Every piano has a story to tell. The story tells us where was it made, who owned it first, where was it bought, how many times it had to be moved and where it travelled to, how many families it lived with, and so on, the story goes.
So, we asked our students:
- How did you find your piano, and where?
- What made you choose this particular piano, and did you have to hire professional piano movers?
- Perhaps you also had to rearrange the furniture to fit it in the room?
- If you have an acoustic piano, how often do you get it tuned and would you like to recommend your piano tuner to others?
- And finally, are you HAPPY with your piano?"
We'd love to hear your short piano story if you are willing to share it with other piano players. It's fascinating, and it is also very useful to those who are currently looking to buy or upgrade their piano.
And who knows, perhaps this short story of your piano will help you discover things about your instrument that you didn't know!
Here are the first few stories along with the photos of your beloved pianos...
Christine's Piano
"We all know that buses tend to come in threes, but who'd have thought something similar might apply to pianos?
When I was studying for the Grade V ABRSM examination, my piano teacher advised me to get some practice on a piano other than my own. An administrator in the Guildhall School of Music at Barbican took pity on my exam phobia and offered me the loan of a room, with piano, one Saturday afternoon. I was so nervous at the idea, I managed to forget my music! The piano I was allocated turned out to be a grand and it seemed to take up most of the room. Intimidated, yes, I was, but that soon fell away when I heard the marvellous resonant sound it made, even though I mostly practised scales and fragments of pieces I could recall.
The idea of owning one was a fantasy, until two members of my family, within the space of a month, offered me large baby grands previously owned by relatives who had passed away. When I visited the piano I now own, to try it out, it was in a cold, slightly damp room and sounded a bit stiff and croaky. Who wouldn't, in those circumstances? I took some advice from a piano dealer and decided to bring the C. Bechstein to my home – which required specialist movers and getting rid of a sofa to fit it in. Even now, I'm not sure how they managed to get it safely into my terraced house.
I discovered that the piano had cost £399 secondhand when it was bought in 1958. The serial number indicates it was made around 1912 -13, possibly before WW1. It's rich mahogany, with a deep and melodious tone which began to emerge as it shook off the chill and gently warmed up. One day maybe I shall be able to afford to have it reconditioned, but it's not in a bad way considering its age (rather like myself, an older adult learner!). When I play it, or catch a glimpse in my lounge, I still feel a thrill. How lucky is that?"
Christine, adult learner
Mike's piano
"This is my Nord Stage 3 that I bought in 2021 just before moving to London. It was a treat because I'd made the most of 2020 by really getting back into playing music. I love it so much!"
Mike, adult learner
"We bought our piano in December 2015 from The Piano Gallery in Faringdon. It's a white Yamaha U1 made in 1976. We are very happy with it. It's an excellent instrument and the delivery was perfect, arranged by the company.
We definitely recommend The Piano Gallery, and they have also provided our piano tuner, Alan, who we also recommend."
Jean Baptiste, Astrid's dad
PIANO MAESTROS RECOMMEND
PIANO TUNERS
LOCAL PIANO DEALERS
LOCAL MUSIC SHOPS
OTHER PIANO SHOPS
PIANO AUCTION
PIANO MOVERS
