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Greene Music News Issue #13
January, 2011 |
Greetings!
Happy New Year! This is the year to start a child's piano lessons - or your own! If you've dreamed about playing piano,
just for yourself, now is the time to learn how much fun it can be. Give us a call to learn about our programs for all ages.
Call Judy at (858)586-7000 or
Send us a note!
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Piano Myths BUSTED!
We meet thousands of guests in our store each year, looking at pianos, enjoying recitals, concerts, workshops, or just getting information. By now, we've heard every kind of myth or rumor about pianos that you can imagine! Here is some of the most common mis-information or out-of-date information
about pianos!
Myth! Playing a piano makes it go out of tune.
It's really changes in the weather that most affect tuning.
Myth! You don't need to tune a piano unless you're playing it.
Every manufacturer recommends at least two tunings per year.
Neglect can cause permanent damage.
Out-of-date! The piano has to be near an inside wall.
This one pre-dates modern insulation - just don't put the piano outdoors!
However, you should avoid direct sunlight, and grand piano strings should be protected from humidity with a string cover.
Myth! I shouldn't get a good piano now because
the kids will damage it.
We have a joke about this - concert pianists and little children play the keys equally hard - they just choose different notes! The piano will not be harmed - just keep sharp objects and beverages away, like you would any other good furnishings.
 Out-of-date! I heard that a digital piano isn't good enough for a child to practice on.
The modern Yamaha Clavinova digital pianos sound and feel good enough to satisfy many piano teachers, churches, and college music departments. If your teacher is still concerned about this, have them come in and try one out!
Myth! In the old days, pianos were
made of solid wood.
The visible finish on any piano, new or 100 years old, has always been
a wood veneer, or lacquer.
 Myth! "Maybe I should get a used piano, since I heard they were built better in the past."
Excluding some manufacturers that are cutting corners with the cheapest possible materials and labor, today's respected top companies build pianos with more precision than ever dreamed of in "the good old days". In particular, today it is possible to season woods like spruce, maple, and mahogany in a computerized kiln for more stability and a longer life than
was possible in the past.
Myth! Pianos originated in Europe, so the best pianos are European.
The original piano mechanism was from Italy, and there are several fine European piano builders. However, the pianos that consistently rate the highest with musicians throughout the world are Steinway & Sons, established in New York, U.S.A., and Yamaha, from Japan.
Myth! Steinway pianos were at their best before World War Two.
If this were true, concert halls, universities, recording studios, and professional musicians would not buy new Steinways, and the company would be gone by now. In fact, so many patents and upgrades have improved the piano in the last few decades that many feel the newest Steinways are the best ever built.
Myth! Yamaha pianos are now all made in China.
Today, most Yamaha piano models are built in Hamamatsu, Japan. One baby grand model and their Cable Nelson baby grands are assembled in Jakarta, Indonesia. Yamaha built their own brand-new factory in Hangzhou, China, where they have started to make several upright pianos. (No Yamaha baby grand or grand pianos are built in China)
Every Yamaha piano is labeled with its country of manufacture; however, what is most important isn't the country of origin, but the manufacturer of origin.
Myth! I'll get a feeling for prices by looking at Craigslist or Ebay
Unfortunately, the convenience of shopping online hasn't translated well to new or used pianos. Suspiciously tempting offers usually turn out to be tricks or traps. New pianos with warranties and clean, tuned used pianos with guarantees are almost exclusively found at a reputable piano dealer's store.
Pianists and teachers recommend comparing pianos by playing them, rather than surfing online.
Myth! Children learn faster than adults. ("I'm too old to start.")
There's actually no difference! Adults really have advantages - they are more emotional about music, and have much more patience. Try some lessons yourself!
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 The January 9th performance by Peter Rutman has been cancelled, but will be rescheduled as soon as possible. We look forward to Peter's next concert!
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"A Jazzy Kind of Evening"
with Rossano Sportiello, Piano
and Nicki Parrott, Vocal/Bass 
Thursday,
February 24 at 7pm
Learn more about Rossano and Nicki
Seating is limited! Call to reserve your complimentary seats (858)586-7000
or send us an RSVP
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Karen Davis is coming this February!
Stay tuned for performance date & time!
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 Donate music books
and help a child learn to play!Please drop off your old or new
music books at Greene Music
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Some Useful Links
We hope that these links can help you find the information and services you're looking for!
Call us any time for help with your piano, lessons, moving, cleaning,
concerts, or even just some inspiration!
Find a teacher: this database from the San Diego Music Teachers
Association of California web site is searchable by city and zip code.
http://www.sandiegomtac.com/teachers.php
This next list from the California Association of Professional Music Teachers is also searchable by zip code:
http://capmt.org/Find_A_Teacher_List.pdf
General piano information: the Piano Technicians Guild web site is a goldmine of unbiased advice about piano buying, and professional tips on piano care.
http://ptg.org/resources.php
Sheet music and music books:
Online: http://www.sheetmusicdirect.us/?affiliate=46071.
http://www.halleonard.com/index.jsp?subsiteid=3
La Jolla: http://www.lajollamusic.com/sheet.htm
Poway: http://www.ozziesmusic.com/
Penasquitos/Carmel Valley: http://www.bertrandsmusic.com/information.php?pID=22
Chula Vista: http://www.harpersmusicstore.com
La Mesa: http://www.alansmusiccenter.com/
Piano moving: Call or write to us for a quote! (858)586-7000
http://greenemusic.com/contact.html
Concerts in San Diego:
http://sandiego.about.com/od/entertainmentthearts/a/concerts.htm
http://thingstodo.signonsandiego.com/san-diego-ca/events/concerts+in+san+diego
Family events and concerts for kids:
http://eventful.com/sandiego/events/categories/family_fun_kids
The San Diego Symphony:
http://www.sandiegosymphony.org/
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We would love to hear your ideas for this newsletter. What would you like to know about pianos, lessons, new technology, or just how to get started?
Just click and send us a note or call (858)586-7000 seven days a week.
Sincerely,
Michael Greene, Owner
Greene Music |
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