The Twelve Days of Christmas

Merry Christmas!  You may have seen this information in an email or learned it elsewhere, but we thought it was interesting and worth sharing:

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?  This week, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

• The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
• Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
• Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
• The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
• The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
• The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
• Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
• The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
• Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
• The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
• The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
• The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol…so pass it on if you wish.

Here at the Piano Outlet, we have lots of great new and used pianos and new digital keyboards if you need help coming up with a gift for anyone in your home (or even for yourself!).

We hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Thank you for visiting us at www.thePianoOutletCo.com, your source for new and good used acoustic pianos and new digital pianos and keyboards for sale in Southern California and the Central Coast, and throughout San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and beyond!

Yamaha Keyboards and Digital Pianos Now Available at The Piano Outlet

Yamaha is known the world over for quality and reliability.  Did you know that Yamaha is the world’s largest manufacturer of a full line of musical instruments?  One in four musical instruments built has the Yamaha name on it.  Yamaha is seven times larger than its next closest competitor (currently Roland).

We’re very excited to join the ranks of Yamaha dealers for their keyboards and digital pianos.  Several models are currently in stock, including new ARIUS and Piaggero instruments.

Here’s some basic information about the ARIUS series of digital pianos:

Perfect for beginning students and experienced players alike, the ARIUS/YDP series provides true piano sound and feel. The Graded Hammer keyboards of the YDP-160 and the Graded Hammer Standard keyboard of the YDP-140/S31 make it a true joy to play, both in practice and in performance. The AWM Stereo Sampling voices deliver remarkably authentic sound. Moreover, the damper pedal includes a half-damper effect, giving you nuanced expressive control over the sustained sound. Dual voice capability lets you play two different instrument sounds at the same time, while a 1-track song recorder allows you to capture your original musical ideas and performances.

At the moment, we have the YDP-135 and YDP-181 ARIUS models on the floor.  We also have the popular P-95 digital piano from the Yamaha “P” series.

The Piaggero series is another great option:

In both design and playability, Yamaha Piaggero embodies the almost lyrical combination of “piano” and “leggero” – Italian for “light” – that constitutes its name. Piaggero provides go-anywhere portability and style while also delivering Yamaha’s legendary piano touch & tone. Whether you’re taking up piano for the first time or recapturing your musical passion, the Piaggero offers easy-going piano fun.

These keyboards are truly portable, running on battery power, or you can add a “Survival Kit” (an $800 value for a nominal cost) to get an AC adapter, stereo headphones, foot pedal, a DVD of learn-to-play software, extended warranty, and rebate coupons. We have the NP-V80, NP-31, and NP-11 models currently in stock.

With lots of features and great sounds, you can have the sound of a 9-foot Yamaha concert grand piano in your living room for a very affordable price!  Come in and see for yourself!

Thank you for visiting us at www.thePianoOutletCo.com, your source for Yamaha digital pianos and keyboards and new and good used acoustic pianos for sale in Southern California and the Central Coast, and throughout San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and beyond!

 

Exercise Your Brain

A recent study, reviewed by online service Faculty of 1000 Biology and Medicine, concluded that “practicing a musical instrument connects and develops the motor systems of the brain, refining the entire neurological system in ways that can’t be done through any other activity.”  Imagine that!  Learning to play the piano can help your brain think better!

Many studies through the years have found similar data, that playing a musical instrument helps you in so many ways, including using your brain.  Dr. Richard Haier, a University of California Irvine professor of pediatric neurology, said, “In some ways, the brain is like a muscle.” Well, you know what happens when you go to the gym and work out.  Your muscles get stronger and work better, and you can do more.  Your brain needs a workout too.  Have you exercised your mind today?  Practice the piano!

Thank you for visiting us at www.thePianoOutletCo.com, your source for new and good used acoustic upright and grand pianos, new digital pianos, and piano benches for sale in Oxnard (and greater Southern California), Nipomo (and the Central Coast), and throughout San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and beyond!

The Monster in the Living Room

It’s funny how, when reflecting on childhood memories, some adults recall the piano as a monstrous creature sitting in a corner of the living room.  The piano (or, more likely, the teacher) may have become a symbol to us of anxiety and fear, especially on piano lesson days.  Even at an early age, we may have vowed never to subject anyone else to this form of “punishment.”

Today, as parents, we look at our children and wonder if those little hands of theirs aren’t just the right size to take the world by storm.  “Maybe this kid’s going to feel the need to play the blues someday.  Or maybe Brahms!”  And for ourselves (whether we have kids or not), a voice inside may be saying:  “It’s time to stop merely listening to music.  It’s time to give yourself another chance.”

As we get close to Halloween, when ghost and goblins and monsters in costume abound, why not get a “monster” of your own—a piano—to put in your living room?  Get over your fears and make some beautiful music!

Thank you for visiting us at www.thePianoOutletCo.com, your source for new and good used acoustic pianos, new digital pianos, and piano benches for sale in Oxnard (and greater Southern California), Nipomo (and the Central Coast), and throughout San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and beyond!

Kawai Fall Instant Rebate

Each fall, Kawai offers instant rebates of up to $1,000, on selected models, so now is a great time to buy Kawai pianos.  This rebate program has been extended to October 31, 2011.  Come in now and see why Kawai is the choice of so many musicians and instrumental artists around the world.

Thank you for visiting us at www.thePianoOutletCo.com, your source for new and good used acoustic pianos and new digital pianos for sale in Southern California and the Central Coast, and throughout San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and beyond!

 

Kurzweil CUP-2 Compact Upright Digital Piano

We just received Kurzweil’s new Compact Upright, CUP-2, digital, the latest addition to their growing family of home digital pianos.  This instrument features the usual terrific Kurzweil sounds, including their famous Triple Strike Grand Piano (with a dedicated Grand Piano button), and world-class sounds in every category: rich strings and orchestral sounds, realistic electric pianos, drums, basses, guitars and synthesized sounds.

The Kurzweil CUP-2 has an 88-note “wood embedded” graded hammer action and genuine wood keys, for a balanced response and great feel.  Its sleek cabinet is classy-looking with an ebony polish finish, but, at 42” high and less than 17” deep, it earns the name “compact.”  It includes a slow-close fallboard, like high-end acoustic pianos.

And although the CUP-2 doesn’t take up much space, with it’s 130-watt, bi-amped, 4-speaker system, this digital piano fills the room with spectacular sound.

We have the Kurzweil CUP-2 model in stock in our Oxnard store.  Come in and try one out! (Kurzweil & other brand info: http://www.thepianooutletco.com/Brand_Information.php)

Thank you for visiting us at www.thePianoOutletCo.com, your source for digital pianos and new and good used acoustic pianos for sale in Southern California and the Central Coast, and throughout San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and beyond!

A Parent’s Part in the Success of Piano Students

Students are heading back to school now, and many of them will begin piano, or other music, lessons.  We applaud you if your children are among those taking up an instrument, since various studies continue to affirm the benefits that learning to play music provides.  A piano student is required to use his or her aural, visual, and tactile senses all at the same time, which trains these young people to have better concentration and attention and helps the neural pathways in their brains to function at a higher level.  There are social and cultural advantages to learning music as well.

Part of our business philosophy as a piano retail store is to help you, the parent, find the best instrument for your child at an affordable price as she or he learns to play.  However, once the instrument is purchased (or rented), parents play an ongoing and important role in the success of their children’s piano lessons through the attitude they take towards practicing and learning.

How do you feel about music study for your child?  There are a couple of possible extreme attitudes, one being “My child is going to have music whether he likes it or not!”  This is a “cram it down their throat” approach.  Sometimes the child may be successful, but it’s usually in spite of the parent, not because of him or her.  The opposite extreme is “We’re going to give our child the opportunity to learn music, and if she doesn’t like it, she can quit because we’re not going to force it on her.”

There are many things that children don’t like to do but need to learn as they grow up, such as eating properly, brushing their teeth, going to school, getting enough sleep, making healthy choices, etc., and caring parents help their children to understand that these activities are good for them and provide a lifelong benefit to them.  These parents are firm in setting behavior standards, no matter how much crying, whining, or excuse-making the child may try.  Along the same line, music lessons are good for children and provide many benefits to them for years to come.  Learning an instrument takes time and practice.  If you are willing to help your children past the tough parts in music study, much more than music will be learned.  Help them to be successful, not only in music, but in life.

Thank you for visiting us at www.thePianoOutletCo.com, your source for new and good used pianos for sale in Oxnard and Nipomo, and throughout Ventura County, Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, and beyond!