[CAUT] Practicing on concert instruments...again...

[Porritt, David]

When students bring up the idea of being able to practice on the concert grand I ask them if there's a practice room piano that they would choose for their recital.  Then I say, if you all practice on the concert piano it will become another practice piano in the same condition as the ones you now use.  I can't keep the practice room pianos in concert ready condition, and certainly can't keep the concert grand in that condition if they are beating it 24/7.

dp


David M. Porritt, RPT
dporritt at smu.edu<mailto:dporritt at smu.edu>

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jim Busby
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 2:29 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: [CAUT] Practicing on concert instruments...again...

All,

I know we've gone over this time and again, but...

The new School of Music director wants students to have access to the concert instruments for practicing. Current policy is that they have access ONE TIME (one rehearsal) before their recital. We will meet with him next week to discuss this. I'm trying to find the "right" catch phrases to convey my ideas.

Would you agree or disagree with the following statements; (Or re-word, etc.)


1.       Unlike a violin (his main instrument) pianos do not get "better" the more they are played, but due to string fatigue and soundboard movement, etc.,  a concert hall instrument is limited in years it will remain in optimal condition. (I didn't mention that hammers/strings may be replaced, etc. I'm talking about mainly about soundboard deterioration)

2.       The more such an instrument is played the quicker this "optimal condition" will deteriorate.

3.       Most concert hall pianos are good for about 12 years.

Rubish??? Please tear apart these 3 ideas, before he does.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. I will past use statements from some of you, but the basic premise of my argument against his proposed ("let's give students more access to  concert hall pianos for practice") is that the more "pounding' the piano gets, the sooner its demise.

Thanks!

Jim Busby BYU
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