Piano Guidance
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How often should you clean your piano?

You only need to clean the inside of a piano every 5-10 years. When it's time to do this, make sure it's done right by contacting a professional (& reputable) piano cleaner in your area. Don't wipe all keys at once. Avoid getting between the keys wet by wiping each key at a time, up and down.

How much is a 80 year old piano worth?
How much is a 80 year old piano worth?

SO – What's my piano worth? Piano Type Age Approximate Value Range Steinway & Sons 5-10 years Around 80% of new $60,000 to $90,000 Steinway & Sons...

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What are the piano grade levels?
What are the piano grade levels?

Knowing your 'level' as a pianist For instance, Grade 1 and 2 I would consider late beginner level*. Grade 3 is early intermediate. Grade 4 and 5...

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Want to make sure you know how to clean a piano the right way? Check out these quick tips from Olympia, WA teacher Tali H…

How Do You Clean a Piano?

When it comes to cleaning a piano, there are a few simple things to know about what to do and not do. While these tips are relatively straightforward, following each one is important!

How to Clean a Piano: The Do’s

Wash your hands before playing. Most grime on piano keys comes from the player’s hands. So be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before you play the piano . Pull the piano lid down over the keys when you’re finished. This keeps the keys from being exposed to the occasional mishap such as spilled drinks, food, etc. Wipe clean often. Even with preventative measures, your piano will inevitably get dirty. Clean regularly with a piano cleaner like this one . You can also wipe it off using a feather duster, slightly damp flannel cloth, or cheesecloth. Use plain, filtered water. Plain old filtered water is best to avoid damaging your piano. Determine what the keys are made of. To know how to clean piano keys properly, you need to know what they’re made of (usually plastic, ebony, or irony). Use a little milk on a cloth to clean ivory keys, a gentle toothpaste on ebony keys, or vinegar with warm water can clean off plastic keys. You may also be interested in: No More Sticky Piano Keys! | How to Clean Piano Keys

How to Clean a Piano: The Don’ts

Don’t use a rough or dry cloth. As mentioned, use a slightly damp cloth. This will clean the piano without scratching it. Don’t clean the inside yourself. You only need to clean the inside of a piano every 5-10 years. When it’s time to do this, make sure it’s done right by contacting a professional (& reputable) piano cleaner in your area. Don’t wipe all keys at once. Avoid getting between the keys wet by wiping each key at a time, up and down. And, a slightly damp cloth will also ensure that water doesn’t seep into the cracks. Use a dry cloth to pat down the wet keys if needed. Remember, the best way to keep a clean piano is to take preventative action. So wash your hands before playing and keep the keys hidden under its cover. Use these strategies for how to clean a piano to ensure years of quality music-making! Want to work on other piano skills? Consider working with a private piano teacher at TakeLessons! Tali H. tutors and teaches piano in Olympia, WA, as well as through online lessons. Since 2010, she has worked with numerous students in elementary, middle, high school, and college in both group settings and one-on-one. Learn more about Tali here!

What is the loudest musical instrument?
What is the loudest musical instrument?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the loudest (and largest) instrument in the world is the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ. This...

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How do key finders work?
How do key finders work?

Modern key finders use a Bluetooth low energy beacon to broadcast a uniqueID that is picked up by nearby phones running the appropriate software,...

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What was the very first song?

The Hurrian Hymn was discovered in the 1950s on a clay tablet inscribed with Cuneiform text. It's the oldest surviving melody and is over 3,400 years old.

Listen to the enchanting sound of the world’s oldest song, the Hurrian Hymn

By Lizzie Davis

The Hurrian Hymn was discovered in the 1950s on a clay tablet inscribed with Cuneiform text. It’s the oldest surviving melody and is over 3,400 years old. The hymn was discovered on a clay tablet in Ugarit, now part of modern-day Syria, and is dedicated the Hurrians’ goddess of the orchards Nikkal. The clay tablet text, which was discovered alongside around 30 other tablet fragments, specifies 9 lyre strings and the intervals between those strings – kind of like an ancient guitar tab. But this is the only hymn that could be reconstructed – although the name of the composer is now lost.

The oldest English song sounds like a joyful summer anthem >

Choir sings 800-year-old Icelandic hymn in train station >

Here it is:

Doesn’t look much like music, does it…?

The system of music notation we use now wasn’t invented until 1000 AD. This is something altogether different. The notation here is essentially a set of instructions for intervals and tuning based around a heptatonic diatonic scale. There’s much more detail about the precise language and instructions here. The lyrics are very difficult to translate, but one academic has come up with this rendering of them: ‘Once I have endeared the deity, she will love me in her heart,

the offer I bring may wholly cover my sin,

bringing sesame oil may work on my behalf in awe may I'

Here’s the whole haunting melody

How can I improve my shifting?
How can I improve my shifting?

How to Improve Your Shifting Skills in 3 Simple Steps Note Your Place in Space. Rather than succumb to the drudgery of “pushing” the finger up the...

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What does a private music teacher do?
What does a private music teacher do?

Private music teachers provide lessons within home, educational (eg schools) or virtual settings, teaching pupils of all ages to sing or play...

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Is anything still made of Bakelite?
Is anything still made of Bakelite?

Bakelite continues to be used for wire insulation, brake pads and related automotive components, and industrial electrical-related applications.

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How do you know that you have shifted?
How do you know that you have shifted?

Some of these symptoms include feeling weightless or heavy, tingliness, feeling as though you're spinning or falling, hearing voices or sounds...

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