Ken Vinen wrote in 050629 MMDigest:

> Most if not all clubs and associations for player piano buffs have
> seen a notable decline in membership.

I have a comment on this one.  Among the many possible reasons for this
decline is the "elitist" attitude that some clubs have.   Many have a
"clique" mentality, and are quite cool to any visitors or new members.
Some members even view it as a competition, and they somehow feel
threatened with new collectors/admirers.  And when suggested that they
_expand_ the group or promote it, many times the person suggesting it
is looked at like a pariah!  <LOL>

This is _not_ the way to promote interest.  I've seen it in ATOS groups
and others as well -- it's sad.  A holier-than-thou attitude is the
quickest way to run someone off, especially younger  people.  Older
ones have probably already dealt with people like that, and can figure
out ways to ignore them, but a lot of younger people just say "forget
you!" and move on to other interests.

Another issue that seldom seems to get mentioned on this topic is
that incomes have declined in many parts of the USA, for example,
so the interest is still high.  (_My_ interest is higher than at any
time in my 44 years of life, yet I have less ability to buy anything
non-essential than ever before, so just because I am not buying doesn't
mean I wouldn't love to, right now!)

Many people are earning much less than before, many have moved to
smaller homes and don't have excess space for the bigger instruments,
and are also many times they're just simply too busy trying to make
ends meet to even _have_ a hobby, much less an extremely expensive
hobby like this one.

Also, location is a major factor in pricing.  Interest seems to be
across the board, but pricing can be ridiculous in some regions (many,
if not most) and then in some other area, you occasionally hear about
someone finding a reasonably priced instrument.

I have no answers, unfortunately(!), only observations.  The only
answer I know of is get _lots_ of cash so you can buy these instruments
without having to be concerned about declines, etc!

Christopher Vermillion

P.S.: I'm _still_ waiting to see these falling prices people speak of
on  here.  It's not happening in my area and, from looking at auction
returns and sale ads, it's not happening many places elsewhere either.