Pianos On-Property: Hotel FAQs
MHW Live Music
The leading entertainment buyer and manager for luxury hotels and resorts
Occasionally, GMs and F&B Directors at our hotel clients ask us about pianos, which the hotel may already own or consider purchasing.
In decades past, grand pianos were commonplace in luxury hotels. Today, they are less common, but are still relevant in certain cases. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:
My property owns a grand piano. What should I do with it?
Classical or jazz pianists could perform acoustically (i.e. without speakers or sound amplification) in formal restaurant outlets or lobby spaces, creating an air of formality and luxury. If your brand is traditional or "white-glove", this could be a perfect?application for your acoustic grand piano.?
However, if your brand is modern and buzzy, this may not be the most appropriate live entertainment option. Your piano may still be an asset for the Catering & Events department, where private event clients may wish to have it played during wedding ceremonies or cocktail receptions. Charge a rental fee for private event clients to have the piano played by the pianists they hire.
Acoustic grand pianos require regular maintenance. Namely, if the instrument is played regularly, tuning is advisable at least once per quarter. If the instrument is rarely or never played, tuning is still advisable at least once per year so that the piano does not deteriorate or lose functionality. Budget $200-300 per tuning service.
Should we buy an acoustic piano or an electric piano/keyboard?
An acoustic grand piano will offer the greatest elegance aesthetically. However, they are large and require regular maintenance (see above). In a formal lobby or restaurant they can be a great addition if you have the appropriate amount of space available.
In certain situations, it is more advisable to buy an electric piano made to look like a grand piano (for example, the Yamaha CLP-795, which has a miniature wood case that mimics a real grand piano). If you want to connect the piano to your hotel's sound system, the electric piano is recommended.?This connection is direct into your stereo system (using a 1/4 inch or XLR cable) whereas acoustic pianos would require a more complicated microphone setup. The electric piano also takes up less space. In smaller F&B outlets, this is preferable, especially if the grand piano would take up space from revenue-producing tables or seating areas.
Should we have the musician bring their own keyboard?
If you do not have a strong use case for an acoustic grand piano, nor for an electric lookalike (like the Yamaha CLP-795 or similar), MHW Live Music can instruct the musicians to bring their own keyboard. This is very common and usually does not increase the entertainment price. When musicians are asked to bring their own keyboard we take special care to instruct them about load-in location and procedures, and remind them to make an effort to keep their cables/wires neatly arranged in the performance area.?
Please let us know if you would like to discuss this or any other questions/challenges you have at any of your properties outlets by sending us a message on LinkedIn or contacting us through our website.