The Great Piano Scam | The Story of Joyce Hatto
This short documentary tells the story of one of the greatest classical music scams in the music industry’s history. Joyce Hatto was a concert pianist, who gained critical acclaim late in her life as dozens of her recordings drew rave reviews. Critics and the public were enamored by the story of the long retired pianist making her return while battling cancer. But were these her recordings? This is the story of the piano scam that fooled an industry.…
Piano Care: Cleaning your Piano Keys
Cleaning your Piano Keys:
There are 88 piano keys on a standard grand piano. Each one of those keys are covered by a piece of plastic or ivory called a keytop. Although some notes may get more of a workout then others, they all can use a good cleaning now and than. But what is the best way to remove the dirt, grime and oil that can accumulate? The first thing you will need to do is determine what material your piano keys are made out of. Due to the ban on the use of newly harvested ivory, the vast majority of pianos played and manufactured today have some type of plastic or high quality simulated ivory keytop. Although the feel of ivory is not always fully duplicated, they are usually more durable and easier to clean. If your keytops are plastic, use a clean white cloth with a bit of mild soap or key cleaner to remove the grime. After applying the cleaning solution to the cloth itself, wipe the keys down with a back to front motion, not side to side. Clean a few keys at a time and then dry with another cloth. Be careful not to use a colored cloth as the color could bleed onto the keys. Be sure to also take care to not get the cleaning solution on the wooden piano keys themselves. The wood can absorb the moisture, causing swelling or separation.
Is My Piano Worth Restoring?
Does Your Piano Need Work? | Three Things to Check
"Should I get my piano worked on? It sounds OK as it is I guess. Is my piano worth the work?"
These are questions technicians often hear from piano owners. Why spend the money and time to get your instrument worked on if nothing is terribly 'broken?' In some cases that is true. When attempting to decide whether it is worth the investment, we ask:
- What is the brand name? (A lower quality brand usually isn't worth the work.)
- What is the type? (An upright restoration isn't as likely to be cost effective as a grand.)
- How old is it? (A 110 year old piano is probably going to need more work than one 10 years off the line. The brand and size of the piano dictate whether it is cost effective or not.)
1: The Tuning
This is one of the basics, although it is surprising how often it is ignored. A piano that is out of tune is obviously not at its full potential. You may get used to an out-of-tune sound, however you will not be getting the best your instrument can offer. A regular tuning is essential to keep your instrument in good working order and sounding like it should. The pins in the pinblock can also become loose, preventing the piano from being in tune. Here at Chupp's we recommend tuning your home piano twice every year, although this could change, depending on the environment. A concert piano should have a 'touch up' by a trained concert tuner before every performance. A regular tuning can indicate how much care the piano has received - as a qualified technician can examine the instrument when he visits it to tune.
Schools Using Steinway
Steinway is one of the world’s widely-known and best-loved piano brands – it is synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, and the particular romance of piano music.
Steinway instruments have a reputation for being finely crafted, durable, and a treat for musicians of all skill levels. These qualities also make Steinway one of the most popular piano brands used in schools. Throughout the country and around the world, schools using Steinway pianos are teaching young musicians how to play, but also how to incorporate a fine instrument into their passion for creating music.
Learning with Steinway
Steinway instruments are so popular in the learning environment, many schools have decided to use the brand exclusively.…
Chupp’s Tunes Yamaha Piano for Gaither Vocal Band
Gaither Vocal Band uses Yamaha Concert Grand tuned by Chupp’s Pianos.
The Gaither Vocal Band was founded in the early 1980’s. They have become legendary and are well known for reviving the popularity of Southern Gospel Music. Their music has won multiple Grammy Awards and has rocketed to the top of the charts. The band recently performed live at the Blue Gate Theatre in Shipshewana, Indiana and Chupp’s Pianos owner and master technician Dennis Chupp was called out to make sure their 7’6” Yamaha Model C7 Concert Grand Piano was ready for the concert.…
Top Five Reasons to Purchase a Kawai Piano
1: Quality Manufacturing.
With dozens of respected piano companies competing for a share of the market, many have moved their production to places like China in an attempt to reduce their overhead. Although it does reduce production costs it can come at a steep drop in quality. Kawai still has their headquarters and factories in Japan and retain the high quality and control expected by artists around the world.2: Pioneering Advancement.
Kawai is well known and respected for their innovation when it comes to the parts that go into their many pianos. In 1971 Kawai began utilizing ABS for pieces of their piano actions. Why did they do this? According to tests completed in 1998 the ABS parts were more consistent in size, were over 50% stronger and were much more resistant to environmental problems. Recently Kawai has combined their ABS with carbon fibers to create an ABS Carbon. This is much stronger than their previous design and allows for lighter parts, creating a quicker and more responsive action. Although some, including competitors have attempted to discredit the ‘plastic’ parts, they have proved to be long lasting and very precise. Kawai hasn’t been afraid to try new things and this has benefited the music industry as a whole. Recently legendary American piano manufacturer Mason & Hamlin began utilizing very similar parts in their new pianos.Chupp’s Pianos’ YouTube Channel Re-Launched
After a long hiatus we are pleased to relaunch our YouTube channel!
We will be posting audio samples, performances and much more. Be sure to check it out and subscribe!
Here is our first ‘new’ upload: “Number Five, an original piano composition by Philip Balke. Played on a 1923 Steinway & Sons A-III Grand Piano, serial number 216525.”
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58 Instruments that Made Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Songs of All Time [Yes, the Piano is on there!]
Ever wonder what instruments appear in Rolling Stone's Top 100 songs of all time?
58 Instruments that Made Rolling Stone's Top 100 Songs of All Time Infographic by Berklee Online
Steinway Upright Pianos
What Makes a Steinway Upright Piano Different?
Steinway pianos are truly musical treasures. Properly restored, a Steinway upright piano grows more valued with time and becomes an integral part of your life and home.
Steinway is often what comes to mind when people think of the classic piano. For more than 150 years, Steinway has been the preferred instrument of those who know pianos. From piano teachers to famous musicians, Steinway is the piano of choice.
Over 90% of concert pianists perform on a Steinway
It is no accident accomplished musicians choose Steinway. The company is known for its craftsmanship and designs pianos that are essentially made by hand.…
Concert Pianist Pina Antonelli Praises Chupp’s Piano Service
Letter of Recommendation | Concert Pianist on Chupp's Piano Service
Chupp’s Piano Service has worked with legendary concert pianist Pina Antonelli for over a decade. She has purchased her two Steinway & Sons Model D Concert Grands from us and we then worked with her to later sell one of these instruments and trade the other for one of our premium restored Steinway Model B Grands. She was kind enough to send in this letter of testimony.Dueling Pianos; Double the Fun
5 Ways Dueling Pianos Successfully Engage Audiences
Pianists have been entertaining guests at restaurants and lounges for decades. But in recent years, dueling piano bars have grown in popularity. America is now home to more than 200 dueling piano bars, including Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans. Pat O’Brien’s was the home of the first dueling piano bar in 1933. Today, dueling pianos are popular not only at bars and lounges, but also at weddings, parties, and corporate events.
Incorporating two talented pianists in one location, dueling pianos have become a great alternative to a traditional evening out. Audiences tend to get involved in the experience, requesting songs and cheering for their favorites.…
Greatest Piano Composers of All Time
For years, brilliant composers have provided entertainment to the masses, creating beautiful music that is used as background to many of life’s big events. As musicians seek to learn their trade, they are urged to spend a large amount of time studying the greats. Through understanding their history, as well as listening to their music, modern-day composers can learn and grow in their own musical efforts.
While there are many great musical composers whose work was created for the piano, several throughout history stand out. The following composers are among the most revered piano composers of all time for a reason.…
