What does 2012 hold in store for digital pianos?

Classical Pianist Yana Reznik was amazing playing on the new Roland Digital Pianos.

As I prepared for my whirlwind trip to the NAMM Show – the music product industry’s biggest trade show and the biggest trade show on the West coast – I loaded my trusty backpack, as would an experienced mountain climber. Without the proper necessities; camera, headphones, notepad, water and snacks, I could risk becoming lost or disoriented in a teaming sea of buyers, reporters and music celebrities. My experience paid off and I returned unscathed with the exception of some minor blisters from hiking the show floor and summiting the Anaheim Convention Center stairs.

We live in the age of the iPad, so it’s fair to say we all hold pretty high expectations for electronics. When it comes to digital pianos, it’s fair to say, I’m a tough critic. The good news is that the best continues to improve and prices are holding fairly steady. The downside is that none of the off-brands have made serious attempts to catch up to the industry leaders.

Top Five Digital Pianos at the 2012 NAMM Show

1. Roland HP507 (est $5,799)
2. Yamaha AvantGrand (est $19,995)
3. Roland HP505 (est $4,599)
4. Roland HP503 (est $3,099)
5. Galileo VP-121 (est $3,000)

Roland has held true to tradition and raised the bar again. Their acclaimed “HP” series has been revamped with new models expected to be available in the spring.

Although representatives said the new models have a new sound engine, it was difficult to notice any improvement over the current SuperNatural sound engine. Whether or not it has changed, Roland still was the Best in Show digital piano sound. What else can you expect in their new pianos?

While other companies are still trying to catch up to Roland’s PHA (Progressive Hammer Action) keyboards, Roland has moved beyond keys to focus on pedals, introducing the Progressive Damper Action pedals that go way beyond the half-pedal function of lesser brands. Advanced players are going to love the new pedaling, although beginner and intermediate players probably won’t notice much difference from the current HP models.

Roland has also added new classical fortepiano and harpsichord sounds, again, not something that most players will notice but a huge benefit for those wanting a historic sound without the maintenance and expense of an old piano or off-board sound samples.

All their new models offer low power consumption and dynamic piano sound, but what I really noticed is that Roland has picked up on the only shortcoming they have had until now… the hook for hanging headphones under the keyboard. Fantastic!

The brand that most people consider before buying a Roland is Clavinova by Yamaha. It seems that they may be ready to concede the mid-price range to Roland and are focusing instead on their low-end Arius models and high-priced AvantGrand models. They showed the same models from three years ago while displaying what appeared to be a prototype upright style (no release date was available) that will probably cost about 20% more than the acclaimed Roland HP307. While both samples sounded good, the consensus remained that it’s just not pleasant to play on a digital piano that is sampled from a Yamaha. Nothing new was introduced in the Clavinova line and reps continued to talk about last year’s features.

While the AvantGrand is still a cool concept, I was disappointed that I couldn’t get any answers about maintenance and regulating the action. Conventional digital pianos, like the Roland RP and HP series, are stable mechanisms. AvantGrand models, according to reps and their website, use a “specialized” grand piano action – wood parts with bushings like in traditional pianos. Since these are based on traditional pianos, they must be likely to need regulation as they get played, right? I couldn’t get an answer, but it’s probably reasonably to assume that people who want a digital piano do not want something that needs a lot of maintenance. Bottom line, they’re just as nice as they were three years ago, but even when a cheaper one comes out, it will still cost more than the more stable and better sounding Roland HP-307. This is a  cool experiment, but trying to reverse engineer something that works well in a traditional piano to work in a digital piano seems like an unnecessary challenge.

The fringe digital piano companies Casio, Kawai and Kurzweil offered nothing new or exciting; just the same digitized sounds and questionable build.

The one pleasant surprise was the Galileo digital piano. These guys are sticking to basics and focusing on sound and touch. Of the scores of digital pianos I played, the Galileo was the third best sounding brand, after the Roland and AvantGrand. Everything else was a far distant fourth place.

Made of Italian electronics and including a Fatar keyboard action, they had a simple, easy to use design. They are expected to be on par pricewise to the fringe companies, but much better built.  I would trust them to be a great digital piano for beginning players looking for something in the $1,500-3,000 price range, soundly outperforming the overpriced Yamaha Arius.

It was a great and exhausting show. While I would have expected to see more manufacturers stepping up to the plate to attract customers to their brands, it was comforting to see that Roland is still making the premier digital pianos, building with the environment in mind and keeping their prices fair.

If you’d like to learn more about how the upcoming models compare to the current models, stop by the showroom anytime. I would love to show you around.

On November 3, 2011, my great-aunt Ruth Billings passed away in much the same way that she lived; peacefully and surrounded by family and music. While many of my friends in the piano community have heard stories about my Aunt Ruth, there are two things about my favorite piano teacher that almost nobody knew.

One amazing fact is that she had a massive heart attack nearly twenty years ago that destroyed 60% of her heart. Even more amazing than her survival was that the extent of the damage was not fully understood until after she died. Still, in what she described as her “bonus time,” Ruth Isabelle Billings did more with 40% of a heart than most people dream of in a lifetime.

After retiring and recovering from the heart attack, Ruth quietly resumed teaching at her church. “She taught more than 500 students over the years; it may have been 1,000,” her pastor, Wayne Van Gelderen, Jr., told me at the reception following her memorial service last month. “You could see, feel her passion for music. She just loved teaching and the kids loved her.”

During the service, Pastor Van Gelderen illustrated her love for her students by explaining why so many pianos were assembled in the sanctuary. “What none of you know is that Ruth donated these pianos,” he said. “These are not even all of them! But we thought it would be a fitting tribute to Ruth to have some of her students play for her on her pianos.” As the students performed one of her favorite hymns, my cousin turned to me and proudly said, “I never knew mom did that.”

The other surprise about my aunt is that she actually influenced more students than even Pastor Van Gelderen could imagine. After 20 years of teaching, Ruth went to work as a writer/arranger for my grandfather’s publishing company, Zeb Billings Publishing, where she worked with Keith Mardak. When Mardak moved to Hal Leonard Music Publishing, Ruth followed and spent 14 years influencing their classical music library and many of the method books used today by piano students around the world.

The day after Christmas, we were overwhelmed to learn that the International Music Products Association will honor Ruth in their annual tribute at the Winter NAMM Show. I am certain that Ruth would feel honored, but also curious as to why they would include her, a retired piano teacher from Wisconsin, among the music inventors, innovators and executives who passed away in 2011.

Aunt Ruth taught me a lot about life, loyalty, setting high expectations and pursuing excellence. And even though Ruth never gave me a single piano lesson, she will always be my favorite piano teacher.

The Billy Joel Steinway Hall Portrait was unveiled December 12, 2011.

Steinway Artist Billy Joel has found his place among the greatest pianists of all time – gracing the walls of legendary Steinway Hall in New York.

A Paul Wyse portrait of the world’s most famous Piano Man was unveiled at the iconic showroom on December 12, 2011, placing his image among those of Franz Liszt, Anton Rubinstein and Vladimir Horowitz. This makes Joel the first pop artist and one of only two living artists to receive the honor.

The 62-year-old pop legend joked Monday about his painting’s proximity to Vladimir Horowitz’s, saying he doesn’t know “how crazy” Horowitz is about having him that close.

Joel one ran into Horowitz on the street in Manhattan in the 1970′s. “I had long hair and a black leather jacket and I said, ‘Maestro!’ and he thought I was gonna mug him. He kind of ran away.”

Joel’s painting features him standing upright in a leather jacket, with a Steinway in the foreground.

Joel says the jacket was one of the few items of clothing bought without a female companion. He says he wore it for years but his girlfriend recently dismissed it as a 1980s relic.

Billy Joel interviewed on the New York Fox station discusses his favorite songs and plays some Christmas music to get everybody in the spirit of the season.

2011 Sonatina Festival Finalists

On November 19, 2011, 140 piano students from throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa took part in the Eleventh Annual Sonatina Festival.

Top Senior Finalists

Finalists in each age category received trophies and each top finalist performed their competition piece for a packed audience at Full Compass Systems. The top finalists in each of the senior high school categories, Ellen Brandt (teacher Anita Schultz), Anotnia Rohlfing (teacher Gloria Chuang), Alice Ma and Kelly Shen (Shu-Ching Chuang teaches both) also received $100 scholarships from the Steinway Piano Society.

On behalf of the festival sponsors Billings Piano Gallery, Steinway Piano Society and Full Compass Systems, I would like to congratulate these talented young artists, their teachers and parents for demonstrating that hard work pays big rewards. I would also like to commend everyone at Rhapsody Arts Center for organizing this outstanding festival.

More pictures from the awards recital can be viewed at our Facebook page.

Sonatina Festival Finalists (this page is still being updated)

® indicates that age group’s recitalist. Teacher’s name is in italic.

Age Group: 7

Nick Lu ® Lana Robotewskyj

Jason Dai Lana Robotewskyj

Age Group: 8

Antonio Wu ® Shu-Ching Chuang

Lauren Pansegrau Diane Madsen

Age Group: 9

Julia Peterson ® Doug Jurs

Kathryn Christianson Mickey Lytle

Daisy Kong Jung Won Lim

Angela Ma Helga Swatzak

Age Group: 10

Olivia Austria-Kemble ® Gloria Chuang

Ella Peterson Kristie Estervig

Travis Nelson Kristie Estervig

Jessica Kim Jung Won Lim

Katarina Dovat Paul G Fierro

Elizabeth Pansegrau Diane Madsen

Matthew Huang Patty Ladpli

Age Group: 11

Justine Ra ® Jung Won Lim

Evanka Annyapu Larry Elliot

Grace Chen Shu-Ching Chuang

Joanna Robinson Jeanne Felix

Leo Ma Patty Ladpli

Naomi Wong Helga Swatzak

Age Group: 12

Connie Cai ® Shu-Ching Chuang

Brian Yin Shu-Ching Chuang

Crystal Jing Lana Robotewskyj

Christopher Xu Patty Ladpli

Sakura Kayo Patty Ladpli

Christina Wu Eudora Shepherd

Age Group: 13

Sadie O’Leary ® Patty Ladpli

Claire Rohn Sonya Clark

Ella Hall Mickey Lytle

Daniel Jin Shu-Ching Chuang

Tiencheng Hu Patty Ladpli

Age Group: 14

Antonia Rohlfing ® Gloria Chuang

Thomas Tenzin Renee Farley

Lauren Dalsanto Kendra Betz

Michelle Xie Denise Taylor

Elijah Kuhaupt Eli Kalman

Age Group: 15

Alice Ma ® Shu-Ching Chuang

Emily Rohn Mickey Lytle

Olivia Montgomery Beth Wilson

Madeline Chosy Patty Ladpli

Age Group: 16

Kelly Shen ® Shu-Ching Chuang

Elizabeth Grams Amanda Horn

Ryan Senger Daniel Lyons

Age Group: 17

Ellen Brandt ® Anita Shulz

Anna Myers Mickey Lytle

Age Group: Adult

Joyce Beranek ® Mickey Lytle

The Parent’s Simple Guide to Starting Children in Music

To help your child down the path of becoming a life-long music maker, simply think of a three-legged stool. Remove one leg from a three-legged stool and it tips over. And just like that stool, there are three things every student needs to be successful; committed parents, a good teacher, and a good piano.

Committed, Connected Parents

While their role is often underestimated, parents make or break the musical experience. There are a few simple things parents can do on a daily basis to promote the importance of piano lessons.

First, set a regular practice time. Just like dinner, homework, sports and baths, piano practice should happen around the same time every day. Child psychologists report that the happiest children are those who have a regular routine. Be firm about practicing from day one and your child will get used to the schedule after just a few weeks.

Second, practice times instead of time. Setting practice sessions based on “how many minutes” only gets students watching the clock; practicing repetitions gets them focused on their music. A realistic expectation is to practice each song 3-5 times every day. Just like dinner, homework and baths, practice is done when it’s done, regardless of time.

Third, encourage your child. Even today, parents remain their child’s main influence. A few words of praise after every practice session will increase your child’s desire to make music… and make you proud. Finally, have face time with the teacher every week. Spending two minutes talking with the teacher after each lesson reaps huge benefits. During these short conversations, you will find out how the lesson went and where help may be needed. This also sends a clear message to your child that you take their piano lessons seriously.

A Good Teacher

Your child’s first experience with music will likely be the most lasting. While referral services and suggestions from friends can point you toward people who teach, you will need to dig a little deeper to find the right teacher for your child. Just as you set high expectations for your children, you should set high expectations for their teachers. Find someone who demonstrates a commitment to teaching, is well organized and has a good piano.

While the approach to finding a good teacher is the same whether the teacher operates independently or as part of a larger lesson studio, your child should never take lessons at a store that sells pianos. Although they present themselves as studios, piano store lesson programs are overwhelmingly focused on selling pianos. In “The Teach-to-Sell Model” (Music Inc Magazine, November 2009) one owner even admitted that “the entire sales team… is trained to teach classes” and added that “teaching keeps her staff busy during slow times.” Your child deserves a teacher who’s top priority is music education.

A Good Piano

The piano is where the ‘rubber meets the road’ for a student. The abilities of the piano itself vary depending on how well it was built, how old it is and how it is maintained. The best piano will be one that your child will grow ‘into’ instead of ‘out of.’

The easiest and most cost-effective way to find a good piano is to visit your local piano dealer and work directly with the owner if possible. They will want to spend about ten minutes talking with you to get a good idea of your needs. With the help of this expert, you should be able to find a great piano in your price range in an hour or so.

A new, well-built piano – whether acoustic or digital – is always the best option for any student, but if you can’t purchase one right away, consider renting a new piano. The store owner who really wants to see you and your children succeed will offer student rental programs that apply the first several rent payments toward purchase. This typically costs less than purchasing a portable keyboard or used piano and greatly enhances the value of lessons. If your student does stop playing, you’ll have peace of mind in knowing that it was not because they were practicing on a poor quality instrument. Nearly 100% of students I meet who start out with a good piano continue to take lessons into high school.

Parents build the environment for practice, teachers provide the instruction and the piano rewards the player. By building a sturdy stool, you can make your child’s musical journey a fun, rewarding and lifelong experience.

Here are some questions that will help you learn more about potential teachers:

1. Why did you decide to become a teacher?

2. How long have you been teaching?

3. How do you go about setting goals and measuring progress?

4. How do you communicate with parents?

5. What can you tell me about your student recitals?

6. How old are the pianos in your studio?

7. How often do you have your pianos tuned?

Billings Piano Gallery of Madison was presented with a “Top 100 Dealer Award” by NAMM – the National Association of Music Merchants. Judged by an anonymous group of peers, the Top 100 Dealer Awards spotlight the very best music retailers in the United States. Businesses were chosen based on a variety of criteria ranging from customer service, music education advocacy, and community involvement.

Greg and Grant Billings at the 2011 Summer NAMM Show

“We are proud to recognize these outstanding national retail music product stores for maintaining high standards in their businesses, and for encouraging more people in their communities to experience the joys and benefits of making music,” said NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond.

In addition to being the only piano dealer in Wisconsin to receive the designation, the Madison-based company was one of three nominees for the “Best Curb Appeal” award for effective exterior building design. “Our goal was to design a building that would be attractive and get people excited about making music,” Billings said. “It makes us very proud that our store would be considered for a national recognition.”

The “Top 100 Dealer Award” recipients were acknowledged at an award ceremony held on July 22, 2011 at the Summer NAMM trade show held in Nashville, Tennessee.

Why change your store’s name?

Since opening our Madison showroom, we’ve made changes to meet the needs of our community. Everybody loves Steinway & Sons pianos, but there certainly has been a demand for quality new and used pianos in a wide range of prices. Since there was no place else in Madison with that kind of selection, we began to represent brands like Boston and Essex – which are designed by Steinway – and Kohler & Campbell and Story & Clark, who all make instruments that knock the socks off of ordinary pianos like Yamaha and Kawai at a fraction of the price.

It became apparent that some people thought that we only carried Steinway & Sons pianos. To eliminate any confusion, we’ve gone back to our roots and renamed our store in honor of our late grandfather, Zeb Billings, who started our first piano store in 1956.

Do you still represent Steinway & Sons?

Absolutely. We’ve even added a special Steinway Gallery to highlight these amazing pianos. We also continue to be the only authorized Steinway & Sons service center in the area.

Anything else change?

We’re still family owned by the same family. All that’s changed is our sign.

Will you honor Steinway Piano Gallery of Madison warranties, trade-up guarantees and gift certificates?

We sure will! Our commitment to customer service is as strong as ever. Our goal was to make it easier for families, churches, schools and everyone who is pursuing the dream of having their own piano to know that we’ve got Steinway & Sons plus a lot more all under one roof.

Grant and Colleen with Jon Nakamatsu

I was talking with an old friend this week and recalled this inspiring speech by the great Steinway Artist and Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Jon Nakamatsu featuring his ‘startling confession.’ Watching this is a must for anyone who wants to realize their dreams.

Jon performed for our first Steinway Piano Society event in 1999 and continues to be a generous supporter of music education.

Enjoy!

Share your thoughts about music education by commenting below.

Now more than ever, it’s important to let our representatives in Washington know that every child in America deserves a complete, well-rounded education that includes music and the arts.

Grant speaking at the 2010 Music Education Fly-in

Next month, I will again join a team of my peers from the Support Music Coalition (and a surprise guest) in Washington, DC, to meet with our congressmen and senators to discuss the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as ESEA. The goal of this “fly-in” is to insure that the arts continue to be defined as a core subject in our schools.ESEA is the legislation that defines the federal government’s role in primary and secondary education and was due to be reauthorized four years ago. Although President Obama has promised that ESEA will be reauthorized this year, each time the bill comes before Congress there is a risk that music and the arts will be cut.Fortunately, the case for music education becomes stronger every year. Recent research has confirmed that music programs in our schools help students achieve in their academic subjects, develop critical thinking, creative problem solving and communication skills and keeps students engaged.

Joined by VH1 President Tom Calderone and Save The Music's Laurie Lock

Last year, I was energized by the outpouring of support I received from parents all over the country as I posted real-time updates about our meetings on Facebook. This year, I would like to bring your voice to Washington, too.Let me know why you feel music education is important and I’ll share your comments with our legislators. Post your comments below or at my Facebook page.

Be heard and help ensure a more music future for our children.