Search found 4028 matches

by Gill the Piano
22 Apr 2018, 13:13
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Challen Bureau Piano
Replies: 21
Views: 26066

Re: Challen Bureau Piano

Can you take the bottom door off (the bit in front of your knees when you sit at the piano) and then sit on the floor and play the note. If the click is in front of you, it's a notch felt. If it's above you, it's possibly felt under the flange (what your arrow indicated) that's been eaten. Google 'p...
by Gill the Piano
19 Apr 2018, 18:04
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Challen Bureau Piano
Replies: 21
Views: 26066

Re: Challen Bureau Piano

The click is probably a missing notch felt; when the jack goes back to its original position it should be resting on a tiny felt pad. These get eaten, worn or the glue gives up and the pad drops off, so instead of a silent repositioning of the jack, you hear the click of wood upon wood. Tell your tu...
by Gill the Piano
18 Apr 2018, 16:31
Forum: Piano History
Topic: J.&J. HOPKINSON PIANO
Replies: 7
Views: 11895

Re: J AND J HOPKINSON PIANO

Could you take a photograph of the inside of the piano for us please? The top opens up and each end of the inside of the top door there should be a swivel peg that will allow you to remove the top door. Specifically, we are looking for a serial number stamped amongst or above the tuning pins. The pi...
by Gill the Piano
17 Apr 2018, 18:23
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Boyd Autoplayer disposal
Replies: 2
Views: 8655

Re: Boyd Autoplayer disposal

Found the playerpianogroup.org.uk and pianola.org.uk .
by Gill the Piano
17 Apr 2018, 18:20
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Boyd Autoplayer disposal
Replies: 2
Views: 8655

Re: Boyd Autoplayer disposal

See if there's a local(ish) pianola society who might be interested and there may be a pianola specific website where you could offer it. It would be nice if it went to an enthusiast rather than someone who only wants a piano - and as a piano they're big beasties which a lot of people find hard to a...
by Gill the Piano
16 Apr 2018, 17:59
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Metronome/click
Replies: 10
Views: 15525

Re: Metronome/click

You can get a PICTURE CHORD DICTIONARY FOR PIANO which has photographs of a hand in all the positions for the various chords; mine was about £25 i think from eBay. All the 'D min dim 7' and all that cods doesn't mean a thing to me, so it's been a godsend if I'm given trendy music to play with nothin...
by Gill the Piano
15 Apr 2018, 13:49
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Metronome/click
Replies: 10
Views: 15525

Re: Metronome/click

Not crucial, no - but it can be useful. People who play with a metronome all the time sound slightly robotic and never develop their own sense of tempo. However, where it is very useful is where there's a difficult bit. Either the pianist goes from 100 mph to 2mph (in effect saying 'Helloooo, I can'...
by Gill the Piano
04 Apr 2018, 16:25
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Kemble minx age
Replies: 6
Views: 10472

Re: Kemble minx age

Ooo, older than I thought then; I had a punt at late 50s/early 60s but wasn't sure. I knew you'd know though! I'll have a look at the key frame on my next visit. Ta!
by Gill the Piano
03 Apr 2018, 14:04
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Kemble minx age
Replies: 6
Views: 10472

Kemble minx age

Bill, could you give me an approximate age of a Kemble Minx serial no 64283 please? Ta!
by Gill the Piano
07 Mar 2018, 17:29
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Spinet...Nils Frahm...Stock or modded?
Replies: 10
Views: 14700

Re: Spinet...Nils Frahm...Stock or modded?

Barrie Heaton wrote: 06 Mar 2018, 21:27I bet it is great fun to tune
...not! :shock:
by Gill the Piano
05 Mar 2018, 17:25
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Spinet...Nils Frahm...Stock or modded?
Replies: 10
Views: 14700

Re: Spinet...Nils Frahm...Stock or modded?

Oo yes, nought out of ten for observation then! Sorry...do the strings go through the pin like a Brinsmead ? Must be really awkward to tune.
by Gill the Piano
04 Mar 2018, 14:31
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Spinet...Nils Frahm...Stock or modded?
Replies: 10
Views: 14700

Re: Spinet...Nils Frahm...Stock or modded?

I tune three Minxes, all top tuners - in fact I only know Eavestaff as the dreaded piano with pins under the keyboard. One of the 3 has a few loose pins owing to its having been parked by a radiator in an old lady's home for many years but the other two - both dating from the 1960s - are fine and at...
by Gill the Piano
03 Mar 2018, 15:42
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Has anyone in the UK been snowed in ?
Replies: 9
Views: 16134

Re: Has anyone in the UK been snowed in ?

Fortunately I had a light week this week and left it empty once I saw the forecast. Had THREE telephone calls this morning (weekends? What are they?) from people with sticking notes though - probably bowed lockrails, I expect.
by Gill the Piano
03 Mar 2018, 15:39
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Spinet...Nils Frahm...Stock or modded?
Replies: 10
Views: 14700

Re: Spinet...Nils Frahm...Stock or modded?

Kemble (not Kimball - they're american) Minx are normally fairly well made and as long as it's been well looked after and not overheated there's no reason it should have the problems that you mention. Why not get it looked at first before you start to panic?
by Gill the Piano
31 Jan 2018, 18:20
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

That#s because LVB is ALWAYS depicted as a miserable old git. I have a small bronze of him as a young man - still brooding but gorgeous. Knocks Liszt into a cocked hat and women used to swoon over him!
by Gill the Piano
30 Jan 2018, 14:47
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

Glad it's not just me who's iffy about Brahms...we always referred to him as the Miserable Old Git at school! :D I moved your Broadwood question to the Piano Advice bit, as I think it will find a greater audience there...sometimes I think it's just thee and me here! Good idea to get it evaluated; mo...
by Gill the Piano
29 Jan 2018, 21:27
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

Blimey...isn't the Brahms difficult? I never seem to find him very user-friendly. Probably because I don't like practising! Excuse radio silence computer's been awol.
by Gill the Piano
22 Jan 2018, 16:36
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How to accompany someone with the piano?
Replies: 2
Views: 9781

Re: How to accompany someone with the piano?

Firstly you both need to listen to eachother - and pianists in particular are not used to that! Also, practise with a metronome for a little while (not too much or your music can sound mechanical) that you both need to listen to while playing. Any tricky bars need to be taken out and practised caref...
by Gill the Piano
15 Jan 2018, 16:03
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

My brother and I were left money and he blew his on a top range Skoda (the Superb? Something like that) and he loves it to bits. I drive my smart about and spent mine on a piano!
by Gill the Piano
15 Jan 2018, 16:01
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Introduce yourself!
Replies: 118
Views: 189372

Re: Introduce yourself!

Nice to have you aboard! Are you a beginner or an established pianist?
by Gill the Piano
13 Jan 2018, 19:37
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

Look at new Zimmermanns which are now under the auspices of Bechstein (like Volkswagen did for Skoda and Seat). I've been very impressed by the ones I've seen, although I think Barrie has come across the odd iffy one. Older Zimmermanns are Cold War East German and not half as well made .
by Gill the Piano
13 Jan 2018, 19:28
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Gor and Kallman piano appraisal
Replies: 3
Views: 6151

Re: Gor and Kallman piano appraisal

I think they were made in Britain in the 1930s I tune one very like it and found a date on the side of the bottom key. You could try looking there, or ask your tuner to.
by Gill the Piano
12 Jan 2018, 21:12
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

But how many uprights did you play at Forsyth's? Kick a lot of tyres before you decide!
Yes, toning would make a difference to your teacher's piano, I expect. Has she ever considered it?
by Gill the Piano
12 Jan 2018, 21:08
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Gor and Kallman piano appraisal
Replies: 3
Views: 6151

Re: Gor and Kallman piano appraisal

The pedal probably IS working but is fairly subtle and not noticeable; when the front is off as in the pic, can you see the hammers move closer to the strings when the left pedal is depressed? If so, it's working. If you were taking a guitar would you ask the landlord's permission? No. So as long as...
by Gill the Piano
11 Jan 2018, 18:15
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

Could be that your ear and touch are becoming more discerning; you are also now hearing/feeling the difference between your piano and your teacher's. I liken this syndrome to having your first car; it's the Best Car In The Whole World and you love and cherish it and are proud of it. Then you start t...
by Gill the Piano
11 Jan 2018, 18:01
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Year and make of Hoffman piano
Replies: 4
Views: 8597

Re: Help with year and make of piano

It looks very like a couple of Russian pianos I tune...if you look inside the top, down to the right, can you see any cyrillic script on a label there? If you could take a pic with the top door off (the bit against which your music rests, where the fancy moulding is) we'd be able to tell a bit more....
by Gill the Piano
10 Jan 2018, 17:33
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

Depends on the amount of use it's had, obviously, It's a job for which I always recommend a colleague who is far better (and a hell of a lot faster) at regulation than me, having worked for a top piano workshop for many years. As leather and felt wears down with constant playing, levers which used t...
by Gill the Piano
09 Jan 2018, 17:27
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

How old is your Kemble? Are you sure it wouldn't benefit from a good regulation? I had my old Bluthner restored and whilst the new strings and hammers and so on made a difference, it was the regulation that impressed me, and I could play with far more control than before. My new German one is even b...
by Gill the Piano
08 Jan 2018, 17:24
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

An alternative for you would be a good upright rather than writing off a lot of floor space. Make a cutout of the shape of the baby grand and lay it on the floor to get a real idea of how much room it'll take up. A baby grand isn't much superior in tone to a good upright - tone is largely derived fr...
by Gill the Piano
07 Jan 2018, 15:33
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

I've always thought it shows more pianistic control to be able to play very softly rather than loudly. When I got my new piano it was the quietness that it was capable of rather than its power that impressed me.
by Gill the Piano
04 Jan 2018, 15:36
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39059

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

A bit of discordant stuff is good for you (musical castor oil...) and as you say the more you play it the more you understand it. But I prefer stuff you can understand on first hearing - superficial, that's me!
by Gill the Piano
04 Jan 2018, 15:33
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Please help me what is this song??
Replies: 7
Views: 15412

Re: Please help me what is this song??

Teenagers absolutely adore Einaudi, and anything that makes a kid practise is a bonus!
by Gill the Piano
03 Jan 2018, 18:27
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Please help me what is this song??
Replies: 7
Views: 15412

Re: Please help me what is this song??

Re Einaudi, it depends on how long you intend to study it for; a week or so would be fine but any longer than that and I think you might tire of it. I shouldn't project my prejudices really - but to me it seems like 'I Like This Chord And I'm Going To Play it For Half An Hour'! :D
by Gill the Piano
02 Jan 2018, 17:19
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Choice of repertoire for performance at piano club
Replies: 3
Views: 10130

Re: Choice of repertoire for performance at piano club

There is a series of books by the ABRSM called 'A Romantic Sketchbook For Piano' in the various grades, containing some nice pieces often used (or at least they WERE, but not sure if they still are) as alternatives to the syllabus pieces. I think a good music shop would have some you could look at. ...
by Gill the Piano
31 Dec 2017, 20:30
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Please help me what is this song??
Replies: 7
Views: 15412

Re: Please help me what is this song??

It sounds a bit like the Argentinian tango composer Arturo Piazzolla. Too interesting to be Einaudi! :D
by Gill the Piano
27 Dec 2017, 16:18
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Beringer & Strohmenger
Replies: 3
Views: 7510

Re: Beringer Strohmenger

And it's number! And a punt of my own... :D Never heard of the Beringer prefix to Strohmenger before. Pleeeeeease?
by Gill the Piano
20 Dec 2017, 17:56
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Asbestos in piano
Replies: 3
Views: 7301

Re: Asbestos in piano

Stand corrected, sorry! Also look out for DDT in moth proofing paper strips, which I encountered once.
by Gill the Piano
18 Dec 2017, 20:37
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Asbestos in piano
Replies: 3
Views: 7301

Re: Asbestos in piano

No; hammer felt is made of...felt! The worst you'll find is mothproofing stuff which has probably lost its efficacy years ago.
by Gill the Piano
07 Dec 2017, 18:49
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Songs that President Donald J.Trump might like
Replies: 13
Views: 20553

Re: Songs that President Donald J.Trump might like

Well they both seem to be doing an awful lot of damage to international relations!
by Gill the Piano
07 Dec 2017, 13:54
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Beringer & Strohmenger
Replies: 3
Views: 7510

Beringer & Strohmenger

Hello Bill, any idea of the age of this piano serial no 33537 please? Looks about 1910ish to me ... Ta!
by Gill the Piano
13 Nov 2017, 16:34
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Misheard lyrics from songs.
Replies: 161
Views: 163173

Re: Misheard lyrics from songs.

I can't help thinking the lyrics are 'I can see clearly now Lorraine has gone'.
by Gill the Piano
08 Nov 2017, 16:51
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Looking for a newish upright. Bentleys reliable?
Replies: 11
Views: 16985

Re: Looking for a newish upright. Bentleys reliable?

Also try Piano Gallery in Faringdon, Oxon; some good offers available there too.
by Gill the Piano
29 Sep 2017, 14:44
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Is my piano worth keeping
Replies: 2
Views: 6046

Re: Is my piano worth keeping

All the things you mention can be fixed. Ask your tuner/tech for an estimate. Don't worry about the box, you don't play that, and the ivories can be either filed down (v.v.v.cheap), replaced (not so cheap) or the whole keyboard recovered with plastic/ivorine (most expensive option). If you have mone...
by Gill the Piano
28 Sep 2017, 13:49
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Piano ownership in Britain
Replies: 20
Views: 21371

Re: Piano ownership in Britain

I had 2 pints of Peroni in the Italian restaurant (Francesco's - the last non poncey restaurant left in Marlow) the other night. Just to be polite, you understand...
by Gill the Piano
23 Sep 2017, 16:02
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Piano ownership in Britain
Replies: 20
Views: 21371

Re: Piano ownership in Britain

Remember the 70s? Watney's Red Barrel and Double Diamond everywhere? That'd be one real ale pub for every million people then! I had to drink Guinneess at college as nowhere in the vicinity of the college did real ale. And I wasn't going to ask in the Blind Beggar in case the Krays still had feelers...
by Gill the Piano
12 Sep 2017, 15:07
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Improving a talent
Replies: 1
Views: 7353

Re: Improving a talent

It's quite simple; you need a new teacher who will inspire you and encourage you. You have rushed through the grades and so haven't been allowed to develop a repertoire. Grades should be a by-product of learning the piano, not an aim in themselves, but many teachers either like the kudos of a young ...
by Gill the Piano
04 Sep 2017, 15:36
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Misheard lyrics from songs.
Replies: 161
Views: 163173

Re: Misheard lyrics from songs.

I always envisaged 'jelly choirs' in 'Hark The Herald Angels Sing'. I was quite disappointed when I learned to read and found the real words...
by Gill the Piano
01 Aug 2017, 18:22
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Buying an old piano, but don't know if I should or not
Replies: 1
Views: 6284

Re: Buying an old piano, but don't know if I should or not

Usually a decent enough beginner piano, but not as good as an overstrung underdamped instrument. Bear in mind delivery costs, tuning cost and it would be advisable to get the piano looked at by a tuner/tech first rather than pay removals and find out it's no good. Ask why it's being sold and if poss...
by Gill the Piano
25 Jun 2017, 12:37
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Squire & Longson #126359
Replies: 2
Views: 7080

Re: Request for information (Help)

I've moved your post to Piano History as Bill is the best chap to help you. Kemble were making pianos for Squire in the forties I think, perhaps earlier. Bill will probably know when Squire became Squire and Longson (or vice versa).
by Gill the Piano
13 Jun 2017, 18:16
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Advice on used Kemble Classic
Replies: 9
Views: 20522

Re: Advice on used Kemble Classic

You can get a celeste rail (piece of felt on a rail which lowers between hammers and strings) retro fitted without too much trouble. You can get a proper piano which also plays digitally too - both Yamaha and Kawai make them, i think. Celeste rail would be far cheaper!