Piano Guidance
Piano Guidance
Photo: Yan Krukov
Whitening Ivory Keys You can also use white toothpaste to clean ivory keys. Be sure to use normal, plain white toothpaste only. The gel and colored toothpaste corrode and discolor ivory. This will help whiten the keys again.
two microphones Proper maintenance will eliminate one big hurdle of recording a piano. The rest is just a matter of good mic placement. The piano...
Read More »
If you insist on Suzuki method, I would not recommend it to be self-taught. The method, although it does encourage parents to be very involved with...
Read More »If you play the piano, you know that an important step in keeping your piano in great shape for a long time is through regular maintenance and repair when necessary. Proper maintenance is key (no pun intended), and one of those tasks includes cleaning your piano keys without damaging them. Oils from your skin (as well as whatever other grime your skin picks up), dust, and dirt can collect on your keys making them look very dingy. Even if you wash your hands regularly there is still going to be some wear on the keys. Cleaning them can be done fairly easily at home without hiring a professional and saving you money and leaving your keys just like new.
Next up on our musical trip back in time is Claude Debussy, a Late-Romantic French composer of the late 19th and early 20th century most associated...
Read More »
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...
Read More »Before you get to cleaning it is a good idea to dust off the keys first so that any surface dust is removed. You can also dust your piano keys in between uses by using a soft paintbrush or soft-bristled brush or duster. Be sure to work brushing down to push the dust off of the keys. If you want to simply disinfect your piano keys, the best solution is using some filtered water with white vinegar to wipe them down. Using a cheesecloth or flannel, make sure you wipe vertically down and take time to dry the keys in between wipes. Make sure you remember to change cloths from white keys to black keys. The warm water and white vinegar solution are best for cleaning plastic keys since anything else over plastic (including soaps) can be too harmful. Make sure you only use a little bit, a good rule here is one part vinegar to four parts water because the acid in the vinegar can cause damage if you use too much. When cleaning your ivory piano keys, there is a mild solution of just warm water with a little bit of dish soap that will be sufficient and effective. Be sure that whatever cloth you decide to use, it is best if it is white in color so that no other colors bleed onto the white keys. Utilize a brushing motion when wiping so that you’re not being too abrasive (like scrubbing), which could lead to damage.
Elephants Which animals have ivory? Elephants are most known for their ivory, but other animals like the walrus, hippopotamus, narwhal, sperm whale...
Read More »
From slowest to fastest: Larghissimo – very, very slow (24 bpm and under) Adagissimo – very slow (24-40 bpm) Grave – very slow and solemn (25–45...
Read More »After cleaning and buffing, your keys should look like new and ready to play again. It is wise to do the disinfecting every couple of weeks and the cleaning at least once a month to keep your keyboard or piano in good shape. If it is not used very much you can space out how often you clean it, but dusting with a brush may be something you’ll want to do every couple of weeks if it’s not getting used because the keys will still collect a lot of surface dust. You can also try to cut down cleaning in between uses if you be sure that anyone who uses the piano including yourself always washes and dries their hands before they use it. Your online piano teacher should be able to give you proper direction on the frequency and the best type of cleaning you should engage in. If your piano is an antique, it may be better to consult an expert before attempting to clean it on your own. If you aren’t careful, you could risk the piano’s worth with improper cleaning techniques. Now that your keys are clean, it’s time to fill the room with beautiful music. Happy playing!
Ordinary readers use left-brain systems, but dyslexic readers rely more on right brain areas. Researchers Judith Rumsey and Barry Horwitz at the...
Read More »
Tsutsumi practices a traditional dance form known as nihon buyo (Japanese classical dance). Dating back to the early 17th century, the tradition of...
Read More »
Grande is of Italian descent and has described herself as an Italian American with Sicilian and Abruzzese roots.
Read More »
As ivory became illegal, piano corporations started switching to making their keys out of plastic. That includes both the white keys and black...
Read More »
Promotion
Promotion
Promotion
Promotion
Promotion