The teacher's piano

[Frank Cahill]

Jay Mercier wrote:
> 
> Clyde and list,
> 
> 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.
> 
> 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
> 
> >

Jay, the problem is that most piano teachers that I meet have beat up
old pianos.  They are barely playable let alone good enough to learn
good technique.

I don't think a grand is needed, but 30-50 year old spinets and consoles
that are badly out of regulation is not a good way to go.

I'm currently writing articles for a music teachers org., hoping to
educate these folks on piano care.  So far, the feedback has been great
and I'm getting more work.


-- 

Frank Cahill
Associate Member, Piano Technicians Guild
Northern Va