I need to rent an electric piano in the Washington DC area (I live in
Bowie, Maryland). This will be for a short time period - I'm getting
married Sunday June 9 at Watkins Nature Center in Upper Marlboro, and
my mother-in-law is going to play 2 songs on the piano.

I need a full-size keyboard with keys that are touch-sensitive, and
pedals. I don't need any drums or sound effects - it's for classical
music.

Now, here's the thing. Stores are renting them for $400. The one place
in Rockville that would rent them to us requires that the piano be in
the nature center all weekend - I don't want this. I don't trust that
kids won't be sticking their grubby fingers all over it.

I want to find a private individual that would be willing to rent this
type of keyboard to me for $200. We do have electrical outlets in the
nature center so that's not a problem.

They could even bring the piano, hang out while we used it for the two
songs, and cart it away with their $200 cash.

We would need it approximately around 4pm.

I don't know if there's a classical piano society in maryland or what
- where I would even begin to find people who own such an instrument?
If there's newsgroups, etc. I don't know what they are.

I need someone who's reliable too. I can't have someone promise to do
this and then flake out on the wedding day!

The person playing the instrument is a retired college professor who
is a classical musician, and would take excellent care of the
instrument.

Please help me find someone who would be willing to do this, and find
it quickly too (by May 17).

I am ever so grateful for your help!

Holly Russo
hollyrusso@yahoo.com

Holly, my recommendation to you would be purchase the Piano and then
after use (make sure you do not damage the instrument; take special
care of it!) return it.

A more ethical approach would be to call the music departments of some
local colleges and see if they might know someone who can help.
Another approach might be to check with some churches in the area that
use contemporary music -- perhaps one would be willing to give up a
piano for the afternoon in exchange for a donation.  Another idea
might be to check with some bands that use keyboards -- Sunday
afternoon is a slow time for most performers, so perhaps someone would
be able to help you out.

There are some darn good keyboards with 64 keys that you can buy new
for $200-$400. A real pianist should be able to sound great!

The buy and return thing IS NOT ETHICAL.  Let's try to all be a little
better than that.  Shame on Tinks.  ;-)

But something that is ethical is the following - if you can't rent
something, you just buy it and then sell it (on ebay, or wherever).  I
have done this and you can essentially find out your "rental cost" by
checking current market prices.  Subtract what you pay from those
prices (and any other costs), and VOILA, you have your rental fee.

So, that's a little harder with something like a piano - but a
variation would be to see what the store would purchase it back from
you for if they do not do rentals.

GOOD LUCK!

Hi Holly!

I am recommending you to a free ad posting at www.craigslist.org. If
you post your request quickly, you may find a nice keyboard before
next weekend.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/

There is a message board for "items wanted" on the list, and you can
edit the ad from home.

I hope this helps you find a private individual with the electronic
keyboard for your wedding!

Good Luck,

Penguin