No longer forte: Piano’s grand tradition winds down

>>> before the hi-fis, the speakers, the grand piano was the centerpiece in a lot of living rooms. the grand piano has slowly fallen out of style for some, becoming a piece of nostalgia while striking a sour note for those who love it.

>> reporter: the full, rich, unmistakable beauty made by two capable hands on the grand piano , and these hands belong to 7-year-old mia curry of chicago. sdp

>> do you love your piano ?

>> yes.

>> love, love, love it?

>> yes.

>> it used to be the piano was the american centerpiece in any home. in willingham's " hannah and her sisters ," people gathered around while the piano was played. but any more, people just don't have space for a real piano . and sad as it sounds, many of these majestic instruments aren't able to be fixed and end up as castaways in landfills.

>> if you say expose them, it's very in dig anatomdignant, so you just say it's gog piano heaven.

>> reporter: statistics show in the last century, piano sales have fallen more than 80%. now piano movers are often piano dumpers.

>> it hurts a lot just to see them go. it's not a fun activity.

>> reporter: pianos can be expensive to tune and repair. still, tossing them hits a sour note with mia's teacher.

>> it's frustrating because there are ways you can take a piano and donate it.

>> reporter: in fact, one of the pianos mia plays at home was originally destined for the dump.

>> it's not just a keyboard. it's something she feels very connected to and she wants to play.

>> reporter: wow, what's that? but can't kids just learn to play on one of those electronic keyboards , anyway?

>> absolutely not. those students who start on the keyboard and don't transition to the piano within six months to nine months will end up quitting the piano after a year.

>> reporter: the child with 88 keys, heavenly music not often heard in piano heaven. kevin tibbles,