Composer of the Month

Years ago, the white keys on the piano were made of ivory from elephant tusks. When the killing of Elephants for their tusks was stopped, the piano keys were then made from plastic. However, the saying, “tickle the ivories” still exists.

I thought I needed to say something about pianos on my web page. I am constantly being asked about how to purchase a piano or if a keyboard is okay to use with a beginner. I have also asked about various acoustic pianos, electronic pianos and keyboards when in retail stores and have been flabergasted by the sales pitches I have received! So, I have linked a couple of web sites at the end of this article for you and have written my own ideas to this. This web site is interesting and is correct in what it tells you, however, I am going to add my thoughts. I hope this makes your decisions easier and helps you find a good instrument for your home.

On an acoustic piano, there are 88 keys, and 2 or 3 pedals. The left pedal is the Una Corda and makes the sound softer. The right pedal is the damper and holds all the sounds. The middle pedal is the one I want to discuss further. The middle pedal is suppose to be the sostenuto pedal and holds just one note (from the lower keyboard). You can check this by pressing down a low note (usually an octave or 2 lower than middle c) and then, while holding that note down, pressing down on the sostenuto pedal. Let up on that note and play some other notes while still holding down that pedal. If the pedal is working correctly, you should hear that note that you first played still being held by that pedal and the pedal should not be holding the other notes. Some dealers have tried to tell me that the middle pedal is the sostenuto pedal and, in fact, it is what is referred to as a “student pedal”. This pedal, when depressed, can be pushed to the side and mutes the keyboard.

Spinets are the smallest piano and are made in both baby grand and upright styles. My thoughts on spinets: If someone gives you one, take it. If you already own one, so be it. Since spinets have such short strings, it just cannot produce the deeper sounds most people prefer. If your child or you become proficient at the piano, from past experience, I will guarantee disenchantment with the instrument.

Consoles are fine if you move frequently or need a piano easy to more around. They are 40” to 44” high and just that little extra in the length of the soundboard produces a much richer sound than the spinet.

I prefer a studio grand. You have the same length soundboard as in a small grand piano but without the length. It is higher, usually 45” to 50” high but still looks esthetically pleasing in a normal living room setting.

This article does not mention the old uprights. If you are lucky enough to come across one of these and can get by the looks, and if it has been taken care of, you will most likely fall in love with the sound. They have longer strings, therefore offering deep, pleasing sounds. The keyboards are usually very light to the touch, another good point.

This is a good time to discuss keyboards on pianos. Keyboards are either: light, medium or heavy action. Contrary to what some salesmen will tell you, they do not loosen up with time. None of the pianos that I have ever owned have proved this to be true. Beginning piano players do best with a medium action (the way the keys go down when pressed). Advanced players do well with light action. Most of these old uprights have light action. The one I owned was about 6’ tall, ugly black paint on it and played like a dream! The bad points were: did I say it was ugly? And it was heavy! But, this is the piano that got me through college and many performances for the public. So, my point is: Do not just look at the furniture side of the piano; performance value is much more important.

If you are looking at a second hand piano, and if you have a beginner, that is what I would do, just remember a couple of pointers. First, check out the sounding board. That’s the large board that all the wires are attached to inside the piano. If there is a crack in that sounding board, run…do not walk, away from it. If there is a crack in the sounding board, it will not keep a tune. By that, I mean, if you pay a piano tuner to come and tune your piano, it will need another tune within a few months or sooner. If, however, the sounding board looks fine, check the felts on the hammers. If they look worn, then you may be looking at $200.to $300.to replace them. Check the pedals to be certain they all work. A piano tuner would have to tell you what fixing pedals would cost. Then, play each key. Play every octave, too. For someone without perfect pitch or a good ear, that’s a good way to tell how out-of-tune the piano could be. Piano tuners are a good resource. They know the brands of pianos that are a good buy. Those of us that teach usually only have knowledge of pianos we have owned or pianos we have played. Piano tuners work on all types.

With a nod toward piano technicians, like other professions, do your homework. Make sure you get an honest, ethical tuner. Check out their fees, too. Someone who calls themselves a technician may actually not be as good as the elderly guy who comes, listens to your piano and goes on to fix it just using his ears! Fancy instruments do not necessarily make a person the better tuner for your instrument.

Now to decide whether to get an acoustic piano, an electronic piano or a keyboard. The article explains most of the differences so I will skip that. I do feel very strongly about this decision! Please, if at all possible, buy your child a new or second hand acoustic piano. Please! I say, your child, because most adults do buy a piano if it is for them. Your child’s hands are still not finished growing. Did you know that there have been studies that have proved that their hands can actually be damaged from playing on a keyboard and then onto a piano? A child’s hands are not fully developed so care must be taken in how their fingers are positioned and what kind action the keyboard has. If a child practices on a keyboard and then practices on a piano, recommended practice time is to be cut in half. That is the huge difference of the keyboards especially if the acoustic piano’s keyboard is not a light or medium touch. Your child can experience all the sounds offered that no electronic keyboard can come close to matching. And, as in the web site article that is attached states, a piano is actually a furniture-type investment. You can pay more for a good keyboard than a second hand piano.

I included this web page because it has many excellent points.

A http://www.kenmahood.com/keyboards/keyboard_guide.pdf Facts on pianos and what to look for when buying

B http://www.pianoworld.com/facts.htm for fun facts

C. http://pianoeducation.org/pnoscore.html#For_Kids