In September, 1996, RGPT started as a small operation primarily involved in piano tuning, pitch raising or lowering (as needed) and small repairs to piano actions. Since then we have grown to handle many other items in the world of piano tuning and technical work as well as accessories and supplies.

On a day in late 1996 when I met with an advertising publication, they asked me if I had any sort of saying or motto. As I stood there, having been around pianos since 1956 led me to come up with – “Pianos express feelings, too.” The advertising person asked me what it means. I explained there are 2 specific meanings.

First, when playing piano, I tend to find myself lost in the music and the creativity, as most of my selections are my own arrangements, many of which are from several Broadway shows, prior hits from the 60s, 70s and beyond and my own original compositions. I also have entertained in bands as well as a single, performing for small to large audiences. In my mind, when playing a selection, I find I perform with feelings in my heart and think of how the selection could be made better. Constantly, I slightly sway as I go through the piece of music. One day, a friend told me, “you play with a so much emotion!” That solidified my idea of the phrase”pianos express feelings too.” My friend was saying that she felt my emotions through my playing, as the piano was able to convey my own feelings to someone else.

When the piano was invented in 1700 by Bartolomei Cristofori, the original name was in Italian: “piano-forte” ,which simply translates to “soft-loud”. Because of the wide range of notes available and the expressions players can bring forth, the piano truly does express the musicians feelings through the instrument.

And second, as a piano is played that has not been maintained correctly, and the selection is not sounding as it should (out of tune or other annoying sounds), the piano is saying to its owner, “Please get me fixed. I can’t sound good if I don’t have my piano tuner/technician visit on a regular basis. I need to be taken care of for me to stay happy.”

What all this means is a piano must have regular service visits in order to be maintained correctly as well as possibly stopping problems before they become large problems. If pianos are not tuned a minimum of once a year, the piano owner is leaving open the possibilities of major mechanical problems with potentially large bills awaiting. Proper maintenance, tuning a minimum of twice yearly, checking over action parts, strings, damper pads, pedals and many other parts will help keep the piano to be more stable in its tunings as well as give the tuner/technician a chance to diagnose and prevent any potentially expensive repairs.

If you think of your piano as an investment (no matter what the amount), you would want to treat it with care so it can hold up and give you many years of enjoyment. Just like your car or truck, you need it for specific use, so you periodically get the oil and filter changed, engine tuned up, brakes inspected and changed when needed, tires taken care of, etc. If you don’t perform any of the basic maintenance items, eventually you won’t have your transportation because it can’t work if it’s broken. The piano is the same thing – take care of it and you will have many years of use. Don’t take care, and … oh, you know what comes next!

So, make sure you keep piano care on your calendar, just as you do other important reminders.

Happy playing, and hoping your piano can express your feelings too! Happy Holidays.

Rich Goldberg

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Next issue will be on care and maintenance in the heart of the winter!

Feel free to ask for any information you need, and RGPT will help.