List, I recently did a research project on how having a bad piano affects the practicing habits and attitudes of young piano students. My survey revealed that students with poor pianos are more likely to: * practice less than 30 minutes at at time * only practice 3 days per week or less * have to take piano lessons for more years in order to reach a desired proficiency (see comment below) * play other instruments as well as the piano * also be involved in other non-school activities * have other people in the family who play an instrument My thinking on some of these matters is that those with real interest, talent, and perseverance will keep on trying despite difficulties (a bad piano). But because they may not be getting as much satisfaction out of their piano playing as they should (perhaps without even realizing it) they try to fulfill that need with other musical instruments or other activities. The study did not consider the many people who may have given up on their lessons due to the same difficulties. Concerning the fact that many more students with poor pianos have taken lessons for more years than those with good pianos, I conclude that if they had spent $100 to $200 in order to get their piano in good condition, they would probably have advanced to their present proficiency in four years or less instead of five years or more, thus saving at least double that amount on piano lessons. Or, in the same amount of time they would have advanced much further. To receive a complete report on this study, please contact me directly at: mailto:wallyts@compuserve.com (I am not currently signed on to this list.) There is a small charge for the report. Wally Scherer, Norfolk, Virginia, USA mailto:WallyTS@iName.com Web page: http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/2411 May the Christ of Christmas fill your hearts with joy!
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