<html> <body> Hi Dave,                 I am in the boat as yourself. almost too much work. ;-)   A short statement.   As the new piano production is shrinking in the Western World.   The used piano market is still growing. That's good news for Tech's.   Just look at the Gray Market piano business. It's been growing.  mmmmmmmmmm Is that more work for our side of the business. 'Kaching" Regards Roger At 10:13 PM 7/19/2005, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> <dl> <dd>I can't speak for our neck of the woods ( S. Florida). All of our piano teachers are carrying full loads plus huge waiting lists for any future openings.   Piano lessons are going strong and parents are most enthusiastic of the benefits pianos lessons provide. In addition I'm seeing a lot of the high school students going to the symphony concerts as dates instead of the parting down the block. <dd>Tom Servinsky </dl> Hi---read the article; don’t like his “war” metaphor or approach, but agree 100% about not leaching the fun out of stuff. My experience is as Tom’s above---lotta teachers, lotta students, a big interest in all forms of music by kids, no perception of the piano as doomed or endangered.  At the High End, where I practice piano technology, business is always good, and people always love their pianos.   I have a 14 y.o.; my sweetheart’s got a 16 y.o.; they’re open to anything, and both have what we used to call “big ears---” they can hear beauty in many different musical genres, and they trust their feelings about what they like and don’t like. I think people that are worried all the time about “kids today” and come from a general atmosphere of “we have to save our kids, and WE know what’s best for them” are working themselves into a snit, as my Mom used to say. Treat your own child, and the children around your child, with respect.  Listen to them. Don’t patronize them. Look at their stunning beauty rather than at what’s “wrong” with them. Remember how you were at that age.  Try not to be a hypocrite. End of mild rant. Xxooxo, David Andersen </blockquote></body> </html>