6 March 2014 Music In Our Schools Month: Why Every Child Should Play The Piano

Music In Our Schools Month: Why Every Child Should Play The Piano

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Every March since 1985, schools put an extra focus on music. And for good reason. Sponsored by the National Association of Music Education, Music In Our Schools focuses in on the benefits of quality music programs for all grade levels, and the overall impact it has on raising a happy, healthy, and highly educated child.Music In Our Schools Month

Studies show that introducing a child to music early on can have a profound impact. Yet even with all the studies and statistics that exist, when it comes to budget cuts in the school systems, music is almost always on the chopping block.

What are the benefits? Once you understand them, its easier to go into your local school and work with them to keep music as a curricula that gets attention every single week. It will also give you even more reasons to introduce music in your home – and the piano isn’t something just for your kids, the whole family can enjoy.

What does music do?

Music isn’t just one instrument or one characteristic. A music rich experience involves singing, listening, playing and moving. It develops listening skills, eye-hand coordination, develops large and small muscle groups. Music supports learning; it integrates different learning comprehensions together to help stimulate different portions of your brain to work together in unique ways.

When you look at young children – ages 2 through 9 – one of the benefits is language development. It helps kids decode sounds and words, and reinforces how syllables are put together. Music has been shown to help develop the left side of the brain, which invovles language processing. Because music helps make the brain’s circuitry stronger, it can also develop a stronger sense of communication, making it easier to communicate with peers, friends and teachers.

Many studies have also shown that the average IQ increases when music was integrated weekly into the lives of a child. Your brain works harder, and therefore transfers to the way you handle day to day situations. Because of the fine motor skills involved in playing and reading music at the same time, your brain is more active in the process. As it learns to be in a more active state, it provides the user with a higher level of concentration. Which means a child can get more out of everything he or she works at.

This continues on for life. It transfers to higher test scores overall throughout the education process. It transfers to higher scores on college entrance exams, such as the ACT or SAT. And it also transfers into a higher level of students moving on to medical school.

Formal music has an impact with all forms of cognitive strengths. So why aren’t we pushing music more than we are?Music In Our Schools Month: Why Every Child Should Play The Piano

As a parent, you can take a stand. Help us celebrate Music In Our Schools month by bringing up all of this and more with your local educators. Then give your child the gift of music both in and out of the classroom.

One of the best ways of introducing music into your child’s life is through piano. We can help you bring the gift of music into your home today. Give us a call or stop by; we’re here to help.

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1 March 2014 Piano Lamps – A Simple Way To Improve Your Piano Playing

Piano Lamps – A Simple Way To Improve Your Piano Playing

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When you sit down to play the piano, do you find yourself squinting at the sheet music? Are the notes harder and harder to see?

It might not be your eyesight that needs adjusting. It may in fact be the way your sheet music is lit.

One of the quickest ways to improve your piano playing is by investing in a high quality piano lamp. And with so many choices available to you, you’ll find the perfect one that lights up your music, your keys, and adds to the overall décor of your room.

Piano lamps come in all different styles, shapes and sizes.Piano Lamps – A Simple Way To Improve Your Piano Playing

A vertical piano lamp can extend from the floor up, sitting adjacent to the piano itself. It can be moved to a variety of positions, accommodating multiple players in one household.

When most people think of piano lamps, they think of the most popular style, they type that sits on top of the piano and shines down from above. They can be large or small. They can be ornate or simple. Overall, piano lamps are hooded to provide directional light where its needed most – the music and the keys – and to avoid direct light in the eyes of the player.

A piano lamp comes in a variety of sizes, styles, shapes and colors. Its not a one size fits all type of décor. Instead, select one that matches your tastes, your décor, and the overall ornateness of your piano. Brass, chrome, and other enameled finishes are all popular choices.

The shelf style piano lamp is usually more popular than the floor lamp because of its functionality. Many feature a weighted base to increase stability, or a counter weighted arm which allows for easy adjustment while preventing accidental falls during your practice session. Still others offer clip-on features that allow you to attach the light where you need it most.

You’ll also find piano lamps in both electrical or batter powered format. If you’re near an outlet, electric may be your preferred method. Surrounded by ambiance in the middle of your room? A battery powered option may be more preferred. In either case they are normally designed to accommodate one or two light bulbs of 40 watts or less. Making them the perfect way to light up your source without overheating the area around you.

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27 February 2014 Piano Accessories

Piano Accessories

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Ready to invest in a piano and begin to make beautiful music within your home? Pianos can add music, style and ambiance for years to come.

But investing in a good piano doesn’t stop at selecting a great piano. There are many other things that go into the selection process, and ultimately the proper technique of piano playing once you settle in to a routine.Piano Accessories

Piano Bench

To play the piano properly, you’ll need more than your average chair. Proper playing involves being at the proper height and having proper access to the keys from your shoulders and your wrists. If you aren’t comfortable playing, you could cause stress and injury to your arms, neck and back, and ultimately lose interest in playing. A good piano bench offers you all the tools you need for proper sitting at the instrument.

Sheet Music

Sheet music comes in a variety of formats. Chat with your piano dealer at the time of purchase about options in finding sheet music. You can start with books at all levels of playing. Then migrate into preferred music choices – virtually all types and sounds of music today can be found in sheet music. The more you enjoy what you play, the more you’ll play.

Piano Lamps

Piano lamps come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and styles. Some styles allow you to clip the lamp directly to the music desk to have directional light where you need it most. Some piano lamps are shelf designed, sitting on top of the piano and allowing light to fall naturally over the music and the keys. Still others are vertical floor lamps that allow you to move them in to a convenient height and location for the person playing the piano. Whatever your desire, whatever your preference, there’s a perfect lamp for you.

Metronome

A metronome is a practice tool that produces steady beats that help a piano player learn rhythm accurately. Most metronomes are capable of producing beats from 35 to 250 beats per minute, giving you full function for any song you choose to learn and play. Metronomes come in all formats, from online to free standing.

Have even more needs? Talk with us about making your piano playing experience the best it can be. With decades of experience in the industry, we have offered lots of advice, and will be happy to make your experience all it can be as well.

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12 February 2014 How To Clean and Disinfect Piano Keys

How To Clean and Disinfect Piano Keys

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Owning a piano can be a very rewarding experience. If you properly maintain the piano, it will give you many, many years of service.

Piano maintenance goes beyond having it tuned and repaired by a professional. It is also important to clean and disinfect the piano keys on a regular basis. Think about it – the keys of your piano get the most action. The keys are where your fingers press when playing a beautiful piece of music. Dirt and oils from your fingers can easily transfer to the keys, leaving them dingy and discolored.How To Clean and Disinfect Piano Keys

Washing your hands before each playing session is the best method of prevention, but you will still need to clean and disinfect the keys from time to time.

  • Dilute mild soap with filtered water to create a cleaning solution. Avoid any chemical cleaners because they can actually cause more damage to the keys.
  • Use a clean, white cloth. Only dampen it with the solution – never soak it. You do not want to get moisture in-between the keys.
  • Wipe the keys in a downward motion towards you, never side-to-side or up and down. This will help you avoid getting any moisture in-between the keys or in-between the keys and the piano itself.
  • Wipe one key at a time, then dry it before moving on to the next key.
  • Use a separate cloth for cleaning the black keys and clean them last.
  • For disinfecting your piano keys, never use disinfectants such as Lysol. These sprays are fine for around the house, but like other chemicals, they can cause more damage than good.
  • Create a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts filtered water to disinfect your piano keys. Follow the cleaning method to disinfect each key of your piano.
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8 February 2014 Playing The Piano – Its All In The Wrist

Playing The Piano – Its All In The Wrist

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Think for a moment as to how you play the piano. Is it with your fingers? Or does your whole body need to be present to get the sound you are looking for?

Kind of a trick question. Obviously you whole body needs to be present, focusing in on the notes you are striking and the sound you are creating. Yet as a beginner, its easy to forget that its more than your fingers that make the final sound.

Its not the hunt and peck method that will achieve success. Instead, it’s the movement and rhythm of how your arms and your wrists connect with your fingers and the keys that will ultimately bring success. Playing The Piano – Its All In The Wrist

Your arms provide the weight. Your fingers connect with the keys. But its your wrists that provide the action to get the job done.

If your wrists are immobile and tensed, the weight of your arms will never connect with the tapping of your fingers, and the end result will be a sound that is shallow instead of deep and beautiful. And if you separate the movement being made from your arm to your fingertips, you run more of a risk of injury to both your hands and your wrists.

When your wrists are relaxed and flexible, there is a natural flow between your arms and the keyboard. You’ll have a comfortable feeling and create a comfortable sound from beginning to end. And you’ll have no tension, no injuries, and ultimately no pain in the long run.

How do you ensure you are playing the piano the correct way? Before you sit down the next time, do a few things before you connect with the keys.

Take a few deep breaths and relax.

Flex your arms, wrists, hands and fingertips to relieve any pressure.

Warm up! Yes, just like you can’t run a marathon at top pace without stretching and warming up, you should never sit down to a piano playing session without warming up and being prepared. Stretching, a few scales to release tension and get into the “zone” will improve your chances of success.

And make sure you are ready to make the most beautiful music of your life.

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