Tinkling through the ABCs (and C-sharps) of pianos

Not every piano buyer aspires to be the next Mozart or Bach.

"A grand piano is a status symbol," Denise Wunderlich, owner of the Southern Nevada Music Company, says. "A lot of people buy one (who never play). They'll just hire somebody to play it when they have cocktail parties."

But where does it rank on household wish lists?

"A lot of people think the computer is an (essential) part of a household, and a piano is farther down in the list," Wunderlich says, pointing out that the priority may be misguided: Evidence suggests that playing a musical instrument can have a positive effect on intelligence, even greater than a computer.

One study, conducted by Dr. Frances Rauscher of the University of Wisconsin and Dr. Gordon Shaw of the University of California, compared three groups of school children: those who studied music, those who played on computers, and those who followed a normal curriculum. A year later, the musicians tested 35 percent higher.

"Music seems to create this neurological connection in the brain," Wunderlich says. "And parents want their kids to learn."

Other trends -- and a booming economy -- have kept piano peddlers busy. "According to futurists like Fath Popcorn, people are in their homes more, now," Wunderlich says. "Also, Elton John and Princess Di did an amazing thing for the piano" (with his homage to her, "Candle in the Wind 1997").

Although they are pricy purchases, Steinway pianos are among the few items that appreciate, rather than depreciate, in value. According to Forbes magazine, their value has gone up 200 percent over a 10 years. Those who bought pianos built from 1959 to 1979 are now selling them for nearly triple their original value.

And that makes used ones very hard to find. "People just don't give them up," Wunderlich, whose own family had one passed down from her grandmother, says.

But if Mom isn't offering any hand-me-downs, here's some advice if you are considering bringing a piano into your home:

* Plan ahead. Companies such as Steinway don't increase their supply, even when demand is high. If you'd like to buy one for the family's Christmas present, better make that next Christmas.

* Though a piano is a musical instrument, it is undeniably a piece of furniture, too. Don't forget to consider the size of the space and the color design of the room. (The most popular piano color is black, followed by white. The least popular is oak.)

* Quality is a key factor. "Buy as much pianos as you can afford," the dealer advises (naturally).

* Remember that the higher quality of tone, the better a child will appreciate it. Your ears may not be what they used to be, but a child's are most highly developed when they are young.

* Don't forget to factor in total costs: The pianos may only run you under $5,000, but you'll have to pay to tune it twice a year ($65 each), for monthly lessons ($64), and for moving fees ($100).

* Finally, don't think in the short-term. "Most people never do end up upgrading from an upright to a baby grand," Wunderlich notes. "What you buy, you end up with."

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