Author Archives: blanton

Preparing Your Piano For Summer

preparing your piano for summerIt’s May, and the temperature is rising… How are you preparing your piano for summer?

You probably know that the summer can be a challenging time for your piano, what with the extra humidity and the high temperatures. So what can you do to keep it in fine shape when the weather gets hot?

Evaluate the location of your piano

Start by evaluating the location of your piano. Is it in a room in which the temperature stays relatively stable?

Here is one of my most important piano care tips when it comes to protecting your piano in summer. It should be kept away from windows and heating/air conditioning vents. The humidity levels should also be relatively stable and controlled.

If your piano is in a “safe” location, that’s a good start. If, on the other hand, your piano is in a room where there’s a door to the outside, and the temperature fluctuates wildly, you may want to consider having your piano moved to a safer location.

Now moving your piano is a major task. A piano is very heavy yet fragile. So you should hire a professional piano mover for this task, even if it is only from one room to another.

If you need help with finding a Richmond piano mover, just send me a text message at 804-677-2416 and I’ll get you in touch with my trusted piano movers who I’ve been working with for years!

Then again, hopefully, your piano is in a safe place now…

Has your piano been tuned recently?

The next question to answer would be whether your piano has been recently tuned. Right now, it’s still not too late to have your piano tuned. The best time for tuning a piano is the spring and the fall, but definitely not in the middle of summer.

So if you plan to play your piano during the summer, or your child continues his or her lessons during the summer, it’s a good idea to make sure your piano is in tune! Otherwise, the practice can be really frustrating and demoralizing.

This means, if you hit some sour notes when you play your piano, you may want to make an appointment very soon to have it tuned before summer gets here for real. Once again, just text me at 804-677-2416.

Of course you can also call me, but texting usually works much better. Because of the nature of my profession, I can’t always access my phone in the middle of a tuning, but I can always take a quick peek at a text message, and text back to confirm that I got it.

Preparing your piano for summer in two steps

As you can see, preparing your piano for summer isn’t all that hard. Make sure it’s protected by keeping it in a temperature and humidity-controlled room, away from windows, doors, and vents. Want to know more? Just click the following link for more piano care tips for the summer.

And if it hasn’t been tuned recently and will be used during the summer, get it tuned now, before the weather gets too hot. If you won’t be playing the piano during the summer, you could wait with the tuning until fall.

Still, you never know when the mood will strike you and you’ll feel inspired to play a few tunes…

That’s it for my piano care tips for right now. If you need any help with your piano, or if you have any questions, please feel free to text me, Blanton Bendall, your trusty Richmond piano tuner, and I’ll be happy to help: 804-677-2416.

 

Spring Piano Tuning Tips

spring piano tuning tipsHappy Spring Equinox. It’s the day when night and day are exactly the same length, and we know that spring is on the way. It’s also the perfect time for Spring Piano Tuning Tips.

Around Central Virginia, we’ve had a few nice springlike days already, and quite a few trees are bursting out in blossoms. So are the crocuses. And chances that it’s getting cold again are minimal.

So that means that the temperatures are going to be relatively moderate over the next few weeks and even months, until things heat up for summer.

The Spring Piano Tuning Connection

So what does spring have to do with piano tuning? Well, spring is the perfect time to have your piano tuned! And for a good reason…

You probably already know that pianos are very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. And both of these are pretty stable right about now, in spring. This means that if you have your piano tuned now, it will last for quite a while, especially if you do your best to protect it from the upcoming summer heat and humidity.

Spring Holidays

And that’s not all! There are various spring holidays coming up. A lot of families enjoy playing their piano around Easter, Mother’s Day, and other holidays.  It’s great fun to share songs and enjoy some Easter piano music.

Whether your piano is still pretty much in tune or whether it’s producing some sour notes, I can make it sound perfect in a hurry.

Just call me (or better, send me a text message at 804-677-2416) to schedule a time for me to stop by and take care of your favorite musical instrument.

If you have kids who are practicing the piano, it’s especially important to make sure it’s in tune. After all, you want them to stay motivated.

Pianos in Schools and Churches

With the holidays coming up, there are big demands made on pianos in schools and churches. So they have to be in top shape – and sound their best. This means that now is also the time to have your school piano (or school pianos) tuned. And the same is true for pianos in churches.

How to book an appointment for spring piano tuning?

I am Blanton Bendall, your trusty Richmond piano tuner. And the best way to book an appointment with me is to send a text message to 804-677-2416. I will then get back to you promptly.

Why Text Messages Work Best?

Why a text message and not a phone call? I spend my days tuning pianos, and can’t easily take phone calls while I’m doing that. And checking voice mail is also something that can be challenging in that environment.

But I can always take a quick peek at my phone to check my texts, and if you leave me a message, I can either text you back or call as soon as I’m able to.

I do recommend that you book an appointment soon. I will do my best to fit you in as soon as possible, but as my schedule fills up, it might be more challenging to find a good time that suits you, especially before Easter.

In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy the nice spring weather. And I look forward to making sure that you’ll be able to enjoy your piano as well, with a perfectly timed spring piano tuning.

Please also visit my Facebook page for updates, and be sure to “like” it.

Protect Your Piano In The Winter

protect your piano in the winter

A small white kitten on a winter background with a funny look near the piano. Advertising of musical instruments

Are you wondering how to protect your piano in the winter? You’re in the right place! You’ll find several tips below to help you keep your piano in fine shape no matter what the weather outside.

Depending on where you live, it can get very cold in winter. Even in Central Virginia, we have days where we have sub-freezing temperatures. And yes, we get snow too, sometimes a lot of it.

About Temperature

To keep your piano safe, it is first of all important to keep the temperature around your piano steady, preferably around 70 degrees. And that’s what it should be all year long.

This means that you should have your thermostat set to your regular temperature and keep it there, whether you’re home or not. Even if you’re on vacation for a week, you should still keep the room with your piano at that temperature, or you might be coming back to a piano that is out of tune.

Why You Should Keep The Temperature Steady

Hot and cold temperatures can have negative effects on your piano. Cold temperatures can weaken some of the delicate wooden parts of your piano, for example. And once they’re weakened, they could snap and break your piano. Heat has a bigger effect on the metal parts. But the biggest reason is something else that comes along with hot and cold temperatures…

About Humidity

Humidity fluctuates as the temperature fluctuates. If it’s cold, humidity levels are low. And when it gets hot, they rise. You know about hot and humid days, and you also know about chapped lips and dry skin when it’s cold. That’s the effect of humidity.

When it comes to your piano, humidity can really affect especially the wooden parts. They’ll expand when the humidity is high, and shrink when it is low. And that can lead to damage to the piano, as well as to the piano going out of tune.

How to Protect Your Piano In the Winter

To protect your piano in the winter against potential damage, be sure to keep both temperature and humidity steady. The temperature should be around 70 degrees, i.e., regular room temperature. The humidity should be around 40 degrees. Of course, that’s also true when you want to protect your piano in the summer...

You could use A/C to keep the temperature steady, and if needed, you can also use a humidifier if the air gets too dry in the winter.

How would you know if the air is too dry (or to humid)? You can use a hygrometer. They’re easily available from Amazon, or you could ask your piano tuner for a recommendation.

There are also humidity control systems available, but you probably won’t need one if you can control the humidity at your home in other ways, either through your A/C or by using a humidifier and/or a dehumidifier as needed.

Some Common Sense Tips

There are also some common sense things you can do, such as keeping the windows closed on humid and rainy days…  And, of course, always keep your piano away from heaters and drafts.

Any questions? Blanton Bendall, your Richmond Piano Tuner will be happy to answer them for you. And if it’s time for him to tune your piano, he’ll be glad to make specific recommendations on how to protect your piano in the winter.

Just send him a text message at 804-677-2416 for the fastest response, or call him at that number. You may also want to visit our Southern Piano Service Facebook page (and like it while you’re there).

Christmas Gifts For Piano Players

christmas gifts for piano players

What do you give your piano playing loved ones for Christmas? It depends, of course. But I’m going to make some suggestions for perfect Christmas Gifts for Piano Players!

After all, piano players love getting gifts just as much as everybody else. Even if one of the potential gifts definitely won’t fit under the Christmas tree!

Then again, some of the presents will fit just fine. Including this gorgeous piano sweater from Ali Express.

The Obvious Christmas Gifts for Piano Players

Well duh! The most obvious gift for a piano player is… a PIANO! Who would have guessed. Maybe it’s time for an upgrade. Maybe the old piano is being restored, and that can take a LONG time. So in the meantime, either a loaner or a second piano might be just the ticket.

Whatever the case may be… if a piano is to arrive at its new home, it will need to be moved. After all, it cannot walk by itself. So you’ll need a professional piano mover. Speaking of which, piano moves could also make for terrific Christmas gifts for piano players.

Fortunately, I work with a team of professional piano movers. Just call or TEXT me at 804-677-2416 and I can arrange the transportation! Whether the move is just down the street or halfway across the state, they can handle it.

Less Obvious Christmas Gifts for Piano Players

Then, there are less obvious gifts… and these do fit under the tree! Many piano players love sheet music – so go find out what kind of music they would most like to play next, and pick up the sheet music so they can do it. And of course, the most popular choice: Piano music for the holidays!

And right along with sheet music comes music on CD’s DVD’s and even in electronic format that will fit into an iPhone, and iPod, and other such  devices.

What if the piano emits some sour notes? It’s time for a piano tuning! And guess what? Every year, by popular request, I offer Piano Tuning Gift Certificates! They definitely fit under the tree, and will make your beloved piano player very happy.

And then, there’s a gift that would probably also be welcome even though that one will not quite fit under the tree either…

A piano stool! Yup. A piano player needs to sit somewhere to play, and if the stool has been around for years and years, a new comfy, cushy stool could be very welcome.

Fun Gifts for Piano Players

Then, there are fun gifts for the piano player(s) in your life. For example a piano tie, most often decorated with a keyboard. Or, I’ve seen some awesome piano sweaters! Just Google them to check them out.They’re just gorgeous!

And that’s not all. You can get all kinds of things with a piano pattern. Just go wild as you check them out. And I bet they will be very welcome!

But there’s nothing that will come in so handy – and is as easy to get – as a Piano Tuning Gift Certificate! Your piano playing loved one will definitely appreciate that.

Just text me at 804-677-2416 and we can make the arrangements. OR you can even make the appointment and have that piano tuned as one of the Christmas gifts for piano players.

Piano Music For The Holidays & Christmas

Piano Music For The Holidays

Are you planning to share your Piano Music for the Holidays? How about checking out some Christmas Sheet Music to get ready?

I just took a look around to find some great options for you. Some of them are free and others have a very reasonable price tag.

So if you have guests at home over the holiday season, starting now and all the way to Christmas and into the New Year, take a look around…
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Spooky Piano Music For Halloween

spooky piano musicIt’s fall, and time for spooky piano music for Halloween! And even though I’m your Richmond piano tuner, I’m not talking about piano tunes that are spooky because the piano is out of tune.

In fact, the spooky tunes work best when played on a piano that is perfectly in tune. Of course, since it’s fall and a lot of people have their pianos tuned right now, which is the perfect time to tune a piano. That makes for some great spooky piano music!

So what are spooky tunes and where can you find them?

Spooky Piano Music For Halloween

Take a look at the following YouTube videos:

And here are some more…
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Back To School Piano Practice

back to school piano practiceWhat’s so special about back to school piano practice? Well, a lot of kids (and adults) are side-tracked by summer fun and activities and are taking a break from practicing the piano.

And after a few weeks or even months of time-out, getting back into a regular practice routine can be a challenge.

So what to do? I’ll focus on tips for kids, but they apply to adults too, at least in modified form…

Focus on Having Fun

The first thing you should focus on is having fun! Sure, a few scales and other practice items are always good to do. But make an effort to find pieces that your young piano student will really enjoy! In fact, you as an older piano student should follow the same principle.
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Best Time To Tune A Piano

best time to tune a pianoAre you wondering when would be the best time to tune a piano? Actually, there are TWO ideal times to tune a piano! The first one in the year is in spring, and yes, this means that the best time to tune a piano is in April and May!

However, there’s another best time to tune a piano – and that’s fall, which means, just about right now, in October. In this article, I’ll tell you all about the reasons why you should try to have your piano tuned in spring and/or fall, depending on whether you want to have it tuned once or twice a year.

You can reach me, Blanton Bendall, at 804-677-2416, any weekday (M-F) between 9 AM and 6 PM, preferably by text message, but phone calls work too. I look forward to talking with you!

Why the best time to tune a piano is either spring or fall

As you know, pianos are very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, and the biggest changes happen as you change over from winter to spring, and then again from summer to fall.
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Professional Piano Movers

professional piano moversDo you need to have your piano moved? You’ll definitely want professional piano movers for the job. That’s the only way to guarantee that your piano will arrive safely on the other side.

You may be wondering… Can’t I go with just a regular moving company? Don’t they know what they’re doing? Well, they might. But then again, they might not. Sure, maybe they had someone on staff who knew how to move a piano safely, but that staff member may have left.

There are a lot of things professional piano movers know and do that make a big difference. Don’t take a chance with your precious piano.

Professional Piano Movers – What Makes Them Different?

You may be wondering about what’s so special about professional piano movers. What makes them different? Whether you just want to move a piano from Goochland to Manakin Sabot, Amelia, Farmville, Beaverdam, Montpelier or Oilville, or whether you want it moved to Ashland or King’s Charter or the Hannover Country Club, you don’t want to take your chances with just anybody.

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Easter Piano Music And The Perfect Time for Tunings

easter piano musicDid you notice? Spring is in the air! It looks like we’ve made it through most of the cold weather, and the temperatures are more normal again. Your piano will certainly appreciate that. And Easter piano music may be part of your spring enjoyment, which also makes March the perfect time for tunings.

And while it’s a bit early to actually tune it right this minute, it’s time to get on the schedule of your favorite Richmond piano tuner so I can get to it at the perfect time, right after the last cold spell and when the temperature has been normal for a little while so the piano had a chance to adjust. Let’s say in March!

Remember, the two biggest enemies of your piano’s perfect sound are temperature fluctuations and changes in humidity. And both are drastically different when the seasons change from winter to spring to summer.

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