197th Reflection💬

“Professional Advice, how much❓”

Prepaid by the Lord, somehow.

……

The preparation work for the studio kicked off: my classmate looked for a suitable place while I looked for a suitable piano.

16/09/2021 (Thu) 16:00 Hong Kong International Institute of Music

Applied Music Class

I said, “Director, may I ask you something before we start?”

Director said, “OK.”

I said, “I’m looking for a piano. I’d like to seek your advice.”

Director said, “What kind of piano?”

I said, “A grand piano.”

Director said, “You flat is big enough for a grand piano, isn’t it?”

I said, “No, it isn’t. In my flat lives a cat and a dog. It’s just somehow like a zoo.”

Director said, “Where are you going to put it?”

I said, “I’m looking for somewhere to rent with my classmate.”

Director said, “How large?”

I said, “Little idea. I guess, 200 square feet.”

Director said, “It isn’t large enough. A grand piano can take up more than half of the space.”

I said, “That’s why I’m looking for a a baby grand.”

Director said, “The quality of grand pianos, in particular the baby grand, varies a lot. I’ve never tried one that I am satisfied.”

I said, “What? Actually, I’m going to buy a second-hand baby grand on the net.”

Director said, “Hold on. Very few people take good care of their grand piano. It may look really beautiful but sounds very bad. The maintenance may cost you more than getting a new upright piano.”

I said, “What? So what can I do?”

Director said, “Let us go for a tryout.”

I said, “Let us?”

Director said, “Yes, we need to test if the piano works well before purchase.”

I said, “How to test?”

Director said, “Struck every key there, one after another.”

I said, “Randomly struck?”

Director said, “No, we’d play excerpts of different styles and listen if the piano can produce sounds in reaction to our different touchings on the keys in different pieces.”

I said, “How many tests should there be together?”

Director said, “It’d better be three, one per visit.”

I said, “So many tests?”

Director said, “Some pianos, especially the new ones, can pass the 1st test and the 2nd but fail the 3rd.”

I said, “How come?”

Director said, “That’s why a comprehension examination is needed.”

I said, “How much do you charge for such piano tests?”

Director said, “Hey, forget it. Not long before, I’ve just provided a free piano tryout for the kid that comes to me before you. The key is, whether we can figure out a time that both of us are available by early October when the new term starts.”

I said, “Wow, thank you. When are you available?”

Director said, “Sundays or Mondays.”

I said, “Let me show you my schedule.”

Director said, “Monday, then. 6:15 p.m. I’ll send you the address a little later. I’ll around there anyway.”

I said, “Decided. Thank you.”

……

Director said, “Do you know you can be charged every second for seeking professional advice?”

I said, “Yes, I do.”

Director said, “How much should you be charged for the coming piano tryout?”

I said, “As much as my lesson fee?”

Director said, “During you regular Applied Music lesson, you play more than the academic Director does. Yet during the piano tryout, the direction will play more than you do.

I said, “Alright, then let’s impose an additional charge for the extra piano tryout effort.”

Director said, “With the transportation cost excluded?”

I said, “Alright, add it in.”

Director said, “The cost should cover a round trip. Something more!”

I said, “Something more?”

Director said, “How about the time spent on the round trip?”

I said, “Oh my goodness. Ok, An additional Charge for travelling time.”

Director said, “Alright, here comes the breakdown of the charge for the piano tryout next Monday: the lesson fee, plus the piano tryout effort fee, plus a round-trip transportation fee and plus a travelling time fee, bill please.”

I said, “Already prepaid by the Lord. I think He knows I’m not that rich.”