Dec

10 Reasons to Give a Musical Instrument as a Gift

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An Instrument makes the perfect gift!

Having trouble deciding on a gift for someone this Holiday season? Give them a musical instrument! Many people are interested in learning an instrument but either do not have that instrument or just haven’t taken the steps to begin learning to play.

Here are some reasons why a musical instrument could make the perfect gift.

1. Cost. Buying a used instrument or music lessons for someone is not as expensive as you may think. A used instrument could be the perfect way to turn someone on to music so they will want to invest in a higher quality instrument. Click here for some tips about buying used instruments.

2. Bonding. You’ll often hear that someone comes from a “musical family” and that’s because people bond over shared interests. Families that can play or learn instruments together will naturally bond over the shared interest.

3. Depression. Studies show that music affects people’s moods. Keep your family’s spirits up by giving them music lessons.

4. Age. It’s a myth that you have to learn to play instruments while you’re young. While it may be easier to retain information at a young age, adults have the discipline and attention span necessary for learning an instrument. You’re never too old to learn to play an instrument.

5. Caroling. Do you have friends or family that love to go Christmas caroling? This year, get them music lessons so they will be the talk of the town with their vocal talent.

6. Nostalgia. Many people have a certain instrument they associate with their childhood. Whether they loved listening to jazz or their grandpa played the guitar, they probably have some pastime that involves music. The gift of memories could be the perfect gift this year.

7. Regret. Odds are if you know people that do not play an instrument, they wish they did. Make those regrets a thing of the past by giving them an instrument for Christmas this year.

8. Stress. Music and playing an instrument are shown to fight off stress. Music is often associated with relaxation. If you know someone who gets stressed out easily, give him/her an instrument and watch the stress melt away.

9. Value. All gifts have a different value to the receiver. While your kids might request certain gifts within this year’s fad, an instrument could be the gift they didn’t know they wanted. The gift of music is one that lasts a lifetime.

10. Want. Give someone an instrument for Christmas because they asked for it and they want it. It may seem like a big investment, but if people want to learn an instrument, they will.

This year, give someone the gift of music by giving them an instrument.

Oct

Always Ask a Piano Salesperson These Questions!

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A piano is a great instrument to invest in if you’re truly interested in learning it.

If you don’t know a whole lot about pianos or buying pianos, here are a few questions to ask the salesperson that will tell you a lot about the piano you’re buying.

How long since the piano was last tuned?
This is an important question to ask because problems can arise if a piano has gone too long without tuning. If you purchase a piano that has not been tuned in over a year, be prepared to pay for repairs.

Has it had any serious issues or repairs?
Be sure to ask if the instrumebnt has had any previous problems, special tunings or serious repairs. Always consider the piano’s ago when asking these questions. A 40-year-old piano has probably had some work done and might play just fine. A 10-year-old piano that has had serious repairs done is suspicious and something to watch out for. If you purchase a beat-up piano, be prepared to pay for repairs and upkeep.

How long has the piano been in its current environment?
Pianos are sensitive to temperature and light; take note of where the it is currently being housed and find out where else it had been before. A consistent, stable environment out of direct light and humidity is the best place for a piano. Be cautious if it has ever been housed in a less than desirable climate.

How has the piano been cleaned and maintained?
Pianos are delicate instruments that need to be cleaned with care; otherwise they can suffer interior and exterior damage. If your buying a used piano, ask how the piano has been cleaned in the past. If any harsh chemicals have been used on the piano, it could have internal damage.

Who is responsible for moving?
Most piano retailers will help you make arrangements to move the piano. If you’re buying from a private seller, you will most likely be responsible for moving the piano yourself. If you have to move the piano yourself, it is important to hire professions to make sure your new piano is not damaged.

For more information about pianos and piano lessons, contact Lesson Match!

Sep

Moving a Piano

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While a piano may seem like another piece of furniture easily moved from one room to another with some force, it is not. The piano is a delicate instrument and if damaged can result in hundreds to thousands of dollars in repair. Here are a few things to consider before moving your piano.

Room to room
Before moving a piano from one room to another, really decide if it needs to be moved. Pianos weigh hundreds of pounds and are not easy to move. Think about when you’re moving the couch (typically about 100lbs.) and something happens and you accidentally drop the couch. No big deal right? Now think about the same thing happening when moving a piano (300-1,500lbs.). Piano legs are the most likely thing to get damaged and can be high cost to get fixed. A simple drop of the piano can result in external and internal damage. Instead of planning on moving the piano, really think about where you’re going to put it before it arrives. Pianos should be placed in a room where there are little or no drafts, directly out of sunlight to avoid discoloration and in a place where humidity is low because high humidity can cause your piano to go out of tune faster. If you have to move the piano to a different room, make sure you have plenty of strong people to help you.

New house
Obviously if you’re moving to a new house then you’ll need to move the piano, but consider hiring a professional piano mover. Professional piano movers have moved pianos before and know how to do so successfully without damaging your piano. Moving a piano a long distance without the help professionals can result in damage that costs thousands of dollars to repair (usually it’s cheaper to buy a new piano than to have it rebuilt). Hiring a professional may cost a little money now, but it will save you lots of money down the road if you damage your piano.

Sep

Buying a Keyboard Instead of a Piano

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A piano is an expensive instrument to invest in; luckily there are other options. A keyboard can be used for piano lessons, but there are a few things you need to know before going out and buying a cheap keyboard.

88 Weighted Keys
In order to take piano lessons on a keyboard, the keyboard needs to have 88 weighted keys. A cheap keyboard will usually be half-sized and not suitable for piano lessons, as you’ll run out of keys. Always make sure a keyboard has 88 keys. The keys also need to be weighted so it feels like a piano when you’re playing. If the keys are not weighted and touch sensitive then you won’t be able to make louder and softer sounds like you can on a piano.

Price
Keyboards are going to cost considerably less than a new piano, but still plan on spending at least $500-$1,000. Cheap keyboards typically have less than 88 keys and they are not weighted or touch sensitive; essentially they are useless for serious piano lessons. Buying a new instrument can be an investment, but if you would like to give your child a real shot at learning the piano, you need to spend a little bit of money.

Stand and Bench
Keyboards are nice because they’re portable and can be played anywhere. However, if you’re taking piano lessons, a keyboard stand and a bench are musts! The bench and stand create the feel of a real piano. If a student is playing the keyboard while sitting on their bed, they will develop poor posture.

Headphones
One major advantage of buying a keyboard over a piano is the ability to use headphones. If you live in an apartment and are worried about piano lessons because of the noise, a keyboard is a great way to go. Digital keyboards allow you to plug in headphones so only the player can hear the sounds being made. This is also great if you have multiple children taking different music lessons; they can all practice at the same time without disturbing each other.

Space
Pianos take up a lot of space, even the vertical pianos. Keyboards are small and portable so if you have a limited amount of space you can still take piano lessons.

Bells and Whistles
If you’re buying a keyboard for piano lessons, do not waste your money buying a keyboard with a bunch of buttons and sound recorders. Those add-ons can add hundreds of dollars to your price and are not necessary for regular piano lessons.

Sep

Buying a Beginner Guitar

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Acoustic, electric, bass—there are so many different types of guitars to choose from. So, how do you know which guitar is right for you?

Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic guitars are the most hassle free guitars to learn on because they don’t require any additional equipment. This also makes them cheaper than electric guitars. Acoustic guitars are very portable so you can practice just about anywhere. The drawback with these guitars is that they’re harder to play. This is because the strings are thicker and take more force to make a solid connection with the fret board. The upside of this is that it increases your finger strength so you can play longer.

Electric Guitar
Electric guitars are usually easier for people to learn because the strings are thinner which makes it easier to get a solid connection with the fretboard. This makes a difference because you only need half the force to push down the string and make a solid connection with the fret board, which is a struggle for many beginning guitarists. Electric guitars require more equipment than acoustic guitars, which can get expensive.

**It is important to remember, when buying either type of guitar, not to just buy the cheapest one. Cheap guitars may seem like a good idea if you’re not sure you want to invest in a guitar, but odds are if you buy a cheap guitar you’ll hate the instrument. Cheap guitars hinder learning and practice and often give the player a bad taste for the instrument. You don’t have to spend thousands on a beginner guitar, about $150 should get you a decent acoustic guitar, but don’t skimp. A decent guitar could mean the difference between sticking with guitar lessons and quitting.

In the end, the most important thing to consider is which guitar you enjoy playing the most. The sales associate in a music store may give you a really great pitch about why you should start with an acoustic guitar, but if you’re more interested in the sound of an electric, then go with the electric guitar. Always test the guitars in the music store before investing in one to see which guitar feels the best for you.

Aug

Tips for Buying Used Musical Instruments

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Buying a full priced instrument can be a big investment, especially if you’re not completely sure you want to learn the instrument. There are tons of musical instruments out there and chances are you won’t like the first instrument you pick up. Buying used instruments can be a great way to save money, however, there are a few risks involved in purchasing a used instrument.

Be aware of who and where you’re buying the instrument. If you’re buying an instrument at a garage sale, see if you can talk to the owner of the instrument and find out why they are selling it or how long it was used. If you’re buying a used instrument online, be sure to read some customer reviews or make sure they have a good customer satisfaction rating. Try to ask as many questions as possible from the person you’re buying the instrument from.

Bring along a friend who knows a lot about music/musical instruments. A musician would be able to help you determine the overall condition of the instrument. He/she would also know what types of questions to ask the seller.

Make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Before buying a used instrument, make sure what you’re paying for the instrument is worth it. Find out how much that particular instrument sells for brand new, or how much others are selling it for used.

Spend some time looking at the instrument. If an instrument has significant external damage, chances are it will have some internal damage as well. With some instruments, like the keyboard, you should play the instrument before purchasing. Both examining the external condition and playing the instrument can tell you a lot about the instrument.

Don’t be in a hurry! Spend some time looking into different options. Learn to tell the difference between broken instruments and used instruments that are nearly new. Taking your time will also allow you to ensure you’re getting a good quality used instrument for a decent price.