Jobs within the Piano Industry

Pheonix · Post by **Pheonix** » 12 Jul 2007, 23:09

Hello,

I am hoping that some of the members here (UK) can possibly advise me.

I am looking to work within the Piano industry, in all probability in sales but preferably for one of the manufacturers as say a rep..

The Piano auction world is also a possibilty, I have over 20 years rostrum experience, but really anything to do with Pianos, music, instruments. I have scoured the web but there seems to be a closed shop within the industry and I just cannot find a way in or even a link to get me started.

My main strengths would have to be sales, I am a natural salesman, and am very good with people so if any of you have any suggestions I would be very grateful. Geographically I live in the south of England in Hampshire so that needs to be considered in the plan of attack.

Any thoughts would be very useful.

Thanks

Pheonix

Pheonix · Post by **Pheonix** » 19 Jul 2007, 15:56

Somebody must know someone or something, is it that much of a closed shop? I have searched the web, even searched the makers but the HR or sales depts contacts seem non existent...

C'mon help a person out here please...

Post by **Melodytune** » 21 Jul 2007, 14:36

It can be hard to get into the piano industry, and vacancies are rare, but have you tried local music shops etc.? Perhaps not much help but at least it would be a start if you could get work at a music shop or something like that.

Pheonix · Post by **Pheonix** » 21 Jul 2007, 15:29

Thanks for that I will start looking round and get busy...

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 21 Jul 2007, 15:56

You may have one advantage or not hard to tell with nick names, but the piano sales side is very male dominated

Why! god knows

Barrie,

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 22 Jul 2007, 14:39

I am SOOOOOOOOO tempted...but I shall rise above it!

Pheonix · Post by **Pheonix** » 22 Jul 2007, 14:59

I must confess I am not entirely certain whether the point illustrated above is as it sounds...Either it implies that If one is male and therefore being a male in a male dominated world...i.e.all the chaps sticking together would be advantageous.... or does it imply the possibility of being an almost lone female in a male dominated world therefore flirting with said and aforementioned male dominated enviroment which could be used to my advantage...it all depends on if I am...

(a) Male, one of the chaps,

(b) female and prepared to court flirtation to aid my cause

but what about the possibility that I am

(c) a roaring whoopsie who can still court flirtation yet retain the upper hand..., it has been known...

now theres a conumdrum...cast your votes please do

Regards

Pheonix

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 22 Jul 2007, 17:24

Gill the Piano wrote:I am SOOOOOOOOO tempted...but I shall rise above it!

Be tempted

But how many have you seen over the years on the piano floor

hammer man · Post by **hammer man** » 09 Aug 2007, 00:42

My advice would be to train as a technician, in ten years time there will be a real shortage. Here in Kent we are in short supply!!!!!!!!!!!

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 09 Aug 2007, 07:24

Do you really think there will be much of an industry left in 10 years' time? I think the discount boys will effectively have 'dumbed down' the state of the art for domestic pianos, so technicians will be less in demand. Some of the high-end and concert jobs will still be there for the few skilled people (and the alarming number of bullshitters) that currently hold those positions. Sales jobs will be poorly paid because there will be no profit for the dealer to pay staff.

Anybody entering the industry now would be well advised to learn a working command of Mandarin.

hammer man · Post by **hammer man** » 09 Aug 2007, 19:53

Yes I do, the trade has shrunk and will do so some more. The upright restoration business is now just down to stentimental work and the odd Steinway, Bluthner etc. But for me it is the grand work which is booming.
Until there is a good grand made under 5k, that business will always be there.
I must admit the Kawai grands are good, but so is a good rebuilt grand.
The news from the high street is not good with a very quite summer about to finish off one very big dealer (the third this year). But all of my trade customers have restorations booked many months in advance.
I have also been encouraged by the positive attitude show by a few of the students from Newark and London, they are the future and it looks better than it did.

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 09 Aug 2007, 21:26

PianoGuy wrote:
Anybody entering the industry now would be well advised to learn a working command of Mandarin.

They were saying that in the 80 but learn Japanese

Barrie,

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 09 Aug 2007, 21:37

hammer man wrote: I have also been encouraged by the positive attitude show by a few of the students from Newark and London, they are the future and it looks better than it did.

the flood's have made quite a bit of work for some but that is only short term

As for new kids on the block we do need them and there has been an upturn in interest but the Gov is not helping by pulling funding - Ok if you want to do a degree in Football but not much help for vocational training

When I started to train there was a waiting list to train

Barrie,