When deciding to purchase a lamp for your piano, it is very important to take a little time to gather some information about the different types of lamps that are available. There are many differences among piano lamps, and in order to make the best choice, you should know what the different lamps have to offer.
Even before you do research on piano lamps, you should organize a list of things that will meet your piano lighting needs. The following is a short list of things to consider:
· Know your type of piano (grand piano, vertical, etc.)
· How much light (wattage) do you require
· What style lamp do you prefer
· What form of lighting technology do you like (incandescent, LED, etc)
· What color and design best fits your piano and room decor
First on the above list is to know your piano type. This may seem overly simple, but may get confusing for some folks. It is easy to tell the difference between a grand piano and an upright piano. Some confusion may arise when trying to determine the difference between a spinet, console, studio, or full upright. Without getting into specific measurements, it will help with your lamp choice if you know the height of your piano. Simply measure from the floor to the top of the instrument. This is important because some piano lamps work better with shorter pianos, and others with taller uprights. For example, if you have a piano that measures 48″ or higher, one of the best lamp choices is a Low Profile Lamp. These lamps have a short stem that positions the shade closer to the music. If you have a tall upright piano and you were to choose a lamp that has a shade positioned high above its base, you may find that the light is actually too far away from the music. Make sure you know your piano type and height before you begin to search for a lamp.
The second item on the list has to do with wattage, and knowing how much light you require. Some folks like a very bright lamp, and others prefer less light. House of Troy Piano Lamps offer you different wattage amounts, with some having the flexibility to use both lower wattage and higher ones. In general, lamps with an output of 60-80 watts provide plenty of light to clearly read any sheet music or music book.
Choosing the lamp style has a much to do with your piano type. If you have a grand piano, you will want to look at the specially designed grand piano lamps. There are 3 basic varieties. The clip on or clamp lamp attaches to the music desk (also called the music shelf or music holder). These lamps have special clamps that are lined with a soft cushion material so they will not harm your piano. Counter balance lamps have a solid base and a long arm with attached shade. They are designed to sit on either side of the music desk (either side) and the arm reaches out to place the shade directly over the music. The third type of lamp for a grand piano is a Piano Floor Lamp. These lamps sit on the floor on either side of the instrument, and they have a long arm that places the shade of the lamp over the music. If you have an upright piano, the first thing to do is to measure the height of the piano, and then search for an upright lamp that will best fit your pianos height. Low profile lamps work great on taller uprights. Standard upright lamps, which are adjustable in height, work well on shorter or mid-size pianos (spinets and consoles).
There are different types of lighting technology being used today. Among the choices are incandescent lighting (household lighting) which uses incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lighting, halogen, and LED lighting technology, which is much more energy efficient and has no need for bulb replacement.
The last thing on our short list is choosing a design to your liking. This is a very personal choice, which is influenced by the color and style of your piano, as well as the look and feel of the room which the piano is in. Fortunately House of Troy has a wide array of lamp designs and colors to choose from within each of their categories of lamps.