18 October 2014 The Best Room Conditions For The Sound Of Your Piano

The Best Room Conditions For The Sound Of Your Piano

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Pianos are built to last, and with the right care, will provide decades of enjoyment. Yet what determines how long it will last and the condition it will be in at the end of the road depends a great deal on the environment its placed in today.

If you own an acoustic piano or are in the process of buying one, new or used, there are right room conditions that increase the potential life of your piano. Use these guidelines to help you create or update the piano room that will both protect and enhance your investment.

Choose The Right RoomThe Best Room Conditions For The Sound Of Your Piano

Your piano can sound different depending on its final resting spot. Every room has different architectural structure, which can significantly change the sound of your piano. A piano with a bright sound can be nicely balanced by surrounding it with absorbent furnishings such as carpets, rugs and wall hangings. A subtle, more mellow voice is nicely complemented by wooden floors and other hard surfaces. Don’t be afraid to move furniture and décor around as you play to achieve the best results. If you notice vibrations in windows, loose shelves, or even picture frames, move things to avoid harsh tones and even to avoid damaging things from falling in the process.

Maintain The Right Temperature

The ideal piano room maintains a constant room temperature of 70-72° F. If the temperature is allowed to fluctuate drastically beyond these guidelines, problems can quickly start to materialize, such as a change in the tuning, a weakening of the internal glue, and long term wood damage.

Keep in mind that other factors can come into play with regards to temperature. While your room may be a comfy 70°, if you place your piano along an outside wall and it dips down to freezing levels outside, it can drop the temperature of your wall significantly. Also keep your piano away from drafty windows and doors, away from fireplaces, and away from climate control vents.

Control The Elements

Access to outside elements can provide an easy way for potential threats to easily have access to your piano.

Water is not a piano’s friend. While a water glass or other food and drink items should never be placed on a piano, the same hold true with access to condensation. Keep a piano far away from doors and windows where water and other elements may have access to the piano’s surface.

Dust, pollen, dander, smoke – all can easily damage the piano’s inner-workings by accumulating in the tiny places. Keep the piano lid closed and clean your piano regularly to avoid buildup.

Also avoid direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Indirect sunlight can help prevent mold and can even help yellowing in the piano keys. Just be sure to monitor the overall temperature if a room receives a lot of sunny days.

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15 October 2014 How Humidity Effects Pianos

How Humidity Effects Pianos

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Relative humidity is the amount of moisture contained in the air, compared to the maximum amount of moisture the air is capable of holding. Moisture content is affected by weather as well as the internal conditions and activities that happen every day within your home. The amount of moisture the air is capable of holding varies strictly with the temperature.

How Humidity Effects Pianos

When the relative humidity in a room increases, moisture will tend to transfer from the air to wood and other absorbent materials in the room. When relative humidity decreases, moisture will transfer from these materials back into the air. Relative humidity changes by the hour, by the day, and by the season, always impacting the wood, felt, and other absorbent parts within your piano.

Since relative humidity is dependent on two factors – temperature and

moisture content of the air – its not possible to maintain a constant relative humidity level by controlling room temperature alone.

The first and simplest step you can take is the position your piano takes within your home. Avoid extreme conditions – direct sunlight, exposure to climate control vents, access to drafts from window and doors.

If you have specific problems in your home, you can add a room humidifier to add moisture during dry spells, or a dehumidification system to reduce moisture during wet seasons.

An easy way to control humidity problems right at the source is to have a humidity control system installed in the piano itself. They are installed out of sight, inside the case of a vertical piano or under the soundboard of a grand piano. They have a humidifier for adding moisture to the air, a dehumidifier for eliminating excess moisture, and a control unit that activates the system to add or remove moisture as needed.

While a humidity control system won’t eliminate the need for regular piano maintenance, it will provide more stable tunings by reducing the radical pitch changes your piano may experience as it moves through the seasons. When your piano stays closer to its correct pitch level, your technician does not have to perform a large pitch raising or lowering procedure, and thus balance is refined and maintained between the strings and the frame itself. In addition, it helps preserve your piano through the years. Wood, glue joints, metal parts and your piano’s finish will all last years longer if not subjected to excessive humidity swings.

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8 October 2014 Simple Rules To Keep Your Piano Healthy

Simple Rules To Keep Your Piano Healthy

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Because your piano is a working instrument filled with moving parts, it needs a little more care than the average piece of furniture sitting in the same room. There are things only a trained technician should do to keep your piano in good working condition – tuning for instance. And there are some things you can do on a regular basis to help extend the life of your piano.

Regulate The Environment Around Your Piano

A piano performs at its best when the environment around it remains relatively stable. While that may seem difficult, especially with huge fluctuations in both temperature and moisture levels as we move from summer to winter, there are things you can do at home to regulate the temperature.Simple Rules To Keep Your Piano Healthy

The cold can weaken the wooden parts of a piano; add too much pressure and they can snap. The heat can negatively effect the strings, and can loosen the felt on the hammers. Ideally the temperature in your room should always remain in the 70 to 72° F range, with humidity best in the 40 to 50 percent range.

Regulate the room’s temperature with an air conditioner or heater, but keep vents for both at a distance from the piano itself. Its also best to keep a piano away from an exterior wall so its not affected by extreme cold periods. Keep away from windows that allow direct sunlight to shine on the piano, which can cause discoloration and could possibly crack the piano’s finish.

Keep Drinks And Food Away From Your Piano

While this advice sounds very basic, it still is something that should be emphasized, especially to kids. In today’s world, we always have a glass of water or a water bottle at close range. And depending on the type of piano and its location, it may seem like the perfect resting spot for your drink. But if liquid seeps into the piano keys and reaches the interior of the piano, major damage can occur quickly.

If liquid spills onto the keyboard, wipe excess liquid from the keys’ surface immediately. To avoid water movement, try not to press any keys while cleaning up. If liquid does seep between the keys, contact a piano technician as soon as possible for maintenance.

For spills on electronic keyboards, unplug at once. Do not attempt to shake off excess water, and only clean up surface liquid. By pressing too hard, you can actually drive liquids deeper into the piano. Wait a few days to thoroughly dry out before plugging in and testing it. If any problems occur, consult with a piano technician for more information.

Adjust The Keylid

When you aren’t playing your piano, the keylid is designed to cover the keys and keep them safe from dust, air particles and other debris from your home. While covering your keys is a good idea, too much of a good thing can be bad as well. If the lid remains closed for too long, it can allow mold and mildew to form inside the keys, especially if the piano is kept in a dark or humid location.

Keep the keylid open periodically to allow air circulation over the keys. You can also occasionally go over your keys with a vacuum cleaner attachment to remove small particles that reside on the tops of the keys. A lightly dampened cloth can also be used to remove build up from your fingertips.

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4 October 2014 What You Should Know About Piano Benches

What You Should Know About Piano Benches

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Today’s piano benches come in hundreds of styles with a variety of legs, wood finishes and fine fabrics. If you are in the market for a new piano bench, here are a few things that can help you select the right one for your piano and for your playing style.

Grand Piano Bench vs Upright Piano BenchWhat You Should Know About Piano Benches

A grand piano bench (sometimes called a duet bench) is generally between 33 and 36 inches wide. This size bench is proportionate to the width of a grand piano or a full upright, and is perfect if you would like two people playing side by side (hence the name duet bench). Many come as adjustable so they are perfect for growing children or for people that practice for long periods of time and like adjustment every once in a while.

An upright piano bench is generally 30 inches wide and is used with all sizes of upright pianos.

In many cases, people will attempt to save money and choose an upright piano bench to go along with their grand piano; you won’t be happy. Each comes at specific heights designed for the appropriate piano. You will likely be sitting in the wrong position, and it may look out of place when compared to the piano.

Both come either with a wood top or with an upholstered top. The choice is yours – both offer comfort and style, it just depends on your décor and the type of look you are trying to achieve.

Grand pianos offer a third type of bench: the adjustable artist piano bench that offers comfort, durability and appearance. The height is adjustable, meaning you can dial in your desired height for the most comfortable use. These benches come in three sizes: the 21 to 22 inches long standard, the 32 to 33 inches long duet, or the petite, which is the length of a standard, but not as deep, running 13 inches wide as opposed to the 16 or 17 inches of a standard or duet.

What Should You Know About Purchasing A Piano Bench?

There is no true indication of a right or wrong, good or bad piano bench. Piano benches are personal choices, and you can find lovers and haters of almost every piano bench ever made.

However, keep in mind that piano bench manufacturers are finite in nature, meaning only a select few manufacturers make piano benches; its not a mainstream piece of furniture you’ll buy for your home. While some discount retailers may try and get you to buy a bench based on price alone, a lot of factors go into choosing the right bench for you. You must take into account the size of your piano, how you prefer to play, whether your child is still growing, and your individual needs.

The best way to choose the right piano bench is to give it a try first. Stop by and give them a try. Sit on several benches at a piano of similar height to yours at home. You’ll quickly see the difference and determine the right bench for your needs.

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1 October 2014 Common Problems With Digital Pianos and How To Repair Them

Common Problems With Digital Pianos and How To Repair Them

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Digital pianos and keyboards are usually sturdy instruments that will provide years of joy and entertainment if properly maintained. But there are occasions when things go wrong and you must get it repaired. The most common problems with digital pianos are:

  • Broken or sticky keysCommon Problems With Digital Pianos and How To Repair Them
  • A keyboard that won’t switch on
  • No volume or uneven tone
  • LCD is broken,cracked or won’t light up

In many cases, the repairs are fairly simple in nature, and can be completed quickly. However, remember that pianos are delicate by nature, and by applying too much pressure trying to fix it yourself could actually do more damage than good. If you bend or break a contact beyond repair, a new contact board will be required. And if the new part is no longer available, it could mean having to purchase a new instrument instead.

If the problem is a contact issue – some of the notes won’t play, or the volume is uneven or too loud – it’s a sign the contacts need to be cleaned. Most contacts are made of graphite, and a proper cleaning will generally solve the problem. Avoid using WD40 or any other chemical cleaner as they can do more harm than good.

If your piano is freezing, locking, or simply won’t turn on properly, it could need a simple rebooting. Check out the “initialize” or “factory reset” procedure in your user manual, or check on the manufacturers website for more detail. Do not attempt to reset if you have saved your own songs, styles, etc, without saving the data first, as it will restore operation to factory default.

[As a helpful reminder, it is good to regularly backup your work on to your computer or an external storage unit, especially if you save on a regular basis.]

When in doubt, the best solution is to bring your piano in to a reputable piano dealer for repair. Because most manufacturers void the warranty if work isn’t performed correctly, its easy to quickly do damage beyond repair. That can be a costly mistake, especially if it ends up requiring a new piano instead.

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20 September 2014 The Three Biggest Tips For Caring For Your Piano

The Three Biggest Tips For Caring For Your Piano

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Pianos are a moving, carefully constructed instrument that require regular care to keep it in good working condition. While it doesn’t require daily maintenance, or hours of your time during your busy week, there are easy things you can put in place to ensure the best working performance whenever you have the desire to play.

#1 Control The Humidity Levels

One of the most crucial aspects of keeping your piano in good, working condition is its environment. Too much humidity can cause wood to swell and keys to stick. Too little humidity can cause drying and warping of the wood, which can also lead to piano keys sticking.The Three Biggest Tips For Caring For Your Piano

Its easy to assume that if humidity is high (or low) outside, the inside environment is okay as well. That’s not necessarily so. Low humidity is more likely present during the winter months, when you run your heat on a frequent basis. Yet it can also be present during times of drought, when no rain has been in sight for weeks at a time. Low humidity cracks soundboards and other vital parts of your piano, so its an important aspect to watch for and correct.

Proper humidity levels in your home should be in the 40 to 52 percent range. While this may not be possible in all areas at all times, the important thing to watch for is humidity dropping too low for extended periods of time. If you get static electricity in your home, your piano is in danger.

#2 Piano Tuning

Its easy to assume that piano care is related to how much you play your piano. It works for a car – oil changes are needed on a more frequent basis the more you drive your car. Not so with a piano. Even if your piano sits for weeks on end without being played, it still moves and changes based on the environment. As it moves and changes, the quality of your piano is impacted.

Regular tuning protects the pinblock and keeps your soundboard in top quality. Tuning by a qualified tuner also gives them the chance to look for other things that can turn into larger problems down the road if not fixed and repaired quickly.

#3 Cleaning

Just like any quality piece of furniture in your home, your piano should be cleaned on a regular basis. But when you clean, leave the chemicals behind. With most gloss finishes today, a simple microfiber cloth lightly dampened with water will do the trick. Using chemicals – furniture polish and other off-the-shelf cleaners – contain silicone and other oily bases that do not belong on wood and will eventually dull and cloud the finish.

Once you begin using these polishes on your finish, its very difficult to return the finish to its original shine.

If you own a grand piano, its always a good idea to keep the lid closed when not in use, to ensure dust, debris and pet fur stays away from the soundboard, plate and strings.

Just like tuning, a regular, quality cleaning from a piano technician is recommended to ensure all working parts of your piano are adequately cleaned and ready for use. Do not attempt to deep clean without instruction. You can vacuum the inside carefully with a brush attachment, but in no circumstances should you ever use chemicals or furniture polish on the inside of the piano.

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6 September 2014 How To Find The Serial Number On Your Vertical Piano

How To Find The Serial Number On Your Vertical Piano

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Thinking about restoring your old piano? Have a vertical (upright) piano in need of repair, and wondering if its worth your time and money?

If you have had a piano in your life for years, and it has any type of sentimental value to you, chances are its worth restoring. Only the pianos in the worst of shape, with water damage or other extreme influences, have reached the point of no return.How To Find The Serial Number On Your Vertical Piano

Yet certain pianos do have more value, and therefore more potential than others. Want to find out how much your piano may be worth now, and if fully restored? The place to start is with the serial number. With that, you can talk with a reputable piano deaer and find its true worth.

How do you find the serial number? On a vertical piano, you can usually find it in one of five places.

1. Open up the lid and look down into the piano. The numbers are often printed or placed onto a sticker on the top of the harp, either on the left or right hand side.

2. Remove the upper facing cover and sit on the piano bench. Look ahead directly at eye level; the serial number may be printed either along side of the harp, of directly behind the harp on the wood behind it.

3. Check the inner sides of the piano near the upper facing cover. Often the serial number was printed either on the left or the right.

4. Check near the rear of the sound board.

5. If you haven’t found the serial number in any of these places, check the rear of the piano for markings.

Still having trouble? It may be time to call in a professional. As a professional with decades of experience in the piano industry, we know where to look and what to look for. We can quickly evaluate your piano and provide you with enough detail to make an informed decision about how to move forward.

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3 September 2014 When Your Piano Won’t Play

When Your Piano Won’t Play

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“I have an older piano that we’ve used for years in my family. My youngest daughter is now starting up piano lessons, so we’ve started using it every day again. I love it! But I also have a problem. There is one key – the F sharp/G flat right below the middle C that won’t play when you strike it. If you hit it really hard, you can hear a brief sound that is barely audible, but it immediately goes away. I know this is going to be a problem soon as her songs get more difficult. Do I need to call in a repair person? Are there things I can check to see if its an easy fix?”

We know nothing can be more frustrating than to want to play the piano and have it not in good, working order.

pianoThere could be a number of things wrong with your piano.

First, open the piano lid and press the piano key that isn’t playing. Check to see if the hammer mechanics are working. If the hammer isn’t properly striking the string, either the hammer or other components are broken and will need to be fixed by a reputable piano repair company.

Sometimes the string isn’t working properly. When the piano key is pressed, check to make sure the string is properly functioning and doesn’t have a tear or breakage. It may require simple tuning, or it may need complete restringing. A piano tuner will be able to fix the problem and make sure your piano is back in working order.

Lastly, it may be a lack of tuning. When was the last time your piano was tuned? In some cases, the strings can be stretched and pulled, and simply not be tight enough to create a sound. Tuning the piano string will bring it back into tune, and give you a proper working piano.

The easiest way to bring your piano back into good working order is to call and schedule an appointment today. We’ll send a reputable piano tuner to your location, and have your piano tuned and ready for your daughter to play in no time.

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30 August 2014 Buying A Piano In Memphis? Make Sure Its From A Reputable Dealer

Buying A Piano In Memphis? Make Sure Its From A Reputable Dealer

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It’s the start of the school year. You know you can give your child an added boost by bringing music into her life. Where do you start?

Start by finding a reputable piano dealer right here in Memphis to provide guidance and resources for all of your needs.

The first step is finding the right piano. But its not as easy as buying the first one you find. A lot of factors should go into your final decision to make sure you purchase the right piano for your needs.Buying A Piano In Memphis? Make Sure Its From A Reputable Dealer

How much room do you have? Pianos come in all shapes and sizes. You can find an upright, or vertical piano, that provides quality sound and conserves on space. You can choose a grand piano, which provides quality music and an artful look to any room in your home. Or for a growing computer maestro, a digital piano may be just the thing you are looking for, providing quality sound with limited space.

With so many options in every type and style of piano, price and budget can be managed at any level. Set your amount and then head in to find the best quality for you. The problem with buying online is you simply don’t know the quality you are receiving. Just because someone sets a price on an online ad doesn’t mean the piano is truly worth that. Or that other options aren’t available that would be a better fit for you. A reputable dealer takes all of that into account and provides you with options that best fit your needs.

The piano itself is only a part of the equation. What about the accessories, such as stools, benches or lights? What about finding a reputable piano teacher? What about finding someone who can tune your piano, repair it as needed, and even restore it? Who will move it when you upgrade to your new home? A piano isn’t like a small object you can box up and take with you. Nor is it something any do it yourselfer can expertly handle. By finding someone up front that can help you with all of your needs, you’ll never have a question too small or too large that will remain unanswered.

Are you ready to purchase a piano for your home? Stop by today, and discover why more people in Memphis trust Coltharp Piano World for all of their piano needs.

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28 August 2014 4 Traits A Reputable Piano Dealer Will Have

4 Traits A Reputable Piano Dealer Will Have

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When you buy a piano, its an investment that will last for years, and potentially be a part of your family for generations. Its important to purchase the right piano for your needs, and more importantly, to find the right piano dealer that will provide service and resources as you need them.

Unlike some purchases, where you use them with little thought as to where you purchased it, a piano has different needs.

  • Where will you go when your piano needs tuning?
  • What if you move to a bigger house and want to trade up to a bigger and better piano?
  • What if you want to find a piano teacher for your 5 year old?

4 Traits A Reputable Piano Dealer Will HaveLots of questions, and finding the right answers can sometimes be confusing. But it doesn’t have to be. Not if you select a reputable piano dealer with these traits.

Sense Of Community

Before you select a piano dealer to do business with, make sure they are a resource within the community itself. How long have they been in business? How many pianos have they sold? What knowledge can they bring to help you select the right piano for you? How do they give back to the community? You can always get a good feel for how a business will treat you now and in the years to come by looking at their past history.

Full Service

If you buy a piano from an ad on Craigslist, you get what you pay for: a piano that may or may not be in good working order, with zero guarantees and no promises as to the quality. By finding a reputable piano dealer, you can choose a piano based on experience. They understand how to ask the right questions to find out your needs, and match you to the ideal piano for your situation. They can offer used and new pianos. They can provide moving and installation services to make sure your piano arrives in high quality and provides musicality from the moment it enters your home. They can even provide help in selecting the right piano teacher, or offer tuning services as needed each year.

Warranties

“As is” can often be a scary phrase. When you take it as is, you can look at the outside of an object and assume its quality based on how well it looks. But that says nothing about the insides, or how it performs overall. That’s why warranties are so important, especially on a moving, breathing object like a piano. Depending on the piano, you will find both manufacturers and dealer warranties that will give you full protection to ensure the quality and the sound is there from the beginning.

Trade Up

Lets assume for a moment you buy a piano for your five year old. She practices and falls in love with playing. By the age of twelve, she’s performing regularly in many venues across Memphis and even across the country. She’s ready for a bigger, more vibrant piano. Its time to invest in a grand piano. A reputable dealer will offer trade up services in which you can trade your current piano in and apply it to that grand piano you’ve had your eye on for years.

The key with finding and working with a reputable piano dealer is to come in and get to know us. We can help you with any questions you may have. And we’ll be here for you well into the future.

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