Letter From the Editor, 2025 Edition
- Hannah Beckett
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
I recently did an interview with CBS about the piano industry. The goal of the story was to dig a little deeper into the nuances of piano sales statistics over the last several years, and explore what it might mean about our culture and society. Those inside the industry know that’s a tall order to fit in the span of a two-minute Saturday Morning segment. For what it’s worth, I think CBS did a great job showing more facets than usual media outlets do. Most other media coverage about the piano industry has been under-researched and inaccurate - but CBS did its research. However, there’s always more to the story, and while interest is sparked, I thought I’d write out the parts of my interview that didn’t make the final two-minute cut.
It’s no secret that the piano industry is not what it was. Depending on what generation you fall into, your reaction will be either “no one cares about good music anymore,” or, “yeah, I tried piano as a kid and couldn’t get into it.” Most people over 40 will remember a time when a piano was in nearly every home, the sounds of piano music being deeply reminiscent of a visit to a grandmother’s home, or memories of spending holidays with family. Anyone under 40 is less likely to share the same sentiment when pianos come to mind. As I said in the interview, there are many nuanced reasons for this - and no, it doesn’t mean the death of the piano.
One of the most obvious reasons for the decline in acoustic piano sales over the last few decades is the widening wealth gap between the Boomer and Millennial generations. Pianos are not cheap, and rightly so. Manufacturing these complex instruments can take well over a year, and with thousands of expensive parts involved, shipping from other countries, and now the additional burden of tariffs, the price adds up quickly. With most millennials struggling to afford a home in the wake of a housing crisis, a limited job market, student debt, and the slow demise of the American middle class, it’s no surprise that acoustic piano sales are down. We do not live in the world our Boomer relatives did, and the piano is no longer a standard household item collecting dust in the corner, waiting for Christmas Eve when it will finally see some use. Now, pianos are luxury items, and if they can be afforded by parents of young children, then they're being used regularly as an integral part of education.
That’s not a bad thing. On the whole, younger generations are less interested in accumulating material items than older generations, who experienced scarcity followed by material accessibility brought on by a globalized market. Today, if space in the living room must be sacrificed for a giant instrument, then that instrument better earn its keep.
Another reason for the dwindling sales of acoustic pianos is the affordability and availability of digital pianos. Modern-day digital piano offerings range from cheap slab keyboards available at Walmart to high-end digital pianos that can easily cost as much as an acoustic piano. (Read more on types of digital pianos in our article, How to Buy a Digital Piano.) A quality digital piano can satisfy both hobbyists and professionals alike. Parents have the option of investing a mere $300-$500 in a slab keyboard for their fickle six-year-old, rather than an up-front investment in an acoustic piano as a way to ease a big toe into the murky waters of piano lessons.
That’s not a bad thing either! Digital piano sales dwarf acoustic piano sales, and as I’ve written about in other articles, they’re a great way to start the piano journey. HOWEVER, here is the nuance that absolutely must be taken into consideration: A sustained interest in the piano is nurtured by an equally inspiring instrument. As convenient as they are, a slab keyboard will not be enough to sustain a student's interest as they progress and should only be used for a few years before a more inspiring instrument becomes a necessary investment. Often, this means purchasing a high-quality acoustic piano, and in this way, keyboard sales actually drive acoustic piano sales. The piano industry will thrive regardless of the numbers as long as pianists are playing instruments capable of evolving with them along their musical journey.
So even though it may look different to some, the piano industry isn't going anywhere -it's simply reshaping itself to meet the needs of modern-day players. If you're interested in giving it a whirl, make sure you choose an instrument that will support you. Consult a professional who can help you find the best option for your budget. Even though the industry is smaller than it once was, manufacturing quality is on the rise, and if you can afford it, it's a great time to play the piano. Find a teacher who will encourage you, or try one of the many fabulous and affordable piano learning apps. If you're not sure where to start, check out the many articles available on Piano Buyer, or send us a message for help! There's never a bad time to begin your piano journey.
Hannah Beckett is Piano Buyer's Publisher and Editor, the Executive Director of the Professional Piano Technicians Network, and a piano technician in the DMV area. She's a lifelong piano lover and enjoys participating in all parts of the piano industry. She can be reached at hannah@pianobuyer.com.