refuse or rebuild?

[Elian Degen]

Rob, and list

>On the other hand, I was called last week to look at an old, painted
upright
>that had been in the basement playroom (untuned) for years.  There were at
>least 10 jacks unglued,  missing bridles,  a minor 3rd below pitch, bridge
>problems and worn parts etc.  for starters.  But the small daughter was
>going to start taking lessons, they weren't going to get a different piano
>until they found out whether the kid "liked piano" and couldn't I please do
>something?


This is the most wideley used excuse.

I work for several piano teachers, and I find this excuse very often, and I
developed an answer that seems to have worked, and it is true also as I
stated afterward.

Now I always tell the customer on behalf of his kids, to either fix the
piano well or to buy a new one if it is the case, because an unexperienced
student, specialy a small one, who doesn´t know how a piano is suposed to
feel and sound. He will not know what is wrong, but if when he plays the
instrument doesn´t respond, the touch is uneven and it doesn´t sound
pleasent, he will become frustrated ( he doesn´t know if is the piano´s
failt or his ) and will soon live the piano lessons.

After several years, I realy noticed that from the ones who took my advice
in conjunction with a good teacher,  a very high percentage is stil using
the piano, the others even with good teachers, have dropped out.

Now  when a piano teacher calls me for his students, I even lecture him on
this point.

Result Teacher happy, Students happy and technician happy.

Elian