Does Price Equal Quality?

3 separate events happened today, not related to each other....with one exception that I happen to be the common factor in all 3 events.

Scenerio #1
If you've ever had the pleasure of sitting on every piano in the showroom without the salesman hovering around you:-). Try out the model that says made in or assembled in China or Indonesia. Those are in the range of 2.5 to 3K. Is it important to have those around. Yes, because there is a market for it. Then move up to the mid-range models, which will be from 5 to 8K. That ought to suffice up to a grade 8 level. Then you go on to a higher diploma or get a degree and everything from lessons to practise to recitals to exams are done on a grand piano. You can get a good baby grand at around 17 to 20K. If you are looking at a steinway, that will set you back by 50K.
So you see that in this scenerio, price equals quality. The wood is different, the workmanship is different, the technology is different. Design, materials, and most importantly...it sounds different.

I have attended this year's electone festival. International performers compete on that model. Trust me. It is good.

Even I am not worthy to play on such an instrument because no matter how good an instrument is, its potential lies as far as the skills of the performer. So, maybe if you thought the instrument sounds bad.....I think the reason might be because the person that plays it has failed to bring out the potential capability of the instrument.

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Scenerio #2
Wedding rates. Ok if you look at all the organists currently serving svdp:
JP: I think she holds a dip. But she is good.
JO: He holds a LTCL. Well he is good.
DC: For the sake of comparison I am going to put my credentials here. M.Mus; BA in music; LTCL; ATCL; CTabrsm. Organ: yamaha grades 5, 6, 8 & 5-7 years pipe organ understudy with Fr. C.

JP, JO, Mer, Little J all had the opportunity to understudy the pipe organ with Fr. C. For various reasons, none of them took up the offer for long.

So technically there is only one real PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN here. You want a professional to play for your wedding, kindly pay a professional's rate.

There are always cheaper alternative.
One wedding photographer's webpage said, "Cheap is not neccessarily good; Good is not neccessarily cheap."
Just google around. I've done my research before opening mouth. I always do, or try to.

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Scenerio #3

Some things are priceless.

I spoke to Charlene last night and spoke about why I need a sabatical. Ok...so I took action. So here I was willing to part with $1,550. The bad news is that in their entire database of 2000. My $1,550 is worth ZERO.

I would play for friend's wedding for whatever ang pow token.

I would play for masses and not put a price tag.
hmmm maybe it is because I see playing for mass as ministry and playing for weddings as not??