Phoenix Smalls has plenty of aspirations: to be famous with dignity; to set a new record by holding her breath for the longest time; to do the longest 'moonwalk'. But she knows what none of her aspirations involve - music. With a jazz club-owner mother and a father who was constantly on the road with musicians, Phoenix has had enough of the music lifestyle. However, after a lifetime of squirming through piano lessons, Phoenix becomes uncharacteristically intrigued by an old, rotting piano which starts Phoenix on a chilling and menacing journey.