Local Company Offers High-Tech Pianos for Kids

If you've been struggling to get your kids to stay interested in their piano lessons, one local company has a plan.

KYW's Michelle Durham reports that Cunningham Piano has been in business since 1891 and over the years the Chestnut Hill company has had to adapt with the times to survive.

Today's kids no longer climb trees as much as they play X-Box and Wii.  Now there is a piano that combines today's technology with an Old World tradition.  Co-owner Timothy Oliver (in photo):

"We took a Mac computer and we have a touch-sensitive screen that is literally built into the front panel of the piano.  So you can say, 'Oh, you know what, this morning I want Norah Jones to teach me to play a song.'"

(Program):  "Hi, I'm Norah, and I'd like to teach you one of my songs."

And Norah Jones literally guides you key by key, and you can play the piano along with her.

He hopes this will encourage more children to take piano because of the educational benefits:

"At a very early age, learning music is like learning a language."

Hear the expanded podcast:

(Photo by KYW's Michelle Durham)