The teacher's piano

[Clyde Hollinger]

Jay,

I think I was actually objecting to teachers having inferior pianos
(piano-shaped objects) PLUS not keeping their pianos well maintained,
which I failed to state.  Isn't it likely that the progress of the
student can be helped or hindered by the quality of the teaching piano?

I was not aware that Baldwin made any Hamiltons that are consoles.  All
the ones I service are studios, and studios are in general of better
quality than the average console.

And, just in case you're wondering, I do not have an expensive piano. 
We still have the 1965 Hobart M. Cable console we bought before we got
married 27 years ago, well before I knew anything about pianos.  I am
not a pianist or a piano teacher, so my choosing to trade it in on a
better quality piano or a grand would be largely symbolic.  :-)  Feel
free to respond.

Regards,
Clyde Hollinger

> Why is it sad?  I am also a piano teacher with 41 students.  I teach
> beginning through advanced on the 4 periods plus jazz piano.  What do I use?
>   A Baldwin Hamilton console.  Do you think I would ever let 41 students
> play (or pound in some cases) on a weekly basis on a grand piano if I
> actually could afford one?  If I ever save up for one, it certainly goes in
> my living room and not in the studio.  I have to regulate and replace minor
> parts every summer.  Most piano teachers cannot afford to do the same.
>
> All but one of the piano teachers I serve all have good quality consoles.
> The teacher with the grand has a spinet for students, a grand for herself.
> She only lets her top students play it once in a while before recitals and
> such.
>
> Just my 2 cents,
>
> Jay Mercier
> Piano Technician / Teacher
> Glenwood, MN


> Clyde wrote:
> Unfortunately, for every teacher I serve who has a decent grand
> >piano, there is one (or more) who has a spinet, console, or old
> >upright.  Sorta sad, in my mind.