That’s wonderful. I have a similar story: I have an uncle who owned a piano store. After Hurricane Katrina, he drove a truck of pianos to New Orleans and gave them to musicians who had lost their instruments. It matters for people to be able to play their music.
My dad was a Neiman Fellow. We moved to Boston for the academic year, leaving the piano behind. The took up the recorder 🤷♀️ and had a little recorder society whose meetings mostly consisted of drinking.
I love this. I come from a family of musicians, obviously their instruments are hugely important. When my grandmother died we gave her piano to a friend who had been one of her students. As you say, an instrument should be played, not just a piece of furniture. Kol hakavod*.
A few years back, my uncle offered me his father’s old upright that my grandfather had learned to play on. Now my daughter is learning to play on it. Thanks for sharing your story, it helps remind me of the connection my daughter now has with my grandfather.
A marvelous story. Thank You. My wife & I are professional musicians & educators.
My father bought an old player piano in the early 1960s for my sister. She took lessons, & I used her piano books & taught myself. We donated it to our church in the 1990s. It started my musical career. Fond memories!
This is our old upright. It’s been in the family for 100 years now. My great uncle owned a piano company. I think it’s still gorgeous. I’m sad we have no one to pass it onto.
A delightful story and a beautiful gift! I'm still playing the 1970 Yamaha upright my parents bought me when I started lessons, which sat mostly unused in my parents' house for about 20 years til I reclaimed it.
Yes. Giving instruments is a wonderful thing. I had a bass clarinet I played in High School. I kept it for 40+ years, thinking that someday I would pick it up again. A few years ago, I realized that I will never have the time, so I had it refurbished and gave it to a friend who plays in pit bands.
Wonderful memories. My husband plays & loves ragtime. Sometimes it makes me think of Robert Reford and Eileen Brennan in The Sting. Had a piano back east b4 we moved to CA but too heavy to move (cost). So we donated it to the local arts high school and now a budding concert pianist has it.
More years ago than I like to think about, the church my parents went to gave my sister (who played for the choir) an old piano that had languished unused in the basement.
Turned out it was a nearly century-old upright grand; which sounded wonderful once it was properly tuned.
My sister used it to practice at home for a number of years before moving out and starting a career on the other side of the country, and sadly it sat in our parents house - unused for the most part - for years afterwards.
Eventually my mother passed it on to another family with kids who play a variety of musical instruments, and her only stipulation was that she not have to be bothered with arranging its moving.
I am given to understand that it is played to this day, and is much loved by its current owners.
Love this. We had a family piano from the 1940s that my father and aunt failed to learn to play. My siblings and I failed to learn to play it, and my children failed to learn to play it as well. We donated it to the school my wife worked at, and now hundreds of children can learn (or fail) on it
I always wanted a piano. So did my mom. All she had was a small Casio electronic keyboard. She taught herself to play when she was about the same age I am, 70. In my next house, I'll buy a piano and learn.
That's my main worry about living in a rural area, semi off-grid. Planning to go solar and net zero carbon. But internet access is a question I have no answer for yet.
Comments
My dad was a Neiman Fellow. We moved to Boston for the academic year, leaving the piano behind. The took up the recorder 🤷♀️ and had a little recorder society whose meetings mostly consisted of drinking.
(*All honor/well done)
I hope every piano gets a second (third, fourth) life with someone who will love it.
Thank you.
My father bought an old player piano in the early 1960s for my sister. She took lessons, & I used her piano books & taught myself. We donated it to our church in the 1990s. It started my musical career. Fond memories!
I suggested that its last name should be "d'Blues".
Turned out it was a nearly century-old upright grand; which sounded wonderful once it was properly tuned.
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I am given to understand that it is played to this day, and is much loved by its current owners.
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Needed that today. Thank you.
Thank you for a glimpse of beauty, kindness, & joy today. ✌🏼✊🏼
There is something beautiful about a natural piano, but the chance to be alone with music (especially during late hours) is freeing.
But that sounds wonderful (so long as you can get fiber internet).