Ive just been given a piano!

Dibble · August-19th-2004, 08:48 PM

I cant play much - 3 chords..to me its like patting you head and rubbing your stomach at the same time!!

So excited though !! A neighbur was "throwing it away" !! can you believe it..its a little out of tune, and smells a bit..but Im so thrilled

Been tinking incesssantly all day - I nearly played "Stardust"

Just so thrilled, wanted to share the good news..

Ron Thorne · August-19th-2004, 09:28 PM

Wow, what a great day for you. Extraordinary!

Search out a reputable piano tuner and teacher and you could be on your way to a lifetime of enjoyment. And, keep an eye on that neighbor's trash. You never know what could be next, Dibble.

Dibble · August-19th-2004, 09:41 PM

Great day indeed..but not generally a trash watcher..lol

Thank you RT, as a potential musician with no aptitude whatsoever..I shall enjoy the gift as much as possible!

I have a clarinet too....some awful sounds coming out of my house at the moment!

Ennis Snavely · August-19th-2004, 09:59 PM

We just got a free piano this weekend too. My wife plays and we have a Baldwin upright upstairs in the living room. A friend of ours wanted to get rid of her gandmother's baby grand, so we took it in and put it my wife's practice room in the basement. The next step is getting it tuned.

I kind of enjoy hearing her practice.

cookie · August-19th-2004, 10:06 PM

Congratulations, Dibble! Three chords is a start and now with an instrument, you can learn some more. Happy day!

I got a free piano too. It's got some issues, but it's a good tool to work with and I'm keeping the piano technician fed.

I always keep my eyes on what "big trash" people put out around here. In a college town, that can be smart shopping. I got a nice sleeper sofa just this week. Didn't smell or anything. Guess the folks just couldn't take it with 'em.

Monte Smith · August-19th-2004, 10:43 PM

Congrats on the piano.

But for some reason (it was probably the exclamation point), the title of this thread reminded me of a Howard Stern routine from the early 1980s based on Leave It to Beaver. The gag was included on a longplaying record I got for my birthday in 4th grade and involved Eddie Haskell and Wally Cleaver engaging in anal sex. Only something goes terribly wrong and Eddie gets his dick stuck up Wally's butt. So they go to a proctologist and after some hilarious interchanges, the doc gets to work prying apart the 1950s teenagers. Pop! The Haskell dick is removed, and all seems rosy, until the doc notices that some other stuff is stuck up Wally's butt. There follows the greatest opportunity for sound effect artists since Fibber McGee's closet, terminating in the final items to emerge from the Cleaver cheeks: "Six lead pencils und ("und," I forgot to say that the proctologist was a German) und a piano!"

Anyways, enjoy.

Dr Dave · August-19th-2004, 10:49 PM

Nicolas Slonimsky's scales await you...

tippy · August-20th-2004, 12:45 AM

Congratulations, Dibble! Somebody gave me a piano once, a 1926 Wurlitzer and though it wasn't super pretty, it really did have a beautiful tone. I was heartbroken though when I left San Francisco because I had to junk it--it could no longer be regulated without expense exceeding its worth but I sure did love that piano. There is something living to me about pianos, you know it's like they have their special personalities, not to mention an important function, when they inhabit your living space. Congratulations again and have a terrific time.

SEJ · August-20th-2004, 09:26 AM

My piano was free too. My wifes employer was getting rid of it, so we paid to have it hauled here. It's not the greatest, but now that it's been tuned it's serviceable. It could use some adjustment, but it's not painful to hear any more.

I enjoy picking tasty songs and learning them. I figure eventually I'll develop some facility at moving between chord voicings. I've got to get up to speed so I can teach my forthcoming child! My wife is the real player, but she's dead to jazz. If only I had her hands...

jazzy mary · August-20th-2004, 10:32 AM

Great Dibble. Have fun! We recently bought an upright Wurlitzer piano from someone in Park Slope. They had an ad in my local dycleaner. We paid $1,200.00 for it then another $300.00 to have it delivered then another $285.00 to have it tuned. It was worth it though. It's so, so much better for my kids to play on a real piano. I wish we could get a Steinway grand!

Gentle Giant · August-20th-2004, 10:35 AM

I hate to admit it, but I'm a bit of a trash picker. you'd be surprised at the good-quality stuff that people throw out. I've gotten toys, games, CDs, cassettes, furniture, books, all kinds of stuff.

But a piano, well I've never seen that on anyone's curb. Congrats on your good fortune. Make the most out of it.

Lastonein · August-20th-2004, 12:45 PM

It's amazing what some people consider rubbish. A neighbors son came home from the local tip a couple of weeks ago with a mini-keyboard. He just plugged it in and away he went. It only had about five different "effects" and only three drum choices but he was absolutely overjoyed.

At some time this would have cost a packet but what was old tech for somebody was fine for Gary to learn a few tunes-on.

Hope you have as much fun with the piano dibble

For some reason this also reminds me of the story where Clyde rubs the lamp for the genie to appear.

Looking a bit sleepy the Genie politely asks Clyde if he wants to make a wish.
"First I want to know what you did to my last f******wish" growled Clyde. "You really f***** it up big time" " I woke-up this morning and beside my bed was this cardboard box. Inside the box was this f****** little midget playing a f****** piano".

"I know I'm getting old and forgetful" said the tired genie "and forgive me for saying ...but I distinctly remember you wishing to wake-up with a ten inch pianist".

The oldies are the best...sometimes?

Dibble · August-20th-2004, 09:11 PM

Chuckles..may have to become a trash watcher from now on

Four chords now - and so may people with free pianos..extraordinary..and some sooo expensive

I can do a mean Edelweiss if you have three quarters of an hour to spare..

And thanks for the connection to the HS proctologist routine..strange train of thought..made me laugh though

Must remember not to use exclamation marks (or points..depending on which side of the pond you are)

Danny Boy next..aim high..plinky plinky ponderous plonk

Ron Thorne · August-20th-2004, 10:45 PM

"... to me its like patting you head and rubbing your stomach at the same time!!"

Actually, drumming is much more like that, Dibble. And, if you're playing a drum set, you get to do it with your feet, too.

Keep having fun. That's what music is all about. When you get it properly tuned, you'll like it even more, and it will help your ears relate to accurate tones and chord structures better. In the absence of affording a qualified instructor, perhaps you could inquire as to some suitable beginning books, DVDs or VHS tapes from some JC piano players.

Dibble · August-21st-2004, 09:08 PM

Thank you RT - I will do that - coffers are a little bare at the moment - sont even want to ask how much a "tuner" is!

Its very exciting- Im thrilled

Re the drums - just before I "acquired" the piano I got to hear a Bobby Previte album - made me want to take up the drums too...such energy - so that would be rubbing the stomach, patting the head and tapdancing at the same time eh? - one step at a time - think I have "alien hand syndrome" at the moment - but trying not to walk before I can run..

The smell is fading..thankfully - its the ugliest looking piano in the world I'm sure - but I'm delighted..

Resorting to just playing the chords and attempting to sing the melody- to get used to using more than one finger at once

Happy days - and one my my daughters seems to have a bit of a knack - which is wonderful