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[[File:Girl piano.jpg|thumb|grand piano]]
==Piano==
The acoustic piano is a musical instrument that makes sound through the mechanical movement of a keyboard, hammers and strings. It is used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment. The piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal. Read more at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano Wikipedia.org]

[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/emc/piano-building History of piano building in Canada].

[http://www.concertpitchpiano.com/TimeLine.html The Piano Time Line: A Chronological History]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdFejZgOHDA&feature=player_embedded#! Video: "How a grand piano is made]

==Types of Pianos==

* [http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/types.htm Types and Sizes of Pianos] from bluebookofpianos.com
* [http://www.viennapiano.com/faqs.cfm#9 What is the difference between a baby grand and a grand?] from viennapiano.com
* [http://www.viennapiano.com/faqs.cfm#10 What are the differences between spinets, consoles, studios and uprights?] from viennapiano.com



==[[Piano Glossary]]==
The [[Piano Glossary]] includes terms used by knowledgeable piano tuners and rebuilders. Sources: [http://4tepiano.com/Gloss/Gloss-menu.html Forte Piano Company], Detroit, Michigan, USA.

* The term A-440 concert pitch refers to A above middle C vibrating at 440 cycles per second.
* The first note (on a standard 88 note keyboard) is A . 
* The exact middle of the keyboard is not middle C, it is actually the space between E and F above "middle" C. 
* The last note of the keyboard is C.
* The average medium size piano has about 230 strings, each string having about 165 pounds of tension, with the combined pull of all strings equaling approximately eighteen tons! Read more [http://www.pianoworld.com/facts.htm piano facts].

==Piano Age==

* [http://www.pianoatlas.com/findno.html Find the Year a Piano was manufactured]






==History of the Piano==

* [http://www.antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/ Antique Piano Shop Online Piano Museum] provides written history, photos and scans of vintage piano/organ catalogs an advertising brochures. The site will give you a sense of the piano's place in society during the 19th and early 20th Centuries. Courtesy of the [http://www.antiquepianoshop.com Antique Piano Shop, Inc.,]. 

* [http://www.antiquepianoshop.com/square-grand-pianos/ Square Grand Pianos] For nearly 150 years, Square Grand Pianos were the Piano of choice in both America and Europe

* View '''photos''' of restored '''antique''' pianos:
** [http://www.antiquepianoshop.com/products/square-grand/ square pianos]
** [http://www.antiquepianoshop.com/products/upright/ upright pianos]
** [http://www.antiquepianoshop.com/products/grand-baby-grand/ grand pianos]





==Find the Serial Number of a Piano==
Once you find the make and serial number of a piano, you will be able to find the year the piano was made.

[[File:Findpianoserialnumber.jpg]]





==How Old is Your Piano?==
* [http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/serial1.htm How Old is Your Piano?] from bluebookofpianos.com. The age of your piano is determined by the serial number. You can find the serial number on the inside of your piano on the iron frame near the top of the strings and tuning pins.

* [http://www.antiquepianoshop.com/frequently-asked-questions/ How Old is Your Piano?] from Antique Piano Shop. "The most accurate way to determine the age of your instrument is by its brand name and serial number. There are a handful of historical publications that are used in the industry to cross reference brand names with serial numbers in order to target dates of manufacture."

* [http://www.piercepianoatlas.com/atlas.html Pierce Piano Atlas] was first published in 1947 and  is now in its 12th edition. Each new edition is authoritatively expanded and updated to include new information on current manufacturers as well as additions to the history of manufacturers long out of business. More than 12,000 names are listed, providing ready reference to serial numbers, dates of manufacture, factory locations, a brief history of many manufacturers and other pertinent information.

==Recommended Piano Dealers==
The following are '''recommended''' piano dealers in the Toronto GTA.

* '''[http://www.merriammusic.com Merriam Music]''' located at 2359 Bristol Circle, Oakville ON phone: 905-829-2020 Piano brands sold include [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Merriam+Music,2359+Bristol+Circle,+Oakville+ON+L6H+6P8&hl=en&ll=43.616194,-79.667358&spn=1.451574,1.683655&sll=43.518571,-79.676456&sspn=0.011359,0.013154&hq=Merriam+Music&hnear=2359+Bristol+Cir,+Oakville,+Ontario+L6H+5S3&t=m&z=9&iwloc=A Google Map]


* '''[http://pianoexperts.com/ Robert Lowrey Piano Experts]''' located at 943 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, ON M4G 4B5  phone: 416-423-0434 or 1-888-569-7397. [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Robert+Lowrey+Piano+Experts,943+Eglinton+Avenue+East,+Toronto,+ON+M4G+4B5&hl=en&ll=43.717768,-79.360428&spn=0.166996,0.218353&sll=43.714247,-79.359334&sspn=0.010438,0.013647&vpsrc=6&hq=Robert+Lowrey+Piano+Experts&hnear=943+Eglinton+Ave+E,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario+M4G+4B5&t=m&z=12 Google Map]. Serving customers since 1973.

* '''[http://www.remenyi.com Remenyi House of Music]''' located at 210 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1T8 phone: 416-961-3111. [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Remenyi+House+Of+Music,+210+Bloor+Street+West,+Toronto,+ON+M5S+1T8&hl=en&ll=43.669362,-79.39682&spn=0.083566,0.109177&sll=43.668617,-79.396992&sspn=0.083567,0.109177&vpsrc=6&hq=Remenyi+House+Of+Music,&hnear=210+Bloor+St+W,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario+M5S+1T8&t=m&z=13&iwloc=A Google Map]  Serving customers since 1959.

* '''[http://steinwaypianogallery.ca/ Steinway Piano Gallery Toronto]''' located at 2651 John Street,Unit #8, Markham, ON L3R 2W5 phone: 905-940-KEYS (5397) or 1-888-399-5397 [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=2651+John+Street,+Markham,+ON+L3R+2W5&hl=en&ll=43.854336,-79.339828&spn=0.333229,0.436707&sll=43.824766,-79.358891&sspn=0.010419,0.013647&oq=2651+John+Street,+Markham,+ON+L3R+2W5&vpsrc=6&hnear=2651+John+St,+Markham,+Ontario+L3R+2V7&t=m&z=11&iwloc=r4 Google Map]. Serving customers since June 11, 2011.

==Piano Dealers==
The following are piano dealers in the Toronto GTA. Use at your own risk.


* '''[http://www.bestpiano.ca/ Best Piano]''' located at 495 Champagne Dr., Toronto, Ontario, M3J 2C6 phone: 647-247-8944 Piano brands sold include [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Best+Piano,+495+Champagne+Drive,+Toronto,+Ontario&hl=en&sll=43.76458,-79.475233&sspn=0.010088,0.014977&oq=Best,495+Champagne+Drive,+Toronto,+Ontario&hq=Best+Piano,&hnear=495+Champagne+Dr,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario+M3J+2C9&t=m&z=10&iwloc=A Google Map].



* '''[http://www.classicpianocentre.ca Classic Piano Centre]''' located at 358 Supertest Road Toronto, ON M3J 2M2 phone: 416-667-0000 Piano brands sold include [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=358+Supertest+Road+Toronto,+ON+M3J+2M2&hl=en&ll=43.848394,-79.50119&spn=0.644734,0.958557&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=37.040659,61.347656&hnear=358+Supertest+Rd,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario+M3J+2M2&t=m&z=10&iwloc=r2 Google Map]



* '''[http://www.hrovatmusic.com/new_location_page.htm#showroom_hours_map Forte Piano Centre]''' located at 2359 Royal Windsor Drive, Mississauga, ON L5J 1K6 phone: 905.855.1030 Piano brands sold include [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=FORTE+Piano+Centre+%26+Academy+of+Music,+2359+Royal+Windsor+Drive,+Mississauga,+ON&hl=en&sll=43.50446,-79.637088&sspn=0.010365,0.014012&oq=Forte,2359+Royal+Windsor+Drive,+Mississauga+ON&hq=FORTE+Piano+Centre+%26+Academy+of+Music,&hnear=2359+Royal+Windsor+Dr,+Mississauga,+Ontario+L5J+1K6&t=m&z=12&iwloc=A Google Map] 



* '''[http://www.grandtouchpiano.com Grand Touch Piano Restoration]''' Dwight Pile operates Grand Touch Piano Restoration in Elora, Ontario N0B 1S0. phone: 519-831-6635 He sales some used painos. Is the primary rebuilding facility for Yamaha Music Canada.



* '''[http://www.musicgallery.ca/ Music Gallery]''' located at 1800 Appleby Line, Burlington, ON L7L 6A1 Piano brands sold include Cable Nelson and Yamaha. phone: 905-639-4465  [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Music+Gallery,1800+Appleby+Line,+Burlington,+ON+L7L+6A1&hl=en&ll=43.468868,-79.785461&spn=0.727564,0.841827&sll=43.392402,-79.788403&sspn=0.011383,0.013154&hq=Music+Gallery&hnear=1800+Appleby+Line,+Burlington,+Ontario+L7L+6A1&t=m&z=10&iwloc=A Google Map]




* '''[http://www.musicm.ca MusicM]''' located at 7035 Maxwell Rd, Mississauga, ON L5S 1R5 phone: 416-558-1088 Piano brands sold include [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=7035+Maxwell+Rd,+Mississauga,+ON+L5S+1R5&hl=en&ll=43.670417,-79.682293&spn=0.038368,0.056133&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=35.168048,57.480469&hnear=7035+Maxwell+Rd,+Mississauga,+Ontario+L5S+1M9&t=h&z=14&iwloc=r8 Google Map]



* '''[http://ontariopianos.com Ontario Pianos]''' located at 1292 Eglinton Ave East, Mississauga, ON L4W 1K8 phone: 905-625-1616 or1-855-625-1616 Piano brands sold include [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=Ontario+Pianos,+1292+Eglinton+Ave+East,+Mississauga,+ON+L4W+1K8&hl=en&ll=43.790924,-79.560242&spn=1.447349,1.683655&sll=43.633694,-79.622164&sspn=0.011337,0.013154&hq=Ontario+Pianos,&hnear=1292+Eglinton+Ave+E,+Mississauga,+Ontario+L4W+1K8&t=m&z=9&iwloc=A Google Map]



* '''[http://www.pianogroup.ca/ The Piano Group]''' located at 75 Watline Ave #140, Mississauga, ON L4Z 3E5  phone: 905-361-5664 Piano brands sold include [http://education.davidspencer.ca/wiki/Piano#Grey_Market_.22Wet.22_Pianos grey market] Yamaha pianos. [http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=The+Piano+Group,+75+Watline+Ave.,+Mississauga,+ON+L4Z+3E5&hl=en&ll=43.777044,-79.631653&spn=1.447686,1.683655&sll=43.622807,-79.669933&sspn=0.011339,0.013154&hq=The+Piano+Group,+75+Watline+Ave.,+Mississauga,+ON+L4Z+3E5&radius=15000&t=m&z=9&iwloc=A Google map]


* '''[http://www.pianos.ca Pianohouse Burlington Inc.]''' located at 5205 Harvester Rd. Unit #2
Burlington, ON L7L 6B5 phone: 1-888-742-6681 Piano brands sold include Young Chang, Niemeyer, Hobart M. Cable, Sherlock Manning and used Yamaha, Kawai and Samick.



* '''[http://www.thepianostudio.com The Piano Studio]''' located at 69 Davis Drive, Newmarket ON L3Y 2M9 phone: 905 895 1844. Sells Roland and Yamaha digital pianos.





==Piano Examples==

http://education.davidspencer.ca/music/piano/wurlitzer_piano-3.jpg<br>
This 5" 2' G-452 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wurlitzer Wurlitzer] piano was made by [http://www.youngchang.com/index.php/upright-pianos Young Chang] in 1989. The serial number is [http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/pianoage.htm#WURLITZER 2056462].  For a number of years, Young Chang made Wurlitzer brand verticals and grands in [http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/asian3.html Korea] which were marketed in the United States by Baldwin Piano & Organ. The Wurlitzer brand pianos were reportedly identical in construction to their Young Chang brand counterparts. The Wurlitzer electric piano was used on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wurlitzer_electric_piano#Recorded_examples these songs].




==Piano Tuning==
* "[http://4tepiano.com/Restoration/Tuning.html Tuning a Piano]" by Forte Piano Company, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
* [http://www.pianotech.ca/Faqs.htm How Often Should I Have My Piano Tuned?] - comments from [http://www.pianotech.ca Thomson Lawrie Piano Technician]
* "[http://www.petesummers.com/tuneyourpiano3.html YOU CAN TUNE YOUR OWN PIANO, Secrets Piano Tuners Don't Want You To Know]" a book written by Pete Summers that includes a quality tuning hammer, A440 tuning fork, and five string mutes, everything you need to tune any acoustic piano. 
* "[http://www.petesummers.com/repair.html You Can Repair And Regulate Your Own Piano]" a book written by Pete Summers
* [http://www.ptg.org The Piano Technicians Guild (PTG)] the organization of the Registered Piano Technician, is the world's premier source of expertise in piano service and technology. Find a piano tuner technician]
* [http://www.canadianpianopage.com/ Piano Technicians Guild] is a professional non profit organization of piano tuners and technicians that promotes the highest standards of piano tuning and technical services.
* [http://pianocanada.ca Canadian Association of Piano Technicians] encourages the highest standards of piano service by offering opportunities for continuing education and fellowship in a supportive non-competitive environment.
* [http://www.reyburn.com/irct.html iRCT: Reyburn CyberTuner] for iPhone, iPod or iPad. iRCT is the only piano visual tuning device to take full advantage of an iOS device. iRCT shares the same proven accuracy and most features with RCT running on other platforms. iRCT accommodates all experience levels, giving beginning tuners a very simple interface, but offers advanced tuners unlimited customizable stretch choices. iRCT has several primary software components; Chameleon, CyberEar, and Pianalyzer.





==Piano Rebuilders, Technicians and Tuners==
* '''[http://www.gerberspianoworks.com/ Gerber Pianoworks]'''  Brampton and Orangeville, Ontario phone: 416-821-7084 or 519-942-0868 Contact Ted Gerber
* '''Lee Tocher Piano''' Erin, Hillsburgh, Ontario phone:519-855-4984 Contact Lee Tocher.




==Piano Regulation==
Regulation is the adjustment of the mechanical parts that make up the action, keyboard, and trapwork, to compensate for wear in the cloth, and dimensional changes in the wooden parts. Regulation ensures that a piano is capable of producing a uniform touch, fast repetition, and wide dynamic range. With over thirty-five points of adjustment per note in a grand piano and twenty-five in an upright, regulation is a skilled job that takes a considerable amount of time to complete. <br>A need for regulation may show its ways for many ways. Inability to execute fast passages or legato touch may mean your piano needs regulating, rather than that you need to practice more, and bubbling or blocking hammers can destroy the tone of any instrument. An unregulated piano will not only perform poorly, but may have a shorter life span. Unnecessary and uneven wear develops as parts become misaligned and those that meant to push start to punch; and hammers break if they are unable to escape the pianist's finger pressure before they hit the string. Source: [http://4tepiano.com/Restoration/Regulation.html Forte Piano Company], Detroit, Michigan, USA



==Caring for a Piano==
Read your piano manufacturer’s manual and follow all advice. Have a piano technician check over, voice and tune your piano.

The cabinet can be cleaned with a damp T-shirt. Use plain water. Ask your technician how to polish your piano. A piano that is not tuned and played will lose value. A piano that is tuned faithfully and played regularly will sound better and retain more value as an instrument.

Cleaning the soundboard is best done with a vacuum cleaner hose held *just above the strings* on a grand piano. Don’t touch anything with the hose. The back of an upright can be carefully vacuumed with a brush attachment. Small dry paint brushes can be used in conjunction with vacuuming in the corners if your technician has given you some training. Please have the technician remove foreign objects from your piano. The bottom of an upright is where the dust settles.

Controlling moisture is the main thing. Installing a humidifier system with a "humistat" can be of great help. These contraptions fit inside the piano and maintain a constant level of around 40% relative humidity by adding or subtracting moisture as required. 
Source: [http://masterpianotechnicians.wordpress.com/piano-owners/ Master Piano Technicians]

One great favor you can do for your piano is climate control. Whether by room or whole house, stable temperature and humidity will help keep a piano in good shape. 
Source: [http://www.petesummers.com/faq.html#section5 Pete Summers Piano Tuning]

"Tuning means correcting the pitch of every note by retightening the strings. Each piano string is normally stretched to a pressure of about 90 kilograms (198pounds). Eventually, though, it will stretch further with use and lose some of its tension, causing the piano to lose its correct pitch. The strings need to be tuned a minimum of twice a year to restore them to their proper tension.

Adjustment involves the entire piano action, keyboard and pedal movements. Proper adjustment is especially important for grand pianos. Whether the piano will perform properly or not depends on how accurately the adjustment is made." Source: * [http://ca.yamaha.com/en/support/caring_for_your_piano/ Yamaha Canada].

"The second most important thing you can do for your piano after tuning, is to control the humidity in the environment that the piano is being kept in. There isn’t a piano made that will stay in tune if it is exposed to dramatic swings in humidity. The parts of a piano are made of metal, felt and wood. The cast iron plate and steel strings are not greatly affected by high humidity or extreme dryness. But the felt and wood components will swell with rising humidity or shrink when the air dries out." Source: [http://www.pianotech.ca/humidity-control.htm Thomson Lawrie Piano Technician].

If you have a piano built prior to 1950, it most likely as elephant ivory keys. Ivory importing was banned in the USA in June 1989. To buy replacement elephant ivory keys contact [http://www.elephantivorytusks.com/ivorypianokeys.html Elephant Ivory Tusks] or search on {eBay]. Ivory turns yellow in the dark. Place your piano is a space that gets sunlight for several hours during part of the day. Do not have your piano in direct bright sunlight. Leave the cover open to allow the sunlight to naturally brighten the keys. Place your piano in an open area that does not accumulate heat to avoid damage or warping. White the keys with a damp cloth sprinkled with mild soap or vinegar. If you are careful, you may be able to remove some of the yellow stains on the keys with fine-gauge 0000/steel wool. Read more about [http://www.howtocleananything.com/general-cleaning-tips/ivory-piano-keys/ how to clean ivory keys].


* [http://kansascitypianotuning.com/tuner/piano-finish-care-cabinet-care/ Caring for your piano finish] from Chuck Littau Piano Services.

* [http://bechstein.com/en/consulting-and-sales/piano-consultants/piano-care-and-prudent-use/piano-care.html Piano care] from C. Bechstein.

* [http://ca.yamaha.com/en/support/caring_for_your_piano/ Piano care] from Yamaha Canada.

* [http://bechstein.com/en/consulting-and-sales/piano-consultants/regular-maintenance/qualified-service.html Piano service] from C. Bechstein.





==Piano Repair==
* [http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/1/1/Piano%20Forum.html Piano Forums] from pianoworld.com. Ask questions of piano users, dealers and repair technicians.
* [http://www.pianosupplies.com PianoSupplies.com] sells piano parts, benches, moving equipment, tuning tools, metronomes, cleaners and more.
* [http://www.pianobolduc.com/eng/history.html André Bolduc of Pianos Bolduc] uses Canadian and Quebec white spruce to make soundboards and Canadian maple pinblocks. Among its clientele are such prestigious names as FAZIOLI of Italy, SAUTER of Germany, BALDWIN and MASON & HAMLIN of the United States, as well as PRAMBERGER and HEINTZMAN.
* [http://www.grandtouchpiano.com/ Grand Touch Piano Restoration] in Elora, Ontario






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