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Learning About Music and String Instruments


About Me

Learning About Music and String Instruments

Hi there, my name is Marcia. I play music with my friends and church group whenever I can. I play string instruments, such as the violin, cello and bass. I will use this site to talk about different instrument types and playing techniques. I will talk about reading music and creating your own pieces. I will also share information about the way I care for my instruments between play sessions. Please visit my site often to learn more about music and string instruments. Thanks for coming by. I hope to see you again soon.

Which Room Should You Keep Your Piano In?

When shopping for a piano, your budget may be one limiting factor, but the space you have available could be another limiting factor. For instance, if you simply don't have a large enough room for a grand piano, you may want to go with a baby grand instead. Here are some questions to ask when deciding which room to keep your piano in.

1. Which room has the best humidity levels?

Stable humidity levels of a moderate degree (around 40% relative humidity) are best for a piano. Extremely high or low humidity or wildly fluctuating humidity could damage the instrument. For this reason, choose a room that doesn't open to the outdoors, doesn't have a lot of drafts, and doesn't get a lot of excess humidity (such as from a nearby bathroom, laundry room or pool room).

2. Which room provides low traffic levels?

Although pianos are large and may seem sturdy, they're also made with delicate finishes and can easily get scuffed up. To avoid such cosmetic damage, you'll likely want to put your piano in a room that doesn't get a lot of traffic. This is especially important if your piano is extra valuable or if you have little kids.

3. Which room has good acoustics?

For enjoyable playing, you'll want to choose a room that has good acoustics. Acoustics can be a complicated subject, but basically, it has to do with how the piano's sound will resonate in the room. For instance, a room with too many hard surfaces may sound too resonant, while a room with drapery and carpets everywhere may sound too muffled.

If you're unsure which room will have the best acoustics, the professionals at the piano store may be able to help you figure it out or direct you to someone who can come to your house and directly test the acoustics.

4. Which room will provide the best ease of access?

Finally, consider ease of access. First, how are you going to get the piano into the space and then out again later if you move or upgrade to a better piano? If the room you're considering is up a twisty staircase, the chances of damaging the piano are greater even if you hire movers who specialize in piano moving.

You'll also want to consider ease of access for technicians such as a piano tuner. Does the room have enough space that your piano tuner will be able to easily access all parts of the piano?

These are some of the considerations to keep in mind when deciding which room you'll place your piano in. Talk to your local piano suppliers to learn more about piano placement, such as which sizes of pianos sound best in larger versus smaller rooms.