Piano Guidance
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Do old pianos have gold in them?

Despite all the glitter, those two instruments very rarely contain quantities of precious metals that can be extracted by a qualified gold refinery. The old paint that is used in pianos, for example, is usually made of mica and yellow-toned lacquer, not gold.

Is everyone born with a voice?
Is everyone born with a voice?

This means that everyone may be born with the biological features to sing, but some people struggle to control their vocal cords and produce pitch...

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Do you need strong hands to play piano?
Do you need strong hands to play piano?

Proper Hand Technique for Pianists Proper hand technique is not only crucial for a smooth and even sound—it is mandatory. The fingers must be...

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Silver Components on Woodwind Instruments

This is probably the largest source of precious metals in musical instruments. If you come into possession of a large quantity of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, oboes, and other woodwind instruments, the silver that is contained in their keys and hardware could contain quantities of silver that can be extracted by a qualified silver refinery like Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners.

Trim Pieces on Antique Instruments

We are talking about small quantities of precious metals here, but small gold and silver pieces are sometimes used to beautify violin bows, mutes and other accessories.

Gold Plating

Gold plating is sometimes applied to beautify flute mouthpieces, the keys of woodwind instruments, and on other visible surfaces. If you have a large quantity of older instruments that have gold-tone surfaces like those, they could contain gold that can be recycled by a gold refinery.

Electronic Keyboards and other Musical Instruments

Electronic instruments contain circuit boards that can have quantities of recyclable gold. Just bear in mind that the quantities of gold in them can be quite small. But if you come into possession of a number of them – perhaps your city’s schools are disposing of hundreds of keyboards, for example – you could be sitting on a quantity of gold that is definitely worth refining.

Solid Gold Flutes and other Rare Specialty Instruments

Such instruments are rare and valuable. One company, Murumatsu, for example, still makes solid gold flutes that sell for more than $30,000. If you discover an old flute, you will be fortunate indeed if it is anything like one of those. But you never know. Why not call us at 800-426-2344 and describe what you have. It would be our privilege to help you discover whether you are sitting on a pot of musical gold, silver, or other precious metals. Recycling Gold Filled Scrap - Big Dollars Could Be Hiding in Small Items

What We Found while Hunting for Precious Metals on eBay

Don’t Overlook the Value of the Silver-Bearing Items You Own

Checklist of Places to Look for Precious Metals in Your Home

There Could Be More Gold in Old Commemoratives and Trophies than You Think

How do I F11 without the F keys?
How do I F11 without the F keys?

All you have to do is look on your keyboard and search for any key with a padlock symbol on it. Once you've located this key, press the Fn key and...

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Can 61 keys play classical music?
Can 61 keys play classical music?

You can play some classical music with 61-keys. Early pianos were based on the harpsichord which had only 60 keys. This means that you can play...

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Is it okay to have piano by a window?

Avoid placing a piano in front of a window Direct sunlight and exposure to temperature fluctuations or wind can damage your piano's finish, dry out the soundboard, and cause it to go out of tune more quickly.

If you’re thinking about buying a piano, you’re likely also thinking about where to put it. Maybe you already have a spot in mind, or perhaps you’re debating a few options. The placement of your piano in your home shouldn’t be an afterthought. Where it’s placed can impact how it sounds and what maintenance is required. There are several essential aspects to consider. Since pianos are made primarily of wood, they expand and contract with humidity. The air in our homes is less humid in the winter and more humid in the summer. This contraction is one of the reasons pianos need to be tuned and why they’re so sensitive to temperature and airflow.

Should I look at my hands when I play piano?
Should I look at my hands when I play piano?

The short answer to that last question is: YES! It's perfectly acceptable and normal for a pianist to look at their hands while they play. An...

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What music calms your brain?
What music calms your brain?

So what type of music reduces stress the best? A bit surprising is that Native American, Celtic, Indian stringed-instruments, drums, and flutes are...

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What was the first kiss ever?
What was the first kiss ever?

First Recorded Kiss (circa 1500 B.C.) Judas' Kiss (circa 1st Century A.D.) Feb 11, 2022

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Do all acoustic pianos have 88 keys?
Do all acoustic pianos have 88 keys?

The number of keys on a standard acoustic piano is 88; however, there are different rare models with slightly more keys. This has been the standard...

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