Piano Industry

[Lynn Rosenberg]

Hi John, I don't have a problem with kids using key boards, it's fascinating
for them.  Bells and whistles, midi, etc. It will encourage music, but, if
the next generation or shall I say this generation gets all wrapped up in
these electronic devices, sales of the Acoustic piano will continue to go
down, and more companies will close they're doors.  Lynn

----- Original Message -----
From: Jon Page <jonpage@mediaone.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 9:40 AM
Subject: Re: Piano Industry


> From my personal experience, my oldest son took piano lessons for a short
> period.
> He found it not to his liking. He did however find interest in playing a
> bass guitar and
> was involved with a few friends for two years in a 'band'.
>
> Since my younger son always follows in his brother's footsteps, piano was
> not an
> option, drums were/are his thing, oh joy.
>
> Had we owned an electronic keyboard I think that their interest could have
> been held
> a little longer or at least as an additional instrument and they may have
> developed
> an interest. I'll never know.
>
> Whatever peaks their interst is good. If the stimulation of the extra
> 'bells and whistles'
> holds their attention, then it is good.
>
> Piano keyboard technique is different from electronic keyboards but how
> many of these
> students are going to end up as serious musicians.
>
> Afterall, learning where the notes are is half the battle, learning to
> place the right finger
> on the right note at the right time with the right amount of pressure is
> the other half.
>
> If an electronic keyboard offers the fun and enticement to learn music
then
> the end justifies the means.
>
> Regards,
> Jon Page
>
> At 09:07 AM 10/27/2000 -0400, you wrote:
> > >you have some good points. My problem is this, and I see it coming,
> > >> do you want to spend $5000 on a 7 year old  who wants to try piano???
> >
> >In our store we have the perfect solution for parents caught in the above
> >scenerio. They can rent a piano with the option to buy. So the question
> >then is if they want to spend $39.95-69.95/month for a 4 month period.
It's
> >only a 4 month initial rental period. At the end of that time they can
> >return the piano. If the lessons are still going well they can continue
to
> >rent the piano month to month. When they get to the point that they feel
> >confident that Jr. is going to stick with the lessons they can buy the
> >piano. They can apply 100% of the first 6 months rent towards purchase
and
> >75% from the 7th month and on.
> >
> >The benefit of this is that this is something parents are comfortable
> >doing. They can also upgrade pianos to a better quality as well.
> >
> >Many dealers shy away from a plan like this, but it is a good fit for
kids
> >or adults starting.
> >
> >Glenn Grafton
> >Grafton Piano & Organ Co.
> >Souderton PA
> >http://www.dprint.com/grafton/
> >gleng@fast.net
> >800-272-5980
> >
> >The box said "Requires Windows 95, or better." So I bought a Macintosh.
>
> Jon Page,   piano technician
> Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass.
> mailto:jonpage@mediaone.net
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>