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After many years without leadership, we in the piano industry need to ask the hard questions. For many years, the piano industry rolled along. A general appreciation of music, and in particular, the public’s love of the piano ensured that about 90,000 uprights or grand pianos were sold annually as late as 2006.
Things are much different now. Can we come together and find the ideas that will allow us to turn the boat around and increase the value of the piano in the public eye and entice more young and old people to learn to play.
On behalf of PIPPA, I would like to invite you to a discussion of these questions at the PIPPA Show. If you have ideas and thoughts please let me know below!
I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Las Vegas.
Register online at PIPPAEVENT.ORG
January 28-30, 2025
I have been starting with myself by learning to play more piano. Like the story about the old violin at the auction that noboby wanted until a master violinist played it, I think people, myself inclueded, percieve pianos as much more valuble when they hear them played.
I've been around the piano business for over 50 years now, and like you and many others I've watched the business change with the times.
But I firmly believe some of the changes were a mistake.
Now I realize a lot of these changes were driven by new technologies like cell phones, email, and the Internet.
BUT...
People haven't changed all that much and we should be keeping this in mind.
I sold my first piano in 1968 while working for an old (est. 1890) music shop in Lynn, MA (U.S.)
And I learned the value of giving people a reason to visit your store even if purchasing a piano/organ/guitar/etc. isn't on their minds.
And what were the reasons?
Private…
I do agree that we who love and cherish our pianos should find a solution to the current disinterest in owning them. The electronic keyboard is a wonderful portable device, but even the best ones cannot compare to the sound from a quality piano. -Sharon M.