Piano Tuning Promotion to Begin in November

    We're getting ready for our annual winter piano tuning promotion over the next couple of weeks. If you're looking to take advantage of some indoor relaxation and catch up on your piano playing when cooler weather strikes, give us a call.
   This summer and fall I have greatly enjoyed servicing a number of pianos for a large number of new customers. I look forward to many more as the holiday season approaches. If you live more than 30 miles from Edwardsville, don't forget to give yourself some advance time, a week or two is helpful. Either way, I'll do my best to work you into my schedule and accommodate your tuning needs.
   My standard tuning fee is still only $55 and includes a basic cleaning plus 20 minutes of minor action or key adjustments. You can reach me at 618-654-1585 virtually any time of the day. If I do not answer immediately, please leave a message and I will return your call a.s.a.p.  -- Steve Rensberry

Music for the heart and mind

The following song, "My Foolish Heart," reproduced here on YouTube, was originally published in 1949 and is nearly as fresh and captivating today as at was then. It was written by Victor Young with lyrics by Ned Washington. It's not complicated. The tempo is slow. But it provides the perfect example of just how subtle and profound the world of piano music is.

Learn to Play the Piano

   If you ever wanted to learn to play the piano but didn't know where to start, give us a call, we may be able to help you. Sometimes an electronic keyboard can be an economical way to begin, but if you want the real deal, we can help line you up with a good quality used piano or a reputable dealer who sells both new and used pianos.
   For anyone who seriously wants to learn, there are more avenues today than there ever was -- and they don't have to involve spending a fortune. Internet courses, DVDs, music software programs and teachers who use a variety of old and new techniques have opened up a whole new realm of instruction and music appreciation.
   The official site of the National Piano Foundation, located at pianonet.com, is one place to start. The site includes a section where you can search for piano teachers in your area. You're local piano store is another key source. Another is the WikiHow site on How to Play the Piano. The amazing thing about any musical instrument is that the degree of mastery you obtain is generally proportionate to the amount of time you spend practicing. Practice is, by-and-large, the single most important factor in learning to play, whether you learn on your own or whether you take lessons from someone else. If Rensberry Piano can help you achieve your goals, call or send us an e-mail.

It's a great time to practice

The relaxing days of summer are a great time to sit down at the piano and work on that favorite piece you've been wanting to master. Start simple and give it a go. Watching a concert pianist or Hiromi Uehara and Chick Corea take command of the keyboard at lightning speed can be a bit intimidating if you're just beginning, but to me it's also tremendously inspiring. The piano truly is the king of instruments, with a frequency range that covers virtually every instrument in a modern day orchestra, and with a versatility that enables even a player of modest talent to make it sing and bring the room alive with a rhythmic jazz piece or popular rock ballad.

Schedule your appointment now

We're getting ready for a major media blitz and new customer drive during July and August so keep your eyes open! Just $55 is all it will cost you as a new customer for a complete tuning if you live within a 50 mile radius of Edwardsville and can work within my schedule. Throw in a few minutes of adjustment for sticking keys or other problems and you'll be itching to make music on a newly tuned instrument. Ask me about voicing, which can dramatically help to restore the tone of your piano if the hammer felts have become hardened with age, as they often do. If you want your piano tuned, call now so that I can work you in my schedule.