenance Tips

  • In order to prevent dust from accumulating on your keyboard and in between the keys, you should keep a cover over the keyboard at all times when not in use
  • Avoid using water and liquids near the piano. Keep drinks away, and avoid putting plants or other household materials around your piano to avoid potential spills
  • Wash your hands before playing the piano to keep the keys clean and in good playing condition
  • Keep your digital piano away from windows and avoid direct sunlight. It is important to keep any piano away from extreme climate conditions, including hot or cold air, or humidity
  • Never use harsh chemicals on your keys or piano. This includes most commercial products you’ll find at your favorite store, or hard cleaning agents such as bleach or alcohol.

A digital piano will give you years of enjoyment if you learn to take care of it and maintain it along the way. With simply cleaning routines, your piano will look and sound good whenever you are ready to play.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
2 July 2015 Troubleshooting A Digital Piano

Troubleshooting A Digital Piano

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To keep an acoustic piano operational and producing optimal sound, maintenance and regular tunings are required. For digital pianos, the same level of maintenance is not required. Think of your digital piano in a similar manner to your computer; because its electronic, it doesn’t need a lot of basic care to run properly.Troubleshooting A Digital Piano

That said, a digital piano still has moving parts. And on occasion, troubleshooting may be needed to fix small problems that may arise through normal course of wear and tear. Here are a few tips to try when you run into issues while playing your digital piano.

Sticking, Jammed or Broken Keys

The biggest potential problem with a digital piano comes from its largest moving pieces: the keys. Sticky keys can be a problem for both digital and acoustic pianos because over time, dirt, dust, and other debris can get trapped between the gaps. Since a digital keyboard runs on circuitry, moisture can also be a problem. While humidity from the surrounding area can and will cause a key to jam, spilled liquids will present an even bigger problem. Which is why its important to keep all forms of liquid – drinks, plants, etc – away from the piano itself.

When keys become jammed or broken, they are fairly easy to replace. If you have jammed or unresponsive keys, notes that do not play, volume control issues, or other non-working parts, it is more than likely a circuit issue and a new contact board will be needed. If your piano is still under warranty, its best to let the manufacturer work with the piano as any tinkering can null and void the warranty.

Power Problems

Digital pianos run in one of two manners: batteries or an electrical source. If your digital piano runs on batteries, check your battery pack first. Battery packs should be fully charged regularly to keep the piano working throughout your playing session. If your digital piano runs on electricity, start by verifying the electrical cord is firmly in place. If power is generating through the circuit, a short circuit could have occurred to the power system, and the only way to have it fixed is to assess the damage through a reputable repair shop.

Software Issues

A digital piano runs in a similar manner to your computer. If you notice the system freezing, or the piano seems to lock up from time to time, it is likely that the software is to blame. Factory reset buttons on the piano will help restore a piano to working condition. Locate this feature by checking with the user manual. Please note that the reset button will bring your digital piano back to its original operating state. Any data you have stored within your piano has the potential of being lost, so regular backups should be made to decrease the likelihood of losing your work.

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

Filed Under: Buying a Piano, Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
24 June 2015 Why Hire A Piano Mover?

Why Hire A Piano Mover?

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I was visiting a friend over the weekend, and took notice of the neighbor’s moving out of their home. They had hired a moving company to help with the furniture. Two men quickly went back and forth between the home and the truck, loading up the belongings.Why Hire A Piano Mover?

After a short while, they exited the home with a large upright piano between them. Huffing and puffing, they pulled, pushed, wiggled and shoved this poor instrument until it made its way out of the door. Needing a rest, they leaned it up on end, balancing it on its weakest, most fragile legs. And from there, they banged and bumped it down a flight of stairs, rocking it as they made their way down to the ground level and out to the truck. Then not so carefully, they wedged it between a dresser and a table, and threw a blanket over the top. On to the next piece of furniture.

Unfortunately, that is a common scenario.

Pianos – both uprights and grand – are not furniture. And moving like it is just another piece of furniture can have its costs.

  • Imagine breaking a leg off the front.
  • Imagine breaking a pedal.
  • Imagine a heavy dresser or table smashing and breaking through the frame.

Your valuable instrument can have extensive damage in a matter of moments.

Piano uprights can be moved intact. Grand and concert pianos must be carefully dismantled and moved in pieces. These parts must be wrapped in special blankets, with a board fastened around it with straps.

Once a piano is secured, only then should it be moved from its location to the truck. A piano moving company will have a special dolly to help move it across surfaces. Great control is needed as a piano is moved down stairs and through tight corners and doorways. A professional piano mover also understands that it is sometimes easier to hoist a piano rather than move it up or down stairs.

A piano is a refined instrument that is highly sensitive to moisture, heat and cold. Imagine what happens to a piano that spends several day in below zero weather during transport. Or a piano traveling across desert climates in the middle of July. Without a properly equipped truck to handle varying levels of temperatures and humidity levels, a piano can quickly be damaged from the inside out. It’s not just the bumps and bruises that have impact.

While movers are invaluable for getting you into your new home, rely on them for your furniture, and rely on professional piano movers for your piano. You won’t be disappointed.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Moving Tagged With: ,
17 June 2015 Should You Replace Your Piano Bench?

Should You Replace Your Piano Bench?

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Most pianos come with a bench, and if you’ve had your piano for years, chances are you’ve been living with your piano bench for years too.

But does that make it the right accessory for the job?

Benches typically come in two basic types: a fixed height or adjustable. Consumer grade pianos usually come with a fixed height bench that either has a wood top to match the finish of the piano, or with a padded top to compliment the color of the piano. Because most piano benches come with the piano, they are usually small replicas of the piano, with the legs matching the legs of the piano. Should You Replace Your Piano Bench?

Most piano benches also come with music storage compartments. Simply lift the bench and you’ll find extra storage space to keep everything you need for practicing and playing the piano. All in all, the standard piano bench will service you well throughout the years. But there are many reasons you may consider upgrading to an adjustable piano bench.

Adjustable benches are preferred by children, adults who are shorter or taller than average, and by serious amateurs or professional piano players that spend a lot of time at the piano. The standard height of a piano bench is 19” or 20”, while an adjustable piano bench can be set anywhere from 18” to 21”. By adjusting the height and moving it slightly, anyone can get the proper posture and angle to the keyboard, making playing that much easier.

A high quality adjustable bench will have a heavy steel mechanism to help raise and lower the bench. In a duet size bench, these benches can easily weigh 60 pounds or more. These benches will also come in a variety of styles and finishes, perfect to match any style of piano. Keep in mind that like anything, you can get higher and lower quality adjustable benches. While a high quality bench can last a lifetime, lesser quality benches come with mechanisms that aren’t as hardy, and therefore can break or have problems earlier on.

A new type of adjustable bench contains hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms for raising and lowering the seat. This makes the bench easily and effortlessly adjusted with a handle on the side of the bench. (Similar to the office chair you may have in your office.)This can offer an advantage to piano players that have wrists that are easily fatigued, or in teaching situations where the bench is raised and lowered multiple times throughout the day.

To see all of your options in piano benches, stop by today.

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