Getting married...what piano teaching materials should I put on the registry?

[jamie0168]

I'm getting married in two months. I've been building a private studio for over a year now and I'm up to 17 students (mostly beginners).

This will be my last chance to ask for nice materials for the studio. What should I put on the registry? Pedagogy books? Method books? Duet books? Activity materials? Office supplies?

I'd like as many ideas as possible!!!

[fleetfingers]

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!!! And congrats on your studio - 17 students is great.

Traditionally, the purpose of giving gifts to a newlywed couple is to help them set up their new home as they start their lives together. Typically, one would register for things like bath towels, a blender, and china.

These days, it seems that many people are living together before getting married and already have things they need for a home, and I'm not sure what the pupose of giving gifts is in that case. It's like having a baby shower for your fifth baby girl: you've been doing it for a while and should already be set up with the necessities. I don't know if that is the case for you or not; I'm just speaking of the population in general. It's just my opinion, but I think that adding studio supplies to a wedding registry is tacky. Again, that's just my opinion, and maybe other areas and cultures are different. Just wanted to provide a candid, honest reaction to your question.

[ted]

How common is this "registry" business ? I'd feel most peculiar doing that, as either giver or receiver. We had to get married very quickly (no not that, fleetfingers ! - immigration laws in 1980 - my wife is a Filipina) and we went to the registry office with just my mum and dad as witnesses. Our reception was fish and chips and a few whiskies round my parents' kitchen table with the four of us. We wouldn't have had that but Dad said he'd be buggered if he'd see his only son married without a drink. I don't recall anybody giving us anything much. When we finally found a house we could only just afford the deposit on six months later we moved in with nothing but my grand and a mattress. God we were romantic idealists; it petrifies me to think of it now.

Anyway, every good wish for you and your wife Jamie, whatever gifts you do or do not receive.

[lilla]

I agree that a wedding registry isn't the right place to outfit your private teaching studio.  However, is your studio in a location where it is also used by the family/husband?  If so, then you might request items like a quality piano lamp, carpeting for under the piano or under the pedals, seats or benches for storage, or student seating, or all kinds of storage space for music and related materials.  How about a wooden sheet music storage unit?  They look like front room furniture.  Or any type of shelving, plastic storage containers, stackable units - just send the registry participants to the local Container Store!  In that way, I think it could still fulfill the wedding gift logic. Good luck and congratulations.