H.J.Fletcher & Newman Ltd traces its roots back to 1876 when H.J.Fletcher & Co began making freted fronts for pianos. Increasingly the company developed into a complete piano supply house, servicing the growing numbers of piano makers in London at the time.

The other half of F & N dates back to 1933 when Charles Newman and Fred Morgan started the firm Morgan & Newman. Both men were former employees of the established C.A. Wallgate & Co of Southwark.

Geoff Newman the current Chairman, started working with his father in 1934 at the age of 14. At this time he recalls more than forty manufacturers in London serviced by eight wholesale parts companies. At the outbreak of the war, Geoff joined the army, leaving the business in the hands of his father, mother and sister. During this period new piano manufacture was much reduced as factories switched production to help the war effort, but the repair of old instruments continued. Before the war ended, Fred Morgan died, and soon after Charles Newman retired leaving Geoff Newman to run the business at the new premises in Hollaway Road.

In 1958 Harry Fletcher and Geoff Newman decided to merge their two firms, and, following the acquisition of G.F.Baker & Co, and J.S.Tozer Ltd, created a truly comprehensive piano supply house. Indeed, from their new headquarters in Covent Garden the firm offered not only a full range of components but also string making, tool making, hammer manufacturing, stool making, key recovering, action repairs and more!

After the war, British piano manufacturing began to decline, a process that was to continue for the next forty years. For this reason, Geoff Newman, recognizing that future growth must come from abroad, started the first of his many overseas trips visiting potential customers all over the world. He successfully secured significant new business, particularly in the Far East and Australia, much of which is still reflected in our trade today.

Good piano playing is only possible if you are comfortably seated at the piano on a piano stool, Therefore, at the beginning of every piano lesson and practice session, you need to arrange your piano stool so that it's the best height for piano playing. The best height is one which both allows the elbow/upper arm to fall freely from the shoulder, and allows the forearm to be parallel to the floor when the forearm and hand are in their natural shape -- the way they are when the hand is hanging at the side.

I don't want to give the impression that we are ever in a rigid position when we're piano playing. What I've described is less a position than a starting point for easy movement. The upper arm feels quite easy and normal -- not heavy or held, not lifted up or reaching forward. The forearm and hand are at ease, but not so relaxed they are heavy. They are in the shape they are in when hanging at the side, filled with the life that makes movement possible. The wrist is in one piece with the hand and forearm, not holding up or falling down. Its important to remember! You have invested alot of money with the purchase of your piano, you should also invest in your comfort with a good piano stool.