Piano World News – June 2022

June 2022 from Piano World

The email service we use to send our newsletter (called Active Campaign) creates custom links in order to track data from our emails.

PLEASE – be sure you have picture viewing turned on for our newsletter

You should be reading our newsletter (oh wait, you are, thank you), join our
world famous Piano Forums, host and/or attend a piano party, share your love of piano with
others, keep your piano(s) tuned and maintained, support others who want to learn, tell
hotels and restaurants you’d like to see/hear live piano players, …

Please be sure you have viewing images turned on to get the full effect of our newsletter

I’m betting some of you can easily add to the list above, feel free to send me your suggestions.
frank@pianoworld.com

The time has come

Unfortunately my little music shop based in my house in Maine has not worked out.

There just isn’t enough interest in piano/keyboard in the area to make it worth keeping open.

I am hoping to sell off the entire inventory of the store (see pictures at the link below).
I’m willing to sell it well below wholesale but only as a package deal, preferably to someone with
a store or who wants to open a store (brick and mortar and/or online).
Music Store Stock

I’m in the process (almost completed) of creating a complete inventory. If you’re interested
in a really good deal, contact me.

I turned 70 in November, it’s time to start thinking seriously about slowing down.

I’d like to get into woodworking, do more reading and traveling, spend more time with Lorraine,
play my piano more, compose, garden, etc.

As my father used to say ” You won’t do it any younger ”


For those who were wondering why I disappeared from social media, this was the primary reason. I found myself wasting
much too much time on FB. I need to focus on getting my life organized.

I am currently in talks with a company interested in purchasing Piano World and the Forums.

If that doesn’t work out, there are two other companies that expressed an interest.

While I won’t get anywhere near what I could have years ago when Steinway was wining-and-dining me, it
helps to know the web site I spent twenty five years building will be in good hands.

I will keep everyone posted. If it comes to fruition I will send out a special announcement.

And even if it does, I’ll still be involved at least for a while.

Help support a struggling musician (me)!
I’ve been composing music for years, but never bothered to have it professionally recorded.

But so many people have told me I should record one of my original pieces in particular that I
decided it was time.

Two of my favorite pianist friends (Robin Spielberg and Dana Cunningham) both record at
a studio in North Sutton New Hampshire called CedarHouse Sound & Engineering.

So that’s where I went to record my piece. Gerry the engineer/owner of the studio is a great
guy, he really knows his stuff and he makes you feel very comfortable.

You can listen to my piece here:
https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/track/ours-is-a-special-kind-of-love

It doesn’t cost anything to listen to it, but if you like enough to own a copy (and I hope you do) I’m asking
$2.00. That gets you a hi-res/hi-def download to own and unlimited plays on BandCamp

Either way I’d love to get your feedback

Here I am seated at “Eleanor”, the studio Steinway B

I actually tuned the piano myself before I recorded on it. Saved me a few bucks and allowed me to get
to know the piano’s personality (she has a lovely voice).

At the suggestion of some friends in the business I’ve made some updates
to our Rules and Terms of Service, posted on 06/07/2022.

You will be asked to read them the first time you sign on after the above date.

At the bottom of the page you should find a checkbox that you’ll need to check to
continue. You should only have to do this once.

You can find the updated posting
Here

(New members signing up for the first time will also see the updated version).

A big thank you to everyone who has chosen to support the forums
(which quite honestly helps support Piano World
the Piano Forums, and me).
If you signed up for a subscription (Subscribe Details)
but didn’t get your subscriber badge,
please send me (frank@pianoworld.com) the following information and I’ll fix it… I’ll need:

Your forums name, the email you used to sign up for the forums,
what level you chose (bronze, silver, gold, etc.) and whether it’s monthly or yearly.

“Hello,

I am looking to give away my late mom’s piano to a piano enthusiast or an institution where it would be useful. It’s a Steinway & Sons Baby Grand Piano.

For further details contact me on my WhatsApp number +1 (502) 617-0xxx or SMS +1 (330) 271-0xxx, if you are interested or forward this to anyone who might be interested.

Have a great day.”

I get emails similar to the above almost every day (I changed the last digits to x so nobody is tempted to dial them). Sometimes they are Yamaha, sometimes Steinway.

They are a SCAM!

If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

I see that live music events are slowly but surely coming back. (I’ve even picked up a couple of small gigs myself).

If you know of any concerts or competitions being held virtually,
please post about them
on our Piano Forums so we can share them.

I know that my friend , concert pianist Jeffrey Biegel is working with composers on some
pieces for smaller orchestras, and locally the Oqunquit Playhouse (Maine) is holding their events
in a huge tent.

Remember, if you know of any piano concerts, competitions, or events …
let us know!

You can post in this section of the piano forums (and/or email us). Don’t forget to keep an eye on the forum below for
news of upcoming concerts, competitions, and special (piano) events.
Piano Concerts – Competitions – Events

• Blaricum Music Festival June 30 – July 9
• 13th Piano Competition Fidelio, Extended

---

My Estonia L-190 Sounds Like what?

I love my Estonia grand piano but just to make it a bit more interesting I installed a PianoDisc ProRecord system
which gives my piano the ability to transform into a MIDI controller.

What does that mean you ask?

Among other things I can assign different instrument sounds to my piano. I’ve included a couple of examples
below. If you’d like to know more contact me, or if you are in my area (southwest Maine) stop by and I’ll be
happy to demonstrate live (and let you try it).

Estonia piano with piano and choir

Estonia L-190 sounds like a choir

Estonia L-190 sounds like Hammond B3

And for Comparison, one that is straight piano (original composition)

I also added a couple of Christmas pieces to my YouTube channel.

---

About Our Forums

The Piano Forums on Piano World are not just one forum, there are in fact several,
each with a specific targeted audience in mind.

The following is a brief description of some of our most popular forums.

• Piano Forum = The forum just titled Piano Forum is geared toward discussions of the instruments themselves.
  It is where you would go to find information about specific brands, or pianos in general.
  Many piano manufacturers monitor this forum
  even if they choose not to participate. It helps them to learn what the public is saying about their products,
  and their competitors
  products.
• Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum = As the name implies, this forum is primarily for professional piano tuner-technicians,
  however anyone can read what is being discussed. You can also post specific technical questions here, but please be polite and
  realize the pros that take the time to respond are giving freely of their valuable time.
• Digital Piano – Synths & Keyboards = This rapidly growing forum is geared toward the digital side of the piano/keyboard
  business. It includes digital pianos, electric pianos, electronic pianos, hybrids, and synthesizers & controllers.
  Discussions here can get pretty technical, but they can also be as simple as “which keyboard has the touch
  response you like the most?”

  You will also find discussions about things like midi interfaces, sound modules, speakers, microphones,
  sequencers, etc.

• Adult Beginners Forum = This is a bit of a misnomer as not all the participants are beginners (nor are they all necessarily
  adults). The idea behind it’s creation was to give adults a place to feel comfortable talking about learning to play piano
  later in life. Many of the participants played some when they were younger, got away from playing, and are now coming
  back to the joy of making music. Of course there are also lots of “adults” who are in fact just beginning their
  journey.

  I’ve found over the years this is one of the more civil and helpful forums where the members truly try
  to help each other. They even organize online recitals and friendly competitions.

• Pianist Corner = Primarily aimed at the more advanced pianist, many of the participants here are at an
  intermediate to advanced level. No need to be intimidated though, if you aspire to become a better pianist you can learn a lot
  from these folks.
• Pianist Corner – Non Classical = This is a forum for the rest of us. Take me for instance, I play rock, standards, blues,
  a little jazz and a little ragtime. If you’re interested, you can see/hear me “in action” here
  On YouTube It was a few years and over 60lbs ago (thank you to our friend Sam Bennett of
  Piano Works in Deluth GA for recording and posting this from a previous NAMM show).

  If you love to play piano, but classical isn’t your thing, this is the forum for you.

• Piano Teachers Forum = Yes, it’s what you think it would be. Primarily for piano teachers to discuss their
  trade, lesson plans, scheduling, etc. If you are not a piano teacher but have a question you’d like to ask someone who is, please
  be polite and be patient.

  If you are new to teaching piano, you may find a lot of good information here, and helpful people.

• Other Forums = There are a number of other forums on Piano World, please take some time to explore them, you may
  just find something you really enjoy, and learn something along the way.

  Some of our other forums include = Events-Recitals-Competitions, Composer’s Lounge, Parties-Tours-Cruises, Photo Gallery, Who’s Who,
  Member Recordings, Just for the Fun of it, and still more.

Speaking of the forums, if you receive a PM (Private Message) from someone and you want to reply
to them You must click the link provided in the PM email! DO NOT just hit the reply button in your
email program because doing so just sends your reply to me (because piano world is the “sender” of the pm email.

About Closing a Piano Forums Account

We don’t like to lose any members (well, ok, there have been a few we weren’t sorry to see go 🙂

But if you are thinking of asking us to close/delete your account, please see this page:

Forums Rules and Guidelines

Visit the Piano Forums Today!

Did you know you can easily view a list of the current active topics in the forums?

You can view active topics from the last 24 hours, the last 48 hours, or the last 7 days.

Here is an example of the current active topics from the last seven days
Piano Forums Active Topics

You can find the Active Topics link at the top of the page, or just use the link I provided above.
When you get there, you can always change the time frame to one of the other choices.

NOTE:

I know that people around the world including here in the States have been dealing with the pandemic.

Here in Maine (upper northeast corner of the U.S.) we’ve done pretty well,
in part because distancing and outdoor
activities are a way of life here. And because a majority of Mainers have gotten vaccinated.

However out numbers are climbing again so I’m still be cautious (small groups of fully vaccinated friends).

I have heard from a couple of people who read the newsletter I sent out on the 24th that they are considering
hosting a piano party. They are cautiously optimistic that we’ll be able to get enough of a handle on
the pandemic to do so safely.

Our friends in Europe have hosted piano parties every year since 2013…

2013 it was Brussels, Belgium
2014 it was Lisbon, Portugal
2015 it was Lucerne, Switzerland
2016 was in Milan, Italy (Kathy my former partner and I went to this one, amazing)
2017 had not one but two European parties, one was in Bulgaria, the other in Spain.
Here are some Reports & Pictures from the one in Spain.

2018 was In Germany

I know there were a few parties posted for 2019.

There was talk of a piano party in Bulgaria in 2020
Bulgaria Piano Party Thread

We’ve also hosted a tour of European Piano Makers (2011), a Piano Cruise , a Piano Crawl (NY), and
several tours of the Mason & Hamlin factory in Haverhill MA and the Steinway factory in NY.
Unfortunately the pandemic put a damper on a lot of party plans in 2020 and into 2021. I’m hoping for a comeback soon.

Not sure what a piano party is?

Check out the links above, and this forum
Forum Members Parties, Tours, Cruises, & Meetings

Also, see this
Collection of Piano Parties and Tours
compiled by one of our moderators (thank you Casinitaly).

I love reading the threads posted by members who have finally purchased their piano.
Seeing the pictures and hearing the stories reminds me of one of the most important reasons we are here, to help each other.

And if you’ve found Piano World and/or the Forums to be helpful, we’d love to know that too.

Unfortunately these posts get buried quickly as new threads get created.

If you recently got a piano, or you know of a thread where someone is talking about getting their new piano, please let
me know. I’d love to move the threads to this one central place for all to share in the joy of owning and playing a piano.

The New Piano Owners forum lives here ,
right under the primary Piano Forum.

Please Support Our Advertisers
		Modartt adds twelve Felt presets to Pianoteq More

Please Share Our Newsletter with Others, & Invite People to Join Our Forums

If you’ve actually read this far, Thank You!

And if you have suggestions for future issues of our newsletter, please feel free to share them with me.

In closing I’d like to thank each and everyone of you for being a friend of the Piano World and
for visiting my web site(s).

Keep playing the piano, and sharing your music. We could all use a little
music in our lives about now.

Warm Regards,

Frank (Founder / Host) & Lorraine

Piano World & the Piano Forums, PianoSupplies.com

48 Maple Street

Cornish, Maine 04020

105,000+ Forums Members, Over 3 Million Posts, and always growing!

frank@pianoworld.com
Piano World On:

Facebook …
Facebook.com/PianoWorldDotCom

Online Store for Music Lovers … www.PianoSupplies.com

LinkedIn …
www.linkedin.com/in/ecommerceseo

YouTube … www.youtube.com/user/PianoWorldDotCom