Some interesting things to consider when moving your piano...

Here are some interesting tips on things to consider if you are going to move your piano.  Remember to always use a professional!  These tips come from Arizona piano mover Juan Carlos.

What is the size of the Piano?

It would be a good idea to figure out what size your piano is.  On a baby grand or grand this is done by measuring from the front of the piano (the keyboard) to the back of the piano.  On an upright piano it is done from top to bottom.  

Are there any stairs or obstacles involved?

It is important to let the mover know if there are any obstacles like narrow hallways or tight corners during the move.  Also, the number of stairs will need to be described so the movers can bring the necessary ramps and pads.

How far is the move?

The mover will need to know just how far the move is.  An in-town move and cross country move are obviously two different prices.

Will I need to tune my piano?

Most pianos will need to be tuned after they are moved.  It is important to let the piano sit for a period of time before tuning (usually a couple weeks).  We offer piano moving/tuning packages then allow you to schedule the tuning at your convenience.


Juan Carlos piano mover Mesa AZ can be reached by visiting his website at www.pianomoverarizona.com.

New Pop & Movie Hits.

Some new hits! Single sheets that everyone can enjoy as well as collections, movies, video games and artists! Don't see your favorite song? Don't worry, if we don't have it in our store, we can print it off for you, or you can even print music off from your own home (and support local business!)

 Linton-Milano Music provides pianos, private lessons, and sheet music in Mesa AZ.

How to help your child succeed in music...

The founders of Milano Music began their business over 68 years ago teaching accordion to many students in Los Angeles.  Through the course of the years, and the increasing numbers of students who came to them for their musical education needs, they witnessed  what seemed to be a single “key to success.”   Surprisingly, it was not the teacher alone, or a better quality instrument, or even the basic raw talent of the student.  Yes, all of this combined is vital, but not necessarily what made the student’s musical voyage a successful one.  Having the parents on board and helping “row the boat” is the missing element for musical success.

 Linton Milano Music’s Parental Guide for Music Students

How YOU Fit In: 

Always remember that your support is an essential element in your child’s success.

Schedule practice times.  Music achievement requires effort over a period of time.  You can help your child

succeed by doing the following:

*Providing a quiet place for practice.

*Remaining nearby during practice times as much as possible.

*Scheduling a consistent daily time for practice.

*Praising your child’s efforts and achievements.

What to do:

*Encourage your child to play and perform for family and friends.

*Offer compliments and encouragement regularly.

*Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including live concerts and recitals.

*Encourage your child to talk with you about his or her lessons.

*Make sure that your child’s instrument is always in good working condition.

*Allow your child to play many types of music, not just study pieces.

*Listen to your child practice, and acknowledge improvements.

*Help your child build a personal music library.

*Communicate with your child’s teacher after every lesson.

*If you play an instrument, learn duets together.

What not to do:

*Don’t use practice as punishment.

*Don’t insist your child play for others when he or she does not want to.

*Don’t ridicule or make fun of mistakes or less-than-perfect playing.

*Don’t apologize to others for your child’s weak performance.

*Don’t start your child on an instrument that is in poor working condition.

*Don’t expect rapid progress and development in the beginning.

If your child loses interest:

In the event that your child loses interest in his or her music studies, don’t panic.
             *Discuss the situation with your child to determine why their interest is declining.
             *Counsel with your child’s music teacher to see what might be done to rekindle their enthusiasm.
             *Encourage your child to stick with the lessons for an agreed period of time.
*Offer increased enthusiasm and support.

BENEFITS:
A musical education will enhance many other aspects of your child’s development.   These are:
*problem solving *memory skills
*teamwork *self-confidence
*goal-setting *concentration
*self-expression *poise
*coordination *and much, much more!

For more information on succeeding in music visit our webpage and learn how private music lessons in Mesa AZ can help your child succeed!

The Unbiased Facts - "Gray Market" Yamaha Pianos

From "The Piano Buyers Guide" By Larry Fine

If you're looking for a piano made within the last few decades, there is usually a plentiful supply of used Yamaha and Kawai pianos originally made for the Japanese market. However, there has been some controversy about them. Sometimes called "gray-market" pianos, these instruments were originally sold to families and schools in Japan, and some years later were discarded in favor of new pianos. There being little market for these used pianos in Japan — the Japanese are said to have a cultural bias against buying any used goods — enterprising businesspeople buy them up, restore them to varying degrees, and export them to the U.S. and other countries, where they are sold by dealers of used pianos at a fraction of the price of a new Yamaha or Kawai. Used Korean pianos are available under similar circumstances. (Note: The term "gray market" is used somewhat erroneously to describe these pianos. They are used instruments, not new, and there is nothing illegal about buying and selling them.)

Yamaha has taken a public stand warning against the purchase of a used Yamaha piano made for the Japanese market. When Yamaha first began exporting pianos to the United States, the company found that some pianos sent to areas of the U.S. with very dry indoor climates, such as parts of the desert Southwest and places that were bitterly cold in the winter, would develop problems in a short period of time: tuning pins would become loose, soundboards and bridges would crack, and glue joints would come apart. To protect against this happening, Yamaha began to season the wood for destination: a low moisture content for pianos bound for the U.S., which has the greatest extremes of dryness; a higher moisture content for Europe; and the highest moisture content for Japan, which is relatively humid. The gray-market pianos, Yamaha says, having been seasoned for the relatively humid Japanese climate, will not stand up to our dryness. The company claims to have received many calls from dissatisfied owners of these pianos, but cannot help them because the warranty, in addition to having expired, is effective only in the country in which the piano was originally sold when new.

My own research has led me to believe that while there is some basis for Yamaha's concerns, their warnings are exaggerated. There probably is a little greater chance, statistically, that these pianos will develop problems in conditions of extreme dryness than will Yamaha's seasoned for and sold in the U.S. However, thousands of gray-market pianos have been sold by hundreds of dealers throughout the country, in all types of climates, for many years, and I haven't found evidence of anything close to an epidemic of problems with them. In mild and moderate climates, reported problems are rare. There are, however, some precautions that should be taken.

These pianos are available to dealers in a wide variety of ages and conditions. The better dealers will sell only those in good condition made since about the mid-1980s. In some cases, the dealers or their suppliers will recondition or partially rebuild the pianos before offering them for sale. Make sure to get a warranty that runs for at least five years, as any problems will usually show up within that period if they are going to show up at all. Finally, be sure to use some kind of humidity-control system in situations of unusual dryness. Remember that air-conditioning, as well as heating, can cause indoor dryness.

(And remember indoor dryness affects ANY wooden instrument new or used). It's not always possible to determine visually whether a particular instrument was made for the U.S. or the Japanese market, as some original differences may have been altered by the supplier. The dealer may know, and Yamaha has a utility on its website that will look up the origin of a particular Yamaha piano by serial number. (END OF ARTICLE)

Teacher Interview: Norris Lewis

We've decided to go around and start interviewing our teachers to help our students (and hopefully future students??) to get to know our teachers a little bit better!  We wanted to start the interviews with our teacher, Norris Lewis, who has been teaching with us for 37 years!! He teaches guitar, gass guitar and ukulele as well as genres such as classic rock, pop, rock, heavy metal, classical bass, R&B and slap.  Watch this video and see if you think Norris would be the perfect teacher for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyEgobPgRVI&feature=youtu.be

New Releases!

There is always new sheet music coming into the store, 

here is some eye candy for you.  

Don't see something you like? 

Call us and ask if we have something in stock!

Also, browse our website for single sheets 

that you can print straight from your home! 

lintonmilano.com

April Happenings!!

There are so many exciting things going on at Linton-Milano these days!

If you haven't yet, make sure you check out our NEW website! Browse through all of our teachers, check out all our new and used pianos, as well as browse through some of our digital sheet music! Just visit:

lintonmilano.com

The AAMF will be NEXT Saturday the 27th!!! Be sure to ask your teachers your time for the festival and to have a copy of your song.  You'll do great! Just remember: 

Prepare, Perform, SUCCEED!

If you haven't participated yet, make sure you sign up for our 5th Break Out The Bands session, Rock Revolution! This is an eight week program for any and all instruments! If you've ever wanted to play in a band this is the perfect experience! With one of our music specialist as your guide, you will learn several songs as a band and at the end of the eight weeks there will be a concert featuring all the participating bands! It's $250 to sign up, and that covers the eight weeks with a specialist, a band photo, live DVD, and band t-shirt! Sign up ends May 15th!