Music City giving away Grand Piano | Business

For more than 150 years the Grand Piano has been considered the pinnacle of the ivory keyed instruments, now a Spokane piano store is giving one away for free.

Music City, located at 1322 N. Monroe, has been selling pianos in Spokane for 50 years.  As a culmination to its Golden Anniversary, the store is giving away a 1922 Farrand grand piano.

"We painted it gold and had special decals made for it," said Sonny Wittkopp, who owns the store with his son Darrin.

The piano has been gone through and refurbished in the store's shop.

Most of the time, grand pianos are black with gold detailing. This one has a distinct look.

"We took all the hardware, which is normally brass and painted it black," said Darrin.

Over the years, the Wittkopps have had to adjust to the changing world of pianos.

On his desk, Sonny has a book filled with names of American companies that once produced pianos.

Most of those names have faded into history like the final note of a song long forgotten.

"Very few manufacturers anymore," said Darrin. "Sad to see a lot of history gone."

Pianos are no longer limited to being large, dark wood pieces of furniture.

"Digital pianos are outselling acoustic," said Darrin. "There are all sort of levels from the toy keyboards up to those that will go head to head with the Grands."

The digital pianos still maintain the look of an acoustic piano but are usually smaller, and offer a player much more including the ability to record and add accompanying music and voice.  

While the pianos themselves change so are the students and teachers.

"It's an instant world, if you buy it now, you want to be able to play it now," said Darrin.

14 teachers give lessons to more than 300 students at Music City.

Those teachers have to walk a fine line of providing the proper building blocks for successful piano playing and the need for people to see the success of being able to play a song right away.

"It's hard to get people motivated," said Darrin. "Once you get into it, it's a great hobby."

Maybe the chance to own a grand piano will motivate them enough to enter the drawing and in 100 words or less, tell why they want the golden piano.

The Wittkopps hope the piano ends up in the hands of someone whose hands will add a little music to the world.

"Music and wellness go together," said Darrin.

Click here for more information about the piano giveaway.