Search found 441 matches

by chrisw
09 Oct 2018, 08:38
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Changes to the UK Piano Page
Replies: 19
Views: 25094

Re: Changes to the UK Piano Page

Barrie, The following warning message is being displayed when I open the pages using either Safari or Chrome. Warning: MagpieRSS: Failed to fetch https://www.piano-tuners.org/xml.php?type=rss_featured_listings and cache is off in /var/www/vhosts/rssdog.com/httpdocs/magpie/rss_fetch.inc on line 241 S...
by chrisw
08 Oct 2018, 19:05
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Changes to the UK Piano Page
Replies: 19
Views: 25094

Re: Changes to the UK Piano Page

This machine is a MacBook pro with operating system is OS X 10.10 . Safari is 8.0. It is an old version because I resist the offers to upgrade for fear of slowing down the machine.
by chrisw
08 Oct 2018, 16:51
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Changes to the UK Piano Page
Replies: 19
Views: 25094

Re: Changes to the UK Piano Page

Barrie,
Over the last few days UK Piano Pages has failed to open properly in Safari. It is probably because the version is too old; I haven't updated it since buying this computer. It does open for me in Chrome.
by chrisw
08 Oct 2018, 16:25
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha P121 (10y old) vs U1 (30y/40y old) to purchase
Replies: 2
Views: 7763

Re: Yamaha P121 (10y old) vs U1 (30y/40y old) to purchase

Yamaha pianos are robust and should last a very long time. If all of these pianos were in exactly the same condition then the choice hinges on the sound it makes and the response of the keyboard to fingers. A friend purchased a reconditioned Yamaha U3 about five years ago and has been very happy wit...
by chrisw
04 Oct 2018, 14:04
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Grouping
Replies: 2
Views: 7568

Re: Grouping

Hello Tim, I don't do exams so I've never got anyway near grade 8. I do have the grade 5 ABRSM scales book which shows arpeggios over three octaves grouped in 4. I also have a copy of Hanon which has them in four octaves grouped again in 4. I'm not sure if I have interpreted your question correctly.
by chrisw
29 Sep 2018, 17:25
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Changes to the UK Piano Page
Replies: 19
Views: 25094

Re: Changes to the UK Piano Page

Barrie,
The piano behaved very well and the majority of the group enjoyed playing it. The venue was also well liked.
C
by chrisw
28 Sep 2018, 20:34
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Changes to the UK Piano Page
Replies: 19
Views: 25094

Re: Changes to the UK Piano Page

Had to look up the meaning of internet bot and was really surprised that 75% of activity came from them.

Well done Barrie for developing the site.

I hope to be playing a piano in a community centre tomorrow which you regularly tune.
by chrisw
25 Sep 2018, 09:43
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Second Hand piano prices
Replies: 1
Views: 6900

Second Hand piano prices

I came across this list of piano prices realised at auction on another forum. http://www.pianoauctions.co.uk/past_sales.php?Date=20-09-2018 It may be useful for people who persist in writing for valuations ! Those people however should take note that the pianos in this auction appear to be the top q...
by chrisw
21 Sep 2018, 20:43
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Help me identify piano?
Replies: 1
Views: 6183

Re: Help me identify piano?

It looks very much like a Kemble Classic. I have one myself. The name 'Classic' does not appear on my piano either but I do have an undated Kemble brochure from perhaps 1994 which shows photographs of all the upright models that they made at that time.
by chrisw
21 Sep 2018, 20:40
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Amadeus Piano circa 1980's
Replies: 4
Views: 6621

Re: Amadeus Piano circa 1980's

I think I have seen some discussion about Amadeus pianos within the PianoWorld forums. Perhaps it is worth enquiring there.
by chrisw
11 Sep 2018, 10:14
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Choosing a new piano
Replies: 5
Views: 10610

Re: Choosing a new piano

I expect a piano to last a lifetime and so my preference has been to buy new and I would have four makers in mind; Kawai, Yamaha, Feurich and Cavendish. Cavendish are British pianos made in small numbers by Yorkshire Pianos at a place between Skipton and Harrogate. I have been really impressed with ...
by chrisw
03 Sep 2018, 09:31
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Changes to the UK Piano Page
Replies: 19
Views: 25094

Re: Changes to the UK Piano Page

Hello Barrie,

Have you also decided to increase the size of the of the print ? I am getting a "zoomed in" version of the pages.
by chrisw
30 Aug 2018, 10:46
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Music stand for grand piano
Replies: 5
Views: 11432

Music stand for grand piano

At the piano meetup I attend we play on a Bechstein grand piano and some people are not used to reading music at least 25cm above the keyboard. One of the meetup members constructed a music stay which rests on the top edge of the Bechsteins stay and comes half way down the fall board so that people ...
by chrisw
29 Aug 2018, 15:16
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Hime and Addison piano stool.
Replies: 4
Views: 6381

Re: Hime and Addison piano stool.

Alternatively you could load your photographs into google documents, publish to the web and then copy the web address into a post.
by chrisw
23 Aug 2018, 11:03
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Buying a new piano
Replies: 0
Views: 12136

Re: Buying a new piano

I share your concern that the NV10 will loose its value quickly. The K200,K300 and U1 are robust pianos and should easily last a lifetime although the silent system electronics may need updating eventually. Audition all of these pianos and select the one you like best.
by chrisw
11 Jun 2018, 13:37
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kawai BS-10 soundboard
Replies: 4
Views: 8566

Re: Kawai BS-10 soundboard

Barrie, If braces are absent from the rear of the piano, surely the frame must be supported somehow from inside the cabinet, presumably the sides. I think I would be more worried about the absence of ribs on the soundboard. Is it possible that at the back of this piano is covered with a wooden panel...
by chrisw
06 Jun 2018, 11:01
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Have your say on the Ivory Bill
Replies: 3
Views: 7804

Re: Have your say on the Ivory Bill

Thanks Barrie.
by chrisw
06 Jun 2018, 08:54
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Have your say on the Ivory Bill
Replies: 3
Views: 7804

Re: Have your say on the Ivory Bill

Wonder if this Bill will make it harder or even preclude altogether the sale of older pianos with ivory keys ?
by chrisw
01 Jun 2018, 19:52
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Steinbach
Replies: 3
Views: 7198

Re: Steinbach

http://www.steinbachpiano.com/steinbachpiano.html

The components claimed to be used to assemble Steinbach pianos are of high repute. I note that this particular web page is ten years old.
by chrisw
01 Jun 2018, 18:03
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Steinbach
Replies: 3
Views: 7198

Re: Steinbach

Hello Sarahb, Good luck with your search for a piano. Have you searched the internet for info on Steinbach ? You don't say if it is for sale in a music shop. Given the price I will assume it is a private sale. If it is only eight years old and they want £630 for it, it could be good value. Make sure...
by chrisw
30 May 2018, 16:00
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Looking for a pianist to playback sheet music
Replies: 4
Views: 10373

Re: Looking for a pianist to playback sheet music

Sorry, I have no recording facilities and even if I had I doubt if I could play it well enough within a couple of days.

If there are no takers on this forum you could try reposting on

https://www.abrsm.org/forum
by chrisw
30 Apr 2018, 17:25
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Online Music Lessons
Replies: 4
Views: 9719

Re: Online Music Lessons

Many people do learn to play by using online courses. Some even learn specific tunes by watching people play on Youtube. I would hope that a proper online course would give better understanding than just watching Youtube videos. I had not heard of Pianoforall courses until I saw your post so obvious...
by chrisw
25 Apr 2018, 22:13
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Omega Music gone bust
Replies: 4
Views: 12870

Re: Omega Music gone bust

Once visited there on our way up to Scotland. They must have relied on mail order because it was quite a long way out of Carlisle. New music that I have bought this year (three books about £15 each) were not usual stock items at my local music shop but I ordered them there to give them the business ...
by chrisw
25 Apr 2018, 17:36
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: My beginner experiences so far...
Replies: 2
Views: 9280

Re: My beginner experiences so far...

You sound to be doing great. Main thing is you are having fun.
by chrisw
23 Apr 2018, 12:51
Forum: Piano History
Topic: J.&J. HOPKINSON PIANO
Replies: 7
Views: 12018

Re: J.&J. HOPKINSON PIANO

Hopkinson piano serial numbers are tabulated here http://www.besbrodepianos.co.uk/pianoserialnumber/hopkinson.htm which puts your piano in the late 1870s, so Gill the Piano was very much correct with the date. Whether or not it is worth restoring is very much up to yourself and how much money you wi...
by chrisw
22 Apr 2018, 09:23
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Challen Bureau Piano
Replies: 21
Views: 26301

Re: Challen Bureau Piano

Hello sooper8, I am wondering if the arrow in your photo is pointing to the top bearing of the drop lifter rod. (Pardon if I have got the nomenclature wrong). Gill the Piano or Barrie Heaton will be able to confirm and perhaps offer a remedy. The only thing I know about these things is not to use a ...
by chrisw
21 Apr 2018, 08:28
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Challen Bureau Piano
Replies: 21
Views: 26301

Re: Challen Bureau Piano

Pictures of my piano can be found here https://www.piano-tuners.org/piano-forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9763&p=46337&hilit=kemble+classic#p46337 It is sad when loss of hearing or any other physical ability prevents us from pursuing something we love, well more than sad actually. I worked in...
by chrisw
20 Apr 2018, 09:41
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Challen Bureau Piano
Replies: 21
Views: 26301

Re: Challen Bureau Piano

Do you know any of the history of the piano ? It looks as though somebody has taken good care of it.
by chrisw
18 Apr 2018, 22:34
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Challen Bureau Piano
Replies: 21
Views: 26301

Re: Challen Bureau Piano

Challen serial numbers tabulated against year can be found here http://www.besbrodepianos.co.uk/pianoserialnumber/challen.htm The serial number may be stencilled on the top right hand side of the iron frame (as you look at it). Yes the wooden case looks very nice indeed (speaking as an amateur furni...
by chrisw
16 Apr 2018, 19:10
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Metronome/click
Replies: 10
Views: 15697

Re: Metronome/click

Perhaps a suitable teacher would be someone who has played piano or keyboard in a band.
by chrisw
16 Apr 2018, 18:18
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Metronome/click
Replies: 10
Views: 15697

Re: Metronome/click

Gill the Piano has stated what was in my mind about selecting a teacher. I go to a piano meetup group in Clitheroe (Lancashire) and have become friendly with someone roughly my age that plays from the American Song book, seemingly at a drop of a hat and from memory, by using chord harmonisation to t...
by chrisw
15 Apr 2018, 20:40
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Metronome/click
Replies: 10
Views: 15697

Re: Metronome/click

I notice the statement in the first post about not reading music and wonder if you are intent on starting to read it. With your knowledge of playing guitar I am sure that you could harmonise the tunes you wish to play without reading it from a score. On the other hand there is so much piano music ou...
by chrisw
15 Apr 2018, 14:46
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Metronome/click
Replies: 10
Views: 15697

Re: Metronome/click

Hello sooper8. Welcome to the forum. I agree with Gill the Piano on the use of a metronome and seeking a few lessons if you can. I had avoided using one for donkeys years but I found that counting to myself is invaluable because it prompts me when the next note is needed. I have got used to one of l...
by chrisw
15 Apr 2018, 12:19
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: People usually don't give feedback
Replies: 6
Views: 12704

Re: People usually don't give feedback

Welcome to the forum JonnyTepp.
by chrisw
15 Apr 2018, 11:59
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: People usually don't give feedback
Replies: 6
Views: 12704

Re: People usually don't give feedback

I have experienced the world of receiving many tens of email messages a day...not much fun...but that was when I was working. Now receive too many advertisements from people like Screwfit and Wickes ! Probably I should unsubscribe. Nice of Barrie to suggest there may a modicum of expertise in my pos...
by chrisw
14 Apr 2018, 14:01
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: People usually don't give feedback
Replies: 6
Views: 12704

Re: People usually don't give feedback

I am not a user of so called social media software so I don't know what its capabilities are. I certainly am not impressed with the manner in which these software houses manage themselves or their customers. A few months ago on another forum a person doing some sort of music course asked for informa...
by chrisw
13 Apr 2018, 22:58
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: People usually don't give feedback
Replies: 6
Views: 12704

People usually don't give feedback

Just a bit of a moan I'm afraid. I read a small number of forums and have seen lots of effort being put in by the forum members to answer questions posed by a poster, only for the original poster not to give any feedback or even thanks for those efforts. It just makes me wonder why people bother to ...
by chrisw
11 Apr 2018, 10:17
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Zender pianos
Replies: 1
Views: 4865

Re: Zender pianos

I am quite interested in classic cars myself but do not have the facilities or the skill set to weld bodywork at home. I suppose I could manage a beetle if only my garage wasn't full of woodworking tools and timber. Anyway going back to Zender, have you seen this page ? https://www.robertspianos.com...
by chrisw
01 Apr 2018, 19:20
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: More chitchat about repertoire
Replies: 31
Views: 39879

Re: More chitchat about repertoire

The arrangement we were playing was transcribed by Joachim and is available on IMSLP. The piano part is "oom-pah" more or less all through so it is not terribly difficult to play. However I found it quite easy to get lost. The first time we played it together in rehearsal was mid February ...
by chrisw
31 Mar 2018, 17:58
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Noise in Piano Roland RK-570
Replies: 3
Views: 15144

Re: Noise in Piano Roland RK-570

I found this on the net.
http://www.mikebarden.com

Probably not much use if you are in Argentina.
by chrisw
25 Mar 2018, 12:41
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Introduce yourself!
Replies: 118
Views: 191247

Re: Introduce yourself!

Hello Shadow935. I have never heard anyone say they are interested in soldering before. What do you solder ? Electronic components by any chance ?

Hello SimonBurrowes. Good luck with your teaching practice. What sort of things did you study in the music course at York ?
by chrisw
08 Mar 2018, 12:43
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Has anyone in the UK been snowed in ?
Replies: 9
Views: 16319

Re: Has anyone in the UK been snowed in ?

No the A65 is clear although there was reasonably heavy snow for 30 minutes or so at 08:00 this morning between Settle and Coniston Cold.
by chrisw
08 Mar 2018, 11:52
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Has anyone in the UK been snowed in ?
Replies: 9
Views: 16319

Re: Has anyone in the UK been snowed in ?

Heard on a traffic announcement that Grane Road in East Lancs blocked again today. I was on the A65 on my way to Skipton.
by chrisw
06 Mar 2018, 17:34
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Should I give up learning the piano POLL comments welcome
Replies: 30
Views: 36656

Re: Should I give up learning the piano POLL comments welcome

Well guitars are more portable than keyboards and it would be very sociable to take a guitar out amongst friends and strum a few songs. I think I would be more self conscious with a keyboard in this situation. Still you may be able to play in a group that needs a keyboard player. (Have you seen the ...
by chrisw
06 Mar 2018, 12:27
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Older Upright Pianos
Replies: 1
Views: 6672

Older Upright Pianos

I have looked at a couple of upright pianos in church halls this morning, both I guess at least 75 years old but with under damped actions. In both pianos the hammer and damper felts appeared relatively clean but the steel strings had darkened/oxidised. They were both in tune but I wonder if tuners ...
by chrisw
04 Mar 2018, 12:21
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Spinet...Nils Frahm...Stock or modded?
Replies: 10
Views: 14829

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

Given Barrie's last post I am inclined to think that the piano in the picture is not a Kemble Minx. The original poster doesn't explicitly say that it is a Minx, only that it belongs to Nils Frahm. The piano in the picture does look to be in good condition so if Mr Frahm thinks it is not a very good...
by chrisw
03 Mar 2018, 12:46
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Has anyone in the UK been snowed in ?
Replies: 9
Views: 16319

Re: Has anyone in the UK been snowed in ?

No not stuck but it was bitterly cold on Thursday and Friday. Not enough snow around the edges of Morecambe Bay to prevent getting the car out of the drive. When the snow is too deep the car just slides down the fairly steep incline and would impact a garden wall.
by chrisw
28 Feb 2018, 16:11
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Has anyone in the UK been snowed in ?
Replies: 9
Views: 16319

Has anyone in the UK been snowed in ?

Unusually for the west coast it has snowed for two days in a row. We are easily snowed in because we live at the top of a hill and with more than a couple of inches of snow I am unable to reverse the car out of the drive. Not enough snow this time around though.
by chrisw
22 Feb 2018, 18:02
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Petrof P125 vs W.Hoffmann 112 or 120
Replies: 1
Views: 4830

Re: Petrof P125 vs W.Hoffmann 112 or 120

The website of one of the well known London piano dealers noted that Hoffman pianos are made in the Czech Republic and are a subsidiary of Bechstein. I have no idea if there is a large difference in the price of the pianos you mentioned and I can't say which make would be better. Assuming that they ...
by chrisw
21 Feb 2018, 20:45
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: What should I buy?!
Replies: 3
Views: 6068

Re: What should I buy?!

If your budget runs to a new Steinway then I would be looking at the top German pianos. I would probably not allocate myself a budget of that size (otherwise I might be wondering where my next German car is coming from) and would firstly look at the Cavendish baby grand which is made in the UK. I ha...