Kent Pianos

27/12/2023

Know Your Pedals 🎹

The Right pedal is Sustain on pretty much all modern Pianos.

Left pedal is typically a soft pedal. On grand pianos, it shifts the entire keybed sideways so that a softer part of the hammer is hitting the strings, and on bichords and trichords, hitting one fewer string to decrease the volume.

On upright pianos, the left pedal is a soft pedal, but it typically moves all of the hammers to rest closer to the strings so that they don't have as much distance to accelerate, making the piano play softer.

The middle pedal, on grand pianos, is most commonly a sostenudo pedal, which only sustains the notes of the keys that are depressed at the time that the pedal is pressed. Other keys that are pressed after the sostenudo pedal is pressed will have a normal un-pedaled damper return after release.

On upright pianos that have a middle pedal (many don't), the middle pedal is often a different kind of soft pedal that moves a piece of felt between the hammer and the strings so that the hammer hits the felt against the strings, producing a softer sound. Sometimes a notch is carved into the piano case allowing the middle pedal to be slid to the side to lock it into the engaged position.I've seen others where the middle pedal only sustains the bass side of the keyboard.

There are other oddities with the left and middle pedal depending on the era and maker of the piano, but sustain is always the most important pedal and it's on the right.

27/12/2023

Boogie Woogie Comes to Town

For one night only: Mr Jools Holland OBE

We had the pleasure of hiring one our pianos: “Play with the Stars”, the Yamaha G2 White Grand piano to an event with Mr Jools Holland OBE.

Jools Holland attended a retirement service for Reverend Edward Wright of St Georges Church in Wrotham, Kent, the same church where Jools married his wife, Christabel, in 2005.

We ensured that the piano was in perfect tune for this special occasion and I am sure all that were there would agree the piano sounded fantastic. It was ready for the performance on Sunday afternoon.

I was introduced to Jools and Christabel and had an interesting and enjoyable discussion about our favourite styles of music including Boogie Woogie and Rockabilly. Jools has recently released a Rockabilly CD with the Barnestormers and was pleased to hear that this had already been added to my collection!

Jools played a selection of songs and the audience were on their feet, dancing in the aisles, to the Boogie Woogie numbers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yptq1drrMcE

27/12/2023

27/12/2023

Welcome to Kent Pianos

Discover the world of premium pianos at Kent Pianos! From aspiring beginners to seasoned maestros, we cater to all musical journeys by offering an extensive range of Yamaha, Kawai, Steinway, Bluthner, and many other renowned piano brands.

🎵 Why Choose Kent Pianos?
At Kent Pianos, we pride ourselves on providing a unique blend of expertise and personalised attention, with over 25 years of experience. We will ensure you find the perfect piano to fulfil your musical aspirations.

👨‍👩‍👦Our family run business possesses the knowledge of various styles and brands, from concert grand pianos to upright pianos, guaranteeing an exceptional selection that fits both your room and your budget.

🛒 Explore Our Showroom:
Located near Sevenoaks, our showroom in Wrotham boasts a diverse collection of new and reconditioned pianos. We offer a complete piano buying experience, introducing you to a level of service that goes beyond the ordinary piano shop experience. Book your appointment today at Kent Piano Shop!

🌍 Free Delivery & Competitive Prices:
For our valued customers within 10 miles of our showroom, enjoy complimentary delivery! Beyond that, we offer excellent rates to ensure that your dream piano reaches you with care. At Kent Pianos, we are confident that you'll find the perfect piano at a highly competitive price.