14 May 2020 Do You Have The Right Piano Posture?

Do You Have The Right Piano Posture?

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How do you sit and play the piano? That might sound like a funny question. To most people, the answer would be a simple – pull out the bench, sit down, and start to play. 

In theory, that’s correct. But that’s like telling an office worker to pull out a chair and sit down at a computer and type, expecting they will automatically do it correctly. 

If you do it incorrectly, you’ll pay the price. You’ll notice it in your neck, back, arms, and hands almost immediately. 

Yes, there is a right piano posture. Here’s what you need to know. 

Sit correctly

Just like you can’t slouch at the computer, sitting straight while you play piano is important too. Place the bench away from the piano, sitting comfortably at the front half of the bench. Your arms should be fully extended as they reach the back of the keyboard. Your feet should rest comfortably on the floor, with the pedal easily within reach, lightly extended. Your arms should fall at a 90 degree angle, with your forearms, wrists, and hands level as you play. Don’t let your wrists dip as you sit and play. Your back should be straight with shoulders relaxed. 

Never play with tension, this is your time to relax

If you’ve ever played a sport, or taken a class at the gym, you know the most important part of staying safe is the warm up. The same holds true with playing the piano. Before you sit and play, take a few moments to stretch, take a few deep breaths, and relax. If you’re tense, you’re more likely to suffer an injury. Focus on areas that you might have trouble with; drop your shoulders, move your hands, wiggle your fingers. Breathe energy into all the spots you’ve felt stress before. 

Play from the core

You can’t sit sloppily at the piano and expect to play well. For the best performance, you have to play from the core. Sitting up straight, engaging the core while you play will all make a difference. This helps the rest of your body engage and participate in creating beautiful music. 

Arms heavy, hands soft

People often assume music comes from the fingers. The power actually comes from your arms. This is why it’s important to stretch before you play and let your shoulders relax, your arms feel dense and heavy. When you sit properly, your arms guide your hands into the keys, allowing you to control how the music comes out. You sink your fingernails into the keys, following the heaviness of your arms leading the way.   

Yes, pianists can face stress from playing the wrong way. It’s similar to working incorrectly at the computer, and always results from poor form. Study the greats. Get help from a teacher. And practice playing with the right piano posture to ensure you not only enjoy what you do, but you create great music too. 

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9 May 2020 Cleaning Your Piano To Reduce Coronavirus

Cleaning Your Piano To Reduce Coronavirus

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Have you taken on the task of cleaning your home with a vengeance since the coronavirus was first announced? 

Do you scrub every counter, vacuum the floors, add baking soda to every load of laundry? Yet you still wonder if it’s enough – what more can you do? 

At some point, you might take a brush and cleaner to everything in your home. What about your piano? Is there a right way for cleaning your piano that will prevent germs from spreading? After all, the piano is a touchy-feely place your family spends time at. 

Human hands might be one of the top causes of spreading disease. If we touch something carrying viral or bacterial pathogens, we transfer it by touching something new. That’s how it moves from a door, to a shopping cart, to a steering wheel, and ultimately to our eyes or nose as we touch. 

Your piano’s keyboard is also ripe for opportunity. Inside your home, each person that sits down has the possibility of transferring germs from one to the next. If it’s just your family, you keep the transfer within your unit. If you welcome in students for practice and training, it opens up potential in many ways. 

That’s why it’s more important than ever to clean and sanitize your keyboard regularly. However, you can’ spray cleaner or you risk harming the keys. You can’t use just any product, or you might be calling for repair to fix the finish and the mechanism. 

Water

Let’s start with the basics. If you’ve had your piano for a while, you know that chemicals can be harmful to the finish of the keys, whether they’re plastic or ivory. Many experts will tell you the best way to keep keys clean is with a damp (not wet) towel. Rub over the keys to remove dirt, and let dry. However, water won’t kill germs. It can remove them from the keys, but it won’t kill them. 

Vinegar

Many people add vinegar to water for a natural cleaning solution. There isn’t a definitive answer on how well vinegar works at killing germs. And vinegar can harm ivory, even dull plastic over time. Be sure to dilute well if this is your cleaning method of choice. 

Disinfectant wipes

If you have any disinfectant wipes on hand, using them on your keys especially after students may seem like a good idea. But the chemicals will damage the surface, and eventually wear down the keys. Chemicals and ivory don’t mix. Even chemicals and plastic can dull the finish over time. And if any of the chemicals seep between the keys and get down into the inner workings of the piano, it can spell a lot of trouble for the health of your piano. 

Other tips to keep in mind

Avoid bleach-based products at all costs. Don’t use citrus-based disinfectants as they also can damage the surface. 

Never spray directly onto the keys. Always spray onto a soft cloth, and gently wipe the keys back to front. Always follow with a dry towel to ensure moisture doesn’t seep between the keys.  

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7 May 2020 Is Playing The Piano Good For You?

Is Playing The Piano Good For You?

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Staying in place has helped many find new hobbies. A playing the piano is leading the list. 

That’s because unlike binge-watching television, or spending hours on video games, there are scientifically proven benefits to playing the piano. 

Stress relief 

Staying in place is difficult at best. We’re not used to staying home every second of every day. And while we love our family members, sometimes we need a break. Studies show that playing the piano can help in all kinds of ways, including reducing your stress, improving your mental health, and lowering anxiety and depression. 

Concentration 

Have you ever had brain fog? Or felt like you couldn’t concentrate on the task at hand? Playing the piano may help you. Playing the piano requires you to use split concentration methods as you focus on each hand playing differently, while working the pedals and reading the music at the same time. The more you improve this skill, the easier you’ll find it is to concentrate. 

It’s an easy hobby to take up

Did you know that piano is one of the easiest instruments to play? Intuitively, we all can pluck a few notes and pick out a song from the moment we come in contact with it. From the beginning, teachers have you playing simple songs, and you can move up to your favorites fairly quickly. 

It improves your health

There are many studies showing all the ways playing the piano improves your health. It improves hand-eye coordination. It helps sharpen fine motor skills. It lowers stress, which in turn can help you control blood pressure. It’s good for your arm and hand muscles, giving you added strength. Therapies are being developed to help patients with everything from autism to dementia. 

It creates a more beautiful world

Listening to music makes you more aware of your world. You start to notice things you ignored before. 

If you’re looking for new things to add to your day, to bring peace and tranquility to these challenging times, playing the piano may be the perfect answer for you. 

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4 May 2020 Piano Practice When Everyone’s At Home

Piano Practice When Everyone’s At Home

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Right now can be the perfect time to practice the piano. With everybody home and staying in place, finding the time is no longer a problem.

Yet with everybody at home, it can also be difficult to carve out a few minutes where you can practice alone. Everybody is around, trying to do their thing. And when noise has become the one constant in your days, how are you supposed to find quiet to think about piano practice in the right manner?

Place the piano in a quiet place in your home

If you’ve already found the perfect place for your piano, moved furniture and even decorated around it, moving it may seem like a hassle. But a lot of this comes from knowing who will be practicing regularly. Some people like to be the center of attention. Others may prefer a quiet space where they can practice without others hearing them. While you’re spring cleaning and organizing your house, this may be the perfect time for a little redecorating, and moving your piano to where it functions best. 

Schedule a time for practice

Even when the days all start to run together, they can seem like they fly by without the chance to make it through your daily to-do list. Carve out time during the day for each family member to be able to do something they really enjoy. While one practices the piano, another may choose to paint or draw. Keep the activities going on in the room complimentary, and you’ll soon create a space that everyone looks forward to each day. 

Use headphones

Did you know some acoustic pianos today come with the option of having headphones? It’s not just digital anymore. Being able to plugin headphones gives you the opportunity to practice no matter what else is going on in the room. It helps the piano player concentrate, and allows other family members to do their thing without interrupting.

Create a plan

Even in these trying times, having a plan in place helps. Try and create some structure in your days. Get up at the same time. Go to bed at the same time. Center your activities around meal plans. This will help everyone keep some sense of balance. That also gives you a chance to put what’s important on the calendar – like piano practice. 

The only thing we know for sure right now is we’ll get through this one day at a time. 

Piano practice can add a sense of normality no matter what’s happening in the world. It has calming effects, and can reduce the stress of everyone playing or listening. 

Stick with your piano practice – you’ll appreciate it even more in the weeks and months to come. 

Filed Under: Piano Lessons, Piano Playing Tagged With:
28 April 2020 Why You Should Learn Piano Right Now

Why You Should Learn Piano Right Now

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Looking for a new skill during the coronavirus? Is it time to find something to help you relieve stress? 

Maybe it’s time to learn piano. 

The arts have a meditative quality to them. Pick up a paintbrush and paint; you relax as the strokes move across the canvas. Touch your fingers to the keys; you feel your breathing calm as each note comes alive. 

And that really is the top benefit to learning piano. It requires your full concentration, full engagement of the brain as you work both hands together, while your brain activates by looking at each note on the sheet in front of you. 

If you do any research, you’ll quickly discover that music isn’t just for enjoyment, music therapy is used in all sorts of ways. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD. Science is finding sitting still and playing a song can help in many ways. 

While it may calm you down and act as a stress reliever, it’s activating the brain. Every time you practice a song, get better, and challenge yourself in new ways, it adds neural connections. That means your brain is learning, growing, and connecting to enhance your thinking skills. 

When people think about physical activity, they often push themselves to run and jump. But there’s more to it than that, and that’s where learning piano can help. Playing piano strengthens hand-eye coordination. It also increases fine-motor skills. You might not be able to play physical sports like soccer or football your entire life, but piano is something you can do forever. Plus it works to lower blood pressure, reduce cardiac complications, lower respiratory rates, and increase immune response. That’s good news right now when we need something to do all that and more. It also strengthens your arm and hand muscles, and builds your focus muscle too. 

You’ve always wanted to learn piano. It’s been on your bucket list for years. 

Whether you choose to pick up where you left off as a kid, or you’re ready to start something new, make this the year you find your musical self once more. Make this the year you learn piano. 

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25 April 2020 Why Music Education Is Still Vitally Important For Your Child

Why Music Education Is Still Vitally Important For Your Child

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What’s the most important class your child can take in school? Reading? Math? Science?

Our current school system tells us the sciences are most important. We’re pushing kids harder than ever towards STEM related subjects. 

And in order to have time for STEM classes, other classes have to go by the wayside. Music has been one of them, but that might not be a good thing. An article from the American Musical Conference stated that 66 percent of music majors who applied to medical school were accepted. Compare that with 44 percent of biochemistry majors.

Why is that? 

Music stimulates the brain

If you do any research at all on how music impacts the human brain, it won’t take you long to discover the benefits. Music allows you to be more engaged with those around you. It improves memory. It increases reading comprehension. It helps with language skills. It makes you a better reader. Hands down, music is one of the key ways to make you a more well-rounded learner. 

Why are we taking that away from the school systems when it goes hand in hand with STEM learning? 

Music is a connection with people, with culture

When a certain song comes on the radio, does it transport you back in time? Can you relive a moment just with a few notes? That’s how powerful music can be. It connects us to people and places. It grounds us into our communities. That’s what ties us together as a culture. And it’s what gives us memories for a better future. 

Music teaches discipline

Don’t think for a moment that learning music is easy. It’s not. It’s one of the most difficult subjects you can master. It’s also one of the most satisfying. Yes, you can sit down at a piano and plunk out a tune. But to master it takes skill and practice. And that means dedication to regular piano playing, advancement through training, and the ability to keep trying as it increases in difficulty. The more you play, the more rewarding it can feel. 

Music relieves stress

The one thing we’ve been learning through stay in place is just how important hobbies can be. Our culture shouldn’t just be about work. We need stress relievers too. And music is one of the most excellent sources of stress relief. It’s a way to sit down, put all your worries aside to really get into your music and listen to the sounds. You can feel the stress slip away, even if it’s just for a moment. 

We have a choice as we move forward. Should our world get back to what’s important? Should music education become an important part of our future? How about for your family? 

Filed Under: Piano Playing
18 April 2020 Motivation For Playing The Piano When Everyone’s Stuck At Home

Motivation For Playing The Piano When Everyone’s Stuck At Home

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Life is anything but normal right now. And while parents are juggling everything from working at home to monitoring finances, learning to cope in new ways, kids are also facing their own fears head on. 

Over 29 countries have now officially shuttered school doors with many more expected soon. It’s impacting more than 3.5 million K-12 students across the US, closing in on a half billion worldwide. 

While some are meeting regularly with teachers via online meeting platforms, the majority are saying goodbye to learning for weeks – months – into the future. In addition to losing the normality of their days, they have the added stress of not being able to play in a normal way. Sports teams have canceled. Cities and states are quickly moving to a stay in place advisory. 

That builds fear and frustration in kids, which in turn hurts the family dynamics. What’s a parent to do? 

There’s no better time to rethink the activity you and your child pick up. There’s no better time for playing the piano. 

Playing the piano is a solo activity. It’s something you can do all on your own, whenever you choose. It relaxes you, takes your mind off your worries, and soothes the soul. 

Playing the piano is also a family activity. It can provide lovely background music while other family members bake or read. 

If you have a piano tucked away in a corner, or a digital keyboard stuck under the bed, now may be the perfect time to pull it out and start learning something new. Encourage your kids to do so too. 

Be patient. Sometimes you won’t feel like playing or practicing. Now is the time to be gentle with yourself, and do what feels right for today. 

Develop a new skill. Have you considered music in your lives before? Prior to Covid-19, we all led busy, active lives. We flew from one activity to the next. Things are now slowing down. Be conscious about what is meaningful in your lives, and choosing activities that can be there, always.  

Have fun. Luckily, we have the internet filled with everything you need to make playing the piano a success. Download games to learn notes and music theory. Download music to play your favorite pop tunes. Tune in to various music sites to listen to piano playing in action. 

It might just motivate you – or your kids – into a new way of life. 

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14 April 2020 Can Your Kids Make Money Playing Piano? Hello, YouTube

Can Your Kids Make Money Playing Piano? Hello, YouTube

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So you want your kids to be successful. You push them in many ways. 

Put them onto a sports team – maybe they can get a scholarship.

Help them do well in school – college is in their future.

Let them build their own YouTube channel. What!?

A lot of parents have trouble seeing the world through their kids’ eyes. Kids want to play video games. They spend way too much time online. They are obsessed with social media. 

And we try to put a stop to it all because … we don’t understand it. 

But here’s the thing you should know about social media. Despite what you hear in the news, not all of it is bad. It’s just a new way of life. 

Did you know a lot of YouTubers are making millions of dollars just by posting regularly to their YouTube channel?

How? 

You can join the YouTube Partner Program

If you start a YouTube channel and build it with a lot of followers who watch regularly, YouTube has a program where they pay you based on your views and subscriptions. 

You can earn from Premium Subscriptions

Not all videos on YouTube are available for view to the general public. Some are walled off and available only if you pay for the premium content. The more people willing to pay to view your content, the more you get paid. 

You can get paid via third-party distributors

If your music becomes popular, other services may want to stream it too. iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon music may all be interested in selling downloads of your content on their own platforms. 

You can build a brand

The more popular you become, the more you can take your brand out to the world in different ways. Build a website. Take your show on the road. Work with other companies and artists to grow your following. Potential opens up the more creative you are. 

You can make other products

Many businesses are set up on YouTube that are tools and helpers for people that have a love of playing the piano. These businesses all have the potential of making money in the exact same way as mentioned above. 

Check these out for inspiration:

The Piano Guys

VK Goes Wild

Lara de Wit

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31 March 2020 What You Can Do As a Parent To Help Your Kids With Piano Lessons

What You Can Do As a Parent To Help Your Kids With Piano Lessons

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As a parent, we sign our kids up for a variety of different activities, watching for the ones they excel at. When you find the one they take to, you want to do everything you can to encourage them to do more. 

If they fall in love with creating music, piano playing is one of the best activities they can take on. Piano does so much for a person including:

  • Improving memory and concentration
  • Helping them excel in mathematics
  • Improving reading and comprehension skills
  • Becoming more creative in everything they do

What’s more, piano isn’t something they will just enjoy while they are young and able; piano is something they can enjoy throughout their lives. 

If you want your child to be better at playing the piano, they have to stick with their piano lessons. Together, you have to create an environment that’s perfect for playing regularly. How do you do that?

Create a “why”

People rarely stick with something if they don’t have their “why”. Work together with your child to determine why you’re pursuing piano. You understand all the benefits; a five, six, or seven year old won’t. But you can still help them discover a reason to play. If they get good enough, maybe they could play their favorite songs. Purchase the sheet music now as motivation. You can also talk about the musicians they love the most, and read stories and biographies about them to help them understand their musical journeys. It can be all the motivation they need. 

Explore the musical world

For a child starting out on the piano, they might not be able to put it into perspective of how the piano can be a part of their world. We overemphasize sports in our society; kids can watch games on television and associate their own practice to these games. Seek out the same for musical talent. You can watch concerts on TV or on YouTube. Find local music halls in your own community. Every major city will have a symphony you can bring them to and show them how piano contributes to a performance. Don’t ignore free concerts in the parks in the summertime. This can be a new hobby your entire family enjoys. 

Work to keep your child interested

A lot of playing the piano is self motivation. You have to take on that responsibility, especially when your child is young. Work to find a piano teacher who engages your child and makes them want more. Motivate them with rewards to concerts or a trip to the music store to pick out their favorite music. Listen to piano players and talk about them with your child. Look for games that help them become better pianists. While some kids naturally gravitate to wanting more, others need the occasional push in the right direction. 

If you see both love and talent, pushing your kids just a little bit more to stick with piano lessons is the best gift you can give your kids. 

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26 February 2020 What Is A Piano Pitch Raise

What Is A Piano Pitch Raise

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When you invest in a piano, it takes more than dusting it occasionally to keep it at its best. 

Chances are, you’ve heard that pianos must be tuned regularly for it to create beautiful music. Piano tuning is simply the act of adjusting the tension of the piano strings to ensure that each interval between strings – notes – creates the proper sound. If you’ve ever played a scale and had one of tune, you know how important this process is. 

But if you have a piano tuner into your home, adjusting your piano regularly, you might hear her talking about a piano pitch raise. And depending on how well she explains it, it might leave you scratching your head, wondering if a pitch raise is really necessary. 

Let’s simplify the process. 

When you tap a piano key, it connects with the piano strings on the inside in order to create sound. Each of these strings has a certain level of tension applied to it to create a specific sound. If you increase tension, the pitch rises. If you loosen tension, the pitch lowers. 

If you take a look inside your piano, you’ll notice the strings are connected to the soundboard and held in place with a tuning pin and a hitch pin. If all strings were the same, they would all play the same note – the same pitch. But as the tuning pin is adjusted, each string plucks out a different tone. 

The piano itself has, on average, 88 keys. Depending on the model, it will have around 230 strings. That’s because three strings are used for each of the tenor and treble notes, while the base notes only require two strings. 

For a treble note, all three strings must be adjusted to bring the note in tune. Tension may be removed from one, while adjusted and tightened for the others. As the technician makes changes to the pitch, you can think of this as a pre-tune. It’s something that doesn’t have to be performed every time you tune a piano, especially if you have your piano tuned regularly. 

Why would your piano require a pitch raise? 

  • The tuning pins have come loose
  • There’s been a change in the environment, with temperature or humidity conditions affecting the piano
  • You’ve moved your piano
  • You’ve been playing your piano more. 
  • You haven’t tuned your piano in years

Tuning a piano isn’t like tuning a guitar. Each of the 230 strings can hold up to 200 pounds of pressure. Combined, that’s close to 22 tons of pressure. And because of their close proximity and dependability on each other for sound, one change can have a significant impact on the overall playability of your piano. 

If you haven’t scheduled a piano tuning in a while, now is the time. Contact us today, we can help you keep your piano sounding great for life. 

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