The purpose of this article is to provide the prospective consumer of piano lamps with an insight into incandescent lamp technology and its use in lamps made specifically for grand and upright pianos. A well-informed consumer is much better off and, in the long run, much happier with their choice if they are well informed and have the opportunity to compare before they buy.
Piano lamps that use incandescent technology use a conventional incandescent light bulb or better known as the standard home light bulb. The light bulb produces light by heating a filament to a high temperature until it glows. Most incandescent lamps are used in a socket that provides electrical connections. Incandescent bulbs come in a wide range of piano led sizes, voltages and wattages. They are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and operate on both AC and DC power. For these reasons, incandescent lamps are widely used in homes, businesses, and elsewhere.
Incandescent bulbs are a very inefficient technology, typically converting less than 10% of the light while converting about 90% of the energy consumed into heat. That's why they get so hot. For this reason, many consumers are also opting for other more energy-efficient types of lighting, such as LED technology, which I will discuss in a later article. In some areas of the United States, these lightbulbs are being phased out entirely and replaced with more energy-efficient types of lighting technology.
But many people prefer these still more modern alternatives. These bulbs are usually easy to find at local supermarkets and hardware stores so replacing them is not usually a problem. Some consumers prefer the light from an incandescent bulb, which is usually described as white light but often appears more yellow than white.
Whatever the reason, there are many consumers who prefer the incandescent bulb to other lighting options.
Luckily for these people, the House of Troy Lighting Company still uses this technology, along with other more modern lighting technologies. Piano lamps that use incandescent bulbs are available for both grand and upright pianos. Available in a variety of colors and styles, these lamps offer other benefits to the pianist such as: and easy access to on/off switches. They also look great on the piano!
Helpful tips for buying a piano lamp
When you decide to buy a lamp for your piano, it is very important to take some time to research the different types of lamps that are available. There are many differences between piano lamps and in order to make the best choice, it is important to understand what each lamp has to offer.
Even before you start researching piano lamps, you should make a list of things that will meet your piano lighting needs. Below is a short list of things to consider:
Know your piano type (grand, vertical, etc.)
- How much light (Watt) do you need ?
- Which style lamp do you prefer?
- What kind of lighting technology do you like (incandescent lamp, LED, etc)
- Which color and design best suits your piano and room decor
First on the list above is knowing your piano type. This may seem overly simple, but it can get confusing for some people. It's easy to tell the difference between a grand piano and an upright piano. Confusion can arise when trying to determine the difference between a spinet, console, studio, or full upright piano. Without going into specific dimensions, knowing the height of your piano helps when choosing the lamp. Simply measure from the bottom to the top of the instrument. This is important as some piano lamps work better with shorter pianos and others with taller pianos. For example, if you have a piano that measures 48 inches or taller, one of the best lamp options is a low-profile lamp. These lamps have a short stem that positions the shade closer to the music. If you choose a lamp with the shade positioned high above the base, you may find that the light is actually too far from the music.
The second item on the list has to do with wattage and knowing how much light you need. Some people like a very bright lamp, others prefer less light. House of Troy Piano Lamps offer you a variety of wattages, with some having the flexibility to use both lower and higher wattages. In general, lamps with a power of 60-80 watts provide plenty of light to read any sheet music or music book well.
The choice of lamp style has a lot to do with your piano type. If you have a grand piano, you should check out the specially designed grand piano lamps. There are 3 basic types. The clip-on or clip-on lamp is attached to the music stand (also called music shelf or music holder). These lamps have special clamps lined with a soft padding material so they won't damage your piano. Counterbalance lamps have a solid base and a long arm with an attached shade. They are designed to sit on either side of the music stand (on either side) and the arm extends to place the screen 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 have a long arm that places the lampshade over the music. If you have a piano, the first thing to do is measure the height of the piano and then look for a piano lamp that best suits your piano height. Low profile lamps are great for taller stands. Standard, height-adjustable floor lamps work well for shorter or medium-sized pianos (spinets and consoles).
Different types of lighting technology are used today. Choices are incandescent (domestic lighting), which uses incandescent bulbs, fluorescent, halogen and LED lighting technology, which is much more energy efficient and does not require bulb replacement.
The last thing on our short list is choosing a design to your liking. This is a very personal decision, influenced by the color and style of your piano, as well as the look and feel of the room the piano is in. Luckily, House of Troy has a wide range of lamp designs and colors to choose from from each of their lamp categories.