I was saying something more than that. I'm saying that extraodinary things can happen in the first year or so, even with a crappy instrument. We just have to realize that some of the things that are important to us have to be put in the back burner. For instance, several of my students have started with old Cassios, organ touch, no touch sensitivity, no sustain pedal.

Well, what if they had had to start on a harpsichord? Harpsichord has some "feel to it", because if the keys are not depressed rather quickly, the strings do not sound at the same time. But otherwise there is loud and soft, no sustain pedal, and the number of keys are restricted.

The trick, for me as a teacher, is to concentrate on what CAN be done on such instruments, concentrate like mad on reading, hit chords really hard, concentrate on music, etc.

Obviously that shuts down Romantic music (sustain pedal is terribly important), and it gives no opportunity to experience expressive melodic lines. A lot is missed.

But if after the first year a good instrument replaces the clunker, I just don't think it is in any way the end of the world.

To me the trick is to get students hooked on playing, and if they do SOMETHING that is impressive, both to themselves and to their families, almost all families come around.

Thanks for the all the good feedback everyone. I think I will try to dialogue with the parent one more time, and if she is still resistant to the idea of upgrading, I'll do what I can until the student inevitably quits, which saddens me to say, but it is true. I may not be so convinced she will quit if she were an especially gifted, quick learning student with a lot of motivation and practice, but she has had some issues getting some of the basics to sink in, and she doesn't practice very much at all. Doesn't help that the parent doesn't seem to be very involved in her progress either.

Oh well. I am definitely going to put in my policy that students MUST upgrade after a certain amount of time.

And to respond to someone who was baffled that a music studio would rent out low quality, 38 key keyboards.......I'm just as baffled. But at this point it's the only alternative here for those who aren't ready to purchase anything.

I have to ask.... how are you going to enforce that? Drop students who don't own better pianos?

I can see that some parents may not have the money to invest in a better instrument, some may not wish to spend their money that way. I can think of many reasons parents might have for not upgrading - and many of these are things they wouldn't necessarily be prepared to discuss with the teacher - and teacher/coach/trainer.

I think you can suggest, but unless you're willing to lose business, there is no way you can force people to buy instruments. It is like telling someone that they have to quit smoking, or start a diet - they'll do it IF and when they are ready to do so - not because you want them to.

Good luck.

Any chance of convincing the studio to upgrade what they rent ?
Sure seems like someone there ought to understand!

Strange....

38 baffles me. Smallest I've ever seen has been 49 keys!!!

I really don't buy the argument that the parent can't afford to buy a piano. If they can afford to pay for lessons, then they are definitely able to buy an old piano.

Tuition for four months of piano lessons (at $80/month) will equate to a semi-decent, used upright, even if it is 40 years old. If parents can't chalk up the money immediately, then wait four months, but the piano, then begin lessons.

I have taught on $300 pianos. It can be done. Not the greatest instruments in the world, but at least the keys work. Of course, I wish these parents would spend at least $6,000 to buy a better instrument, but I get the fact that for some parents piano is not a priority. Fine. Then at least get an acoustic.

I'd rather have students start immediately on SOME instrument than wait four months thinking that by that time the parents MIGHT get a decent instrument.

My reasoning is that if I form a good relationship with the student, the child will push for something better, and if the playing shows some promise, most parents will eventually so something about "up-grading".

I see it as an on-going challenge. We educate the children first, then the children educate the parents. Sometimes it works!

I would be so bold as to ask that if the resistance to purchasing a half decent instrument is due to financial constraint, why waste the money on the lessons when your kid isn't learning the way they should be or at the rate they could be?

First we have to define "half decent". And even trying to do that starts flame wars...

That's a good question - My point was twofold - a) that maybe money isn't the issue. Maybe they live in a small apartment and don't have room for an acoustic, maybe they are in a town house with paperthin walls and the neighbours are hard to get along with.... Maybe they simply think that what the kid is using is "good enough"

and b) how can the teacher "make" parents buy a better instrument?

This is a tough one. You can't make them buy something better. It's a "lead a horse to water..." situation.

As far as space is concerned (and I think this was discussed in a similar thread), for about 2 and a half years my family was living in a single-wide mobile home with my mom's 5'9" Kawai grand in the living room. We still had room for the sofa, chair, coffee table and TV. Sometimes I may tell parents that.

I love this story Adrienne.

Just a side note: the photographer who was here last week saw that I teach beginners using a grand piano. She said "That's like learning to drive in a BMW." I chuckled. But no, it is not the same.

While that is true, it helps if you make the horse thirsty before you show him/her the water.

Jonathan

You made me laugh, and I agree.

So what is your idea of a salt block for piano?

From a parent who bought a decent instrument:

I bought a 2-year-old Kawai Grand Piano for half of its original price for my son from a family whose kid quit after a year of lessons. The only reason I bought it is because I figure I can resell it and would not lose thousands (like the original owner) if my son decides to quit. Thanks God that he likes the piano.

Just saying.....

Just as I predicted...this student came in today telling me that this would be her last month.

Not surprised, just a little bummed that it maybe wouldn't have happened if her mom was more cooperative...