Getting in Tune in the Neumann Building

When famous musicians like Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon need their pianos tuned, they call expert technician Aart Markenstein. Now, any Hobokenite who owns a piano can call him too.

With the help of his wife Eileen, Markenstein recently opened his workshop and gallery, Aart in America Piano Company, inside the Neumann Leather building at 300 Observer Highway. The company offers repair, refurbishing and tuning services, plus pianos for sale and rent and accessories such as benches, music stands and covers.

Markenstein returned his business to Hoboken in December after previously being located in the Monroe Center and then having rented space in Jersey City.

He moved to the Neumann Building at the suggestion of longtime friend Eric Chapeau, who offered Markenstein a separate space adjacent to his own shop on the fourth floor. Over the years Markenstein has serviced several pianos Chapeau has owned.

Markenstein said he was happy to return to Hoboken and especially pleased to work inside Neumann alongside other creative businesses.

“There's a nice artisan vibe here,” he said.

Markenstein has an inventory of pianos dating to the early 1900's and before. He said that the wood used for building pianos has to be aged at least 75 years to bend properly, so that his oldest pianos were fashioned with trees planted perhaps several centuries ago.

He learned how to play the piano as teenager, through participating in school and in bands with friends. A visit to buy a piano from an old master in a shop in Bayonne inspired him to make it a career.

“I just kind of fell in love with everything he was doing,” he said.

From there Markenstein studied piano technology, including with Steinway piano master Kalman Detrich at the prestigious Museum of the American Piano, and later found work as a technician for the aforementioned Wonder and Simon and other top acts. Markenstein even provided technical support during President Clinton's second inaugural ball. He also recorded his own music that earned radio airplay in America and abroad.

When he's not on call to the stars, Markenstein services pianos everyday customers have in their homes, houses of worship or performance spaces. According to Markenstein the average piano should be tuned at least twice a year to keep it continually functional.

When he's on call Markenstein said he also enjoys teaching piano owners more about their instrument. He said oftentimes piano players can feel intimidated if they can't play as well as advanced musicians. The truth, Markenstein said, is that piano players should focus first on having fun.

“That makes them want to play the piano,” he said. “It's not just furniture but something that can give memories, and become a family heirloom. That's what I want to see.”

Coming soon: a coat depot comes to the Neumann building, and a bakery and Cuban restaurant come closer to opening.

The Business Beat covers businesses opening, closing, renovating, relocating and celebrating anniversaries in the Mile Square. Have a Hoboken related business tip? Send an email to alanskontra@hotmail.com.