Hit the Right Note
When you made your New Year’s resolutions earlier this year was one of them to learn a new skill or take up a new hobby? Well why not follow in the footsteps of Benny Andersson, Burt Bacharach, Elton John and even the Duchess of Cambridge and take up the piano? It’s never too late to learn an instrument and the rewards are hugely satisfying.
The wonderful thing about the piano is that it is an instrument that can bring people together whether you’re duetting or just having a singalong. Also practicing music at an early age can sharpen fine motor skills, improve dexterity and hand-eye coordination. The perfect way for little ones to broaden their capabilities and have fun at the same time.
Sussex Pianos, located in the Sussex countryside near Hailsham was founded in 1995, and offers a wide range of new and reconditioned pianos. They stock many brands including C. Bechstein, Kawai, Petrof, Ronisch, Bluthner, W.Hoffmann and Zimmermann and there are over eighty pianos on display in their beautiful showroom in Hailsham, just off the A22. They also stock a wide range of accessories including humidity products to keep your piano in tip top condition, covers to keep it clean and dust free, comfortable stools and silent systems so you can play, and listen on headphones, without anyone else hearing.
The family-run business shares a wealth of knowledge and passion for acoustic pianos which they delight in imparting with those who need assistance, be it for an entry level, mid-range or professional piano. Their services also include tuning, repairs and restoration.
If your existing piano needs some love, they can bring it back to life with a full range of restoration services, from simple on-site repairs to full action rebuilds. John is a piano touch specialist and can offer a custom Precision Touch Design (PTD) service, where he can adapt the ‘feel’ of your piano to best suit your personal playing preference. This has helped many pianists who have been frustrated with their piano or have weak hands and find playing a standard piano a struggle.
John Thompson, who heads the team at Sussex Pianos, has been tuning for Glyndebourne Opera House for nearly a decade, he supports the International Hastings Music Festival and many of his rebuilds are being used to help promote live music around Sussex today. With his knowledge and training you can guarantee your prized instrument is in safe hands as he has restored and rebuilt 100+ year old pianos, using modern techniques, materials and methods and new innovations in the acoustic piano world include carbon ABS actions, hybrid stringing and of course, Precision Touch Design.