A Piano - Number 26

If I had a piano, I would play it every day. When I was a girl, I spent ten years of my life pretending to practice between my weekly piano lessons - it was not until I was much older that I actually appreciated my ability to play the piano, and wished I had practiced more when I had the chance. In college, my house had a run-down old upright that I'd tinker away on every now and then...but pianos are one instrument that really does need to be maintained - a "run-down" quality doesn't make it charming or vintage, just run-down. A piano should be perfect.

I would love to come home from a long day and simply unwind by playing a Chopin Noctourne or two, or perhaps some Schubert. For the times when I need to juice up the creative faculties, I'd go for Bach's Invention 13, which I've never been able to play perfectly. In order to really get good at my jazz standards, as my father has always hoped, I'd probably have to take a lesson - but that's okay, if I had my own piano this time, I'd practice.

I grew up with a Yamaha baby grand, and while this instrument is amazingly precise, I have to say that I have always prefered the rich vibrancy of a Steinway. When you play a Steinway, you feel alive - this must be why, according to the Steinway website, the brand name is synonymous with Sergei Rachmaninoff, Cole Porter, Billy Joel and Diana Krall. Not every one has space enough for a concert grand, which is understandable, so I would choose the baby grand - the size I grew up with. Small enough to fit into the room, yet big enough in sound and presence to let you know it's there...

Comments

[Genevieve]

Ah yes. Grew up playing on my mom's Steinway, and it's a classic to be sure. I miss just plopping down and playing a little Chopin, some Bach, and one of my guilty pleasures, a selection from Rogers and Hammerstein. And some Gershwin for a challenge. Ah! We're thinking of renting an upright for the house to cure my fix... Keep ya posted!