Beginner's Piano Guide

This post is a tribute to our dear Yamaha Clavinova CLP-230, which has been picked up by our buyer today. Hope another little girl can enjoy the piano as much as we did.

Many Moms wish their child, peculiarly more often girls than boys, to be able to play piano. There's a certain air of romanticism surrounding piano player. So, here is for you, in case you're looking for one.

Almost a decade ago (8 years to be precise), we bought the Clavinova. For the following reasons:

* Adjustable volume, with jacks for headphones. You can practice in the middle of the night :)

I played amateur piano. So this is one feature I treasured to hide all the clumsy fingers mistakes.

* Yamaha upright piano sound quality.

The sound is superb! Hands down I put my money on a new Clavinova compared to a second hand, or some new, Korean/China brand

* No sound deterioration due to string aging, no need tuning

Tuning costs about SGD 80, to be done twice yearly ideally. So this is a massive saving.

* Real piano key feels, adjustable hardness touch.

Yamaha has a graded hammer key technology that feels like a real piano. Of course, as the skill progresses, you or your child will be able to find a few slight difference. But for a beginner or casual player, it's nice.

* Adjustable sound quality (sharp/mellow)

* Complete three pedals (soft, sustenuto, sustain)

* Built in metronome

* A new Clavinova is priced at about SGD 2,200. An entry level used upright might cost the same, or cheaper. But unless you're proficient in piano mechanism, or know someone who can help you, I do not recommend to buy used piano. Even if the assessment is done properly at point of transaction, there are still many things that can go wrong. Repair cost for piano can be really expensive.

* A new Yamaha upright piano starts from about 3.5k or so. For a decent one that we can use up to a high grade, it starts from 6k-ish. For a start, I think it's good to start with the Clavinova, saving the difference for a piano upgrade should the interest persists.

Et voila... my ideal piano for beginner.

Apple TV

I always try to catch snippets of time to read a jolly rom-com or to watch comedy... Even for 10 mins, it works wonder for me.

A few months back, I was on The Nanny rerun on my iPhone (yay YouTube).

Hubby took a pity on me and my little screen and he bought me an iPad.

Since then, the children have also been enjoying My Little Pony on iPad. Two little bodies were huddled together in front of the VUT (Very Useful Thing).

So... Dear Hubby, bless him, bought us and Apple TV.

Before purchase, I was sceptical. Why pay for something which in essence only allowing the TV to access internet? But he assured me that it will be worth every cent.

So, as I have marveled at iPad, I continued to a greater height of respect for Apple product. (In fact, since this discovery, I have been reading Steve Jobs biography. Very much intrigued on how his mind works, what's the background behind good invention).

As a product, it gave us a wide spectrum of joy. Watch movie, share photos, share videos, karaoke, ... Even the kids had fun using iPad/iPhone camera in one room, and watching what's happening through the TV. 

One thing that I salut most is Apple ability to design a somewhat modular joyful devices that works together, as well as solo. And that, at a price that is acceptable. Based on experience that our iPhone 3G is still working fine until now, I put my hope high that Apple product is also long lasting. 

Sadly, this post is not sponsored by Apple. It's purely my opinion in supporting a good product, of a man who leaves this world with a bang.