<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" = xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" = xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" = xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C4A257.02778BE0">  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> I would say that the idea that = practicing on a not so great piano makes you a better pianist is at least counterintuitive, at most, pure BS.  Much of learning and refining = piano skills has to do with developing your sense = of hearing and connecting what your hands do to what your ears hear.  It is not, afterall, the same as learning to type.  The poorer the piano, the more you learn to not listen, to ignore what you = hear and therefore surrender control over what you are trying to accomplish = musically.  Wondering whether the mechanical = problems you are encountering in executing a difficult passage belong to your = fingers or the action can only serve to confuse the issue more and force you into = some bad habits with respect to relaxation that will not serve your technique or = tone production at all.   And as far as advocating poorer = pianos for our adult piano students to improve their technique…well that = would be counterproductive.  = Remember, critical thinking is a privilege, not a right.  You have to earn it.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net <o:p></o:p> </div> -----Original = Message----- From: = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Avery Todd Sent: Friday, September = 24, 2004 2:51 PM To: Pianotech Subject: Re: tax = deductions? <o:p> </o:p> Bull hockey! Avery At 09:23 PM 9/23/04, you wrote: <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> Richard said:   "I tell them that children and or adults will practice more and can = get much more from the practice with a good piano."   That is only good to a certain extent.  After the kid, or adult = progresses to a certain level, it will be more beneficial to practice on a not so = great piano.  It can do many great wonders to piano technique. Matthew Richard Oliver = Snelson <rsnelson0984@mchsi.com> = wrote:<o:p></o:p> That's not what Ryan said, Mr. Hechler. Too = bad about your nerve, must be <o:p></o:p> the same one you often hit when your past = rants about M.S.<o:p></o:p> I will do exactly what Ryan said also. = Finding a junk spinet or console in <o:p></o:p> a nice home with an older child or younger = taking serious lessons on it will <o:p></o:p> bring on a discussion with the mother or = father. I don't care if they ever <o:p></o:p> call me back to tune for them. I tell them = that children and or adults will <o:p></o:p> practice more and can get much more from the = practice with a good piano. I <o:p></o:p> have never had anyone get mad at me, they say = wow! No one has had the nerve <o:p></o:p> to be honest with us about the piano. After = all someone gave it too us and <o:p></o:p> we really thought it would be nice to have a = better piano for our <o:p></o:p> son/daughter to play. Note I didn't say "Grand." And I never follow the <o:p></o:p> above discussion with the fact that I might = h! ave used pianos for sale.<o:p></o:p> Play your antique piano all you want Mr. = Hechler I'll keep on enjoying my <o:p></o:p> grand piano and having the pleasure of going = back to my customers house when <o:p></o:p> they call to say they purchased a better = piano.<o:p></o:p> Why should Ryan keep his statement to = himself? You never follow that advice. <o:p></o:p> Now do you?<o:p></o:p> Richard Oliver = Snelson<o:p></o:p> ----- Original Message ----- = <o:p></o:p> From: "Hechler Family" = <o:p></o:p> To: "Pianotech" = <o:p></o:p> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 3:12 = PM<o:p></o:p> Subject: Re: tax deductions? <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> > Ryan,<o:p></o:p> ><o:p></o:p> > Boy have you hit a major nerve with = me.<o:p></o:p> ><o:p></o:p> > Based on your comment, everyone should = upgrade to a grand. Nearly 99 <o:p></o:p> > percent of my business is the pianos you mentioned below. If which 99 <o:p></o:p> > percent have no space for a grand or = don't want a grand. And to top things <o:p></o:p> > off, I own an antique player piano which = is a Story & Clark which I feel <o:p></o:p> > is a g! ood quality instrument. Finally, = I also rebuild antique pump organs <o:p></o:p> > which are not = upgradeable.<o:p></o:p> ><o:p></o:p> > So please keep your blanket statements = to yourself.<o:p></o:p> ><o:p></o:p> > P.S. I recently acquired a player piano = rebuilt job for a Gulbransen <o:p></o:p> > piano.<o:p></o:p> ><o:p></o:p> > Ryan Sowers = wrote:<o:p></o:p> ><o:p></o:p> > <o:p></o:p> ><o:p></o:p> >> Very frequently I am encouraging = people to upgrade their spinet, <o:p></o:p> >> consoles, and worn-out uprights. How = could I do this in good faith if I <o:p></o:p> >> don't personally value the = instrument enough to warrant owning a good <o:p></o:p> >> quality = one.<o:p></o:p> ><o:p></o:p> > -- <o:p></o:p> > Duaine = Hechler<o:p></o:p> > Piano, Player Piano, Organ, Pump = Organ<o:p></o:p> > Tuning, Servicing & = Rebuilding<o:p></o:p> > Associate Member of the Piano = Technicians Guild<o:p></o:p> > Reed Organ Society = Member<o:p></o:p> > St. Louis, MO = 63034<o:p></o:p> > (314) = 838-5587<o:p></o:p> > = dahechler@charter.net<o:p></o:p> ><o:p></o:p> > = _______________________________________________<o:p></o:p><= /p> > pianot! ech list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives" = eudora=autourl>https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a><o:p></= o:p> > <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> ______________________________________________= _<o:p></o:p> pianotech list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives" = eudora=autourl>https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a><o:p></= o:p> ______________________________________________= ____ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around <a href="http://mail.yahoo.com/" = eudora=autourl>http://mail.yahoo.com</a> <o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>