How to Improve your Piano Playing?

Posted on by Pianos Destination

Piano playing, as with any musical instrument playing, is often considered to be an art form. It is the love of playing and the pursuit of improvement which motivates the majority of musicians and few would continue if they felt they had “peaked” in terms of their own playing ability.

With that in mind, for many people practice tends to be something of an uphill struggle. They can spend hours just playing and practicing with little or no improvement, and over time may feel that their motivation is slipping away.

Just as many writers suffer with “Writer’s Block” many musicians also suffer with feelings of being stagnant. However, there are many things that a frustrated piano player can do which can not only invigorate their technique but which can improve their overall performance.

piano playing

#1. Time management

As adults, we all have a wide variety of constraints on our time. You may have a family, a job and social commitments to fit in around your piano play and practice. However, if you’re not dedicating enough quality time to practice then it stands to reason that you’re not likely to improve. The key here is to dedicate a set amount of time on a daily or weekly basis to nothing but piano practice and ensure that you’re not only strict with yourself but also that those around you are aware of your commitment to practice.

#2. Have a plan

Locking yourself in your music room for an hour daily is a great step in the right direction but if you haven’t fixed clear goals and considered what you’re looking to achieve within that time, it can become wasted. Consider that a good piano tutor would have a lesson plan and would expect the student to have reached a certain level within a certain time. Not only does having a goal give you somewhere to aim within your practice but it also gives you the sense of achievement when you reach that goal.

#3. The Basics

Nobody becomes Mozart overnight. Mozart didn’t become great overnight and every great pianist knows that the secret to good playing is to master the basics before trying to move on. Scales, hand and body movements might be dull, especially when they’re being repeated over and over again but it’s these basic movements which will form the foundations for the sound you want to achieve.

#4. Listen

Being able to play music is one step towards becoming a great pianist. The majority of good musicians are those who also have an appreciation for music. Honing your musical ear and listening to live music, to different types and different genres and learning to appreciate the skill of the musician’s playing them will only serve to improve your own aptitude. Another way to help hone this skill is to listen for the difference between pianos, for example Yamaha pianos and Steinway.

About the Author:

David has a keen interest in Yamaha Pianos. His articles on the subject inform readers about all aspects of pianos for selling, playing, maintenance and the accessories available for them.

Top 5 Accessories for your Piano

Posted on by Pianos Destination

For those with limited experience or knowledge of pianos it may be easy to wonder what sort of accessories they could possible require.  However, you may be surprised that there is indeed a variety of choice out there for those looking to purchase accessories for their pianos, with some stores specialising in selling precisely these items, rather than the pianos themselves.

#1. Stools

Playing a piano whilst standing up is actually very difficult, not to mention tiring.  Therefore it is important that you have the right stool to enable you to sit and play comfortably for as long as you desire.

Stools themselves can come in a variety of different formats from ones with circular seats, to the more traditional rectangle shape.  They can also be solo seats, or ready to accommodate a duo for performance or teaching purposes.

Stools can also be fully adjustable to accommodate for different height requirements, or more static in nature.  Many afford the option of storing sheet music in a compartment under the padded seat, offering practicality as well as comfort.

#2. Covers

When you spend a significant amount of money on any item, whether it be a piece of furniture or something as personal and unique as a piano, it is vital that you do all you can to ensure it is fully protected.  One of the most obvious ways to do this is to purchase a cover which can be made to measure the specific dimensions of your particular piano.  Covers can be purchased for uprights, baby grands and Yamaha piano accessories in this area are also available.

#3. Tuning Tools

You may prefer to attempt to tune your piano yourself, rather than paying for a professional tuner to visit you when necessary.  In this case you will want to ensure that you have the necessary tuning tools to do so.  From tuning levers to “T” hammers, tuning wedges and tuning forks every conceivable option is available from most reputable piano stores and accessory retailers.

#4. Castors and castor caps

Moving a piano is a difficult task at the best of times, and nearly impossible if you do not have the benefit of castors.  As a result it is important that you ensure the castors on your piano are well maintained and replaced when necessary.

However, the problem with castors is that they can cause damage to whatever flooring they are placed on, due to the weight of the piano itself.  They can either scratch wooden and laminate flooring, or leave unsightly indentations in carpet.  To avoid this castor caps can be used, and these can also be purchased under the guise of piano accessories.

#5. Book holders and Lights

One thing that is often initially overlooked when it comes to accessories is the purchase of items that can help ensure you can read your sheet music effectively.  Book holders and piano mounted lights can assist with this, and come in a variety of different shapes and colours to suit every taste and piano style.

About the Author:

David has a keen interest in piano accessories. His articles on the subject inform readers about all aspects of piano purchasing, playing, maintenance and the accessories available.

Which Type of Piano Should You Buy?

Posted on by Pianos Destination

If you’re in the market for a new piano, then one of the first things you need to think about is which type of piano you want to buy. This doesn’t always come down to personal preference since budget will often dictate what type of piano you’re able to afford.

The two main types of pianos are grand pianos and upright pianos. Both provide an excellent sound but there are key differences between them. The two biggest that will usually affect peoples’ decision is the size and price difference. To help you decide which type of piano is right for you, below are the pros and cons for each –

1. Grand piano:

yamaha grand piano

Pros:

#1. Provides the richest tones
#2. They add a great ambience to any room where they’re placed
#3. They come with a polymer finish that protects the piano

Cons

#1. They are very expensive
#2. They take up a lot of room and are difficult to transport
#3. If you want to move them, you’ll pay a substantial movers fee

2. Upright piano

yamaha upright piano

Pros

#1. Upright pianos are less expensive than even the cheapest grand pianos
#2. When buying used, you can buy uprights for a very reasonable price
#3. Their smaller size means they’re easy to fit in a room and also easier to move
#4. They have a very pleasing tone

Cons

#1. Upright pianos do not hold their value well.
#2. Uprights often don’t have the sostenuto pedal but this is a small sacrifice for most players.
#3. Temperature fluctuations can affect the sound because of the position of the soundboard.

Which is better?

If you want the best possible sound and most authentic experience then there’s no denying that grand pianos are the best. However you will need a very high budget and a lot of space available.

The truth is that for a lot of people, grand pianos are simply not affordable. Therefore if you want an authentic acoustic piano without having to shell out a lot of money, then an upright piano is a great choice.

Yamaha upright pianos

Yamaha are one of the best brands in the world when it comes to pianos. They have a range of fantastic upright pianos for budgets of all sizes. The Yamaha B2 is a particularly good model and is available for around £3,500. Whilst this might seem like quite a hefty price tag, it’s tiny compared to what a grand piano would cost.

There are many excellent sellers of Yamaha pianos and accessories. When buying an upright, you can also find some excellent used deals. While uprights do depreciate fairly quickly this is actually advantageous when you’re looking to buy since you won’t have to spend as much.

A Guide to Buying a Piano

Posted on by Pianos Destination

Learning to play the piano is one of the most rewarding things you can do. There are so many styles of music you can play on the piano and because there’s so much to learn, you’ll never be stuck for inspiration.

If you or a family member is planning to purchase a piano, then it’s important that you educate yourself on the different types of pianos that are available. Not all are the same and the type of piano you purchase will depend on factors such as your budget and the amount of space you have available in your home.

mp_6_kawai_piano

Types of Piano

Below are the three types of piano and the pros and cons of each –

Grand pianos – Grand pianos, sometimes referred to as acoustic pianos, are the type you’ll see in any classical music setting. They are extremely large and provide the best tone that you can get thanks to their long strings. However they are very expensive and are not affordable for everyone. Their large size can also make them quite tricky to get into a room.

Upright pianos – Upright pianos are a popular alternative to a grand piano. They still provide a very good tone and are much less expensive than a grand piano. They’re also much smaller, which makes them perfect when you still want a natural sound but without the size and expense of purchasing a grand piano.

Digital pianos – Digital pianos, or keyboards, are the least expensive option by far. Of course you do sacrifice the natural tones of an acoustic piano when you go digital. Digital pianos generally range from £100 to £1000 depending on the features you get. It is possible to get digital pianos with full-size weighted keys so you get an authentic playing experience.

Other things to consider

Number of keys – This is only an issue when buying digital as all grand pianos and upright pianos will have 88 keys. When buying a keyboard, you should be aware that there are many cheaper models on the market that will have less than 88 keys. One of the reasons for this is that they are often used as MIDI controllers by music producers rather than as a piano. 88 keys is always recommended for those who take their piano playing seriously.

Brand – Brand is another important factor when buying a piano. One of the best brands on the market is Yamaha. Yamaha offer an incredibly range of grand pianos that even include acoustic pianos that you can play with silently. A Yamaha silent piano enables you to play the piano silently with headphones. Silent pianos work by capturing the movements you’re playing using sensor-technology, then sending this information to the headphones so only you can hear it.

Author Bio

Freya Lewis is a specialist writer on Yamaha silent piano. Her posts inform readers of the options available when buying a piano

Must-Have Piano Accessories – The Piano Cover

Posted on by Pianos Destination

Persons who use their pianos regularly understand the importance of keeping the instrument clean and dust-free. But it is all too common to find older pianos tucked away in a storeroom without the care they deserve. Such pianos, whatever the brand, will quickly lose their value from the neglect, or require extensive restoration repairs before they can be played again. Piano covers are those must-have piano accessories for the piano owner especially given that they cost so little. A good one will keep your prized possession in very good condition for years.

Do you value your grand piano, or the upright that graces your living room?

Then it is incumbent on you to give it the necessary care and protection. The piano cover is one of those accessories you must have for your instrument to be able to enjoy playing on your keyboard for years. The cover provides protection from sunlight, mildew and dust, keeping the keys soft and clean.

The piano cover offers all round protection, not only just keeping your instrument clean. This essential piano accessories in addition protects your piano from the damage that could be inadvertently caused to it if for instance if you or the members of your family were to spill water or beverages onto it – or perhaps the damage your pets could cause, such as scratching the finish. Cats in particular have been known to find resting places inside pianos!

Your piano is a very expensive instrument and therefore you should not stint when it comes to the essential piano accessories like the protective wrap or cover. Any time you need to store your piano for a while ensure that the keyboard especially is properly screened to protect it from the elements.

What to look for in a piano cover

Protective covers for the piano can be bought off the shelf and are made from a range of materials. But if you need a covering that adds a personal touch of elegance in your living room it is recommended to have it custom made to suit your specific needs. But whichever way you choose to get a protective screen for your piano make sure the material used is waterproof. The cover in addition should be a perfect fit for the instrument to provide adequate protection. These two factors are the most important to prevent premature aging and deterioration in performance. The aesthetics and elegance the cover adds should be secondary. The best piano covers should also be easy to clean and vacuum. Pick a cover made from materials that are resistant to creasing, and one that you can easily slide on or off as needed when you need to use the piano.
One final feature you want to ensure you have on this most essential of piano accessories are locking straps to help you securely strap the protective cover on your instrument especially when you plan to store it for long periods. A good cover for your piano will prolong the service life of your instrument for many years to come.

Insight On Buying Second Hand Pianos

Posted on by Pianos Destination

Buying reconditioned pianos will help you to pursue your musical dream in a realistic manner. Buying a brand new piano can be a costly affair and hence it is important that you invest in a  good quality used piano for starters and then upgrade your piano once you have mastered your piano skills.

There are numerous private sellers who put up their pianos for sale because they are upgrading or because they are moving out etc. In any case substantial research can help you in acquiring a good quality second hand piano. Many times you can get a good deal by buying a sparingly used piano from a private seller.

second hand pianos

Piano dealers Vs Private sellers

Piano dealers are known for stocking various branded second hand pianos for music enthusiasts. Buying second hand pianos from piano dealers can ensure that you have access to varied models and brands as opposed to private sellers who may have only one specific brand.

By choosing to buy from a piano dealer you can cut down the chase and have greater access to more brands under one roof, whereas when it comes to private sellers, you might have to visit their homes far or near to inspect the piano.

Piano dealers usually offer transportation of the piano to your doorstep as opposed to private sellers. So don’t forget to add transportation cost when buying from a private seller.

How To Choose second hand pianos

#1. Check quality:

Checking out the quality standards in detail will help you in getting along with the one that best matches your requirements. It is important that you ensure that you play the piano to understand how the keys feel. It is advisable to get a certified piano tuner to check the tuning of the piano.

#2. Ask for the reason for sale:

The Original users of pianos are known to offer them for sale online for various reasons. Asking in detail about the reason can give you a quick insight on the condition of the piano. Sparingly used pianos could sometimes lack maintenance or pianos that have been moved quite often may have some serious internal damage.

#3. Inspect:

Take your time when it comes to inspecting the piano in great detail. Buying a used piano in haste can only lead to more complications at a later stage. It is better to be cautious than to be sorry later. If you do not have in-depth knowledge about the piano, then you can always seek help from a certified piano technician or a friend who plays advanced level piano. Your piano teacher can also be a good choice when it comes to seeking an expert advice.

#4.  Research:

Browse through online auction, music stores to get a good deal on rare second hand pianos. These auctions enable you to know about the unique features of such models allowing you to decide better whether to purchase such pianos are not. By going through the latest collection of second hand pianos from Broughton Pianos, you can get the best deal as per your choice.

Author Bio

Freya Lewis is an enthusiastic piano learner who would like to try out different models apart from second hand pianos on a regular basis to expand her prowess. She teaches music in her spare time to impart the knowledge she got to various enthusiasts.