I recently had a client request I replace the stock GH3 action in her Yamaha CVP-305 with a Yamaha Natural Wood action, and I had an opportunity to do some experimenting.
The Yamaha GH3 keyboard action can be replaced with the NW-GH3 action, the GH3X action, or the NWX action. All four of the actions below seem to be interchangeable, with the features as listed:
Plastic
Wood
No Escapement
GH3
NW-GH3
Escapement
GH3X
NWX
Her favorite action was the NW-GH3. Although there’s some subjectivity, we mutually agreed that the natural wood actions were lighter than the plastic equivalents (which is a bit counter-intuitive initially), and that the escapement added perceived weight.
In other words, we found that the NW-GH3 action was the lightest action, perceptibly, and the GH3X was the heaviest.
As a professional piano tuner, I’ve had the privilege for several years of working at some the most beautiful music venues. Cadenza is nestled right in the heart of Freeport at 5 Depot St, and this venue attracts music lovers who come to enjoy live performances and the beauty of its Yamaha C7 grand piano.
From classical concerts to jazz nights, the musicians who grace its stage are some of the most talented and passionate. The piano itself is a magnificent instrument, and has been a centerpiece of the venue for many years. They take wonderful care of it. I have spent many hours tuning and caring for this beautiful instrument, and its well-loved by the performers who play on it.
Whether you are a music lover or simply appreciate the finer things in life, this venue and its piano are not to be missed. I highly recommend taking the time to visit and experience the magic of live music and the beauty of this magnificent instrument.
This is a (nearly) comprehensive list of local piano teachers here in Southern Maine.
This list includes both teachers who work with you in-person, and also
those who use remote teaching tools.
Teachers who can travel to your home are marked with a black star (★), and teachers who can work with you remotely are marked with a white star (☆).
If you have any submissions or updates, please contact [email protected].
I am honored to be able to offer what I believe to be the most comprehensive list of piano teachers in the state, and will respond quickly to any updates you have for me. Some of these piano teachers are difficult to find elsewhere, and all are excellent.
I’ve had the honor of tuning Seymour Bernstein’s piano for several years. He shared with me this video, and I’d love to share it with my customers and the world from my platform here.
These recommendations are based on the excited reviews my customers give me. This list is under continuous construction, and please reach out to me if you would like to add your favorite resource! See my contact page.
Piano teachers
If you’re looking for a piano teacher, check out my Piano Lessons page for a list of teachers in Maine. I do my very best to maintain a comprehensive list!
Customers regularly ask me for local piano teachers. If you are a local piano teacher, please reach out to me and I’ll be happy to talk to you. If you have an excellent piano teacher that isn’t on my list, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
There are two well-established piano movers here in Maine: The Piano Mover’s of Maine and Starbird Piano, both of which are based in Portland. Both, in my experience, are willing to travel pretty far.
Pricing for piano moving is quite variable, and you should have the following information ready: The location the piano is moving from and to; The number of steps at both locations; The size of the piano (length for a grand or height for an upright).
If you need an especially long distance move between states, reach out to Piano Movers Inc. They service all of New England, and come highly recommended as they’re the movers used by Londonderry Piano in New Hampshire.
The first place I recommend is The Bluebook of Pianos Piano Age directory. It’s free, and they have the most common makes (like Baldwin, Wurlitzer, Yamaha, and Steinway); however, many of the smaller manufacturers are missing.
I can look up the piano age in the Pierce Piano Atlas if I have the serial number and make. For that, you can contact me directly. Email me at [email protected] or use the Contact page. I’m always happy to provide this service.
Piano accessories
Dampp-Chaser Pads and Treatment can be purchased on Amazon (pads and treatment), they can be purchased at Starbird Piano in Portland, or you can ask me to bring them to your next tuning! Pads are free for regular customers, and my treatment prices are lower than Amazon’s.
Looking for a piano light? There are quite a few on the market, but I have had customers repeatedly recommend the Lumiens Music Stand Light. The light clips on top of your music rack whether on a grand piano or an upright, but it’s also capable of standing upright on its own if you don’t have a suitable place to clip it.
Are you interested in tools for cleaning under the strings of your grand piano? Spurlock Tool’s “Squeegie Type” Soundboard Cleaner is a very professional tool costing about $80, but will give you excellent and reliable results. You’ll have to purchase it through a dealer (such as myself). Email me at [email protected] or use the Contact page.
Soundboard steels are the most inexpensive option ($5 plus the cost of a microfiber cloth), but they are a very labor-intensive option and will generally require removing the lid of the piano.
Starbird Piano in Portland is a Yamaha dealership, and is the only piano store in Southern Maine. They sell pianos on consignment. They use their own, in-house movers.
Londonderry Piano in Salem, NH is a Kawai dealership, but also sell pianos on consignment. They sell pianos all over Maine, and coordinate shipping through Piano Mover’s Inc, and have worked with the Piano Movers of Maine in-state. In addition to dealing Yamahas, they are the premier Kawai dealership in the northeast, and also deal Charles Walter and Boston uprights.
M Steinert & Sons in Boston is our nearest Steinway and Boston dealership. They also use Piano Mover’s Inc, and ship to Maine regularly. They have an outstanding reputation throughout the country.
Cunningham Piano is located in Philadelphia, but it’s home to some of the best piano rebuilders in the country, and a number of my customers have pianos purchased or rebuilt by them. They orchestrate shipping to and from Maine through a variety of movers.
Homeschooling Groups
I’ve worked with a number of members of Homeschoolers of Maine, who can help with events, group classes, curriculum, and the technical/legal aspects of homeschooling your kids.
