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I have a roland A90, which is a nice piece of kit, especially when faffing with logic and some of the 'fake' piano's therein, but prefer to practice on the Zimmermann...there is just something about the touch of the real piano the fake one doesn't meet, even at a mere grade 3 standard

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Well, just started my 3rd grade three piece...the A3 one in the current book...Allegretto by Turk, having done the Hoffman B piece and the Bartok C piece. In addition to that doing some sightreading, but for pleasure have learned some Will Baily pieces (very underrated), plus i wonder by Abba from t...

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Depends for me on:

how high the floor temp goes (mine doesn't - it just makes the tiles less cold)
the humidity of the room
what temp the room is at normally when the heating is on?

abc1337

plan where the piano is going, then don't put underfloor heating there (if you have that option - thats what i have done.)

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Dave,

i had the A90 via balanced leads into some fostex monitors initially. i then did the pc thing sometime later. i also used the a90 via headphones, which i still do on occasion...

it was just a thought - u can pick a good ocndition one up for around 5-600quid...

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Dave, have you purchased a Clavinova yet?

have a look for the Roland A90ex - that's what i started out on, and still have for computer/midi work - fully weighted hammer action etc, and good prices 2nd hand etc...

Doesn't have the feel of the Z1, but then again that's not surprising.

abc1337

I read somewhere about the brain still learning sub-consciously re psycho-motor skills/cognitive skills?

It does seem to be the case - go away, put the ketle on etc then go back, and play better....

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I like alsorts - I can play an easy version of several Abba songs, plus a few other bits - Simon and garfunkel stuff too...

I reckon the thing is to broaden ones pallet!

PS - I only started playing March last year.

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Dave,
my mate Tim has played professionally in another life, and between us we have all the kit apart from a PA to play live. (numerous keyboards, software and apple macs etc)

One day I may just do that.... If Tim will lower is extremely high standards!

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I have just installed electric underfloor heating in my new kitchen/dining area - but had factored in where my upright was to go - so didn't put any underfloor heating under there anyway. I guess its down to how hot the underfloor is going to get. electric stuff does get luke warm, but not as hot as...

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Dave, my teacher charged £12 for 30 mins - and the lesson always lasts longer than that! (probably something to do with my teacher having lots of children as pupils and not too many adults?). I fully recognise the costs involved - have you considered 1 lesson a month or some way of a compromise like...

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Dave. LOL bless. It might be worth some periodic one-off lessons subject to how far you have to travel etc. My point is that the syllabus in the front of the book doesn't show nuances etc that a teacher can inject into your playing. Please note this is just my opinion, and i mean no offence in my co...

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Dave, Are you having lessons? I think the main issue here is that if you do have a few lessons, if you have found a teacher worthy of the title they will know whats needed to achieve a 1. Moreover, they will 'educate' u hopefully enough to build in some seepage for nerves and still allow a pass. My ...

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emmac has a good point re a 'strange' piano - i get to do my exams on the one i have my lessons on, so am somewhat fortunate...

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Cheers for that.

I'll just trust my teacher, who has been spot on so far, assisting me to pass the 1 and 2 well.

But I'll have a look at the 4 at the beginning of 2009, although I'm already doing arpeggio's similar two octaves etc - which may be a current grade 4 req?

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Have a look for this book: Bob Kropel's creative keyboard's deluxe encyclopedia of piano chords.

I got in with a ring binder spine - so I can open it on the key in question - makes it easy to look at what chord in what key etc...

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I teach other things, and the most relevant thing is to acknowledge when you have had a bad session, 'cos at least you know you have had better.

The learning is in the de-brief - ask yourself what you did well etc as well as points for re-visit next session.

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Afternoon all.

anyone any idea's how the syllabus is changing?

I'm currently doing my grade 3, which will result in the exam just b4 xmas. I'll then look to my grade 4 next year.

Totally agree re the Harris' books - I've brought all applicable to grades 1,2 and 3 - they are very good indeed.

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Don't moan at being 38 - I'm 42!

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One of the grade 3 pieces I'm learning is totally with both staves with treble clef, and another is a mixture. its as described above, but interestingly once you actually suss it it helps you read the notes better and where they are as you have to actually think, etc, if you get my meaning.

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I did mini-rag - and liked it too. I want back to playing it recently having forgotten the correct notes at the right time and after 10 minutes of sight reading got it back again. i find that the graded pieces live with you forever - you play em that often when practicing?!? The fuch piece is simply...

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PS - other than obviously learning to play new songs, I also use the Paul Harris books on 'improving your sight reading'.

For the price I have found these very useful, as they are structured nicely for my learning style and are easy to follow.

For the price, they are not bad value at all.

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Cracking topic! Started in march last year, purchased a Roland A90ex, passed grade 1 (xmas) and 2 (april), now going for 3 having just got a proper piano (Zimmermann Z1). My only tip is you cannot place a value on a quality teacher. Mine I googled and looked for one with also a cert ed - general tea...

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Cheers, Barrie - I'll order one tomorrow evening.

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HI, Can anyone recommend a particular brand/make of the above thats accurate etc? I took delivery of my Zimmermann Z1 a few weeks ago - its fine and sounds lovely - i just want to keep it that way! Any links/suggestions/replies gratefully recieved. thanks Andy PS - i narrowed it down in the end to t...

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Go to the Sound on Sound magazine website - they did an article of various ways to record piano, from the simple to complex - you can then see what involved?

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sirprize Its suited my purpose nicely, and was used in conjunction with my teachers Young Chang to get a distinction at grade 1:lol: ! I'm already beginning to recognise its limitations, but I love it for the fun aspect of layering sounds etc using Ableton software etc. Fortunately my wife is an und...

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I had this issue re budget when i started last year - I purchased a Roland A90ex plus a set of headphones for £600! I'll never get rid of it, either - it has a nice feel for its type, and I also use the midi side of things with it with my PC. Have a look on the Sound on Sound website - there are som...

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Did you not try any kemble Grands?

Whilst on my upright search I tried several of em, and thought them ok.

Not enough room for a grand in my house, tho.

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I settled on the Zimmermann Z1 - I got a very nice deal from Lincoln Piano Centre, and also like the chap I've done business with.

Just need to get the building work done now - then get it delivered.

No-one can say i have no patience!

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Thanks, david - I've replied with a link on the other thread.

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http://www.jshumidifiers.com/products/SEURLF/ASP/SFS/PID.25/SFE/details.htm As a result of another thread I posted - altavista'd the item mentioned - above is the link for reference... Is there such a device for internal use on an upright piano...(i refer to the link to the 'life saver' device menti...

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chrissy,
If you have found a piano you like at a price you are prepared to pay, then subject to the advice from the knowledgeable folk here you know the answer...

Just also shows that piano's are as individual as their owners!

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To answer some questions - my piano will be new, and there will also be an air-con unit with adjustable humidifier in use as well.

Any specific humidifiers you suggest?

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LIncoln Piano centre list the Z3 116cm at 6799, but obviously deals can be had. John there has been very professional and courteous with me, and to be fair he has ticked the right boxes. I'm off back there this sat, to try the Z3 and Z1 again... I think at some stage you have to make the decision, b...

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The room will go from quite warm to bloody hot w/out some form of air-con...The house is a 2000 built modern 4 bed detached - we don't suffer from condensation on windows or anything like that...

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OK, I'm researching getting a piano - and am interested in the above aspect of its care. Specifically I'd like the participants here to advise me of: What type of meter I'd need? What type of humidifier I'd need, not specifically one that needs to fit in the Piano, either? Are any of you aware of an...

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I thought for around £4k the Kemble is a no-brainer - I liked all three of them I played (in diff venues) over Kawai and Yamaha pianos of similar price. I liked both Schimmel 116's in Forsyth's, and they also allowed me to try a 120 which was also very nice. I prefered the action on either 116, and ...

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Well...
Played two Kemble Conservatoire's, also a Yamaha U3 and Radius, plus an Irmler - no Blunthers within budget.

Played two Schimmels, the 116 and 120 international - very nice.

chewing over options...

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All depends on cost - no more that £6.5k...so its up to the dealers, dude

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So - tomorrow brings forth the Land of Blunther, Irmler and more Souter(Headingly Piano's at Leeds) & Schimmel (at Forsyths of Manchester)! Report will duly follow. Am interested in the comments above re the Schimmel v the Yamaha - I've not taken to any Yamaha's or kawai's I've (crudely) played...

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Further thoughts: The Z1 and Z3 Zimmermann's are very clear yet not bright. They had amongst the nicest actions of the piano's I tried. The price is the issue, tho. I'm wrestling with paying either £4k or upto £6.75k. My reasoning is I'll keep what I get for a good long while, so am taking my time. ...

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Well, Met John – owner of Lincoln Piano centre – played: Grotian Steinwegs – 2 diff ones Pleyels Yamaha U3 (2nd hand) Boston - several Zimmermann Z3 & Z1 (Bechstein manufactured) Kemble (Mozart, Conservatoire) Steinway grand (wow!) Narrowed it down to the Conservatoire and either of the Zimmerma...

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LOL another make to look at!

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Interesting - will go try the Kemble 121 - poss in Leeds as the dealer up there also stocks Sauter....

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Did you try a Zimmermann, then?

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Barrie,
this one was a custom made one for Clements - not art deco at all - and sounded very nice indeed.

It set the bar, so to speak, IMHO and WMLE...

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Well - 1st trials started today:

Tried:
Kawai k3 and K5 – Japan
Yamaha U1 – Japan
Sauter 114 Custom – Germany

Guess which one sounded the nicest?

Guess which one was the most expensive?

To try – Kemble K121, and Yamaha U3...

Clements of Nottm is also a nice shop!

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I reckon if a dealer is trying to assist a purchaser, then what's wrong with using a furum to do so?

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Watching this thread with interest, as my Budget is £5k, and I'm starting the miles trip tomorrow with a visit to Clements in Nottingham to look/try the kawai's...

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Sight Reading.

hydrometer - recommendations?

Talk to me about Humidification!