Learn More about pianos
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Common Questions
How often should you tune your piano? Where can I place my piano? How much is my piano worth? Why does my piano go out of tune?
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Buying a Piano
What should I look for when buying a piano? what is a Stencil brand? Does it matter where the piano was manufactured?
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Piano Lessons
Arvin N. Berner is an expert piano teacher and offers piano lessons to students age 7 through adult. Contact Arvin to inquire about lesson availability and tuition rates. Also visit the Music Teachers’ Association of California website, for additional educational resources.
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“If you want to understand music better, you can do nothing more important than listen to it.”
Aaron Copland
FAQs
How often should my piano be tuned?
In general most home pianos in a moderate climate should be tuned once a year. Church instruments should be tuned between two and four times a year. Performance instruments might be tuned for every concert. We are happy to discuss the best plan for your piano and your goals.
How good is my piano?
Any understanding of your piano’s quality must include the current condition and the original design, materials, and craftsmanship. It can be helpful to think about three different categories of pianos:
Entry Level Pianos: These pianos are manufactured in large quantities and for the cheapest amount possible.
Consumer Grade Pianos: These are fine instruments, but still manufactured to a price point.
Performance Grade Pianos: The piano was designed and built to the be the very best, regardless of how much that cost. No expense was spared.
How much is my piano worth?
Piano value is directly related to the musical condition, the cosmetic condition, the age of the piano, the brand, and type of piano (grand, etc.). If the musical condition is poor, the piano may have minimal or no value. Some general ranges for pre-owned pianos (not newly rebuilt) pianos are :
Entry Level Piano: $0 - $2000
Consumer Grade Piano: $2000 - $25,000
Performance Grade pianos: $10,000 - $65,000
Please note this is for general informational purposes only, and every piano is a unique instrument. Many instruments might be fairly priced at a considerably higher or lower point.
Why does my piano go out of tune?
A piano has around 230 strings, and a total of 18-20 tons of pressure on the iron plate and frame. The tension and movement from playing the piano naturally causes the strings to go out of tune. Furthermore, climatic changes - especially humidity - dramatically impact the wood. Humidity control systems are available and may be advisable depending on your piano it’s location.
Where can I place my piano?
If you live in a moderate climate, and in a modern house (with good insulation and double pane windows) you probably have a lot of options for placing your piano. I suggest you avoid direct sunlight as it can or will fade the piano finish. Furthermore, avoid placing the piano right next to or on top of a heating/cooling source or vent. If you live in an extreme climate or an older home, avoid outside walls and windows. You might try sitting where you want to place your piano. If you are uncomfortable there, your piano will probably also be uncomfortable.
What should i look for when buying a piano?
You should play as many pianos as possible, even pianos outside of your price range. This will help you understand what is available, and to hear and feel the difference between pianos. Brands and models are a very complex topic as the piano manufacturing world is highly global, and brands can change over time. In general, old pianos require a lot of maintenance over the years, and entry level pianos only get worse as they age.
If you are spending any significant amount of money, consider hiring an expert to help (hire us or someone else).
Will Central Piano buy my piano?
Central Piano is focused on piano service and piano maintenance. We are not a retail company. As such, we don’t currently buy or sell pianos.