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"You can pay for the very high rent and fancy chandeliers of our competitors or
you can visit our Heights warehouse showroom for a terrific value and
friendly professional service on a great new piano or used piano"

DO WE REALLY NEED AN ORGAN? Or ONLY ONCE IN A WHILE? we really need an organ?
It’s hard to find a trained organist these days, so many churches hardly ever use their expensive organs, especially those with Praise & Worship bands, blended service, or active youth programs. For today’s churches, one of the most exciting development in church music is that digital piano. It provides ONE instrument to create.

1. sparkling piano sounds,
2. occasional organ (pipe or Hammond) sounds or
3. Praise & Worship sounds with synths, e-pianos and other orchestral sounds. And usually, the pianist-keyboardist has to switch between one sound and another in seconds. At the same time, the chosen instrument has to be accessible for the amateur, occasional pianist, with any fear and trembling.

How do I choose between the various digital pianos available today?
Houston Piano Company provides THE digital piano used by professional musicians, recording artists and teachers across the country: the Roland. With it, one can instantly & easily shift from one type of music to another with the touch of a button. In addition, the digital features allow rehearsal recordings to be sent to all choir members, youth choir and other ensemble members--when rehearsal time comes, singers already know their parts. Performances can easily combine both digital and acoustic instruments, raising the roof, and “making a joyful noise!” Houston Piano Company provides the professional grade pianos, supplies “hand-holding” and necessary training for the life of the instrument, and provides lessons for new ways of combining traditional forms with new sounds. Their affiliation with church music publishers also guarantees that the customer, the church and the passive listener has the state-of-the-art musical experience.

FLEXIBLE ORGANS for TODAY’S WORSHIP
Blended worship services require a keyboardist that can instantly shift from grand piano-style sounds, to electronic piano & synth styles, an occasional “shake the rafters” pipe organ hymn, and generally lots and lots of Hammond-style sounds. Read how Matt Segawa uses his Roland organs in his services.

DIGITAL PIANOS OFFER SAME FLEXIBILITY, EASIER USE
Sometimes, however, one wants the various sounds but still has a primarily traditional service. But when the Pastor wants a mood shift, one must shift immediately from Grand to E.Piano; and then further, combine synth and Hammond sounds. Plus allow amateur musicians to play the instrument without extensive training. Larry Harms, Minister of Music at Austin’s Unity Center uses the Roland KR-107 in such a way.

The Roland is used 80% of the time, in spite of the 7’ Yamaha grand sitting beside the KR-107. He says he needs the variety of sounds, and often uses the easy User Programs to shift between the non-stop music. While the professional sounds and easy user interface make this the “go to” instrument, the most important feature is how it expands the music program and budget. Because it uses a 16-track recorder, he can blend live and recorded sounds, acoustic and digital sounds, and especially important for the singer, adjust everything for their vocal range. “I’m getting used to the ‘+2’ comments (indicating it must be transposed up two half-steps) by now; I’m thinking that the KR-107 is more important to them than to me. Plus, they rehearse without me; they ask me to email both MIDI and mp3 files so they can practice during the week. A choir director’s dream, frankly.”

Even students have to adapt to today’s church music. Essential skills today are playing FakeBook or “lead sheet” style. It’s even important to be able to play Soprano-Alto-Tenor with the right hand, while doubling the bass in the left hand. This is because the 61-key synths and organ keyboards have the same range. Houston Piano Company offers training to help teachers, students and church musicians play in both “lead sheet” and S-A-T-B styles. Call and ask for a free sheet music sample, or come in for a FREE LESSON.

And in the iPod world, the Roland allows easy dissemination of all rehearsal files via e-mail. Even if amateur musicians miss a rehearsal, or cannot read music at all, this iPod availability of digitallyrecorded anthems makes every rehearsal last long, lingering in memory (actually through the ear buds!) from Wednesday night choir practice until Sunday morning service.

GOING DIGITAL In A GRAND FASHION
Whether small or mega-church, Roland grands offer a striking visual presence, flexibility and power. Read about how Chapel Rock Christian Church uses the Roland KR-1077 in its worship music programs and services.

iPODs and MP3s for WORSHIP? YOU BETCHA!
Ever since the Walkman was introduced, normal people have been taking their music with them - everywhere, 24/7. Extending their music is easy and economical, but church musicians can now easily extend their rehearsals with this always-available technology. Stop by Houston Piano Company and see how you can:

• extend your children’s choir rehearsals into “roller-blading time”
• make your adult choir members demand more “at home rehearsal time”
• enable the Pastor to audition musicians before Sunday’s services

HOW-TO (download pdf articles)

• A New Way to Play: “New Wineskins for Old Hymn-skins”
• Combine digital and acoustic instruments
• Combine contemporary and traditional instruments
• Use e-mail and digital recordings/devices to shorten rehearsal times

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