September 28th, 2009 — Collectibles, Grand Pianos, Music, Pianos
The first pianos to be called “grand” were manufactured in 1777, and soon became status symbols that the wealthy and affluent all wanted to own. A grand piano can command a room. Usually, it’s the largest piece of “furniture” in a room, and draws the eye the moment you enter. It turns any space in to a musical one, making it clear that there’s no room for any other purpose but music and grandeur. While grand pianos are beautiful and rather majestic looking, the difference between them and upright pianos goes far beyond mere size and scope.
In an upright piano, the strings are perpendicular to the keys, necessitated by the shape and size of the instrument. The chief benefits to owning an upright piano are the price, which is much less than a grand or baby grand, and the mobility. They’re easier to move, they can be placed against a wall and fit into a relatively small space for such a large instrument. The grand piano, however, takes up a huge amount of space. They’re large and more difficult to move, and pretty much demand a huge room that they won’t overwhelm with their size.
The strings in a grand piano stretch outward the length of the piano. This is what gives the grand piano, and even the baby grand, a much richer sound than an upright. The length of the strings allows for a truer tone and more resonance. Concerts and performances aren’t given on a grand piano just because it looks impressive on the stage—the sound quality is unparalleled. If you want to buy a grand piano, make sure you have a room large enough to do it justice. The ceiling height is an important consideration. A higher ceiling allows for more resonance of sound, while a ceiling that’s too low will only dampen the rich sounds of the piano.
When you decide to purchase a grand piano, you can choose a used or new instrument. This is a matter of personal preference, of course, but a well-loved and often-played instrument brings with it its own sense of history. While the sound of the instrument should be the most important consideration, you’ll want to make sure the wood is in good shape, the finish is true, and whether it’s original or has been renovated. A refinished grand piano can be a beautiful instrument, and better than one in bad condition, but you’ll want to know these details before you make a purchase.
Also keep in mind that grand piano lengths do vary quite a bit. If you’re looking to buy one simply for the appearance, then even a baby grand piano will give you the look you’re after in a smaller amount of space, and for a smaller price. But if the sound is important to you, and it should be, a longer grand piano is a better purchase than a shorter one, whether you’re buying used, antique or new. The longer the strings are, the truer and richer the tones will be.
Originally posted 2008-11-13 05:06:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 11th, 2009 — Accordion, Collectibles, Music
An accordion is a fascinating and unusual musical instrument that requires bellows, buttons or keys and reeds to make music. Though it looks like a fairly sturdy instrument, it’s actually pretty fragile on the inside and should be handled with care. When one part of the instrument breaks down, the whole instrument becomes quickly unusable, since all the parts of an accordion work together to make the sound.
While you can buy accordions in online auctions, it’s best to stick to someone who specializes in accordions and is willing to give you a written guarantee. The very best solution is to buy an accordion in person so you can be sure the instrument plays properly. Or have the seller play it a bit for you to be sure it’s in working order.
Though few people think of an accordion as a fine musical instrument, it is. And it requires tender loving care, just like every other musical instrument. In fact, it may be even more fragile than most instruments. An accordion contains several reeds—usually metal reeds. If one comes loose, the whole sound suffers. The reeds are usually attached with some sort of resin or beeswax, so this needs to be replaced by a reputable repair person every several years or so.
Not many manufactures ever dealt with creating the accordion. Scarlatti is a Chinese company that manufacturers accordions, and Delicia and Serenelini are Czech and Italian, respectively. These might be the most likely names you’ll find when look at accordians. If you do choose to buy an accordion from an online seller, be sure the case comes with the instrument. If the seller opts to ship the accordion without a case, you’ll most likely end up with a damaged instrument.
An accordion should be stored on its bass end, vertically—usually four or five little feet become apparent on closer inspection, offering a base on which to stand the accordion. It should be kept in a dry place, out of direct sunlight, in its closed case whenever possible. If you have the instrument apart at any time, don’t touch any of the metal inside, including the reeds. Where you touch it, it will rust. Also, don’t blow on a reed, as if to blow away dust. The moisture in your breath can also cause the reed to rust.
One of the key things when buying an accordion, is to make sure it’s in good condition. If you want the instrument to be playable—and you should want one that’s playable because those are the ones that have value—the cost of repairing the instrument can be very limited for some. It can cost a thousand dollars to have every reed replaced, so the better condition the accordion you buy, the longer it will last before it needs repairs or an overhaul. Few people want to purchase a collectible instrument only to have to pay over $1000 to have it restored. Contact an accordion dealer or repair person and ask questions before purchasing.
Originally posted 2008-12-05 05:00:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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