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Buying a piano Is not black and white

Howard McMahon
Contributing Writer
THINKING of filling
that corner you’d
reserved for your baby
grand?

If you, or the primary user,
are a beginner, you may not
want to invest that much

_ money in your first piano.
:. On the other hand, you
_ should resist the temptation to
"pick up that oid “clunker.”
Piano prices vary widely

according to size, brand and
condition.

If you're just starting out, a
good feature to usk for is a full
trade-up allowance. This will
allow you to upgrade your
piano without depreciation, for
a better one as your piano-play-
ing ability grows.

If you're shopping at a deal-
er, make sure the piano you are
considering i is represented cor-
rectly, “Reconditioned” means
the original parts have been
refurbished, while a “rebuilt”
piano has had most of its major

The North Vancouver
Youth Band

if you're into mysic you shold he in

n  @AROP early while.
weiection is at it’s be.

parts replaced. A good recondi-
tioned beginner piano from a
dealer costs between $1,400
and $3,000. Rebuilt ones start
at $5,000. Regulating means
resetting the piano action to
play as it did when it was new.
There are many trade-offs
between new and used. A
beginner will learn just as well
on a good used piano as on
anew one. The playability on a
newer piano is better than on
an older one, so if you are at a
higher leve!, you’li want to look
at a new piano or at one that’s

less than 20 years old.

The size of a piano is prob-
ably the single most important
factor influencing its tonal
quality. The space a piano takes
up is also a factor in what you
choose.

Uprights can be classified
into four sizes: Spinet (36-
40”), Console (40-44”),
Studio (45-48”) and full size
(48-56").

Grand Pianos range from
Baby Grand (44-5%’), Medium
Grand (5°6”-7°4") and
Concert Grand (7°4"-9'6").

“No crabby old Ladies bere?”

innovative, friendly, career teacher.
All styles, theory, improv & more.

Adults Welcome

Ronee Romiines: M

Toll Free &

‘4 -877-885-5424

JOIN THE
WEST
VANCOUVER
YOUTH BAND!

New Members
Monday Sept. 14
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Returning Members
Tuesday Sept. 15
6:30 - 8:30 pm

IRWIN. PARK
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL

2455 HAYWOOD AVE.

WEST VANCOUVER

The action of a grand piano
is the most desirable to play on,
however, it’s certainly not nec-
essary for beginners.

The action of'a spinct piano
is the least desirable in an
upright piano, arict unless space
is a factor, I don’t recommend
it. Another to avoid, even if it’s
free: the English piano with
“bird cage”-type actions.

There is nothing wrong
with wanting your piano to
look nice so satisty yourself
with its appearance, because
chances are you'll be looking at

your piano even more than
you'll be playing it. Most piano
warranties are subject to cli-

mate conditions. Do nor place

your piano over a heater or too
close to the fireplace, and defi-
nitely keep it out of direct sun-
light. As a general rule, I sug-
gest you place your piano in a
spot ‘you'll be comfortable in

r long periods of time.

— Howard McMahon is the
owner of Howard’s Pianos. If
you have piano-related questions,
call 926-1828 or e-mail mema-
honti@nsn.com

North Shore F =
Music Academy .
OFFERING:

® violin
® trumpet

® double bass

® cello
© piano

° guitar
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o Suzuki i instruction

St. David's U

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d Church

1525 Taylor Way, West Van _....

serving the Northi Shore for
‘almost SOyeas
We provide professional. .
- instraction at all levels,
in any style of music from -
. Mozart to Metallica
~ Calder is the only full line
- - Fender dealer on the
_ North Shore

We are the
FULL SERVICE music store
for your musial needs.

Remember... music is
good for you, so fine tune
your life and play!

1757 Cap

ilano Rd., North Yau.

Cali 988-9974 or $85-2580

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