Tuesday, September 18, 2007

My Piano


The most wonderful thing happened for me this weekend. I had my old piano's keys redone.

The ivories were falling off and it looked and felt terrible. I hadn't played in a long time. It just didn't attract me. I hated how it felt.

This piano has a long history. I feel very blessed to have it. It belonged to my great great aunt originally. She gave it to my Grandma which caused a big fight in her family but she felt that it was the right thing to do. My gram gave all her kids lessons on it and then gave it to my mom.

Oh I forgot to mention. This is a very heavy old upright piano. My Great great aunt's house caught on fire once and she pushed it out of her house by herself to save it. It was the only thing she saved.

Anyway, my Mom then gave it to me. I was a music major, my older sisters had bought pianos when they had married and she could see that I was the most committed to music at the time.

I had it in my room for a long time. It took 5 big Samoan men to carry it up the stairs out of the house when I got married. It has never had to have any strings replaced and it has it's original soundboard in perfect condition. It has a tone to die for. It is no longer a very pretty piano as for as looks go but you'd be hard pressed to find one that sounds as good.

About 5 years ago I had the hammers sanded down so now they sound like they did when they were new. Saturday, I had the ivory redone. It's not real ivory of course. The old ones were though and I kept a few for sentimental reasons, but it looks beautiful.

I can't stop playing it. I love to play. I have given myself a new piano lesson and the sweetest thing of all is this....

Every night, when we put Heidi to bed, she asks Bry to watch a "mobie" (movie) in the other room until she falls asleep. She gets scared all by herself. Last night when I put her to bed, She asked me, "Will you play the piano in the other room?" She said it so sweet. I had played the piano for the last 2 nights just for my own enjoyment after she had gone to bed. It brought tears to my eyes. Bryan has been replaced. It made me so happy that she would rather listen to the piano than the tv. Who wouldn't?

My parents used to love to lay in bed and listen to me practice late at night. At least that was what my mom told me!

So, I love my "new" piano. It is my baby even still and I love to see it taken care of. It kills me to see people mistreat musical instruments. For me, they have souls and know when they aren't loved! Sounds weird I know, but I am a little weird. Just ask Lisa!

5 comments:

Tash said...

Cool im so glad u got it fixed!! and to have such a history in your family to pass down to then next generation :) happy playing!!

Tonya said...

What a wonderful thing to have passed down in your family. Your piano is very blessed to live in such a caring home. I have always wanted to learn to play and one of these days I'm going to give it a go.

That is so sweet that your little girl will have her own personal lullabies. Much better than TV for sure!!

Jennie said...

that is so great! i think it is great that you value it so much. it is a great legacy.

good for you!

Charlotte said...

I think a piano really makes a home.

I'm glad you've got yours to a point where you can really enjoy it again.

Lisa M. said...

Um ya. So weird. *Rolling eyes*

I love that piano too, and I am so glad to know the history.

HOW wonderful.

I think it's a beautiful story.

I love to hear Jacob play, too-

I think that is lovely.