Search found 4028 matches

by Gill the Piano
31 Jan 2020, 18:32
Forum: Piano History
Topic: I'm looking for GILL GREEN
Replies: 4
Views: 6237

Re: I'm looking for GILL GREEN

Should be done tuning by lunchtime but might go out again so early evening probably favourite.
by Gill the Piano
29 Jan 2020, 19:27
Forum: Piano History
Topic: I'm looking for GILL GREEN
Replies: 4
Views: 6237

Re: I'm looking for GILL GREEN

Here U am! Ring me on 01628 485942 after about 4pm mist days but answerphone is on and I'll always get back to you.
by Gill the Piano
09 May 2019, 16:56
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Reverse colour keyboard
Replies: 6
Views: 13707

Re: Reverse colour keyboard

I did say to her that a couple of pots of Dulux might be cheaper than a set of key covers...
Interesting how the black naturals/white sharps thing happened; all to do with the relative prices of ivory and ebony at different points in history, apparently.
by Gill the Piano
08 May 2019, 10:02
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Reverse colour keyboard
Replies: 6
Views: 13707

Re: Reverse colour keyboard

Customer sent me a still from the film; it's a bog standard 1940s D'Almaine with reverse key covers applied - after all that! Thanks anyway...
by Gill the Piano
07 May 2019, 16:02
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Reverse colour keyboard
Replies: 6
Views: 13707

Reverse colour keyboard

A customer saw a piano whose sharps were white and naturals black. This was on the Bohemian Rhapsody film. Does anyone know whether these pianos are in production and if so, who makes them?
by Gill the Piano
06 Apr 2019, 17:00
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Advice on type of piano
Replies: 2
Views: 9011

Re: Advice on type of piano

As well as the Lindner pianos, there was a similar one called Topic; run away from these as well!
by Gill the Piano
01 Apr 2019, 19:28
Forum: Piano Showcase
Topic: The inside-out-piano
Replies: 2
Views: 8452

Re: The inside-out-piano

I like the fact that YouTube recommended a film about vandalism to follow that one... I think that piano is past worrying about the state of the strings. The initial sound on the (REAL) Doctor Who theme tune (the Radiophonic Workshop one) was created by the composer dragging a copper penny (a real o...
by Gill the Piano
10 Mar 2019, 13:50
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Chappell 9ft grand 1903 - save?
Replies: 6
Views: 12157

Re: Chappell 9ft grand 1903 - save?

I said to my husband that we could always eat off it or sleep on it, when a lovely big grand was going for nothing.
I've got an upright... :lol:
by Gill the Piano
18 Feb 2019, 16:57
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Identifying Kemble Upright
Replies: 1
Views: 7342

Re: Identifying Kemble Upright

It looks as though it was modernised in the 40s; can they look in the top for you amongst the tuning pins and find a serial number? That would date it more accurately.
by Gill the Piano
11 Feb 2019, 18:26
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kemble/Hickie & Hickie Piano
Replies: 5
Views: 11640

Re: Kemble/Hickie & Hickie Piano

You can go to 'Piano Parts' in the index to the left of this column and have a look, or if you put 'black piano key' into eBay you can get 36 for about ten quid or one for £2.08. Or you mention it to your tuner and ask them to bring one when they come to tune your bargain. Lots of possibilities!
by Gill the Piano
09 Feb 2019, 20:07
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kemble/Hickie & Hickie Piano
Replies: 5
Views: 11640

Re: Kemble/Hickie & Hickie Piano

Hickie and Hickie is a music shop in Reading: it just means that the piano was originally bought from them.
by Gill the Piano
20 Jan 2019, 17:23
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Age of my piano
Replies: 2
Views: 5661

Re: Age of my piano

Not without knowing what make the piano is, no. A photograph might help, too.
by Gill the Piano
18 Jan 2019, 20:14
Forum: Piano History
Topic: STANLEY Brinsmead
Replies: 1
Views: 5359

STANLEY Brinsmead

Hello Bill. Stanley (and in smaller writing was Robert George) Brinsmead is not a name I have come across before - I suppose there was some sort of rift in the Brinsmead family? Anyway, tuned this straight strung overdamper today, serial number 10819, retailed by Herbert of Stratford, London E. Seve...
by Gill the Piano
16 Jan 2019, 18:00
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Dating a Chappell & Co piano
Replies: 5
Views: 8330

Re: Dating a Chappell & Co piano

If you still have the bottom most key there might be a date written on it. Similarly there could be something written - or a label - on the keyframe under the keys.
by Gill the Piano
15 Jan 2019, 16:34
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: New Piano owner, a few questions...
Replies: 1
Views: 7143

Re: New Piano owner, a few questions...

R&D were a big reputable department store on (I think) Liverpool, along the lines of Selfridges. Didn't sell rubbish so your piano was probably once a decent one - but a lot depends on its subsequent treatment! If you can get the bottom (extreme left hand end) key out, there may be a date scribb...
by Gill the Piano
12 Jan 2019, 20:29
Forum: Piano Showcase
Topic: Debussy Reverie
Replies: 8
Views: 14719

Re: Debussy Reverie

I do (though not every tuner can play) but rattle 'em off quickly! :oops:
by Gill the Piano
07 Jan 2019, 17:38
Forum: Piano Showcase
Topic: Debussy Reverie
Replies: 8
Views: 14719

Re: Debussy Reverie

Lovely. I admire anyone who can perform in front of an audience. My number of thumbs is directly proportional to the number of people listening.
by Gill the Piano
06 Jan 2019, 20:43
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Adult beginners - progress struggling, pls help!
Replies: 7
Views: 11168

Re: Adult beginners - progress struggling, pls help!

From distant memory, I think it finishes at about a grade 3 level, but the best thing to do is to go into a music shop and have a look.
by Gill the Piano
08 Dec 2018, 20:02
Forum: Piano History
Topic: B. Squire & Son looks nice, have no information.
Replies: 3
Views: 6250

Re: B. Squire & Son looks nice, have no information.

It looks to be early 1880s to me, but when Bill drops in
he'll tell you more because he will probably know when the firm who sold it were in business. There may be a number inside amongst the tuning pins (probably the left hand end) and this will help date it a little more accurately.
by Gill the Piano
03 Dec 2018, 17:39
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Piano Film from the 1960s
Replies: 3
Views: 9579

Re: Film from the 1960s

Three whole words about tuning! :roll: :lol: Interesting film, though. All those English makers that are now defunct...
by Gill the Piano
29 Nov 2018, 19:21
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Adult beginners - progress struggling, pls help!
Replies: 7
Views: 11168

Re: Adult beginners - progress struggling, pls help!

I constantly recommend The Complete Piano Player by Kenneth Baker as it uses songs they know (Abba, Elvis, Beatles, folk songs) and so they can pick up on mistakes quickly and feel a sense of achievement as they're playing something recognisable to them and to others. I hope Colin is reading this as...
by Gill the Piano
10 Nov 2018, 17:44
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Tall Upright or small grand
Replies: 11
Views: 16373

Re: Tall Upright or small grand

...and I bet you're more confused than ever! :D I think the advice to play everything you can lay your hands on and to buy the piano you've played and like a lot, NOT just the same model, is the best advice. Every piano is different, even in the mass-produced factory made models and the one you buy ...
by Gill the Piano
09 Nov 2018, 16:04
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Tall Upright or small grand
Replies: 11
Views: 16373

Re: Tall Upright or small grand

Almost always a longer thinner string will make a better noise that a shorter fatter one. Personally I would always favour a tall upright over a little fat grand. In fact I did - can't accommodate a grand unless we eat off it or sleep on it!
by Gill the Piano
31 Oct 2018, 15:34
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: A brand new book of Chopin Nocturnes
Replies: 6
Views: 15267

Re: A brand new book of Chopin Nocturnes

I never clicked with him either. I expect he's really upset about that... However I do like the posthumous one. Or the one he wrote after he was dead, as one kid told me.
by Gill the Piano
10 Oct 2018, 16:44
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Second hand piano
Replies: 8
Views: 12774

Re: Second hand piano

It sounds as though the owner is doing all he can - you're right, the open top lid is to let a bit of air circulate - except PLAY the thing. Have you spoken to the tuner in person? Be guided by whatever he tells you. He will know the piano better than the owner, I expect. Ask him how much it will co...
by Gill the Piano
09 Oct 2018, 15:28
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Second hand piano
Replies: 8
Views: 12774

Re: Second hand piano

Bit like saying you've been offered a Ford Focus and is it any good? As with a car, it depends how old it is, how it's been treated and where it's been kept. Schiedmayer are a good make but go back a long way so the piano could be very old. The sticking keys - if at the right hand end in particular ...
by Gill the Piano
25 Sep 2018, 16:26
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: When did you start learning?
Replies: 83
Views: 127140

Re: When did you start learning?

Well done - a lot harder for adults to learn than children!
by Gill the Piano
11 Sep 2018, 16:20
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Choosing a new piano
Replies: 5
Views: 10522

Re: Choosing a new piano

Some piano shops offer an upgrade service whereby they promise to pay you back what you paid for your piano that you bought from them, less the VAT and knock it off the price of the next piano you get from them. That way you can spend a sensible amount of money and hedge your bets in case she ever g...
by Gill the Piano
03 Sep 2018, 17:35
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Changes to the UK Piano Page
Replies: 19
Views: 24834

Re: Changes to the UK Piano Page

So am I. Doing my head in! Getting a pain in my scrolling finger...
by Gill the Piano
31 Aug 2018, 18:48
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Dale Forty
Replies: 2
Views: 5467

Re: Dale Forty

Bill Kibby wrote: 31 Aug 2018, 12:27Imagine - Pierce didn't help!?!?
Ah, but Eizenham did give me a laugh though...so it does have its uses apart from standing my sarnies on in the car!

Looked very like a tiny Cramer I tuned once but looks older than 1943.
by Gill the Piano
30 Aug 2018, 17:55
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Music stand for grand piano
Replies: 5
Views: 11311

Re: Music stand for grand piano

Good job! Hard to replicate the distance with an upright though, isn't it? That was what threw me when I took my first ever piano exam on a grand rather than the uprights I was used to...good job my eyesight was perfect then!
by Gill the Piano
30 Aug 2018, 17:52
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Dale Forty
Replies: 2
Views: 5467

Dale Forty

Hello Bill, tuned a tiny weeny Dale Forty today, 5 and a half octaves, no 43022. Oak case, looks to be 1920s but could find no date and Pierce was no help at all. It was sold by Mickleburgh in Bristol. Would you be able to help with an accurate(ish) date please? Tickled by Pierce's interpretation of...
by Gill the Piano
23 Aug 2018, 17:12
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Piano Music Suggestions
Replies: 1
Views: 6925

Re: Piano Music Suggestions

Pianist magazine often finds some unusual little gems; might be worth looking at their back numbers for some ideas. A composer called Mompou is little known but has some interesting little pieces - sort of Satie-esque, if there is such a thing. I like some of the pieces by lesser known Russians like...
by Gill the Piano
21 Jul 2018, 20:06
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: sticking keys
Replies: 2
Views: 6754

Re: sticking keys

Well since you are going to need the piano tuner, why not let your tuner sort it out - sounds as if you've exhausted everything we might suggest! The keys themselves might have twisted and be touching, or the key leads might have oxidised and be touching. Let the tuner have a look.
by Gill the Piano
13 Jul 2018, 18:37
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Is Grade 8 enough to teach piano?
Replies: 7
Views: 17371

Re: Is Grade 8 enough to teach piano?

ABRSM also do a Dip ABRSM and there's a qualification to bridge the gap between that and grade 8. But I think it'd just point the person questioning your qualifications to happy pupils/parents - they are your references. And never say 'only grade 8', say Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Musi...
by Gill the Piano
11 Jul 2018, 15:36
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Is Grade 8 enough to teach piano?
Replies: 7
Views: 17371

Re: Is Grade 8 enough to teach piano?

It doesn't seem that they have a Certificate for Music Educator's equivalent. They do have a diploma in community and music group teaching but it doesn't seem to be the same sort of thing.
by Gill the Piano
10 Jul 2018, 16:16
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Is Grade 8 enough to teach piano?
Replies: 7
Views: 17371

Re: Is Grade 8 enough to teach piano?

Did you do ABRSM (Associated Board) exams? I taught from about Grade 6 onwards and didn't get complaints. As long as you're teaching carefully and thoroughly and not pretending to have ten teaching degrees then I don't see any problem. ABRSM do teaching courses and certificates I think and that woul...
by Gill the Piano
07 Jul 2018, 11:15
Forum: Piano Showcase
Topic: Who can teach me to play this song
Replies: 3
Views: 10852

Re: Who can teach me to play this song

Sorry Michael, only just seen this post. You'd get more response by posting it under a new topic - something like 'Piano tutor book recommendation needed.' Tried to move it but don't have the know-how! The Complete Piano Player by Kenneth Baker is excellent; songs you know and aimed at an adult teac...
by Gill the Piano
29 Jun 2018, 17:50
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Danemann piano
Replies: 2
Views: 6675

Re: Danemann piano

1934 according to Pierce Piano Atlas which is fairly unreliable on British makes. They were fairly good at dating their pianos; get your tuner to take out the first key on the left hand side and there should be a date, either written on the key, or on a label underneath it.
by Gill the Piano
29 Jun 2018, 17:45
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Christmas 2014
Replies: 35
Views: 37791

Re: Christmas 2014

Blimey, you're starting early! I get teachers moaning about Good King Wenceslas is September! Still forewarned is forearmed as they say...
by Gill the Piano
01 Jun 2018, 18:17
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Steinbach
Replies: 3
Views: 7129

Re: Steinbach

You could also ask for the tuner's number to chat about the general condition of the instrument. If they don't know/can't find the tuner's number then it's a fair bet that it hasn't been tuned for a while.
by Gill the Piano
24 May 2018, 17:47
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kemble 6 octave sustain pedal problem
Replies: 4
Views: 7520

Re: Kemble 6 octave sustain pedal problem

Take the bottom door off, follow the sustain pedal backwards into the piano and you'll see a nut atop a long bit of wood. Tighten that (lefty loosey, righty tighty) and keep testing the sound/feel until you get the desired result.
by Gill the Piano
16 May 2018, 18:13
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: "Max's cardboard fix"
Replies: 11
Views: 15567

Re: "Max's cardboard fix"

Ah, so THAT'S what 'chernigov' meant ! I thought it was a manufacturer. Thanks,Max!
by Gill the Piano
15 May 2018, 16:24
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: "Max's cardboard fix"
Replies: 11
Views: 15567

Re: "Max's cardboard fix"

Did Belarus pianos sometimes have no name on the fall? I tune an unbadged Russian piano - not bad! - but the only words I can discern are 'student' and 'diplom' on a transfer on the frame.
by Gill the Piano
14 May 2018, 15:50
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: "Max's cardboard fix"
Replies: 11
Views: 15567

Re: "Max's cardboard fix"

More to the point why should such a young piano (Petrof?) have loose tuning pins?
by Gill the Piano
09 May 2018, 17:10
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Challen Bureau Piano
Replies: 21
Views: 25969

Re: Challen Bureau Piano

That's true, Barrie; it is a distinct sound all of its own, isn't it? Often followed by a dull thud, the sound of the tuner's heart hitting the diaphragm...
by Gill the Piano
04 May 2018, 17:55
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Challen Bureau Piano
Replies: 21
Views: 25969

Re: Challen Bureau Piano

Moved this to the piano advice section since that what we wandered in to! Yes, I thought that once you'd seen a diagram you'd appreciate how complex a job it might turn out to be. But on the plus side it seems to be just the one note so hopefully it won't be too big a job. Do mention the fact that i...
by Gill the Piano
26 Apr 2018, 20:46
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Omega Music gone bust
Replies: 4
Views: 12709

Re: Omega Music gone bust

When I started at 21, my projected retirement age was 60. Then it moved to 65. Now I'm 57, retirement is supposed to be 67. By the time I'm 67 it'll be 97... :roll: I'll retire when either my ears or my thumbs give out.
by Gill the Piano
26 Apr 2018, 20:42
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: My beginner experiences so far...
Replies: 2
Views: 9152

Re: My beginner experiences so far...

Absolutely'; just have fun for now and explore which way you want to go. Then if needs be, find a teacher who works in your particular area of interest. :piano;
by Gill the Piano
23 Apr 2018, 16:15
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Challen Bureau Piano
Replies: 21
Views: 25969

Re: Challen Bureau Piano

Nope, look at a diagram of a drop action - it will show you from the side what one nope comprises. There is a lever called a jack which is right in the centre of the whole shebang, at a slant of about 60 degrees, The top of that nestles on a pad of felt when the action is at rest and it's the pad th...