scamming time on a grand

[ada]

okay, lacking the resources to procure one's own and not belonging to a major music school, what's the best way to beg/borrow/buy/scam time on a grand piano?

There are two grands at my workplace but I can't access them because one is locked up in the concert hall and I have to hire a recording studio to get my hands on the second one. It's so frustrating!

Apart from skulking around piano showrooms and asking to "try out" their selection of grands (which I do from time to time) what other options are there - legal, illegal, surreptitious or otherwise - to get my hands on one of these beautiful instruments?

Any ideas?

[pianistimo]

why not take a class at a local school just to get access and time on a grand?  or, ask one of your students if you could barter lessons for time on their piano.  proximity is always nice, too.  maybe the little old lady in your neighborhood that might like a piano concert on her 'furniture piece.'  it's so strange that some people buy pianos like furniture. 

if all else fails, try getting a job at a hotel or mall (strawbridges has a piano, i think) and practice and get paid at the same time!

[ada]

Hello pianistimo! Nice to hear from you again after my last grumpy outburst.

Thanks for the suggestions. My local DJ's has a lovely grand piano. I think I will kidnap the bloke who's hired to play and disguise myself as him. That failing, I will pretend to be a cleaner and get into the concert hall.

Which brings me to the question that has been troubling me for some time. Why do people who are hired to play in shopping centres play crappy elevator music? Why don't they play something beautiful and chilled out like a Chopin nocturne? Or even some Bach? Surely they have the ability? Is it part of their employment contract to play blah stuff only? I just don't get it.

[bnatural]

well, i have the same problem.

so, i have recently made a decision.

since my committment and love for piano is profound, i will marry someone solely on the basis of having the accommodation and ability for a grand piano.  i know that it's a hefty price to pay, but i am ready.  that person may be old and ugly, but i will get my satifaction out of piano and music.

i just composed a personal ad looking for mate up to the age of 72 while i am only 35.

[lagin]

Find a church, tell them your plight, offer to play for services in exchange to practice on their grand?  I don't know, if you ask really nicely it's worth a try.

[ada]

haha bnatural you are a geeenius. That's what my namesake did, she sold one sexual favour for one key. When she had all the keys, the piano was hers.

Find a church, tell them your plight, offer to play for services in exchange to practice on their grand? I don't know, if you ask really nicely it's worth a try.

Funny you should say that. When I was on holidays I actually did that.  I drove around looking for a church. A caretaker was at the first one I went to and I asked "do you have a piano?". "Yes," he says. "Why?"
So I can play it, of course, I say.
So he takes me to a building owned by the church, it was just behind the church, and leaves me to my devices.  I play away and return the following day.
After I was just settling in some people from the church come in and we talk, the next thing I know, the caretaker returns and says, "I'm sorry, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
The reason?
"We're not insured," he says.

Can you f***ing believe it???

The moral of the story? Never expect favours from baptists.

Sad but true.

[Bob]

Yes churches.   Prep up some church music, something easy and get them to let you practice.  A lot of churches are sitting empty for most of the day.  Early morning and night can be free time there too.

[pianistimo]

b natural...why the 'and ugly'  - as there are many good looking people that have pianos.  and remember, don't trade for the keys, but for the strings if you really like them (and get married).  personally, i don't think you'll have to try so hard.  if someone likes you - you'll just impress them so much by what you play that they'll be begging you 'play it again' 'play it again' and then you'll be the one saying 'hmm...ok - but under one condition...'

[tompilk]

yeah.. i have my (used ot have my) piano lessons in a church... a boston piano (i know some people hate them) but i also have my organ lessons there.. apparently they complain about electricity bills, but hey! Im not paying...
Tom