WHAT DO YOU DO??

What do you do? Don't you just love that party question? Even if the person in question, is retired, the question still comes up---"And what did you say you did?" "I didn't, but I don't anymore", you could say, but never mind---people have to know--- your answer will immediately provide information that will most probably enable the inquirer to file you into a neat little category. As though what "you do" identifies your very soul. Never mind that what you do or did, may have little or nothing to do with who you really are as a person. In a recent movie, one of the characters replied to the "what do you do" question with "nothing". He became quite well respected and admired for his perceived Zen-like reply. But real life society demands an answer and it does say what socio- economical class you probably belong to, and something about your abilities and interest---so the question is pertinent, if not somewhat qualifying.. I am sometimes tempted to say, I breathe, I think, I eat, drink, and sleep for starters---then, I play tennis, Bridge, read, travel, write a blog, and on the side I work a little,---oh, and I earn x amount of money---what do you do? But that might sound slightly off-putting and unfriendly, so I usually answer the question in conventional career form--"I own a music store. We sell pianos and keyboards." That leads to" Oh, and how many pianos do you sell a day? Or "Do you play the piano"? These are good and honest questions---it's just that they have little to do with what really runs the business. What really matters is the presentation or merchandising of a good product, good service, and competitive prices. It isn't so much about how many we sell, or how well we play,---as much as day in, day out committment to be the best at what we do, which is that, plain and simple, we sell pianos---lots of them. Have for years. We are the proverbial small business,founded over fifty years ago by my parents. I started helping out in the family store when I was a teen-ager---but "doing it" as a career never crossed my mind. To sell anything, much less pianos, was not going to be my "gig"--- I was bound for bigger and better things, thank you very much.

When you think about it, someone is always selling something, whether they realize it or not. The doctor is selling himself, as the best one to administer treatment for an illness. The lawyer is selling himself and his services. The teacher is selling the value of education. The piano instructor is selling her ability to teach piano lessons. All of us are always selling ourselves, trying to make a good impression, or at least not a bad one. But me sell pianos? When pigs fly. Pigs never did, but I flew, high and wide, as a flight attendant. One day, after I left my career in the sky, had three children, a husband and still time on my hands, I returned to the family business. Just part time, mind you--funny how life turns out. That was thirty-six years ago. I now own the business with my husband. It's what we do----

If you're going to spend your time selling something and be successful, it's essential to believe in the product. We have been fortunate to have had the great Yamaha line of pianos---excuse the plug. Their reputation as a world class piano is well established. Still pianos are not easy to sell. It is a product, while admired and beloved by most people as an old and traditional instrument,it is not familiar, in terms of what makes one different or better than another. It remains shrouded in mystery, hearsay, myth, and a good deal of romantic nonsense. People will often buy a piano based on emotion, rather than fact. So, here for your consideration and reading pleasure are some facts about one of the least understood of instruments---- the majestic,mystical, marvelous piano.

To begin: The piano has 88 keys, 52 white ones and 36 black ones---just a bit of trivia for your next party. Each key is connected to a hammer, which then strikes either 2 or 3 strings. The sound then travels through the sound board ---the result is a symphony of strings vibrating and resonating throughout the piano---hopefully all in perfect harmony.

Pianos, like humans, do not necessarily improve with age. They wear out eventually, and in most cases, unlike humans, are not worth restoring. While pianos are a good investment, because they last many years, they do not do well in the antique (over 100 years old) market. They are meant to make beautiful music, and that becomes difficult as they reach old age---unlike some wonderful older pianists who play beautifully. I know a man who says he can't remember anything beyond a month, but still plays professionally---his music and the capacity for it has never aged.

While the sound is of course important, the construction of the piano is of paramount importance to the overall durability.,

The touch, or action, how a piano responds to the player and the dynamics of the music, are just as important as the sound---it is the only physical connection between the player and the instrument and must provide a sense of control and mastery.

Good used pianos are certainly available, but are often hard to find---they are the exception, not the rule, for most really good pianos are kept or passed down to family or friends.

What your friend, teacher, or neighbor likes is fine. But most do not have a true understanding of what makes a good piano. There is much subjectivity to most people's opinions, and little true knowledge. I'm sorry, but it's true. Remember, it's what I do---they do something else. This is my profession, and what I say or advise lives on long after the sale.

Reputation counts---it doesn't come cheap or easily with pianos. Longevity and use by artists should mean something. And it doesn't take an artist to benefit from a good instrument.Most pianos being made today are reasonably well made, or they could not hold up in today's market. But you still get what you pay for. Quality of workmanship and parts come at a cost, like anything else, and they do make a difference.

Your mother was right---you need to practice. Most children will not continue with lessons unless they have parental committment---Asian families seem to "get this" more than our more free-wheeling American cultured families.Talent is great, but practice makes up for a lot.

Your mother was also right when she said, "you'll thank me for this someday". We rarely hear someone complain about being able to play the piano.

Most piano dealers are nice people---and work very hard. Take one out to lunch today! They are usually very good company---they like music and people who play an instrument. Many of today's remaining music stores are to coin a phrase, "Ma and Pa" operations, meaning they are privately owned by a wife and husband. It's called a "big ticket" business, meaning the product is expensive and that means there is a fair amount of attempted negotiating that goes on in the business. Beware of too much discounting-----and remember that the best price isn't always the best deal. The "big boxes" so far have not managed to penetrate this "cottage industry", though they have tried. It has been predicted that "brick and mortar" stores will become a thing of the past, as the consumer relies more and more on the internet to research and purchase. If stores who exist so that the consumer can see and try many choices before buying, do fade into the mist of the past, the piano store may still survive, as pianos are hard to mail, expensive to ship, and almost insist upon being listened to and played before purchasing. They are not recession proof, as most people consider the piano, a luxury, but they continue to be a sign of culture, accomplishment, and elegance. They have been in existance for over 300 years and have changed and improved, but are basically the same instrument as when they first blessed the halls of royalty. Long may they live---

Call me biased, but the piano is truly the grandest instrument of all and those who play have always and will always lend a sweetness to the cacophony of life. To play is to slow your life down and be immersed by the sound of strings rippling and singing ,soothing the spirit like no other instrument. It is, after all, a revised harp--and we all know that's what the angels play. To be part of that melody is to connect with the song of life---and He who created it . It is said that music is the universal language. All humans seem to respond to music, as though we are encoded to do so. Most of us listen appreciatively to music, but those who can make their own are, indeed enriched and blessed. Mamas don't let your kids grow up without some kind of musical education!

So, that, my friends is what I do, how I roll, and what I became---but it's not what I really am ,what makes my heart sing, or makes me dance. Those things have nothing to do with business or money--it has a lot to do with loved ones and friends. Nevertheless, it has been satisfying to take on the reigns of a long family business. It is not what I planned to do, yet like most of us, it is where my abilities and fate led me. I am grateful for it and all who have supported us through the years. But if ever we meet, kindly mention my blog, ask how my tennis game is, or who I think is going to be the next President. And maybe the next time someone asks you "what do you do?"----just for the heck of it, tell them you sell pianos. You'll have all the answers! As for me, I'm practicing on " well, I do---just as I please!" What do you do??"