I recently said goodbye to my piano.
I’ve been setting money aside for many years in hopes of someday upgrading my piano, and this year is finally the year. So, over the past few months, I’ve been visiting various piano stores to play lots of instruments and get a better sense of what’s out there.
It has been a fun and fascinating process. I’m learning more about the kind of sound and touch I’m drawn to. A local colleague-friend has joined me for many of these piano-shopping adventures. It’s really nice to have someone along who can listen with me and talk through impressions afterward.
Pretty early in the process, the piano stores let me know they weren’t interested in taking my old piano as a trade-in because of its age. It‘s a 6’1” Kawai grand from 1966. It still has plenty of life left and a beautiful sound I’ve always enjoyed, so I listed it for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
As I was preparing the listing, my piano technician offered to give the piano a thorough cleaning. I gladly took him up on it, and he did an absolutely incredible job. In fact, I found myself wishing I had done it years ago so I could have enjoyed the results myself all this time!
In addition to removing the dust from the soundboard and around the tuning pins, he was able to make the strings shine a bit. And he treated the pedals so they look basically new again.
After a few weeks on Facebook Marketplace, I found a buyer. My piano’s new home is at a church in the U.P. (the Upper Peninsula of Michigan). I’m so pleased to know it will continue to be played, heard, and appreciated in a church setting.
I have been the happy owner of this piano for 15 years. I purchased it from a Craigslist seller in 2011 (read the blog post about that here), shortly after finishing my master’s degree. It has been such a reliable instrument for my teaching and playing.
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you might remember that my husband and I have moved a number of times: first within Ohio, and then ultimately to Michigan, where we are both originally from. This piano traveled with us to each home. It has been part of so many lessons, practice sessions, recordings, and memories along the way.
(For a blast from the past, check out these old blog posts and notice my piano in the photos: Starting my Piano Studio in Ohio; First Moving Adventure; Second Moving Adventure; Third Moving Adventure; Relocating to Michigan.)
Saying goodbye to this piano has definitely been bittersweet. Even my three-year-old felt it — on the day it sold, she cried about saying goodbye to Mommy’s piano! This instrument has been with me through so much. At the same time, I’m excited to be moving toward something newer.
I don’t yet know exactly what my next piano will be, but I have my eye on a few possibilities. I’m sure I’ll write another blog entry when I find it.
In the meantime, my piano studio room has a very noticeable empty spot. I’m getting by with my digital pianos, but I do miss having an acoustic piano. I know it will be worth the wait in the end!
Stay tuned. 🙂
It really is like saying goodbye to an old friend. My father bought my childhood piano brand-new in 1973. I grew up spending thousands of hours practicing and honing my skills on that piano. I eventually brought it with me to my own home, where countless students learned to hone their skills as well. After faithfully serving its purpose for 42 years my piano eventually wore out to the point that my tuner said it had reached the end of its natural life. Restoring it would have cost far more than buying a new one. I cried when I said goodbye.
Yes, it really is like saying goodbye to an old friend!! It was such a mixture of feelings seeing my piano moved out. Thanks for sharing your own piano story, Soni! Your childhood piano faithfully served for a long time!!
Saying goodbye to a faithful musical friend is hard. Knowing that your friend will continue participation in music-making is a true joy.
Good luck with your forthcoming acquisition.
Thanks so much for the note, George! Hope you are well.
Wonderful and heartwarming story, Joy!
Thanks so much, Tracy!
Good book on this subject: The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart
I read that book a number of years ago. I’ll have to get it out again!
Joy,
So glad your well-loved piano has found a new church home where its lovely tones will continue to bring JOY! Full circle. Excellent! My shopping experience for my grand piano was a whirlwind tour: three cities (Akron, Cleveland, Pittsurgh) in 10 days! 29 pianos tested and I kept coming back to a Yamaha C3 that spoke to me. It had a lot to do with the tuner/technician who was maintaining the pianos at that particular store. This one was far from “out of the box.” That technician is semi-retired now and doesn’t travel as far as I live anymore. The piano still sounds and feels great in the care of my new tech. My shopping excursion was 16 years ago and I’m still thrilled with my choice. Can’t wait to hear about the one that will speak to you!! Happy shopping!
I loved reading your piano search story, Anita! And it’s fabulous that your piano just “spoke” to you. That’s what I’m hoping for with my piano search!
Thank you for sharing your piano journey. It’s so interesting to hear about other musicians and their ‘behind the scenes’ parts of life since it’s rare to really get to hear and talk about these things each day. 🙂
Thanks for the note, Anna. You’re right — it is certainly fun to get to hear about the behind-the-scenes of fellow musicians! Maybe once I post a blog entry about my new piano (when I find it), I’ll ask readers to share about their own piano stories!
I’ve been so impressed with my Charles Walter grand, purchased through Craigslist from a family who moved from Ohio and was downsizing. The sound is really special, especially in my home studio. It isn’t too bright like Yamahas can be. It used designs and ideas from Del Fandrich, who worked for Baldwin and wanted to fix a few of the systemic issues he kept seeing.
Excited to hear what you end up choosing.
Rebecca, I love hearing your piano story. How fabulous to have a Charles Walter grand — I’m sure it sounds incredible!!