Worship Outreach

Pianos are for sale all around us. A worship piano, however, will require a regular regime of care and maintenance that many piano sources simply cannot provide. Avoid selecting your piano from an online auction site, a private owner or a long-distance warehouse. The money you “save” is money you’d gladly spend for the proper technical and delivery services that good pianos need.

Gist Piano Center knows the value of a satisfied customer. We know what level of service different pianos can provide and we have a vested interest in making sure your worship instrument meets your congregation's unique needs.

As the old saying goes, “If you don't know your jewels, you'd better know your jeweler.”

Save yourself time and stress. Instead of calling around and getting prices on the phone, take the time to visit with one of our staff members in person. We want to develop a relationship with you and with your church that extends beyond a single transaction. We also want to make sure we have a clear picture of what your church needs and how we can help you achieve your goals. This is hard to do over the phone. Call us and arrange an in-person visit or an on-site consultation. You'll be surprised at the difference it will make.

Our staff can provide a free, on-site consultation that will help you determine the best size, brand, color and style of instrument for your sanctuary. We'll work with your worship team and help coordinate their experience and taste into the selection process. Then, we'll make recommendations that consider your budgetary concerns, your musical needs and the environmental factors that exist within your sanctuary. Finally, we'll provide the delivery and service that your piano will need for years of ministry. If you select a digital piano, we'll provide free, on-site training for your entire worship team.

In short, we take "good stewardship" to heart and we will help your church get the best instrument possible.

Size
For most worship centers or sanctuaries, a grand piano is the best choice. Grand pianos have a larger, more controllable sound than vertical pianos do and they are easier to blend with other singers or instruments. The size of the grand piano depends on the size of your sanctuary, how many instruments or vocalists will be playing with it and a variety of other environmental concerns. It's best to bring a Gist technician or consultant to your church before you decide on a size. NOTE: If at all possible, plan for a piano that is big enough to be heard without amplification. “Mic'ing” a piano often ruins its tone.

Brand
Shopping for pianos by brand is often tricky. In many cases, brands with which you may be familiar have changed in recent years or offer a variety of quality levels - some of which may not be appropriate for your sanctuary. It's best not to shop “for” a particular brand. Instead, use a combination of the other criteria listed here to lead you to a group of brands that will suit your needs. In most cases, one or two will “stick out” during the consultation process.

Color
Black or “ebony” grands are standard on most performance stages. Ebony is the least expensive color for most grands, it's the most durable and it's easily repaired if damaged. Ebony pianos are available in two finish styles: satin (or “flat”) or polished (or “shiny”). If your church has bright stage lighting, you may want to chose an ebony satin piano. Glare from stage lighting can cause distractions or discomfort for some members of the congregation. If your stage lighting is subdued, an ebony polish finish might work very well.

Style
Furniture-cabinet pianos are rare on sanctuary stages. In most cases, a traditional “Sheraton” style will cost less, blend better and last longer in the hectic church environment. Digital pianos today are also available in a number of styles. Traditional console models are available in a variety of colors and digital grand pianos are popular in churches where there is little platform space and a larger piano sound is needed.

"For whatever reason, churches have bought into the mentality that it's ok to spend several hundred thousands of dollars for a great organ, the best pews and a killer sound system, but the piano - their main worship instrument - is an afterthought!"

-Bob Snyder, Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Consider how the sound of your worship instrument will edify those to whom it ministers. Your worship piano should be warm and pleasing. It should not be overly brilliant or abrasive. The touch should provide your pianist with the level of control (s)he needs to perform at the highest level. As your primary worship instrument, your sanctuary piano should provide the highest level of music your church can afford.

Manufacturers produce pianos in a variety of grades. “Price point” pianos are inexpensive and designed for light duty. Medium grade pianos are appropriate for classrooms, rehearsal rooms or the fellowship hall. Artist-grade instruments are very well made, have a refined touch and a wonderful sound, and are the first choice for worship, concerts and rehearsals.

It is meaningless to select an excellent worship piano without setting up an appropriate service program to maintain it. A typical maintenance program includes tuning the piano four times per year, voicing and regulation once per year, and regular cleaning.*

Gist Piano Center specializes in these things. We will work with your church to establish a regular maintenance program that will protect your investment and ensure that your piano lives up to its potential.

* - under extreme environmental stress such as severe temperature or humidity fluctuations, these services may be required more frequently. We will evaluate this for you during your consultation.