Piano books history and development david boyce piano services. We have a team of professional inhouse tuners, please book here. This article is a list of piano brand names from all over the world. Many of these piano brand names are stencil pianos, which means that the company which owns the brand name is simply applying the name to a piano manufactured for them by another company. Ten of the best pianos in literature books the guardian. Brinsmead, challen, collard, danemann, welmar by alastair laurence book description pianos were made in london for two hundred years, in factories and workshops scattered among the houses in residential districts. There were piano factories in dozens, and this is not so distant history. Made by challen, london, uk, they have been manufacturing piano s since 1804.
This book tells you everything, and i mean everything, about the history of the piano. This history of the piano covers the period from the piano s invention to modern times, with background information on its predecessors in earlier centuries. Grand pianos are generally better than uprights as the grand action lifts the hammer to the very last minute giving maximum control whereas the upright action lifts and throws it towards the string. Dr laurence is a 6thgeneration piano maker, whose family connections go back to the start of the uk piano industry. This book is a fascinating short history of the piano makers who made the international reputation england enjoyed in the 20th century for musical instruments for. There are a couple of notes which dont play loudly when key is struck, im sure it can be remedied. It wasnt till i stumbled across your piano calculator website that i finally got some answers. The instrument, the music, the musiciansfrom mozart to modern jazz and everything in between isacoff, stuart on. Please note this is a victorian piano so please do not expect a new. This book is a fascinating short history of the piano makers who made the international reputation england enjoyed in the 20th century for musical instruments for the mass market. Over 12,000 piano names are included, some dating back to the early eighteen hundreds. The challen 988 is an excellent example of a well made and stable english piano that is absolutely ideal for a begginer to intermediate level player looking to. Aug 22, 2006 since player pianos are my speciality well, my life, really, i should tell you that there were some concert grand reproducing pianos made, just a few of which have survived. After signing up to your membership i discovered my pianos actually worth a lot more than expected.
Imagine if we achieve a museum of piano history, with the worlds largest specialist archive of related information, a unique pictorial timeline of piano history, thousands of images, thousands of index cards, thousands of printed pages, a collection of victorian books containing piano ads, irreplaceable reference material, as well as actual. At some time in the distant past, ancient man must have discovered that by stretching a thong between the horns of a dead animal, or on a branch that forked, a musical sound could be produced. Piano tuning books richard lidster piano tuning and. Used and new challen list of vertical pianos and grand pianos.
There was brasteds and challens and barrett and robinson, mr. The instrument, the music, the musiciansfrom mozart to modern jazz and everything in. This page is about books covering history and development of the piano and. William challen entered the firm in 1816, and in 1830 he took over the company. Most piano professionals have access to detailed information about these brands using a piano atlas to reference serial numbers, which are used. Like antique books, antique pianos are not worth a lot of money just because they are old. Challen piano for sale in uk 49 used challen pianos. List of piano manufacturers news newspapers books scholar jstor november.
After signing up to your membership i discovered my piano s actually worth a lot more than expected. At the end of 1970 a new company formed by john brasted marketed eavestaff pianos. Find great local deals on challen piano for sale in england shop hasslefree with gumtree. If you love the piano this is book is an erudite and pithy complement providing information and an education on our now sadly lost heritage in piano making. A well looked after challen 988 upright piano, a lovely compact model by this famous british manufacturer. Challen upright pianos for sale by sherwood phoenix pianos. Challen 988 103cm modern upright piano in mahogany c1974 secondhand. I spent over 3 hours last night looking for some basic information about how much i should sell my small upright piano for. Published dates of these modern serial numbers vary, and are not reliable, but we have some dates found in the pianos, usually on the keys. In the 1960s, the manufacture of challen pianos was taken over by brasted brothers, of london, when they mainly made the challen 988 model. Sep 11, 2015 this feature is not available right now. Challen piano working original with chair and it comes with a red velvet topped stool not adjustable which opens so music can be stored inside.
Books which give number dates are known as piano atlases after the. This challen piano features a full size 88 key keyboard, a practice pedal for quieter playing and a decent weight to the keys to help promote finger strength to new players. He is an experienced and engaging writer, and author of a number of books on piano subjects and local history. They were also the uks most prolific baby grand manufacturer, and large quantities of mahogany baby grand challen pianos 4ft 6in to 5ft 6in made from 1900 to 1935 are still in service. Choose out of 19 challen pianos available for sale or hire. An antique piano is one which is at least 100 years old. There are a few pre 1900 challen uprights which can be decorative and have a warm tone.
The history of the piano and events that lead to the piano from 1157 to 2015 a time line of. You will see the very best value for every budget and we can deliver our instruments almost anywhere. Brinsmead, challen, collard, danemann and welmar, the definitive piano servicing, tuning and rebuilding by arthur reblitz every piano tuner must own this book. The location of the piano is in fauldhouse west lothian. The best challen uprights were made from about 1900 to 1935. Numbers on keys or actions are not usually serial numbers, and not usually helpful. The piano book is the bible of the piano marketplace. As can be seen from the roundels, the piano was ubiquitous, and of course piano music fitted the bbcs somewhat high brow pretensions.
The challen firm was unusual in providing a date on a vertical wooden post inside. Assuming the make of piano is good, the bigger pianos have a deeper and better tone and more responsive touch. This advert is located in and around stratford upon avon, warwickshire. Im giving it away as have just ordered a digital upright.
The serial number on a challen piano is usually located on the frame. As the group recorded this track in sessions on 6th7th april 1966 in studio three, it is more than likely it was the piano in that studio that was used. If you wish to find out more about your piano one of the members of our forums may be able to help. Specialist steinway piano dealer, trader and wholesaler. Kehew and ryan state that the first use of a challen by the beatles was on tomorrow never knows, as part of the period of recording the groundbreaking revolver album. Some challen pianos made on the 1920s are double overstrung, where the strings are at 3. This is a charming history of the key individuals and the craftsmanship behind five of britains finest piano makers.
To find out a wealth of information on your challen why not purchase a copy of the world renowned pierce piano atlas. A short history of the development of the piano archived 20080501 at the. Jul 02, 2010 books ten of the best pianos in literature john mullan tickles the ivories john mullan. Double seat piano stool included, with some music books sheets.
Their imperial concert grand is 9 6 and has 9 extra bass keys. I found the book very helpful to flesh out the sketchy details one finds on the internet about the great british pianos, in production up to 2003. This piano was built between 1850 and 1900, it has been tuned and valued by a professional tuner. This book tells the story of five well known firms. The earliest mention of a harp made in england appears in the state account books of 1420. Unusual panelling on front of piano and excellent quality rosewood finish will make a stunning digital conversion. As an amazon associate i earn from any qualifying purchases made via these links. This guide provides references to serial numbers, dates of manufacture, factory locations, a brief history of many manufacturers and other pertinent information. Challen pianos was originally established in london in 1804 by thomas butcher.
After signing up to your membership i discovered my pianos actually worth a. Open the top lid of the piano and look at the right hand side near the pins. See over 200 pianos in eleven showrooms on two floors anchored by our famous workshop. Meet the unique challenge of servicing large inventories with this helpful. Most piano firms have no surviving archives, and as far as we are aware. In actuality these old instruments may be worth very little at all.
Casework in very good condition with an attractive figure to the wood. This beautiful rosewood has been an integral part of my wifes family for many years, but sadly not any more. Robert lowrey piano experts buy from canadas piano store. Robert lowrey has by far the largest selection of pianos in canada. Please post a question on our general discussion forum. The name was changed to challen pianos, omega works, hermitage road, finsbury park, london. This lavishly illustrated book treats the history of the piano from its invention in 1700. Books ten of the best pianos in literature john mullan tickles the ivories john mullan.
Challen were originally a well known british manufacturer, known for specialising in compact upright and grand pianos. Kimball in america owned bosendorfer from 1966 to 2002. The successor to the renown challen mark is proud to play its part in maintaining the heritage that began in 1804. Since player pianos are my speciality well, my life, really, i should tell you that there were some concert grand reproducing pianos made, just a few of which have survived.
The popularity of the piano throughout history has lead to many taking piano classes to learn this historical art. Five london piano makers brinsmead, challen, collard. She found the transition a bit of a challenge, however. Overall condition is good,sign of wears,but nothing serious. This list also includes names of old instruments which are no longer in production. Most piano professionals have access to detailed information about these brands using a piano atlas to reference serial numbers, which are used to determine a piano s age using the year a piano was built. As the group recorded this track in sessions on 6th7th april 1966 in studio three, it is more than likely it. The above image shows only half of my collection, there is another box with other engaging reads such as five london piano makers a charming history of five wellknown piano firms. Crossstringing sometimes called overstringing is a method of arranging piano strings inside.
Popular challen 988 model, made in england in 1965. In the case of the duoart and welte pianos, the spool box the roll mechanism has to fit above the keyboard and in front of the frame, so this makes the piano case longer. Challen 988 103cm modern upright piano mahogany c1974. Today, more than 201 years later, the reputation of challen pianos is still everpresent and challen pianos continue to be greatly sought after by pianists the world over. In this very interesting 6page book he traces the history and eventual demise of piano manufacturers brinsmead, challen, collard, danemann and welmar. Challen placed these adverts in a variety of the uks newspapers and magazines.