old clunkers

[Jerry Hunt]

Leslie,
I would tend to agree with you, that they might be better off getting a
decent rent-to-own piano. For children, having a piano tuned to pitch is
essential to developing a good sense of pitch. In a survey done by piano
teachers (not by tuners trying to promote their business) of students
who quit taking lessons, the number one cause found for quitting was
that they got discouraged in practice because their piano at home was
out of tune, and thus they couldn't make it sound good (i.e., the kids
thought that their playing sounded bad because they couldn't play well).
The second most common reason was similar - their piano at home was so
out of regulation that, again, they couldn't play decently while
practicing, and thus got discouraged.

(Note: I can't remember where I read that and thus can't give proper
credit where it is due...)
========================================================================
Leslie W Bartlett wrote:
> 
> List:
> 
> I'd appreciate some feedback, though this might also fan some flames.
> Oh, well, another chance to have FUN.
> 
> I went to a home with a 1913 PSO, all original, a gutted player.  Bass
> strings were simply beyond any twisting-redemption. Dampers shot, hammers
> shot, tuning pins marginal, piano 75 cents flat. Nothing about the piano
> suggested it warranted major money invested.  Keys weren't level, and
> other regulation was out.
> 
> A small child is using it for lessons. The family is "strapped" for
> money, though the live in a home costing about twice what mine is
> worth.........  Lovely solid wood floors, etc.....  Husband is disabled,
> but has a picture on the mantle- just him and George Bush, both husband
> and wife work.
> 
> I told them I really did not want to tune it because 1) it might not
> hold, and 2) a young child is most sensitive to developmental harm if
> s/he hears bad sounds and pitches, and 3) things could start breaking.
> My thought was to suggest renting-to-own at a local store, the dealer
> whom I trus
> 
> How do other techs deal with this kind of thing?  A local tech, who won't
> even look at these things, gave them my name.  They spent  $75.00 plus
> moving expenses on it..
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Leslie
> lesbart@juno.com
> "I've given up my search for truth. I'm now looking for a fairy
> godmother."