Yes, in fact she is the little girl they used in their video promoting the product. It's an easily installed after-market hydraulic system for grand piano lids.

The first time I saw it in action was last year, when Tom L. of PianoDisc dropped a concert grand lid while my hand was resting on the rim of the piano. He did it on purpose, my life flashed before my eyes.

Yikes!!!!!

Bet you didn't need any coffee after that demonstration!

I think 'that' was the joke!

Thanks, Marty, for the whole report.

Did the new Hailun uprights include the HU-6? It was supposed to debut at NAMM.

On those action problems with lost motion, could be that the local Hailun dealer (whoever that might be ) just schlepped the show pianos in from his floor inventory.

Did anyone else see, hear, or play an HU-6?

I saw and played the HU-6. More importantly, I brought a pianist with me. We were both quite impressed.

Unfortunately, Marty was right. I know the Hailun pianos arrived late and they only tuned them. That was a shame, but it is not a problem for most attendees. We understand these things.

I got a lengthy explanation of improvements and innovations Hailun is incorporating from George (Frank) Emerson. Also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hailun.

Unfortunately I ran out of time and had to get to a meeting before I could try the line.

That said, Rich G's "pianist" would be a much better judge than me:-)

Thank you Rich and Frank.

I saw a photo of Rich somewhere on this thread with a gentleman who looked like Hugh Sung. Would he be the pianist mentioned?

Only 2 of the approximately 20 pianos on display had been 'prepped' to any extent.

Rest were virtually raw out of the crate with one 'quicky' tuning.

Time constraints simply didn't allow to do better.

For finished product, please come to......

Norbert

Saw that, and had the same thought.

If you would like to catch a lot of pictures from the show (not just the piano areas), check out this section of the NAMM site.

They won't be here long...

http://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2010/articles/namm-show-2010-photo-galleries

I work in the software business too. I'll tell you if you wear a suit "everyone" will write you off as some technically incompetent marketing/sales guy. Even if you say the right words you would have low credibility.

In many Internet companies wearing long pants is pretty much "dressed up". I think it's changed recently now the standard "uniform" is jeans and a button up shirt. Or if you are out in public a polo shirt with company logo and URL.

Chris A,

This has been discussed at length, FWIW, you quoted a misquote. You can read what I actually wrote earlier in the thread.

Let’s stay with pianos. They are more interesting.

So...what are these improvements and innovations that Hailun is incorporating...and on which models? (Also wondering, any new grands in the lineup?)

With much appreciation!

Side-stepping a direct answer to above question, this would be my take on things:

Innovations of sorts were offered by many companies at this year's NAMM, but unless they translate into some refinement or improvement of the actual sound of a piano, they are meaningless.

It's amazing how many representatives of companies still push technical stuff.

The plate setting in a restaurant may change, but what counts is the food that comes on the table.

The future of the piano and the health of the companies building them - at least in my way of thinking - will be determined by those who bring enhanced sound and beauty of tone to the table.

Well made pianos there are a plenty these days and the differene in this regard between virtually all oriental pianos is starting to become less discernible.

So one could perhaps rephrase the question: who here has noticed any major improvements in the musicality of the instruments shown by the various exhibitors including Hailun?

Now things start to become more interesting....

Norbert

Frank B.,

Thanks for the link. I just went through the hundreds of pix. While it's good to see how alive music is, it must be a bit depressing to note what a small role the acoustic piano plays in the excitement these days in the US. I think I saw one photo of the acoustic display, and that photo featured some matronly drum-majorette types marching on through.

It also seemed to me that despite the restrictions on badges, there were both many young people who are most likely not industry professionals and many performer types sampling the MI stuff. I can't prove it of course, but the image I get from those photos is a coming together of providers and end-users similar to MacWorld, not one of supply-chain wheeling and dealing.

One final comment. Admittedly the economy is bad, but you can't really sense any of that looking at the interest level in all the musical instruments and accessories that do not come through the piano retailer channel.

With so many makers and retailers voting by their non-attendance, has the time come for those marketing pianos in the US to consider whether paying NAMM dues is enough to promote their merchandise?

Hi Perri & Lily Lady,

Yes, it was a joke about the tuning, although I do need another one. Been so busy getting Frank's house in order, then the NAMM show, he hasn't had time.

Very true and a "pychological" booster of the current downturn.



Yes and no.

While general interest may be down due to the economy, their appears to be new focus for those who remain within the active group.

Fullerton College in L.A. whose pricipal I met over dinner, still has 25,000 students. Other colleges may have lower enrollment these days but the quality of students appears to be climbing. Competition will be tougher but at same time there is an increase of more serious and dedicated students.

If same will be said about the piano industry, we'll all be in for better instruments yet to come.

On the other hand, those who got used to the status quo hoping to make their mark without enhanced resources to move forward - be it man or machine - will most likely be in for tougher times.

Norbert

I think the problem is, the piano displays don't have enough bright colors with bells and whistles that make for more interesting pictures :-)

As for the performer types, there are always lots of performers at the shows, they get badges that show an A (for Artist). There are also often "guests" with Visitor tags, invited by the dealers, and finally, there are family members of the 1500+ exhibitors.

As to the business climate, overall I came away with the impressions most participants were more positive and optimistic than last year.

Frank and Norbert,

Thanks for your comments.



Indeed! Some of the ladies pictured were of great interest, at least to me.



Do you happen to know if the piano exhibitors use up their quota of artist badges? I ask because, as Norbert has mentioned in his comments about Fullerton College, there is a vibrancy to music education in the SoCal area. Fullerton, Golden West, and other smaller jc's have full-fledged music programs. Chapman College has classical performance-level teachers and students in a very competitive performance program and is in the process of spending a $25 million grant on a new performance venue. Then you have the Alpert School at UCLA, a very active music department at Cal State Long Beach, and last but not least, the Thornton School of Music at USC.

I know Frank is personally tired of hearing about it , but is there not a way for the acoustic piano exhibitors and attendees to bring more of the energy from the local music education scene to NAMM in the form of professors of performance piano and their aspiring students? Yeah, I know, it's unfair because it favors the local education scene, but NAMM itself could be accused of the same favoritism.

Unused artist badges, special one-day passes, a requirement to wear face paint and photogenic psychodelic-colored clothing; whatever....it's all good.

Actually this is happening already, albeit at smaller scale.

For example it was a pleasure to meet Markus Burger, professor and jazz pianist from Fullerton College L.A. who performed with his fab trio at the Hailun evening function.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markus_Burger

Markus had been instrumental in selecting a variety of pianos for institutions before and it was most interesting to listen to his take of things as were presented by the different exhibitors at NAMM.

This was a man who could cut things to a chase from a very experienced and open minded pianist's point of view.

Flanked by a down to earth German piano designer there directly from the Fatherland, this was about the best company I ever had a chance to have pianos "evaluated" from both a technical as well as musical view.

Norbert

The 2010 NAMM Show was well worth attending again to keep up on the pulse of the music industry. There simply can be no other convention that is as much fun either. We are in the music business where work IS fun. I did find products and services that will benefit my clients in 2010. Able to catch up with old friends and share experiences that we all can learn from facing the future.

From the NAMM folks:

Exhibitors and buyers who attended the 2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim, January 14-17, left the event with a general sense of optimism.

With a 2 percent increase over last year's event, 87,569 people registered for the show.

Almost 1,400 exhibitors filled the halls, including approximately 250 brand new companies—a new record in the event's history, showing a surge in market enthusiasm.

In addition to all the NAMM Members attending the show, there were star sightings everywhere. Visiting celebrities included Yoko Ono Lennon, Quincy Jones, Gary Sinise, Gene Simmons, Dancing with the Stars' Julianne Hough, Slash, Orianthi, Jason Mraz, Chad Smith, Stevie Wonder and Frank Stallone, among others.