Musical Musing
A few weeks ago, our piano tuner told me kindly that our piano needed some work. He broke the news like a surgeon reporting a brain tumor.
He understands that pianos have value on different levels. Mine is a baby grand, a Mason & Hamlin inherited from my grandfather. It was a central feature in my father’s family life when he was growing up as he would go to sleep to the strains of Chopin and Beethoven. Whenever we would get together with my grandparents, there would be piano duets — rollicking ones punctuated by lots of flaming wrecks and laughter. The piano itself bears the nick-marks of my grandfather’s long fingers.
We’ve been gathering information and trying to decide on the wisest course of action. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve played the piano; I’m not sure if it’s because it’s been out of tune, or because I’ve just been in a dead season musically. Perversely, now that I know the piano is ailing, I’ve been drawn back into playing.
For some reason, it tends to go in seasons, but maybe it’s worth making an effort to be consistent about it. One of the ideas in Quiet was the importance of “flow” — the thing you do without being aware of the passing of time. Working on a piano piece gives me that sense of suspension.
It interests me that when I play the piano, my daughters like to be in the same room. When I’m clicking away at the computer, they seldom hang around. But the piano — another keyboard I sit at, with another kind of text to glue my eyes to — inspires a different reaction. Why is this? Am I somehow different at one keyboard than the other? Or do they just like the music? (Definitely the case with at least some of it — the Maple Leaf Rag, and the Military March made famous by Mr Popper’s Penguins.)
I always loved hearing my dad and grandfather, side by side on the bench, playing their Diabelli. So I’ve come full circle: pianos have value on different levels. They have a value materially. They have a value personally. I think they have a value in family life too.
4 Comments
Barbara H.
The memories certainly infuse it with values beyond just the music that can be made with it, though that is valuable, too. I wonder if the girls like being in the room with the piano more than the computer because they can hear what you’re doing and participate in that way?
It’s sad that ours sits idle, but we’re not quite ready to get rid of it yet. All three boys had lessons but never really got into it. I never learned to play — didn’t have the opportunity until college, took one class and enjoyed it, but just didn’t have room in the schedule for more. I know I could take lessons now, but it’s not a priority, and I have too many other things I want to do. Still, there are some days I’d really love to be able to express myself in that way.
Carrie, Reading to Know
I never thought of it that way, but it’s true. My husband plays and when he does, it fills the house with music not as a CD player would -but with life. It makes me smile and we all feel at home. My dad also played and so my homes have always been filled with music, but I never thought of how it adds value to family life before.
Heather
We also have an old baby grand with some family history that needs a lot of work. Our piano tuner said we could trade it in for an upright if we couldn’t afford the repairs, but I just can’t bring myself to do that. I appreciate your thoughts on the familiar nature of music and the contrast between the individual and communal qualities of the two different keyboards – something I need to remember and balance better in our home.
Janet
It’s a hard decision, isn’t it? I feel like one way or another we’re going to need a piano that can hold its tune, though. Right now, we’re just trying to learn about the world of pianos, and used pianos.
We visited a new piano store and I discovered that I really like Kawai pianos. The action is engineered for control, and it opens up a wide dynamic range when you play.