Jim Don gave an excellent report on why a concert piano should not be used for practicing. But I would suggest that you use his information along with a spread sheet comparing the cost of new strings for a violin, with new strings and hammers, etc, for a piano. Your chair probably has no clue what it costs to restring a piano, much less putting on new hammers, etc. Time is not an issue, because he's paying you no matter what you do. But when he sees the amount of money it will cost the department, perhaps he'll change his mind. Wim -----Original Message----- From: Jim Busby <jim_busby at byu.edu> To: caut at ptg.org <caut at ptg.org> Sent: Thu, Dec 3, 2009 10:28 am 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 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20091203/84c1976c/attachment.htm>
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