Finding the perfect service in order to purchase a piano or keep up with the maintenance with your current piano can sometimes be a hassle, especially with several music stores shutting down locally and leaving most people clueless and searching the Internet without much information. If you have pressing questions that need more detail than a blog post online, then piano dealers might just be your best bet–I know it helped me when I wanted to buy a piano and didn’t even know where to begin.

Which brand is better for a grand piano? Should I go with a grand piano or digital piano? Where can I find someone to tune my piano? These are all very important questions and the best answers can come from your local piano dealer because, well, that’s their job! Why else should you trust your local piano dealer? Here’s just a few reasons:

• Most dealers employ people who have an extensive background in music, this is especially true for piano retailers. Professional musicians, former pianists, and current music teachers all account for the sales force of any retailer.

• It’s more than just selling pianos for most dealers, it is making sure the person knows what they’re purchasing and can confidently learn how to play their newly acquired instrument. Music educational is always the utmost importance!

• Let the dealer help you through the entire process in a step-by-step method to make sure you get the right piano for yourself or family and know where to get it tuned or find piano classes.

• Don’t worry about having to go a bunch of different places for sheet music, piano maintenance, and classes–most dealers provide all of this under one roof! And if they don’t? Perhaps it is best to find someone else.

• There’s a credo most dealers abide to, which considers purchasing a piano one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that is beyond a sales commission or buying something normal like a toaster. It’s an experience in itself, and the dealer wants to make sure it is the best experience for you.

When I decided to look into buying a piano, my first natural reaction was to do some research online. This is all well and good, but, if you have specific questions then it is best to find local piano dealers and head out there with your questions. While online resources can provide a base foundation, the best advice comes from sitting down with an expert and being able to figure out what is best for you. I was able to find a piano that my entire family loves and the kids are able to take classes, which open doors to more opportunities to make friends, make contacts, and have a lifelong hobby (or potential profession!).

Your neighborhood piano dealers are here to help more than they are to sell. Like I said before, piano dealers are trying to create a unique experience that can’t be matched with an online browse and purchase–they are here to educate you the best way they can in the great world of pianos and music, by showing and telling.

Do you think local piano dealers can help with your questions on pianos better than an online source?

Has the novelty of a player piano become history, much like those old movies depicting player pianos? I don’t think so, especially with the rise of smartphones and tablets. In fact, player pianos can now be played with even an iPhone or iPad! So, if you find yourself interested in purchasing a piano but don’t have the time to learn to play, perhaps it’s time to look into a self-playing piano which uses new technology.

Most people are pretty busy these days, especially when it comes to the kid’s soccer practice, dance recitals, homework, and then you have your own projects at work, keeping the house tidy, and everything else inbetween. Trying to squeeze in piano practice or taking the kids to training sessions or yet another performance can seem like a hassle. But, you would still love to have a piano in your house–one that can still be enjoyed.

I was in the same mindset, since pianos make for wonderful gifts and shouldn’t go to waste by collecting dust in the living room. Instead, there is the prospect of purchasing a piano which can play itself. You know, just like the ones in old movies and cartoons! They’re especially good if you’re:

• Looking for a conversational starter piece that will both delight and entertain any party.

• A novelty piece for the foyer of your bed and breakfast, inn, hotel, or other business establishment that wants to add a touch of class.

• A great complimentary gift to those latest gadgets, especially for music lovers who have everything.

• Speaking of people who already own everything: do they already own a player piano? It’s not a very common gift and could just be the right quirky gift!

Gone are the old days of feeding the pianos with predetermined sheet books in order for them to play, as you now can download the information straight from your smartphone or tablet and have the piano play practically anything you want to listen to. Jazz, blues, country, and even Top 40 can all be played and enjoyed, while being stored straight on your gadgets for safe keeping (and normally can be downloaded for free).

Another great thing about playing piano is that they’re now easier to maintain. Back in the day, all of the mechanics to make sure it plays properly and that the piano stayed in tune meant a lot of moving parts to maintain and fix every so often. Now, having digital access allows people to own this type of unique piano without the huge investment and responsibility of lots of parts that might need to be repaired or changed.

I think player pianos are very unique instruments that shouldn’t be left to history. They can be easily updated to the 21st Century and have been! Bringing the wonder of music and such a wonderful instrument such as the piano into a kid’s life is a great gateway to more music education and even better concentration and grades at school. Player pianos with the capabilities of being hooked up with an iPhone or iPad make that connection with kids in this generation even easier.

What do you think about player pianos: Total gimmick or perfect unique gift? 

When it comes to finding the perfect piano for you and your family, you have many choices to decide from. However, because we understand that a piano is a once in a lifetime investment for anyone, having some help on choosing the right piano doesn’t have to be hard to come by. In fact, our sales associates have years of experience with pianos–whether through teaching or playing professionally–and can help you decide on just the perfect brand, sound, and even help with enrolling in classes to learn to play your new instrument!

There are all kinds of different pianos out there: concert grand pianos, baby grand pianos, electric keyboards and full electric pianos, and then there’s even player pianos and upright pianos. Most people tend to sway toward baby grands or electric pianos, but, we think some of the best pianos out there for a family is the upright. Why an upright piano and not something else? Well, we have a few reasons why we choose the upright for a family:

• Uprights are pretty much what the name implies. Instead of having an elongated area for all of the chords and mechanics of the piano, they are all tucked away and placed in an "upright" position. This makes upright pianos perfect for people looking to save space or don’t particularly have the room for a large grand piano and want something authentic.

• When comparing prices between different kinds of pianos, uprights tend to have the best value in the long run. Because they aren’t as big or meticulous to take care of, upright pianos generally cost much less–usually around the tune of $2,000 to $9,000 and most of them can be found at a relatively young age in their lifetime. Where as grand pianos will set you back around $10,000 to even a six figure price range!

• Maintenance between the all of the different kinds of pianos is different, too. Uprights are easier to maintain compared to grand pianos, although obviously the electric piano will be the easiest one to maintain.

• The sound between all of the pianos is very different and have their own little nuances. For example, a grand piano (including baby grands) will have longer, bigger sounds because their strings are stretched out longer compared to an upright piano. Uprights have a shorter sound, but, because of the way the upright is built the sound of one will become richer over time.

• Most families will have an upright for its compact size, smaller weight, and easy maintenance as well as their unique sound that becomes fuller over time.

• Finally, if you’re thinking of teaching kids or grand-kids to learn piano, the upright piano is perfect to learn on because of its smaller size, easy-to-reach keys, and comfortable sitting position. It will be less daunting for a child to learn on an upright than on a grand piano and the weighted keys will teach them good hand technique compared to an electric.

All in all, the upright piano is a good investment that will be well-rounded for any kind of family. Whether you prefer jazz, classical music or even modern music, the upright can provide very rich sounds that will entertain for a lifetime! Which one do you prefer: The grand piano, upright piano, or something else?   

Pianos are supposed to be enjoyed by generations of kids, grandkids, and even great-grandkids! They are also the perfect center piece in a living room for the ultimate music lover, and piano sales associates will be right there with you to make sure you pick the perfect piano.

Thankfully, we can offer some savvy tips on how to make the most out of a piano sale and not breaking the bank. I can show you some methods to ensure piano sales are in your favor and you won’t feel like you just wasted your money. Like we have said before, buying a piano is a once in a lifetime purchase.

Look up blue book valuations
Even pianos have a "blue book" valuation list that can be easily found online. Before going out and just randomly picking a piano, it is best to decide what kind of piano you want to get–whether it’s an upright, grand piano, baby grand piano, or even an electric keyboard. Figure out what kind would best fit you and your family, then, head on over to a
piano store in Atlanta.

Sometimes investing in a piano can be a bit challenging, especially when spending money needs to be allotted to different budgets. However, if you are looking to buy a new piano or even use one for a special occasion, a baby grand piano rental in the Atlanta area can the perfect choice to add some elegance without the huge paycheck. And when there are experts to help throughout the entire rental process, it becomes even easier!

Most piano rentals only do special event rentals for their pianos and usually don’t have on-site experts to make sure that the right type of piano (be it a baby grand or not) will be used. We like to educate our customers in all of the different types and tones of a piano as well as make sure the entire rental process is painless and easy–including moving and storage. However, we also like to allow our customers to "try before they buy" with six-month rentals on rent-to-own pianos as well as special event  piano rental, for wedding receptions, private recitals, graduations, and everything else worth celebrating about.

But, why choose to rent the baby grand in particular?

• Despite its smaller size compared to its full-sized grand concert piano counterpart, the baby grand also has a different quality and sound than its bigger sibling. This doesn’t mean it’s inferior, but, provides a charming and exquisite sound that is richer than, say, a digital piano.

• In fact, baby pianos can have just as rich of a sound as a full concert grand, allowing them to be the perfect centerpiece for avid musicians and limitless entertainment for the entire family.

• Because of this high quality, baby grands are perfect for special events that need some added charm. While a digital piano can be nice, baby grands are iconic.

• When it comes to rentals, baby grand pianos are easier to move, store, and even rent than concert grands. If you have a smaller space, the baby grand is a perfect fit!

Baby grand piano rentals in Atlanta doesn’t have to just be for special events, like we said before. Our rent-to-own options provide enough time to make sure the style fits in with your house and family’s needs, as we consider pianos a lifetime investment that will be enjoyed by many generations to come with the right care for the piano.

Kids and grand-kids can learn to play piano and play their favorite music with our teachers, all of them with years of experience and training, and our technicians can make sure your piano is always in the best shape. Your family can learn in a pressure-free environment that includes one-to-one sessions or group training sessions with our teachers, some of them former concert pianists and professional musicians.

If during the six-month rental period you feel the piano just isn’t a right fit just yet, you can take back the piano with no questions asked, no obligations. But, we think the baby grand will be the perfect choice for you and your family–and an investment you won’t regret. Would you rent a piano? How about a baby grand of your own?    

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: There’s a big difference between your normal general-audience “music store,” and a dedicated piano specialists’ store. To see that difference, all you really have to do is look at its service area.

Cooper Music has been in business for over a century, and nearly all of that time has been spent focusing on just one area of music: pianos, organs, and other keyboard instruments. Unlike more general music stores, you won’t find trumpets, or clarinets, or drum sets at Cooper Music. All you’ll find are pianos, other keyboard instruments, and a world-class group of workers who are all there because of their shared love of piano music.

Because Cooper Music specializes in pianos, we offer a wide range of extra services that you won’t find in less-specialized stores. We don’t just want to sell you a piano. We want to ensure you have all of the tools, training, and expertise you need to turn your piano into a treasured heirloom that will stay in your family for decades.

The Cooper Music Service Area

No matter what your piano needs are, Cooper Music is here to help you with our extensive range of piano services.

• Moving and Storage: Pianos are hand-crafted, custom-tuned fine instruments that have to be treated delicately at all times. Our staff of experts know how to transport any piano, from that old Upright in the corner to a Steinway-D Grand, and ensure it reaches its destination exactly as it left. We also provide secure, monitored, climate-controlled storage facilities for those who need to keep their piano safe during a move.

• Tuning and Repair: Whether your piano only needs a tune-up (which we recommend twice a year) or it is in need of serious restoration, we can help! We can take a well-loved piano and restore it to its original glory, giving it back the sound that has been muted over the years. Why buy a piano from someone who wouldn’t be able to fix it, if something goes wrong?

• Restoration: We know pianos are a visual art, as well as a musical one. If your piano’s exterior has become worn, faded, chipped, or crack, we can still help. Most of the time, the cost of restoring an old piano is still far less than the price of a new one. Whether your job is large or small, we want to help your piano look as good as the day it was sold.

• Piano Lessons: We aren’t just here to sell pianos; we want to spread our love of pianos! Piano lessons are a fantastic investment in the future, whether it’s your child’s or your own. Even if you don’t own a piano, if you or someone you love wants to learn, we will be overjoyed to help connect you with a piano teacher who can suit your schedule.

• Music and Wellness: Piano lessons aren’t just for the young! We offer group lessons for senior citizens who love music, often attracting hundreds of seniors each week. Besides lessons, we also offer dinners and a chance for like-minded seniors to meet up in a musically-rich environment.

• Appraisal and Consignment: Perhaps you merely want your piano appraised, for insurance purposes, or perhaps the time has come to sell. Either way, we offer fully certified appraisal services, as well as consignment sales that make it easy for you. We’re secure, we keep your identity private, and we will help you get the best price possible for your piano.

The Cooper Music Services Difference

When you’re in need of piano services, think of Cooper Music. With a century of history and expertise, we are the premiere piano sales and service retailer in the Atlanta area. Come by the store, or contact us with any questions you might have!

When was your piano last serviced? Is it time for a cleaning or a tuning?  

Just like in the car world, there are dozens of piano manufacturers, each with their own style and idiosyncrasies. Some piano makers are known for their tight key action, or mellow sound, or stylish exteriors. Nearly every brand has something to recommend it.

A Kawai piano is a little different. They’re the solid, dependable choice when you’re looking at buying a piano. While there’s very little about most Kawai models that will truly knock your socks off, they’re good at just about everything. Kawai makes good all-around pianos that can be used in a variety of ways, and at extremely affordable prices as well!

Further, since Kawai manufactures a range of both acoustic and digital pianos, they’ve developed a following among artists who perform in multiple roles, or need more than a simple concert grand. The popular orchestral rock band Muse, for example, uses Kawai pianos and keyboards almost exclusively.

So, let’s take a look at the range of quality you can get from a Kawai piano, as well as a few standouts from their line!

Quality Levels in a Kawai Piano

Uprights

Upright pianos are the least-expensive of the Kawai piano line. These instruments are manufactured via assembly line, rather than being hand-crafted, but Kawai maintains a strict level of quality on every instrument that leaves their care. Their inexpensive uprights, many of which are only a few thousand dollars, are still impressive pieces of work that will provide great music for years to come.

If you want a nice-looking upright for your home that fits your furnishings while still being a reliable instrument, look at their Designer line, such as the 607 Series. With a large soundboard for its size, and extremely reliable direct-blow action, these pianos look and sound great, especially for the price.

Teachers and performers would probably want to look instead at their K-series of professional-grade uprights, especially the K-8, their top-of-the-line upright. At 52” it has nearly the same presence as a grand piano, offering great sound for what is still a quite affordable package for the serious musician.

Grands

A grand Kawai piano starts at just under $10,000 for their most inexpensive model, and most can still be had for $40,000 or less. This is an amazing price for concert-grade instruments that would feel no shame in any hall in the world.

Kawai grand pianos have a sound which, depending on your inclinations, could be described as a bit harsh, or perhaps as merely “bright.” They sound great in jazz performances, as well as in other compositions where the piano needs to have a bit more personality. It’s not the “Steinway sound,” but it’s lively, engaging, and sure to grab the attention of the audience.

The top Kawai grand piano is the Kawai EX, a masterful piano which can rank among the best in the world. These are hand-crafted, and only twenty or fewer EX pianos are produced each year. For those who need something a little more affordable, their BLAK line, such as the RX-5, has excellent concert-grade pianos with a distinctive look, fine tone, and powerful action.

Shigeru Kawai

This recent spinoff of the Kawai brand is their attempt to reach for the top-tier market. Each Shigeru Kawai piano is hand-crafted from the finest materials available, and comes in a limited edition complete with certificate of authenticity. These blend Kawai’s traditional approach to hand-crafting their top pianos with Kawai’s innovations in piano construction, such as their carbon composite actions.

Ranging in size from a 5’10” salon grand, the Shigeru II, up to the 9′ full concert grand Shigeru EX, these pianos are truly impressive pieces of work that rival the best from any piano manufacturer worldwide. While the Shigeru brand may be new, I suspect that we’ll be hearing the name more as Kawai continues to innovate and improve their selections.

Have you played a great Kawai piano? What were your thoughts?  

One of the things I find most amazing about pianos is how long they last. We live in an era of disposable consumer goods and deliberately shortened product life-spans, yet a well-built piano can still last decades and become a true family treasure. In fact, any decent piano should be expected to last at least 70 years before needing a major overhaul or refurbishment. Many can last significantly longer than that.

However, that’s only true if you practice proper piano care. As a precision piece of engineering, with thousands of parts which are generally made of organic materials, it’s going to be greatly affected by how well you take care of it. Good piano care is essential if you want to get the most life – and the most wonderful music – out of your investment.

Piano Care Tips for Owners

I. Control Your Piano’s Environment

Pianos are quite sensitive to lighting, temperature, and humidity. You should endeavor to have your piano in a room which minimizes the harm the environment will have on it.

• Place it in a room without direct sunlight falling on it. This can cause uneven heating of the piano, leading to it warping or cracking, as well as causing the finish to fade.

• Avoid extremes of hot and cold. A piano which is too hot can crack, as well as making delicate pieces inside – such as the hammers and strings – more likely to break. Cold also weakens internal parts, as well as de-tuning the piano. A comfortable room temperature, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, is ideal for a piano as well.

• Limit its exposure to humidity extremes. Too little will dry it out, risking cracks and damage, while too much will detune it and risk warping it. Around a 40% humidity level is ideal. Depending on your local climate, you might want to invest in a humidifier or dehumidifier. It’s a small price to pay if you prevent costly repairs down the line.

• Never place your piano too close to heating or cooling vents, and try to avoid placing it near an outside wall unless you have good insulation.

II. Regularly Tune Your Piano

Tuning is another essential part of piano care. A piano will generally need to be tuned twice a year, and this should only be done by a qualified professional. While it’s being tuned, the tuner will also be giving the piano a “check up” and can often spot small problems before they become big problems.

III. No Liquids Near Your Piano, Ever

While the image of the lonely composer laboring over his work with a glass of wine nearby is a romantic one, it’s very poor piano care. Besides the obvious risk of spills which can irreparably damage internal parts, any sort of condensation or “sweating” from a drink can get into the finish, staining or cracking it.

Similarly, potted plants and (if possible) pets should be kept well away from your piano.

IV. Clean It Carefully

Like any piece of furniture, you piano should be regularly cleaned . Avoid common household cleaners, which are generally not intended for furniture as delicate as a piano. In general, simple dusting combined with wiping down the keys with a soft cloth should be sufficient as long as it’s done regularly.

V. Sometimes Leave The Keylid Open

While you should usually leave your keylid closed, leave it open during the day once or twice a week. It’s possible for the sweat, dust, and other residue you leave from playing to turn into mold between the keys, especially if the keylid is always kept closed. Occasionally leaving it open encourages airflow and prevents mold growth.

Finally, as always, if you have any questions about piano care, please contact us! We’ll be happy to help you in any way we can.

What piano care tips have you discovered that lengthened the life of your piano? 

If you’re in the market for a piano, you probably aren’t going to simply buy the first piano you see.

After all, buying a piano is a major purchase, and moreover, every piano is a little different. They all have slightly different sounds, along with different key and pedal actions. Really, the only way you can find the perfect piano for you is to try out as many as you can, looking for that perfect one that suits your playing style.

That’s why it’s important to visit a true piano store like Cooper Piano, that stocks dozens of different pianos from all the major brands.

Unlike your general purpose “music store,” all we focus on is pianos, organs, and other keyboard instruments. We believe Cooper Piano has the best selection of pianos in the Atlanta area, and we happily encourage you to come down to our showroom and try them out. We know you want selection and choices when buying a piano, and we mean to provide it!

The Cooper Piano Selection

Grand Pianos

We stock a full range of all major grand piano brands, including Steinway, Schimmel, Bosendorfer, Yamaha, Kawai, and Baldwin. We sell grands of all sizes as well, from shorter “salon” pianos, to full-size 9” models which are suitable for any concert setting.

The Cooper Piano showroom floor keeps our grand pianos on display, ready for any music lover to take a seat and try one out. We also offer rent-to-own options, so that you can take home the piano you want without having to pay for it in cash beforehand.

Upright Pianos

We also have a full range of uprights, for those on a budget or who have limited space available. Uprights often have a distinct sound of their own, better suited to smaller, more intimate settings. All of the uprights we stock, from Petrof to Kohler & Campbell, are fine instruments that will immediately add style to your home, as well as filling it with wonderful music!

We have plenty of uprights on display, ready to try out as well. If you’re not sure whether you want an upright or a grand in your home, our great selection gives you plenty of opportunities to try both!

Organs

For organ lovers, we keep a selection of wonderful Hammond organs, ready for any home or church. All our Hammond organs have been carefully cared for and refurbished, and are coupled with Leslie speakers to ensure great sound quality. All our restored organs come with a 1-year warranty on parts as well, so you can rest assured you’re getting a great musical instrument.

Player Pianos

The art of the player piano has come a long way since the roll-fed mechanical pianos of our grandparents! The Cooper Piano selection of player pianos are 21^st century devices, which can interface directly with an iPad or Smartphone!

Besides carrying player pianos in stock, we can also install a modern Piano Disc player system onto your existing piano, as well as adding it to any of the pianos we carry. If you want a piano that can play itself, we can make that a reality.

Pre-Owned

If you’re on a budget, a refurbished, guaranteed, previously owned piano may be the right choice. We carefully examine and repair every piano that comes in before putting it up for sale again, restoring the instrument to its original splendor. A refurbished ten-year-old piano can last just as well, and produce just as beautiful music, as one which is new.

The Cooper Piano Difference

People in the Atlanta area know that Cooper Piano, with over a hundred years of history, is THE place to go for all your piano needs. From new instruments, to pre-owned, to servicing, we offer a range and selection which is unmatched. Come visit us for yourself and see!

Is this the year you’ll finally get that piano you’ve always wanted?