Pianotech

  • 1.  travelling performer practice grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-13-2019 19:13
    Hello respected colleagues,
    I was contacted by an accomplished concert pianist looking for a grand piano to practice on for some time during her future visit to the Los Angeles area. It made me realize how difficult it is for many performers to find good or great instruments to really put some practice time onto while they are on the road. She for example, will be in the area for about two weeks, and is preparing for upcoming performances in various cities, so I assume it is necessary for her to practice daily.

    Most dealers do not want someone practicing on their pianos for many obvious reasons. Another colleague of mine suggested that a school or university might trade the performer some practice time on a piano in return for a mini-recital or masterclass.

    What do you all do in these scenarios? I am open to any suggestions. I'd like to help this performer find a decent or better instrument to practice on if I can.

    Thanks!

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    Brad Fant, RPT
    Pasadena CA
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  • 2.  RE: travelling performer practice grand

    Posted 01-13-2019 19:50
    We work for a chain of piano stores here in the Midwest.  Three of those stores have stages where they have Yamaha C7x's or similar.  It only adds to everyone's reputation and credibility to allow an artist to use a piano as you said.  Maybe you could approach a dealer from that perspective?  On this end, it would be readily accepted by the dealers we work with!

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    Ted Rohde
    Central Illinois
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  • 3.  RE: travelling performer practice grand

    Posted 01-13-2019 20:22
    Hi, Brad,

    I like Ted's suggestion a good deal.

    It also occurs to me that Pasadena Civic Auditorium, and Ambassador
    Auditorium used to (as in 30+ years ago) make some of their practice
    rooms available. Not sure about present times.

    And, there are also the many practice rooms available through the Music
    Center Operating Company of the Los Angeles Music Center.

    Hope that some of this is helpful.

    Kind regards.

    Horace

    On 1/13/2019 4:50 PM, Ted Rohde via Piano Technicians Guild wrote:
    > Please do not forward this message due to Auto Login.
    >
    > We work for a chain of piano stores here in the Midwest.?? Three of those stores have stages where they have Yamaha C7x's or similar.?? It only adds to everyone's reputation and credibility to allow an artist to use a piano as you said.?? Maybe you could approach a dealer from that perspective??? On this end, it would be readily accepted by the dealers we work with!
    >
    > ------------------------------
    > Ted Rohde
    > Central Illinois
    > ------------------------------
    > -------------------------------------------
    > Original Message:
    > Sent: 01-13-2019 19:12
    > From: Brad Fant
    > Subject: travelling performer practice grand
    >
    > Hello respected colleagues,
    > I was contacted by an accomplished concert pianist looking for a grand piano to practice on for some time during her future visit to the Los Angeles area. It made me realize how difficult it is for many performers to find good or great instruments to really put some practice time onto while they are on the road. She for example, will be in the area for about two weeks, and is preparing for upcoming performances in various cities, so I assume it is necessary for her to practice daily.
    >
    > Most dealers do not want someone practicing on their pianos for many obvious reasons. Another colleague of mine suggested that a school or university might trade the performer some practice time on a piano in return for a mini-recital or masterclass.
    >
    > What do you all do in these scenarios? I am open to any suggestions. I'd like to help this performer find a decent or better instrument to practice on if I can.
    >
    > Thanks!
    >
    > ------------------------------
    > Brad Fant, RPT
    > Pasadena CA
    > ------------------------------
    >
    >
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  • 4.  RE: travelling performer practice grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-13-2019 22:36
    Mr. Fant,

    Steinway dealers will normally provide practice space for Steinway artists. Other Manufacturers may do the same. You could make inquiries in your area.

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    Karl Roeder
    Pompano Beach FL
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  • 5.  RE: travelling performer practice grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-14-2019 11:56
    It depends on what practice the artist needs. e.g. would the dealer want them to stop when there are customers shopping? Several churches in town have nice grands, most of them not concert grands but probably good enough for practice, and time on the piano could be reserved, at least in my church it could. The artist could offer to cover the next tuning, if that seemed appropriate.

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    Cindy Strehlow
    Urbana, IL
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  • 6.  RE: travelling performer practice grand

    Posted 01-14-2019 16:09
    That's another great idea, Cindy.

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    Ted Rohde
    Central Illinois
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  • 7.  RE: travelling performer practice grand

    Posted 01-15-2019 06:19
    I've gone to a piano store when on an extended vacation,  just to get my fix





  • 8.  RE: travelling performer practice grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-31-2019 00:40
    Thank you all for your help and suggestions! After I posted this, a local dealer contacted me directly and offered the pianist practice time at the store. Very generous. Perhaps it will draw in some extra business for the store. These are all great suggestions and I will file them away for the future when another similar situation pops up.

    Brad Fant

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    Brad Fant, RPT
    Pasadena CA
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