LEARNING TO PLAY THE PIANO
At home we had a Marshall and Rose upright piano. I remember going to choose it with my dad from a piano showroom somewhere near Harrogate and having a great time playing all the different upright pianos until we fell in love with the Marshall and Rose upright piano. We had a couple of starter upright pianos before that but this was our first investment piano, a statement of our intention that this music making of ours was more than just a casual pastime. My old Marshall and Rose upright piano has many memories attached to it so when a customer tells me their old piano has sentimental value I really understand that way of thinking.
FIRST GROWN UP PIANO PURCHASE – YAMAHA U3
I bought a 1992 Yamaha U3 in my twenties to develop my own skills and teach beginners on. This immaculate 1992 Yamaha U3 had a great action and mellow warm tone. My only regret about buying this piano was selling it when we moved house I still wonder about that lovely Yamaha upright piano today and hope it found a good home.
PIANOS IN THE PIANO SHOP BATH – Steinway Model A
In our large piano showroom I am spoilt for choice but if I had to choose one favourite at the moment I would choose the 1878 Steinway Model A Grand piano. This grand piano has a beautiful carved wood case, matching stool and classic Steinway quality so it is not hard to understand the appeal of this Grand piano. And yet, and yet, there is something beyond these obvious qualities that I have found when playing this Steinway Grand piano. I feel the provenance of this beautiful piano and I feel I could hear it tell me its stories if I could just listen in the right way. This Steinway grand piano feels good and strong like a wise old tree and when I play it I understand exactly why some people speak of pianos as living instruments.
Steinway Model A Grand Piano