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Showing posts from October, 2010

Thinking of Buying a Second-hand Piano Privately?

By David A Robinson Hundreds of second-hand pianos change hands privately every year. Only a mall number are in good playing condition. We know for buying second-hand pianos and preparing them for resale is an important part of our business. Of the many pianos offered to us we actually buy fewer than one in ten of them - and almost every one needs work on it to a greater or lesser extent When looking for a piano it is important to remember two things. Pianos are not all of the same quality. Before 1914, in the boom years of piano sales, huge numbers were made in small workshops to satisfy the demand for cheap pianos. They were of poor quality when new and hundreds are still around, several generations later, in dreadful condition. There were some excellent pianos made in the 1920's and 1930's. They are now 60,70,80, years old - nearly old age in the lifespan of a piano. If they have been well maintained during their life they can still be good instruments, but

Music Promotion Companies - Don't Get Ripped Off!

By Chris Rockett Music promotion companies are great for bands who have a little bit of a marketing budget. You can get more fans and more success without having to spend hours and hours every day in front of the computer spamming the social networks and record companies. I think it's a crime that so many musicians spend two to three hours a day promoting their music, then spend only an hour a week actually producing any songs. There is a little sum I like to do that keeps me on track with my music marketing. It goes like this... Spend 80% of your time making music. Spend 20% of your time marketing music. The 20% may be two hours a week talking and working with music promotion companies creating a marketing plan. Making better and better music is like rocket fuel for all your marketing efforts because suddenly people will be falling in love with what you do and the real fans will start rolling in. I have a dream.... Let's say you're in a band with four o