She introduced me to Gospel Music (which you probably already know is my favorite) and then helped me learn the parts and the different chords, etc.  Always patiently, every time I wanted to quit because it became hard at times, she would guide me through the tough times and help me.  All along she always encouraged me to follow my dreams and I would succeed.

At times over the past few years, I have disappointed myself but, she still encourages me to follow my heart and I will succeed.  She has helped me with this website and stood beside me, behind me and occasionally in front of me when the tough got going.  She never has suggested that I take a different path but always encourages me to follow my heart.  Of course, my heart is in the piano business so here I am.

I look at so many people who had a terrible relationship with their moms or perhaps didn’t have any relationship at all.  I hear stories that make me  hurt about moms who don’t care about their children or toss them aside when they do things that their moms don’t approve of.  I have often said that I grew up in a “Leave it to Beaver” household.  My Dad was like Ward, My Mom was like June and of course, my brother Wally.  I have a great sister-in-law and generally just a great family but I would have to admit that my Mom is the glue that keeps us together.

I’m very proud of my Mom and I appreciate her always being my pal when being a pal was appropriate and my Mom when it was time for her to be Mom.

Thanks Mom

Ric Overton

http://PianoSD.com

Well, let me tell you.  This may work for some but it certainly doesn’t work for everyone.  However, I must tell you that I really do consider myself a very fortunate guy.  Not only do I work with people that I respect and love, but, I also work around my very favorite instruments.  I have been in love with pianos since I was a kid.  But it is WORK.

I don’t know when I would have been through a whole day without having to email a customer, call a customer, visit a customer or do some blogs, or maintenance on the website.

I mean what else could a man ask for right?  I love to see pianos, they make me smile and I enjoy the customers, they also make me smile.    I am a lucky, lucky man.

When I go to work in the mornings at my little piano store on the central coast of California, I actually enjoy walking through the doors.  Of course, the store is not that busy and I’m not overcome with work.  Some days are more difficult than others.

I write blogs for several different people and do a lot of social media work for piano companies and piano stores, but, I enjoy simply reading about pianos and seeing what is going on in the piano industry.

I wish everyone could experience this type of love for their jobs.  The world would be a different place if everyone loved what they do as much as I do.

Ric Overton

Visit us at http://PianoSD.com

It has been my delight over the years to meet what I consider famous people in our industry.  I have met Mr. Fazioli, Mr. Sauter, Mr. Steinway and Mr. Bluthner just to name a few as well as famous retailers like Vern Schaffer and leaders like Dennis Houlihan and others that I admire and respect. I also have had the privilege to meet  and get to know Scott Houston and also the gentleman that I  wanted to tell you about today.

Larry Fine has been writing The Piano Book and more recently Piano Buyer for many years.  He has been known as a mainstay for many piano enthusiasts, buyers and retailers and has helped our industry move forward with up to date information about pianos and other articles about things that we are all interested in.

Yesterday I got an article that was printed in the San Francisco Chronicle entitled “Spring 2012 “Piano Buyer” Features History of Upright Piano Cabinet Styles”

Click on the picture below to see that article.

This is a fascinating read to me because I really love these pianos and I am always, always amazed at what a real pro can do to revitalize the pianos in this vintage.

I hope you enjoy the article as much as I have and when you have the time click over to http://pianobuyer.com and see what else Mr. Fine has to say about the piano that you love.

Ric Overton

http://PianoSD.com

Everyday there is music all around.  Even the Harley that road  by my house yesterday was humming in B flat (must have had cruise on) but, there is music everywhere.  I don’t have to mention the birds and insects and the normal stuff.  I can point out that even the motorcycle has a certain pitch when it revs its engines (not my favorite pitch in case you were wondering)

FROM THE BEGINNING

Even the Bible talks about making music, singing and dancing.  Music has always been a part of our lives.  I recently read a history of music and I never realized that parts of the Bible were originally sung into written translation.

From the beginning

AS A CHILD

As a child

Even as kids we knew that making music would be fun.  Its not until we get older and life sorta gets in the way that we take our interests in different directions.  That’s why I believe it is so important to get children interested in music at an early age.

GREAT MEMORIES

I have great memories of getting help from my teacher, my mom and others that I knew could teach me things.  I love those memories and cherish them to this day.

Great Memories

POSSIBILITIES

Imagine the possibilities.

During this week take a look at yourself and see how you might make music and enjoy doing it.  It doesn’t matter what the instrument is, just play and enjoy.

Make Music Fun.

Drop by http://PianoSD.com and find a teacher that can help you learn.  Log on to http://NAMM.org and peruse some of their offerings.

Ric Overton

I Love My Piano

PICK THE ONE YOU LOVE !

So you walk into the store and here’s ALL these pianos.  Black ones, brown ones, grands, uprights, digitals OH NO which one is mine.  You sit and play every one but the one you love is the last one you would have thought you would love.  Yep.  That’s right.  You came in with a predetermined idea of exactly what you thought you wanted.  The shiny black grand with “that name” on it.  However, the one you really, I mean REALLY like is the satin brown one that is 4 inches bigger than what you had in mind, and to top it all off – it has that ‘other’ name on it.  What should you do now?

BUY IT!

Don’t forget this!!!!!! AND remember you heard it hear first.  Over your life think of all the cars you have owned.  Think of all the houses you have lived in.  Think of how many of this and that you have had or are thinking of having BUT chances are (I think its in the high 80%) you will only own ONE – YES ! ONE piano.  Get the one you like.

IT NEVER GETS BETTER

People think that they will adjust to the sound, feel and look of thier new piano.  They think they will grow into it.  People think that if they just save a couple of hundred dollars that it will get better with age.  Guess what. It doesn’t

I think of owning a piano like choosing a partner.  If the first date isn’t comfortable – don’t go on the second one.  Just walk away.  Be polite but walk away.  It never gets better.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND ?

Spend as much as you feel comfortable with.  Don’t cheap out.  Don’t go bankrupt and use your brain, but, spend as much as you can.  Your family will be happy with it and so will you.

WHAT NAME SHOULD BE ON THE FRONT ?

If owning a trophy is important to you then certainly you can do that.  If you can talk yourself into it; buy the piano without thought of the name, price, color, etc.  Buy the piano you love.

Ric Overton

http://pianosd.com

P.S. Once you find the piano you love then find a teacher that you love too.  Oh and don’t forget a tuner too.  Then- you are set for life.

Remember to tell them you heard about here.  If you need more information check out http://SoCalPianos.com

Send me a message and tell me what you found.

Ric Overton

http://PianoSD.com

I really believe with all of my heart if we all pull together and do things like this in unexpected places.  We all have the power to make powerful influences within our personal circles.

Our piano teacher and piano tuners  also have powerful influences.

Ric Overton

http://pianosd.com

Article on Aging and Playing The Piano

There are teachers all over the U.S. that will teach people of any age.  There are many in Texas for example.  Give your local teacher a call.

It really is never to late to learn.  Recently, I sold a piano to a gentleman that was in his late 80′s and he had never played before and always wanted to.  He told me “If I’m going to learn, there’s no time like the present”.

Stop by Piano Social Directory and see what’s new.

Ric Overton

Today I was looking at all of the events that were going on and thought about how many hours of practice, how many hours of study and how much effort was put into making each of these events happen.  Most people don’t take into account how much work there is in just putting on a simple recital or a simple production, but trust me, HOURS.

Most people also don’t take into account that while we have many apps

Piano Dropping from a Building at MIT

EXCUSE ME ! EXCUSE ME !

With all of the education and brains that are obviously around that campus how is it that not one of these people with their iPhones and cameras snapping pictures and cheering objected to this behavior.  I for one am appalled.

A piano that has brought untold happiness to a home or institution is being heralded in the sky above the heads of those observers.  No doubt doctors, lawyers and dare I say professors who teach at this alleged fine institution of higher learning are standing by watching this travesty take place.

These are the same people who are offended when someone says a ‘snide’ remark to them or about them, the same people that get upset when their hair, clothes, lifestyle or ideas are challenged.   How can this be?  How can this be?  I felt the same way when a national piano company announced their new company restructuring was completed in Nashville, Tn. and they dropped a grand piano to a dazed onlooking crowd of people.  How stupid!

Solution !

How would it be if we were to take this same group of people and took all of their energies, ideas and creativity and focused on the piano and see if they could actually fix it.  Take their noses out off their smart(?)phones, iPods, iPads, and the like and spend some time learning about an instrument that is now arguably 300 years old.  I wonder if their new technology and the wonder this same group is creating and spending countless hours creating will still be around for as long as the piano?

There are piano teachers within walking distance that could have found a technician (and if not they could have logged onto http://PianoSD.com and found one) that are old enough to be their grandfather and who knows nothing about the “new” technology that they brag about BUT  could have shown them how to fix this piano and brought it into condition good enough to bring joy and happiness to another home, family or institution (also within walking distance).

Hmmmmm……..hope I didn’t go overboard here.  If I did, however, download an app and whine about how your feelings have been hurt and ask it for help.  Then let me know how that works out for you.

Ric Overton

http://PianoSD.com

P.S. I understand that this is a “tradition” – as dumb as it is, but, heres a link to a piano teacher and a piano tuner in Cambridge Mass that can help you remove your head from its resting place and fix your next victim before you do this again.  http://pianosd.com/teachers/massachusetts/ for a teacher and http://pianosd.com/tuners/massachusetts/ for a tuner or technician.