June 1, 2006 HEYWOOD MUSIC STUDIOS

WHY SHOULD I BUY A , INSTEAD OF A KEYBOARD?

The quick answer is: if you want your See whether you can rent one for a few child to play the piano, then buy a months -- or, if you have to buy it, make piano. Playing a keyboard does not make sure you can get a full trade when you a pianist. move up to a piano. Reputable music stores may offer one or both of those And now the more thoughtful answer, options. because it really depends on your long- range goals. It is the studio requirement at Heywood Studios that beginning students have Periodically, during the prospective unlimited access to either an acoustic student interview, I‟ll hear “we have a piano or a digital keyboard (touch friend who has a keyboard we can borrow. sensitive—or weighted keys) have a Is that okay?”. Like so many electronic minimum of 60 keys, music rack, bench, items on the market today, keyboards sustain pedal and proper keyboard stand. vary greatly in the terms of price, „Unlimited access‟ means it must be in capabilities and quality. their home. Having the piano or keyboard at a different location makes it extremely If you are buying an instrument for a child difficult to establish and ensure regular who is just starting to take lessons, you practicing. might not want to make an investment in a piano, which is understandable. A A touch sensitive keyboard is one in which keyboard may be be a temporary the student can produce loud and soft solution. But notice that I said tones without adjusting the volume "temporary". control. A good keyboard should have 88 full size keys as opposed to the mini or ¾ Possible reasons to buy a keyboard: length keys. An easy way to check the size of the keys is to be  COST sure the white  PORTABILITY keys are the  HAS LOTS OF EXTRAS (bells & length of a whistles!) dollar bill.  DOESN‟T NEED TUNING The keys should be weighted, so that they push down with the same resistance no matter where they‟re pressed. If you can put your fingers Unfortunately, that's about all keyboards under the keys, they are NOT weighted. have going for them. And that's not If a student is playing on a keyboard enough, if you want to play piano. without these features and then goes to their piano lesson where the instrument is A keyboard is not a substitute for a real a different quality, he/she will be unable piano. I play a keyboard for dances and to achieve the same results—frustration other gigs, so I know they can be will set in at an early stage. A sustain useful. But I would never pass up the pedal is the fourth required feature. Most chance to play a piano, instead.

Why Should I Buy A Piano? Page 1

June 1, 2006 HEYWOOD MUSIC STUDIOS method courses begin to introduce the So, if you‟re tempted at the option of that damper pedal during the middle of their FREE upright piano in Grandma‟s first books. Other added features that basement—think again. Much like a „used you should look for when renting or car‟, there are factors to consider when purchasing a keyboard would be a built-in thinking about that great, low price (or metronome, and headphones. FREE!) used piano. Give-away are, in general, not a “bargain”, usually found The reason to buy a real piano, instead of in horrendous, dolorous condition a keyboard, is that they are very different requiring much repairs, and expensive kinds of instruments that just happen to tuning! Some sellers may tell you their look similar. Roller skates and pickup piano is an „antique‟—but, unlike a great trucks have many similarities, but they Chippendale desk, an old piano is just handle very differently and you probably that—an old piano. Before you get a wouldn't want to haul furniture on roller crew together to haul that piano (grand, skates.... vertical , console, studio or upright) out of Grandma‟s basement, do your One of the most difficult things about homework! 1) Test all the keys, make playing the piano is learning how to sure the keyboard, pedals and hammers control the instrument. A student will do not stick or squeak. 2) Listen when you probably learn how to read music (and test the entire keyboard. Did each better learn how to keep time), but played sound like one note or two? 3) without good control, nothing will feel Open the top of the piano to be sure all right or sound right. the strings and hammers are in place and in working order. Check for moth holes in And good control of the piano depends on felts. Is there mildew damage on the hand strength (which a keyboard does not wood case and parts? Do you see rust on develop) and "finesse", being able to the strings and tuning pins? 4) Ask for a move the keys in different ways to make history of ownership. 5) Give the brand different sorts of sounds. Keyboards don‟t name and serial number to your piano help with that, either. technician to check the age of the piano. 6) If you think you may want to purchase A last point, while I'm on the a particular piano, hire a qualified Registered Piano Technician (RPT), subject.... How good should your first piano be? A new player won't know the member of the , difference, right, so you might as well get for consultation and to inspect the piano with you. the cheapest one you can find, right?

Finally, when you finally make the decision to upgrade to that acoustic piano, be sure to have it maintained regularly. Pianos are like automobiles—it needs NO!!! regular „tune ups‟ to ensure the value of your instrument. The humidity in the A new student needs the best piano you room makes a big difference in the can afford, because that player doesn't tuning—nominally, the humidity level year know how to control the instrument yet, around should stay at 42%. In Wisconsin, and an out-of-whack piano can be very that‟s tough to do! frustrating and actually form bad habits. The piano is a highly developed, complicated piece of instrument. It

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June 1, 2006 HEYWOOD MUSIC STUDIOS contains about 240 different lengths of tuning is important—whether you play the highly tensioned wire; in other words, piano every day or not! Pianos that have approximately 160 lbs. per note, and a not been tuned for more than five years 15% increase in the bass, giving you an may not „hold their pitch‟. And NO—do overall strain on the piano frame of not attempt to tune the piano yourself. approximately 18-20 tons of pressure. Tuning a piano is a procedure not as easy These lengths of wire make up 85 to 88 as it looks, because you are dealing with notes, spread across the musical range. In over 200 piano strings and wires that addition, for each note, there exists a have a combined total of 20 to 30 tons of tension. If you do not know what you are mechanism, which in the case of an doing, you can break strings, break the upright piano, contains up to 14 different piano's cast iron frame, or hurt yourself or moving parts. In the case of a grand, up others. Save your handiwork for to 22 parts moving parts, per note. something else, and allow the certified piano technician to tune the piano. Most Since the piano must be maintained at a tunings cost between $60-75.00 per visit. specific tension to achieve a good musical sound, the matter of maintenance With any luck at all, you‟ll be upgrading to becomes an on-going process. Since a a high quality acoustic piano after a year piano consists mainly of wood and iron, all of lessons. At Mitchell Piano Works there of this is subject to movement. The are affordable „rent to buy‟ options as well movement of the wooden soundboard, as seasonal sales with low rates on framework, causes the wires to change financing some terrific Yamaha pianos. A tension without prompting by the user. budding musician is only as good as his Thus, it becomes necessary to set up a instrument! minimal schedule of every six months for tuning the instrument to ensure reliable Gail A. Heywood, NCTM and pleasant results. Routine service Gail A. Heywood, NCTM maintenance of tuning and periodic Nationally Certified Teacher of Music regulation adjustments of the playing Heywood Studios mechanism is important!

Heywood Studios requires that all families ©2008 All Rights Reserved Worldwide have their pianos tuned annually by a Please contact author for rights to copy/distribute Certified Technician. Regularly scheduled

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