by Manuel Marino | Piano
Posture may not seem important at first, but it is actually a crucial element in becoming a proficient piano player.
How does posture help?
Poor hand posture can negatively impact your performance, hinder your fine motor skills, and even cause injury. Cramps caused by bad hand posture can limit practice time, which in turn affects your ability to play properly. To maintain a good posture, sit with your back straight, relax your neck, keep both feet close to the pedals, and ensure that your elbows are at the same height as the keys.
Proper finger care is also important. Keep your nails trimmed to the appropriate length so that your fingertips, rather than your nails, touch the piano keys. This ensures that your performance will sound more like a musical piece and not like a typing class.
What constitutes good hand posture?
Imagine holding a ball the size of your palm. Your knuckles will naturally protrude, and your fingers will curve slightly. Try doing this without the ball, placing both thumbs on middle C, and keeping your fingers slightly arched. While it may feel awkward initially, maintaining this posture will help you avoid cramps, reduce fatigue, and … ...Read the rest.
“Play Piano – Posture”
by Manuel Marino | Piano
I have worked on many Chickering and Sons pianos over the years. Like many older, authentic piano brands that I’ve encountered, some were in poor condition, while others were better maintained and produced a beautiful tone. Chickerings often have a full tone in the bass register, but they are somewhat less powerful in the tenor and treble compared to other brands, such as Mason & Hamlin or Steinway. These pianos can be suitable for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players.
One noticeable difference between Chickerings and Steinway or Mason & Hamlin pianos is the cast iron plate and rim, which are somewhat lighter in design. A lighter tone or structure doesn’t imply that Chickerings were inferior; they were simply designed and constructed with a different purpose. The late 19th century was the Golden Age of the Music Industry Marketing and Music: Any Song Can Become Famous? - Today let's dive into a topic that's been buzzing around a lot: the relationship between marketing and music. We all know that marketing plays a massive role in the music industry, but does it actually hold the power to make any track a hit? Or does talent still stand a chance? First … ...Read the rest.
“Chickering and Sons Piano Company – An American Classic”
by Manuel Marino | Piano
You might be wondering, “Why should I tune my piano? I haven’t moved it.” Alternatively, you might think that since it isn’t played very often, there’s no need to tune it. Or perhaps you believe that moving it just a few feet has caused it to go out of tune. These are common concerns we hear countless times every year. This article aims to educate you on how to properly maintain your piano.
A piano consists of thousands of parts, ranging from simple small felts and leathers to steel strings. The component that amplifies the string vibrations is called a soundboard.
Humidity: A Piano’s Worst Enemy Humidity is the piano’s greatest foe. When moisture reaches the soundboard, it can contract and expand as it absorbs and releases moisture. We all know that wood can shrink and expand, and so does steel in large bridges. As the soundboard expands and contracts, stress is exerted on the strings that run across the bridges connected to the soundboard.
Tuning Frequency The more frequently a piano is played, the more it should be tuned. A safe tuning schedule is to ensure that it is tuned twice a year. Since the piano’s pitch … ...Read the rest.
“How to Care For Your Piano”
by Manuel Marino | Piano
Before diving into the details, let’s define what a digital piano is. 
A digital piano is an instrument that combines a keyboard controller with a sample playback device specializing in piano sounds. BUY ON AMAZON
While other electronic instruments can also reproduce , this article focuses specifically on digital pianos. Digital pianos come in different shapes and models, with some resembling acoustic upright pianos and others looking like modern synthesizers or music workstations. Stage pianos, for example, are usually lighter as they don’t have built-in speakers and amplification.
Twenty years ago, I might have preferred an acoustic piano over a digital piano. However, with advancements in sampling technology, digital pianos have become more and more similar to their acoustic counterparts in both sound and feel. Many digital pianos now use multi-sampled piano sounds, graded hammer action, and even incorporate the intricate sounds of a piano’s internal machinery. With these developments, it’s worth comparing the advantages and disadvantages of digital and acoustic pianos.
Digital pianos have several benefits over acoustic pianos:
- They are more affordable, making them suitable for those on a budget.
- They are lighter and more compact, which is beneficial for musicians with limited space or those who need
… ...Read the rest.
“Acoustic vs Digital Piano”
by Manuel Marino | Piano
Should I Purchase a Digital Piano or an Upright Piano?
Digital pianos and upright pianos each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, making it crucial to carefully consider your needs before making a decision. To assist you in determining whether a digital piano or an upright piano is more suitable for you, we will compare their histories, advantages, and disadvantages.
A Brief History of the Digital Piano:
Digital pianos were invented about 20 years ago, and their initial introduction left much to be desired. Early digital pianos had keys that were too light and spongy, a sound that was extremely bright, and poor sampling. They didn’t resemble real pianos in appearance or sound. However, over the past two decades, digital pianos have improved significantly in both aspects.
A Brief History of the Upright Piano:
The upright piano was invented in 1709 by the Italian Cristofori. It was a four-octave instrument, compared to the modern seven-and-a-quarter octave instrument. The upright piano has undergone several transformations to become the instrument we know today. The older pianos had a warm tone due to their high-quality materials and seasoned soundboards, and were built to last a lifetime.
Advantages of Digital … ...Read the rest.
“Should I Buy a Digital Piano or an Upright Piano?”
by Manuel Marino | Piano
Upon entering a piano store, you find yourself surrounded by various digital pianos of different designs, colors, and shapes. Salespeople seem to prioritize the store’s profit over your best interests. To help you make an informed decision, here’s a summary of different digital piano brands and their ratings:
- Yamaha Digital Pianos: Highly regarded and popular, with excellent sound and feel. Rating: 9/10. Price: From £989, often with a 20% online discount.
- Casio Digital Pianos: Great value for money, with significant improvements in recent years. Rating: 7/10. Price: From £799.99, typically with a 28-30% online discount.
- Roland Digital Pianos: Well-crafted with lovely tones, but slightly thin and artificial in the middle to high treble. Rating: 8/10. Price: From £899, with limited discounts available.
- Korg Digital Pianos: Affordable but underperforming compared to other brands. Rating: 4/10. Price: From £999, with a 30-35% online discount.
- Kawai Digital Pianos: Overhyped with light keys and bright, harsh sound. Rating: 3/10. Price: From £999, with a 20-25% online discount.
- Gem Digital Pianos: Impressive appearance but poor sound quality. Rating: 3/10. Price: From £999, with limited discounts available.
- Ketron Digital Pianos: Decent quality but expensive. Rating: 6/10. Price: From £1299, with limited discounts
… ...Read the rest.
“Digital Pianos – Which Brand Should I Buy?”
Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, 
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