From Reader RobinB:
“Moving to a smaller apartment and sadly, can’t take my beloved piano with me. I would love to find it a new home where it will be played and cherished. Let me know if you want it or know someone who might be interested.”
Sadly, I have no room for a piano and I can’t play one anyway, so I’m out of the picture. If anyone else reading this wants a piano, contact me and I’ll forward that onto Robin.
Used pianos are a dime a dozen these days as the older people are getting rid of them and the younger people don’t want them.
Just take a look at the FREE section on craigslist some time. This trend has been going on for at least 2 decades.
It’s not just musical instruments. Homebrewing, scale models, scratch-tailored clothing, countless other pastimes; we live now in a nation of passive onlookers.
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We had a Steinway Grand Model B (1911) which we cherished – and all 5 of us played – and had been passed down to us from my mother’s brother in 1970. Last year we went from a large home to a 2 bdrm – no space + restrictions.
None of my three kids could fit it their homes; finally we gave it to my wife’s nephew who had a large enough home for it.
I recently listened to a friend’s Yamaha keyboard (very high end) through earphones – not too bad; I gotta say I was amazed.
The problem with pianos is not that people don’t play; they do, at about the rates they used to. Guitar sales are are just fine as well. Music lives. It always will. It is part of our soul.
But traditional wooden pianos, with complex hammers, strings, etc. are HEAVY and EXPENSIVE. They’re being replaced with electronic keyboards, which can provide a similar feel, with weighted keys, etc. as well as LOTS more sound options – for a fraction of the cost. Your local piano store still sells traditional pianos, but they sell a lot more electronic keyboards. Cheaper, easier to move and store, and do more things.
I say this as a guy with a baby grand in my house – that hardly gets played. Maybe after I retire . . .
Isn’t technology wonderful.
Also, BTW: Same thing on guitar. I say this as a guitar player; many modern players are playing digitally, straight to a sound system or a computer. They’ve never had the glorious feeling of a 4×12 cabinet blowing massive waves of sound by them, with the guitar/amp combination an interactive instrument. They’ve never stood in front of a Marshall stack. Tubes, man, Tubes!!! That’s what it’s all about!
I’m in Florida or it might might find a home. Any likelihood this is near A2 in Michigan? I have a friend who might be interested. In Texas? Sorry, only my exes and my favorite Mexican restaurants are still there.
I know the situation and the feelings myself. I loaned my piano to my brother fifteen years ago. They posted a picture of their daughter playing at the piano, but someone on line told me not to expect anything great from it, the photo was for my benefit.
I just hope they still have it. I’m afraid to ask, now.