Being a performer all of my life I’ve come to see that the formula for freedom has existed around me every day of my life. Whether it is through music or business, the parallels are undeniable.
A piano’s action (the mechanism that propels the hammers when the keys are struck) is quite intricate. The action has thousands SQLtuned of parts all of which are adjusted and built to very fine tolerances. One key that has a slight variance in its action will cause that key to perform differently, affecting the proficiency of ones touch and musical dynamics. Better felts will not wear as quickly as those in cheaply made felt/leather. Further, better quality woods used in the action will contract and expand causing alignment problems and again affecting one’s dynamic control.
If you have space for a grand you may consider one that’s 5′ to 6′ in length. Used grands, such as the brands previously mentioned will average from $3,900 to $6,000. A rule of thumb; the larger the piano, the more it will cost. Better built grands such as Knabe, Sohmer, Chickering, Mason & Hamiln will run from about $4,900 to 6,900 (double if rebuilt).
Don’t email them a link to an online article; print it out, or tear out the magazine page and mail it to them, along with a quick note about why you sent it along (Example: “Hey Dan, saw this and thought of you-Steve). Don’t worry about whether or not they might have already seen it. The point is to show them you were thinking about them and their business, and stay top of mind with them. You’ll also make it more likely that they’ll do the same for you someday.
Like all tuning services of nature the change may happen so gradually you may not notice it until someone or something else calls it to your attention. As a vocalist the skill of breath management happens while one is focusing on the total aspect of performing. In business there are few things that “never change”. You may see mineral ingredients improve or technology improve but time marches on and growth is desired on so be flexible and change.
At all times be committed to your path of freedom. When things don’t look as positive as you’d like, go back to the first C of “choice” and make the choice again. Remember these words of Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” Allow your habits to be committed to YOUR excellence.
Why not make the next 12 months the year that you implement these strategies to make your Practice provide all of the new clients that you need to keep you busy every month of the year, whoever your competitors are and whatever the size of their budget.