[CAUT] Practicing on concert instruments...again...

[David Ilvedson]

I think that is the best argument right there!   Good one, David...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Porritt, David" <dporritt at mail.smu.edu>
To: caut at ptg.org
Received: 12/3/2009 2:06:26 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Practicing on concert instruments...again...


>When students bring up the idea of being able to practice on the concert grand I ask 
>them if there's a practice room piano that they would choose for their recital.  Then I 
>say, if you all practice on the concert piano it will become another practice piano in 
>the same condition as the ones you now use.  I can't keep the practice room pianos 
>in concert ready condition, and certainly can't keep the concert grand in that 
>condition if they are beating it 24/7.

>dp


>David M. Porritt, RPT
>dporritt at smu.edu<mailto:dporritt at smu.edu>

>From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jim 
>Busby
>Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 2:29 PM
>To: caut at ptg.org
>Subject: [CAUT] Practicing on concert instruments...again...

>All,

>I know we've gone over this time and again, but...

>The new School of Music director wants students to have access to the concert 
>instruments for practicing. Current policy is that they have access ONE TIME (one 
>rehearsal) before their recital. We will meet with him next week to discuss this. I'm 
>trying to find the "right" catch phrases to convey my ideas.

>Would you agree or disagree with the following statements; (Or re-word, etc.)


>1.       Unlike a violin (his main instrument) pianos do not get "better" the more they 
>are played, but due to string fatigue and soundboard movement, etc.,  a concert 
>hall instrument is limited in years it will remain in optimal condition. (I didn't mention 
>that hammers/strings may be replaced, etc. I'm talking about mainly about 
>soundboard deterioration)

>2.       The more such an instrument is played the quicker this "optimal condition" will 
>deteriorate.

>3.       Most concert hall pianos are good for about 12 years.

>Rubish??? Please tear apart these 3 ideas, before he does.

>Any help will be greatly appreciated. I will past use statements from some of you, 
>but the basic premise of my argument against his proposed ("let's give students 
>more access to  concert hall pianos for practice") is that the more "pounding' the 
>piano gets, the sooner its demise.

>Thanks!

>Jim Busby BYU