Piano Forum

Topic: Do you play an instrument you truly love ?  (Read 2130 times)

Offline m1469

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 6638
Do you play an instrument you truly love ?
on: April 16, 2006, 10:54:40 PM
I am continuing my process of finding an instrument that I feel good about purchasing.  I am taking it more seriously than ever before, as I have decided to try all of the best instruments I can find with the intention of finding one/finding out what/that I truly love.  For now, I am putting cost at the back of my mind, because I am on what feels like a humungous quest.

But, I wonder... will I actually find what I am looking for ?  (not sure if I am looking for the right things)

I have realized that this feels to me like I am looking for a partner for life.  It needs to be really good, and I need to reallly, truly, love it.  But I am wondering, how many people actually feel this way about your instrument ?  And when you found "the one" did you just know it ?

There are seemingly so many different things tied up into this that I had to break my silence and post about it  :P.  *feeling a little lost in this*.


Thanks,
m1469
"The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving"  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Offline Bob

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 16365
Re: Do you play an instrument you truly love ?
Reply #1 on: April 16, 2006, 11:03:21 PM
Decide what's important, in what order of importance, how much you're willing to pay, etc.

Search and see what's actually available.  Although for a piano, I think I would be willing to travel across the country.

Then decide how long you can wait.

I think I would like whatever instrument I got though, because after awhile you learn/adjust to the instrument you have.
Favorite new teacher quote -- "You found the only possible wrong answer."

Offline alzado

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 573
Re: Do you play an instrument you truly love ?
Reply #2 on: April 16, 2006, 11:56:46 PM
I will take your title question as my guide.

Yes, the instrument I play is one I truly love.

I love to look at it, I love to polish it, and of course I love to PLAY it.  I am very proud when people visit and see it.  It dominates the living room like a monarch!

It is so much better than my old piano, and it is so much better than the (very nice) upright I play at my lesson.  As for sound, I believe it has a good, resonant sort of timbre to it.   IMHO, it sounds great. 

It is a 5'8" Howard by Baldwin.  Actually, it is a 171 cm black grand.  I purchased it in 1988.  They are no longer made.

I would not doubt there are better grands out there -- certainly there are more expensive ones -- but I am very satisfied with mine, and I think that piano and I were MEANT for each other.  In the modest-sized living room where it resides, the sound volume is about all that anyone could want.

Probably, if you were to visit and play it, you would like it too.


Offline kriskicksass

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 387
Re: Do you play an instrument you truly love ?
Reply #3 on: April 25, 2006, 09:21:20 PM
Yes. 1929 Steinway L that has all its original parts and no serious use before me. I've had world class pianists practice for performance on that, and they all agree that it's a fine instrument.

Offline Axtremus

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 507
Re: Do you play an instrument you truly love ?
Reply #4 on: April 26, 2006, 05:04:52 AM
I suppose I "love" my piano like a boy loves his puppy or a biker loves his vintage Harley. Ain't no way I "love" my piano like I do my family, so none of that "life partner" sentimentality.

There should be no pressure to choose a piano like you do a spouse. The cost of changing a piano is no where near the cost of divorcing your "life partner."

If the selection within your reach is limited, either because your room is too small, you don't have enough money, or there's just no decent piano being sold in your general market area -- no big deal, just buy one that can best meet your needs ("needs," not "wants") for the near term. Then if a more attractive piano comes within reach in the future, you should feel free to trade it. It beats going without a piano for years waiting for "the one" to come within reach.

Offline tompilk

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1247
Re: Do you play an instrument you truly love ?
Reply #5 on: April 26, 2006, 11:07:41 AM
yes i love my instrument... hehehe... i could love a more expensive one more, but the price matters... i got the piano i love most for the money my parents could pay...  ;D
I sat down and played it and immediately loved it...
Tom
Working on: Schubert - Piano Sonata D.664, Ravel - Sonatine, Ginastera - Danzas Argentinas

Offline m1469

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 6638
Re: Do you play an instrument you truly love ?
Reply #6 on: April 26, 2006, 10:39:18 PM
hmmmm... thanks for your good thoughts and advices.  I am really not sure what to do at this point.  I almost wish I didn't have to actually even think about buying one.


m1469 *kicks the dirt*
"The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving"  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Offline cy_shuster

  • PS Silver Member
  • Jr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 52
Re: Do you play an instrument you truly love ?
Reply #7 on: April 28, 2006, 01:57:27 AM
When you find the right one, you'll know!  (Works for pianos, too!)

--Cy--
piano.com [/url]
For more information about this topic, click search below!

Piano Street Magazine:
When Practice Stagnates – Breaking the Performance Ceiling: Robotic Training for Pianists

“Practice makes perfect” is a common mantra for any pianist, but we all know it’s an oversimplification. While practice often leads to improvement, true perfection is elusive. But according to recent research, a robotic exoskeleton hand could help pianists improve their speed of performing difficult pianistic patterns, by overcoming the well-known “ceiling effect”. Read more
 

Logo light pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts.

Subscribe for unlimited access

Sign up

Follow us

Piano Street Digicert