Keys Bloomington

Using a metronome regularly in piano practice sessions will develop a huge amount of strength in the player’s music. Many players are reluctant to use the metronome, it can be very difficult getting the music coordinated with the clicks. But this process of coordinating the playing to the clicks can force a player to let go of rigid tension in the arms. After some practice, a player will discover that the metronome has improved many aspects of their playing.

The metronome must be set to the appropriate speed for the player’s familiarity of the piece. After the notes are learned, there are some musical choices to be considered when setting the metronome.

Practicing slowly is always helpful, but it is important to set the clicks appropriately to match the feel of the music. This is a subjective, musical choice. Some players will play the same piece with a feeling of two to the bar, others will play it in four to the bar. As a piece is learned, the player will discover how they want the metronome set so that it matches their musical concept.

Here are some of the ways that regular use of the metronome will improve a player’s music.

Using the metronome helps develop note accuracy in a new piece.

It is important to set the metronome clicks to a very comfortable, slow, speed when starting to learn a piece. If used when starting to learn a piece, inaccuracies in note values will not be learned. Repeating a phrase or two at a time, and using the metronome to count the beats between repetitions is a very useful technique. As notes are learned, additional phrases can be added to the loop until an entire section is practiced.

The metronome can be used to gain familiarity and memorization.

Before a piece is performed, there needs to be complete mastery of the notes, there cannot be any insecurity. The metronome can be used as an anchor through long repetition practice. This ensures that note and rhythmic accuracy are maintained.

Players can use the metronome to physically settle in to a piece.

Many technical problems work themselves out by using the metronome wile playing. An easy, steady pace encourages the release of tension in the arms and hands. Focusing on letting the arm weight sink down into the keys at all times will help. It is important to stand up and stretch the the arms during this process. Sometimes it is helpful to move the shoulders or arms around while playing, this helps to discover new are and hand coordination. As tension lets go, the body will adjust to the most efficient coordination.

Using the metronome builds a secure feeling of the musical pulse which will develop musicality.

Music making can be ruined by an unsettled tempo, creating musical problems such as chopped up phrasing with too many accents. The metronome will encourage musical playing by developing the music’s underlying pulse.

The metronome is one of the most powerful tools a player can use to improve their playing! There are so many way that the metronome can improve a player’s music, perhaps the most important is that it builds security. After practicing a piece regularly with the metronome, a player feels greater confidence when performing.

Piano restoration is a tedious task. The mechanics of a piano is very complex and restoring it makes it difficult and time consuming. The process of refinishing the exterior wood, restoring interior, and tuning the keys, all together take hundreds of hours to accomplish. However, the grandeur of a piano is kept and even enhanced through piano restoration.

Some people treat their pianos as treasures. Each unit is uniquely different from the other. The wood materials, plates, strings, pins, soundboards and dampers are made one of a kind for each instrument. A lot of piano owners see pianos as investments, not just financially but also as an emotional investment for its sentimental value that is earned over the years.

This is why the meticulous task of Piano restoration is often times preferable than to buying a new one. The cost that is spent on piano restoration is oftentimes just a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new unit. The benefits of piano restoration include preserving the valuable parts of the piano. For example, the antiquity of the piano’s case may be unavailable in today’s market. Piano restoration provides the option to keep the original case as it is a common knowledge that the quality of materials used in most old pianos are far more superior to that of today

It is, however, important to note that pianos may not be worth restoring if the harp is cracked or the cabinetry is in really bad shape. It is also noteworthy that the most beneficial candidates for piano restorations are those that come from pre war era. These instruments are considered as heirlooms and are best kept instead of replaced.

Restoring the exterior wood to the original look of a pre-war era piano, however, is a very difficult task. It is important to use the perfect matching materials because many lacquers and paints may create imperfections such as unmatched patterns from the original wood.

Restoration of the interior of a piano improves sound quality for pianos that have lost proper tone from years of use and non-use. New strings and hammers are repaired and are replaced. The sound quality must be improved as this is the most valuable result of piano restoration.

Piano restoration also often requires the replacement of hammer shanks and flanges, whippens, damper heads, springs, screws, the damper lift rod, hammer rail cloth, screw punching, and hammer butt springs.

Regulation of the piano ensures the very best tone for your piano. The piano is repeatedly tuned by adding high tension to the point that concert pitch is achieved. This process also includes refining the damper regulation. Note that the new strings always stretch. it should be tuned and re-tuned during this initial phase of stretching because this will help the piano stay in tune longer once the piano restoration process is complete.

The piano has come a long way since it’s invention 500 years ago. The original version has now been replicated and improved countless times, resulting in a large number of different piano styles and with the latest technology, digital pianos have cropped up and become a popular alternative. But which one is right for you? That depends greatly on what you intend to do with your piano playing and what your budget is. However, there are many pros and cons for both sides.

Acoustic Piano

The acoustic piano is a complicated structure. Touching the keys results in a hammer hitting a string, which then vibrates and the sound produced is amplified by the piano`s soundboard. This provides a rich, true piano sound, which is quite valued at concerts and recitals. However, an acoustic piano requires a lot of space, upkeep and money.

Things to Consider When Choosing an Acoustic Piano

- Acoustic pianos need regular tuning, particularly if there are changes in the weather or if the piano is moved.

- Nothing compares to the full-bodied sound provided by an acoustic piano.

- These pianos allow the artist to play softly or loudly, depending on the mood of the piece . . . the piano responds to the touch of the pianist.

- Acoustic pianos are large, weighing between 450 and 1,000 pounds and take up a large part of a room.

- Affordable acoustic pianos are usually wrought with flaws and not worth buying . . . but for many, a true, good quality one is simply beyond their budget.

Digital Piano

A digital piano is one that is a replica of an acoustic piano. Rather than contain the strings and mechanisms to produce the sound, digital pianos just use recorded notes from a real piano. There are definite advantages to using one of these instruments and they are often used by bands who need an easily portable instrument, but there are definite down sides, as well.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Digital Piano

- Digital pianos are considerably cheaper than acoustic.

- There is very little sensitivity in the digital key, meaning that true interpretation of many piano pieces is simply not possible.

- Some piano teachers will not teach students who only have access to a digital piano.

- These instruments are quite light and portable, some even come in their own carry bag.

- A high end digital piano offers a wide range of styles and features, including drum tracks and recorded notes from a variety of other instruments and types of pianos.

- Digital pianos don’t need to be tuned, making them very useful in humid areas or where the weather changes drastically.

The debate of traditional acoustic pianos vs. digital ones has been around as long as digital pianos. Classical piano students insist that an acoustic piano is the best and to be honest, the digital piano is only an imitation, albeit a very good one these days. Even with the best technology, digital pianos are simply not able to live up to the original acoustic.

However, this doesn’t rule out digital pianos completely. They are still extremely useful for the piano student on a budget or for anyone who has little space in their home for a large acoustic piano. Bands also find the more portable version to be easier to use, since it doesn’t require tuning and can easily be packed up and moved to the next gig. In the end, it depends on your intent, as well as a few other factors, such as budget and space, as to whether or not you will go with an acoustic or a digital piano.