Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!!!
Santa is coming!
Santa is coming!
Santa Claus is coming to town!
Does Santa visit old pianos?
Will he come to the Little House in Wyandotte where I live
and leave me any presents?
Will 2015 be a good year for this old Steinway?
Will I get to the restoration place some time next year?
Will I be getting any more antique roommates
any time soon?
Will my roommates also be going in for restoration work?
Hey, Jimmy Fallon,
why didn't you ask me if I wanted
to be in that video?
Monday, December 1, 2014
Ebony, Ivory and Me
This video features Michael Stinnett,
of The Antique Piano Shop.
That's where I hope to go one day
for my restoration work.
In this video Michael explains
how to tell if a piano has real ivory
and real ebony.
FYI,
ivory hasn't been used on pianos for decades.
Most, when being restored,
have piano keys that are replaced with plastic.
And new pianos are made with plastic keys.
Yes,
I do have all of my original ivory keys.
Some are cracked and some are chipped.
And some of my ivory
has actually fallen inside this old piano.
But I have ivory keys.
And in the restoration process,
the plan is to keep all of my ivory.
We hope to restore every inch of ivory possible.
When not possible,
only then will a faux ivory be used.
-Andrea The Piano
Monday, November 17, 2014
So, You Wanna Know What Makes Andrea The Piano So Special???
So, what's my story?
People have been asking.
I hope you don't mind
if I repeat myself a little with this blog post.
But my story bears repeating!
My pianist owner
was in search of a piano.
Now,
she is a church musician and choir director.
She is also a piano teacher.
She has taught both at
COMPAS - Center of Music and Performing Arts Southwest
and at Garage Cultural,
both located in the City of Detroit.
She started teaching her niece from home
and then some church friends asked her for lessons,
and well,
she soon found herself in need of a piano.
Now, mind you,
she has several electronic keyboards.
But nothing is quite like a piano.
She is also the proud owner
of an antique Vose Baby Grand piano,
which was actually gifted to her.
But she needed another piano
to teach from in her studio,
away from the goings on of the household.
She quickly decided
that she didn't want a spinet piano.
After owning a baby grand piano
the small sound of a spinet just wouldn't do.
She decided on an old upright piano.
So many uneducated folk
are just giving those pianos away on Craigslist
and on the piano adoption website.
Ugh!
Most of those old uprights
have their original ivory keys.
Ivory hasn't been used on pianos since the 1970s.
And the new ivory laws (as of Feb. 2014)
means you can't import or export ivory from the U.S.
Giving away pianos with original ivory keys?
My pianist owner would take them all
if she had the space and resources
to repair/restore them all!!!
But even more,
the sound of an old upright piano
is absolutely phenomenal.
How this modern world
got all into those crummy little
61-key electronic evil no-name keyboards
is totally beyond me.
Well, you can learn some music
from those little things, that's true.
But an upright piano,
well, the sound is beyond comparison.
The music made from an upright piano
is simply heaven.
My pianist owner wanted an upright.
But then it occurred to her
that the Little Piano House
is a little house.
Uprights are rather wide.
An upright piano, in all likelihood,
would not fit through the door of the little house.
Removing the door from the hinges
might get it in the door,
but the door to the room would be another story.
No, an upright piano
wouldn't make it through that narrow door at all.
So,
she deiced on a square grand piano.
Now,
although a square grand piano is much, much larger
(I am 7-ft. long)
they are disassembled for a move
and reassembled at their new location.
She even posted a photo on her facebook page
of a restored Steinway Square Grand Piano
and stated in her wall post,
that for no logical reason
she wanted one.
(really, a spinet piano
would have been the logical choice!)
Little did she know at that time
that I was looking for a new home.
OK.
This makes me special to her.
But I'm special for more reasons
than her love of music and pianos.
I am made of Brazilian Rosewood,
which is endangered.
In fact,
rosewood cannot be import or exported
from just about every country in the world.
It is protected because it is endangered.
Many musical instruments
were made from Brazilian Rosewood
back in the day.
We just sound so good made of this wood.
I also have my original ivory keys.
So, this adds value
and a bit of something special to me
as a piano.
I was built in 1872.
Now,
it takes a year to create a Steinway,
even now in modern times.
It takes a year
to create a Steinway piano.
So,
what this means
is that work on me started in 1871.
But,
with the process Steinway uses,
then as now,
it take a year to prepare the wood.
So,
what this means
is that the wood chosen
that would later become me,
Andrea The Piano,
was chosen in 1870.
Henry Steinway died in 1871.
Now,
there is no way to prove or document this,
but it is very probable that Henry Steinway himself
hand picked the wood that would later become
Andrea The Piano.
All the world knows
that there is no better piano
than a Steinway.
And I have been graced
to bear the Steinway name.
I have been graced
with the Steinway touch.
I am an American made beauty,
hand crafted by old world artisans
in New York.
I made my way from New York to Chicago
via horse and wagon.
I would later make another trek
via horse and wagon
to a farm in Lapeer, MI.
Then there was a gentleman in Pleasant Ridge, MI
who sought me out as gift
for his lovely wife.
I traveled form Lapeer to Pleasant Ridge
in the back of a pick-up truck
cushioned by mattresses and blankets.
And then,
in May 2014,
my current pianist owner came for me.
For the first time in all my years
I was moved by professional piano movers,
people who all they do
is move pianos for a living.
I knew she loved me
when she chose them to come for me.
And mind you,
she was very picky.
She called a gazillion professional movers
before deciding on the ones she chose for me.
And now
I live in The Little Piano House,
thus named
cuz it's a little house full of pianos
(and one antique organ, but that's another story!)
I am not a piano behind glass,
like Daniel, the piano at Greenfield Village
in Dearborn, MI.
Poor thing, like a caged animal.
People just stop and stare.
Even the pianos
at Wyandotte's Historical Museum
have those "do not touch" signs.
I wish they would remove those signs.
If a piano isn't played
they will forget how to be a piano.
A piano does have to be
tuned and maintained, that's true.
But why have a piano that no one can touch or play?
Is she really a piano if she is silenced?
Seasoned musicians
can enjoy me.
The curious can stop by for a visit.
(just contact my pianist owner!)
Young beginner musicians can play me.
Even older beginner musicians can make music with me!
They learn about music history.
They learn about piano history.
What great composers
would have written music
on a square grand piano?
When did they stop making
square grand pianos?
Why did they stop making
square grand pianos?
When and why did they stop using
ivory and rosewood?
Perhaps I do belong in a museum.
But then,
I would only be a photo opp.
And I want to be so much more than that.
It takes a year to create a Steinway.
But before that,
it takes a year to prepare the wood.
One fine day,
when all the funds are in place,
it will take a year to have me fully restored.
It takes 350 hands to create a Steinway.
But you know,
it only takes 2 to make her sing.
And you know,
I'm not picky.
I am just has happy
with those beginner piano students
playing "twinkle little star"
as I am with my pianist owner
working on her Mozart.
If I were in a museum
I would not have any hands at all
making me sing.
In a museum
my music would stop,
most likely, forever.
And that would really be tragic,
wouldn't it?
I am special.
I am an 1872 Steinway & Sons
Square Grand Piano.
I Am
Andrea, The Piano!!
********************************
People have been asking.
I hope you don't mind
if I repeat myself a little with this blog post.
But my story bears repeating!
My pianist owner
was in search of a piano.
Now,
she is a church musician and choir director.
She is also a piano teacher.
She has taught both at
COMPAS - Center of Music and Performing Arts Southwest
and at Garage Cultural,
both located in the City of Detroit.
She started teaching her niece from home
and then some church friends asked her for lessons,
and well,
she soon found herself in need of a piano.
Now, mind you,
she has several electronic keyboards.
But nothing is quite like a piano.
She is also the proud owner
which was actually gifted to her.
But she needed another piano
to teach from in her studio,
away from the goings on of the household.
She quickly decided
that she didn't want a spinet piano.
After owning a baby grand piano
the small sound of a spinet just wouldn't do.
She decided on an old upright piano.
So many uneducated folk
are just giving those pianos away on Craigslist
and on the piano adoption website.
Ugh!
Most of those old uprights
have their original ivory keys.
Ivory hasn't been used on pianos since the 1970s.
And the new ivory laws (as of Feb. 2014)
means you can't import or export ivory from the U.S.
Giving away pianos with original ivory keys?
My pianist owner would take them all
if she had the space and resources
to repair/restore them all!!!
But even more,
the sound of an old upright piano
is absolutely phenomenal.
How this modern world
got all into those crummy little
61-key electronic evil no-name keyboards
is totally beyond me.
Well, you can learn some music
from those little things, that's true.
But an upright piano,
well, the sound is beyond comparison.
The music made from an upright piano
is simply heaven.
My pianist owner wanted an upright.
But then it occurred to her
that the Little Piano House
is a little house.
Uprights are rather wide.
An upright piano, in all likelihood,
would not fit through the door of the little house.
Removing the door from the hinges
might get it in the door,
but the door to the room would be another story.
No, an upright piano
wouldn't make it through that narrow door at all.
So,
she deiced on a square grand piano.
Now,
although a square grand piano is much, much larger
(I am 7-ft. long)
they are disassembled for a move
and reassembled at their new location.
She even posted a photo on her facebook page
of a restored Steinway Square Grand Piano
and stated in her wall post,
that for no logical reason
she wanted one.
(really, a spinet piano
would have been the logical choice!)
Little did she know at that time
that I was looking for a new home.
OK.
This makes me special to her.
But I'm special for more reasons
than her love of music and pianos.
I am made of Brazilian Rosewood,
which is endangered.
In fact,
rosewood cannot be import or exported
from just about every country in the world.
It is protected because it is endangered.
Many musical instruments
were made from Brazilian Rosewood
back in the day.
We just sound so good made of this wood.
I also have my original ivory keys.
So, this adds value
and a bit of something special to me
as a piano.
I was built in 1872.
Now,
it takes a year to create a Steinway,
even now in modern times.
It takes a year
to create a Steinway piano.
So,
what this means
is that work on me started in 1871.
But,
with the process Steinway uses,
then as now,
it take a year to prepare the wood.
So,
what this means
is that the wood chosen
that would later become me,
Andrea The Piano,
was chosen in 1870.
Now,
there is no way to prove or document this,
but it is very probable that Henry Steinway himself
hand picked the wood that would later become
Andrea The Piano.
All the world knows
that there is no better piano
than a Steinway.
And I have been graced
to bear the Steinway name.
I have been graced
with the Steinway touch.
I am an American made beauty,
hand crafted by old world artisans
in New York.
I made my way from New York to Chicago
via horse and wagon.
I would later make another trek
via horse and wagon
to a farm in Lapeer, MI.
Then there was a gentleman in Pleasant Ridge, MI
who sought me out as gift
for his lovely wife.
I traveled form Lapeer to Pleasant Ridge
in the back of a pick-up truck
cushioned by mattresses and blankets.
And then,
in May 2014,
my current pianist owner came for me.
For the first time in all my years
I was moved by professional piano movers,
people who all they do
is move pianos for a living.
I knew she loved me
when she chose them to come for me.
And mind you,
she was very picky.
She called a gazillion professional movers
before deciding on the ones she chose for me.
And now
I live in The Little Piano House,
thus named
cuz it's a little house full of pianos
(and one antique organ, but that's another story!)
like Daniel, the piano at Greenfield Village
in Dearborn, MI.
Poor thing, like a caged animal.
People just stop and stare.
Even the pianos
at Wyandotte's Historical Museum
have those "do not touch" signs.
I wish they would remove those signs.
If a piano isn't played
they will forget how to be a piano.
A piano does have to be
tuned and maintained, that's true.
But why have a piano that no one can touch or play?
Is she really a piano if she is silenced?
Seasoned musicians
can enjoy me.
The curious can stop by for a visit.
(just contact my pianist owner!)
Young beginner musicians can play me.
Even older beginner musicians can make music with me!
They learn about music history.
They learn about piano history.
What great composers
would have written music
on a square grand piano?
When did they stop making
square grand pianos?
Why did they stop making
square grand pianos?
When and why did they stop using
ivory and rosewood?
Perhaps I do belong in a museum.
But then,
I would only be a photo opp.
And I want to be so much more than that.
It takes a year to create a Steinway.
But before that,
it takes a year to prepare the wood.
One fine day,
when all the funds are in place,
it will take a year to have me fully restored.
It takes 350 hands to create a Steinway.
But you know,
it only takes 2 to make her sing.
And you know,
I'm not picky.
I am just has happy
with those beginner piano students
playing "twinkle little star"
as I am with my pianist owner
working on her Mozart.
If I were in a museum
I would not have any hands at all
making me sing.
In a museum
my music would stop,
most likely, forever.
And that would really be tragic,
wouldn't it?
I am special.
I am an 1872 Steinway & Sons
Square Grand Piano.
I Am
Andrea, The Piano!!
********************************
Friday, October 31, 2014
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween from Ellen and Oso (Bear),
both pictured above
and ME, Andrea The Piano!
(my pic is below!!)
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
It takes 350 hands. . . .
It takes a year to build a Steinway piano.
But before the piano can be created,
it takes a year
just to prepare the wood.
It takes 350 hands to build the Steinway,
but only 1 pair of hands to make her sing.
Alas,
I won't be singing this beautifully
for quite some time
as it will take a year
for my restoration work to be done.
And before that,
we must first raise the necessary funds.
But here's to dreaming the big dream!!!
Enjoy!
Andrea,
The Piano.
But before the piano can be created,
it takes a year
just to prepare the wood.
It takes 350 hands to build the Steinway,
but only 1 pair of hands to make her sing.
Alas,
I won't be singing this beautifully
for quite some time
as it will take a year
for my restoration work to be done.
And before that,
we must first raise the necessary funds.
But here's to dreaming the big dream!!!
Enjoy!
Andrea,
The Piano.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Steinway
It takes a full year
to prepare the wood
that will one day
be crafted into a Steinway Piano.
And then,
it takes a year
to create a Steinway Piano.
And it will take one year
for my restoration work,
once necessary funds are in place.
Here's a video
that shows how people just love their Steinway pianos.
Makes me shed a tear
to know that I am loved this much.
Enjoy.
Andrea, The Piano
to prepare the wood
that will one day
be crafted into a Steinway Piano.
And then,
it takes a year
to create a Steinway Piano.
And it will take one year
for my restoration work,
once necessary funds are in place.
Here's a video
that shows how people just love their Steinway pianos.
Makes me shed a tear
to know that I am loved this much.
Enjoy.
Andrea, The Piano
Friday, October 10, 2014
More on Square Grand Pianos
Here's a video that details a little bit more
about square grand pianos.
This video was made by
The Antique Piano Shop,
where I hope to one day go for restoration work.
I can't wait for the day
when I go to meet Mr. Michael Stinnet
and get all restored at The Antique Piano Shop!
Enjoy the video!
Andrea,
The Piano.
about square grand pianos.
This video was made by
The Antique Piano Shop,
where I hope to one day go for restoration work.
I can't wait for the day
when I go to meet Mr. Michael Stinnet
and get all restored at The Antique Piano Shop!
Enjoy the video!
Andrea,
The Piano.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Pianos Twitter, too!
Well, it's true.
Pianos do Twitter.
I haven't been blogging much lately
as I've been very busy
trying to make a name for myself
on Twitter.
So,
if you Twitter, do follow me.
As for me,
well,
on Twitter I am particularly interested
in following pianists,
classical musicians,
piano tuners and movers.
But I'm also very much interested
in people, businesses and nonprofits
in Wyandotte, The Downriver Area,
and the Greater Detroit area.
I love inspiration stuff
and motivational stuff, too.
I'll get back to blogging more soon.
I have a variety of topics I'd like to cover in this blog.
So, I'll be back in the blogosphere soon!
twitter.com/AndreaThePiano
-Andrea
Pianos do Twitter.
I haven't been blogging much lately
as I've been very busy
trying to make a name for myself
on Twitter.
So,
if you Twitter, do follow me.
As for me,
well,
on Twitter I am particularly interested
in following pianists,
classical musicians,
piano tuners and movers.
But I'm also very much interested
in people, businesses and nonprofits
in Wyandotte, The Downriver Area,
and the Greater Detroit area.
I love inspiration stuff
and motivational stuff, too.
I'll get back to blogging more soon.
I have a variety of topics I'd like to cover in this blog.
So, I'll be back in the blogosphere soon!
twitter.com/AndreaThePiano
-Andrea
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Introducing, Guillermo. He's An Estey Organ!
I have a roommate!
I have a roommate!
His name is Guillermo
He is an Estey Organ.
(More on Estey Organs at a later date!)
My pianist owner brought him home
a couple of days ago.
She went to a rummage sale
and spoke to a few people.
A few emails and phone calls later,
she brought Guillermo, The Great Estey Organ
home for the first time!
Poor little guy
has hibernating in an attic
here in the Beautiful City
of Wyandotte, MI
just a few blocks away from us.
She woke him up and now
he is a part of our Little Piano House family!
He actually is in great condition,
very clean and playable.
All he wanted was to be played!
Boy, is he getting a work-out now!
And so is my pianist owner!
Those pedals you see in the photos
on this little organ
are for pumping!
Yeah, that's right!
Guillermo is an organ
you must pump to play!
We believe that at one time
he was a convent chapel organ.
We are absolutely certain
that he was used for religious services,
which is awesome
because my pianist owner
is a church musician and choir director!
We don't know how old he is
because we don't see his serial number.
We will probably need to remove some screws
and look inside to find it,
but we think he is over 60 years old.
That's me,
Andrea The Piano,
with Guillermo The Great Estey Organ
in the first and last photo!
Welcome, Guillermo,
The Great Estey Organ
to The Little Piano House!
Music Makers Welcome Here!
Enjoy the pics!
-Andrea,
The Piano
I have a roommate!
His name is Guillermo
He is an Estey Organ.
(More on Estey Organs at a later date!)
My pianist owner brought him home
a couple of days ago.
She went to a rummage sale
and spoke to a few people.
A few emails and phone calls later,
she brought Guillermo, The Great Estey Organ
home for the first time!
Poor little guy
has hibernating in an attic
here in the Beautiful City
of Wyandotte, MI
just a few blocks away from us.
She woke him up and now
he is a part of our Little Piano House family!
He actually is in great condition,
very clean and playable.
All he wanted was to be played!
Boy, is he getting a work-out now!
And so is my pianist owner!
Those pedals you see in the photos
on this little organ
are for pumping!
Yeah, that's right!
Guillermo is an organ
you must pump to play!
We believe that at one time
he was a convent chapel organ.
We are absolutely certain
that he was used for religious services,
which is awesome
because my pianist owner
is a church musician and choir director!
We don't know how old he is
because we don't see his serial number.
We will probably need to remove some screws
and look inside to find it,
but we think he is over 60 years old.
That's me,
Andrea The Piano,
with Guillermo The Great Estey Organ
in the first and last photo!
Welcome, Guillermo,
The Great Estey Organ
to The Little Piano House!
Music Makers Welcome Here!
Enjoy the pics!
-Andrea,
The Piano
Thursday, September 11, 2014
101 Dalmations
My pianist owner
is busy trying to make a complete shopping mall
of stuff you can buy,
which, when you do,
a portion of the proceeds will go for my restoration work.
Alas, the Disney stuff is giving her a bit of problems.
But here are a few 101 Dalmations products
you might like.
Enjoy!
-Andrea,
The Piano.
is busy trying to make a complete shopping mall
of stuff you can buy,
which, when you do,
a portion of the proceeds will go for my restoration work.
Alas, the Disney stuff is giving her a bit of problems.
But here are a few 101 Dalmations products
you might like.
Enjoy!
-Andrea,
The Piano.
101 Dalmations' Cruella de Vil Angry Disney Tee Shirts
Sugar & Spice Dalmatian Puppy Card
101 Dalmations Puppy Disney Tee Shirt
101 Dalmations Puppy Disney T Shirt
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Shirt
101 Dalmations Puppy Disney Coffee Mug
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Magnet
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Bags
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Mug
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Bags
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Tags For Luggage
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Ornament
101 Dalmations Puppy Disney Tee Shirts
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Vinyl Binder
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Sticker
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Tee Shirts
dalmation 02 case for the iPad mini
101 Dalmatian Patches Wagging his Tail Spiral NotebooksPianos Twitter, Too!
It's official.
I am now on Twitter
Twitter.com/AndreaThePiano
Do follow me!
Thanks!
-Andrea,
The Piano
I am now on Twitter
Twitter.com/AndreaThePiano
Do follow me!
Thanks!
-Andrea,
The Piano
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
How Did They Move Andrea The Piano Into That Room, Into That House? She Is Such A Big Piano!!!
People often ask
how it is that I am in that first room
in The Little Piano House.
The doorway is so small
and I am so huge!
Even the door to The Little Piano House
is really pretty small.
My pianist owner
was seriously considering
an old upright player piano
before she decided on a square grand piano
but then realized that an upright
wouldn't fit through the door into the Little House!
So,
how did I fit in the door??
Square Grand Pianos
and even baby grand pianos
are disassembled for a move.
And then,
we are reassembled
once we are at our destination.
I'll tell you more about the piano movers
in a future blog entry.
So,
even though I am much larger than an upright piano,
I fit through the door.
I came to my new home in pieces!
This video shows
how I moved into
The Little Piano House
in the Beautiful City of Wyandotte, MI.
Enjoy!
-Andrea,
how it is that I am in that first room
in The Little Piano House.
The doorway is so small
and I am so huge!
Even the door to The Little Piano House
is really pretty small.
My pianist owner
was seriously considering
an old upright player piano
before she decided on a square grand piano
but then realized that an upright
wouldn't fit through the door into the Little House!
So,
how did I fit in the door??
Square Grand Pianos
and even baby grand pianos
are disassembled for a move.
And then,
we are reassembled
once we are at our destination.
I'll tell you more about the piano movers
in a future blog entry.
So,
even though I am much larger than an upright piano,
I fit through the door.
I came to my new home in pieces!
This video shows
how I moved into
The Little Piano House
in the Beautiful City of Wyandotte, MI.
Enjoy!
-Andrea,
The Piano.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Andrea The Piano Asks, "Would You Like To Go Shopping?"
I so love this day and age we're living in.
Back when I was crafted into existence
there was no TV, no cable, no internet,
No Netflix, Hulu, Youtube.
We had none of that!
I LOVE cartoons!
I especially love Dora The Exporer!
Can you say, "shopping?"
Remember
how in a previous blog entry
I was telling you all
how I was going to offer up some ideas
Back when I was crafted into existence
there was no TV, no cable, no internet,
No Netflix, Hulu, Youtube.
We had none of that!
I LOVE cartoons!
I especially love Dora The Exporer!
Can you say, "shopping?"
Remember
how in a previous blog entry
I was telling you all
how I was going to offer up some ideas
Well,
Now I am taking you all shopping!
And when you purchase something
you'll not only get the great product you order
but you'll also be helping me
with my restoration costs
as a percentage of each purchase
will be used just for that!
It's a win-win!
But it's not just Dora The Explorer stuff.
It's Spongebob Squarepants.
It's the Backyardigans.
It's Blue Clues.
And tons of Disney stuff:
Frozen, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Planes,
Severn Dwarfs, Toy Story,
Cars, Monsters Inc.
And there's even
Godzilla stuff!
cell phone covers, tote bags, hats,
baby stuff, pet stuff, kitchen stuff,
office stuff,
bumper stickers, skateboards,
and so much more!!!
It's like
The Andrea The Piano Shopping Network!
More stuff to come,
but for now
you can click on some of the links above.
Soon
my pianist owner
will put up a gazillion links
to everything under the sun.
It's not too early to start thinking
about purchasing Christmas gifts.
Thing of that special someone
you want to buy something for.
And then think of me,
Andrea, The Piano.
And do purchase something
from one of the links on this blog.
By doing so
you'll help to make me new again.
Thank you so much!
Happy Shopping, Everyone!
- Andrea,
The Piano.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
This Is What I Could Look And Sound Like . . .
Yes, in this video you'll see and hear
what I might look and sound like
once I am fully restored.
This video is of a Bradbury piano, and I am a Steinway.
Nonetheless, I think you all get the idea.
This video was made by the people
I hope to do the restoration work for me,
The Antique Piano Shop.
Via pianomation, (a feature I hope to have one day!)
this piano plays Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
Enjoy!
-Andrea, The Piano
what I might look and sound like
once I am fully restored.
This video is of a Bradbury piano, and I am a Steinway.
Nonetheless, I think you all get the idea.
This video was made by the people
I hope to do the restoration work for me,
The Antique Piano Shop.
Via pianomation, (a feature I hope to have one day!)
this piano plays Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
Enjoy!
-Andrea, The Piano
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Andrea, Can You Tell Us What Happens To Pianos As They Age?
 |
| Andrea's Piano Strings |
What can happen to pianos
after time?
Well,
you're asking the right question
as I am a piano
that is 142 years old!
Many, many things can happen,
even to the finest pianos,
when they age.
As pianos are made of wood,
well,
things can happen.
Some pianos can suffer many dents,dings and scratches
over the years.
Some pianos may need refinishing.
Pianos, such as myself,
can have many ornate moldings.
With time,
some of the moldings may have gotten chipped or damaged.
Some of the moldings
may even be missing.
I have a round stain.
At some point in time
one of my previous pianist owners
kept a house plant on me.
The plant got overwatered,
and,
unfortunately,
so did I.
Elderly pianos may have missing hammers or felts.
I have both of these problems.
Older pianos
may also have ivories
that have yellowed.
Sometimes the ivory
is chipped or cracked.
Some of my ivory is missing.
And some of my ivory
has actually fallen inside.
Now,
it's only older pianos
that actually have ivory keys.
Ivory hasn't been used on a piano keyboard
since 1972,
due to ivory laws.
Since 1972 pianos have plastic keys.
I, however,
have my original ivory keyboard.
And now,
let's talk about strings.
Most modern day pianos
have 88 keys,
though some square grand pianos before me
had 61 keys.
Eighty-eight keys is pretty standard now.
And each key has 3 strings.
The average life for strings and mechanisms
is about 50 years.
Sometimes a string will break
or there are other problems,
but for the most part
we can expect strings to last 50 years.
I have my original strings.
Though out of tune,
I am playable.
My pianist owner
doesn't want to have me tuned
for fear that the excess tension
will cause the strings to break.
Still,
my strings have lasted
almost 3 times longer
that what is normal.
This, indeed,
is yet another testament
as to what a fine instrument
a Steinway piano really is.
But,
alas,
my strings are old.
They need to be replaced,
as do my hammers, felts
and pin block.
I am a very special piano
with very special needs.
Please stop and take a few moments
to think of ways
you can help me
reach my goal
of a complete restoration.
In the weeks to come
I'll be offering several suggestions.
For now, though,
you have some idea
as to what can happen to pianos
as they age.
Historically yours,
Andrea,
The Piano.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Where Was Andrea, The Piano, Before She Came To Wyandotte, MI?
Where was I before coming to Wyandotte?
Many, many years ago,
I was born in New York.
I was hand crafted
by the many fine skilled artisans
of Steinway & Sons.
Now,
dates are not clear,
but I have lived in a few places
before coming to
The Little Piano House
in Wyandotte, MI.
(the little piano house
is actually a little house behind the main house.
i believe traditionally
they are called "in-laws" quarters.
The city of Wyandotte, MI
has many such little houses
behind the main house.)
Anyhow,
from New York
I moved to Chicago.
Now mind you,
travel for Square Grand Pianos
was a bit difficult back then.
I made my way
from New York to Chicago
via covered wagon.
Yes, that's right!
I made the trek from the east via covered wagon.
After some time in Chicago
I would take another covered wang trip.
This second wagon trip took me to a farm in Lapeer, MI.
Now,
mine is just one of many stories told
that sing the praises of Steinway pianos
that have made the long trip via covered wagon
and arrived at their destination in tune.
I am so proud to be a Steinway!!!
My next home
was in a very beautiful house
and in an absolutely love neighborhood
in Pleasant Ridge. MI.
I was a gift for a very nice lady.
A man brought me to give to his wife.
I made that trip from Lapeer to Pleasant Ridge
in the back of a pick-up truck.
I was cushioned by mattresses and blankets
for that trip to Pleasant Ridge.
And finally,
my arrival to Wyandotte!
For the first time in my life
professional piano movers,
people who all they do is move pianos,
were the ones to bring me to Wyandotte, MI
One of the things these piano movers noticed
is that the last time I was moved
they put my legs in the wrong places.
This is sort of like
a pre-schooler who puts their shoes on the wrong feet!
But my legs are all in the right places now!
I've been in Wyandotte
since May 2014.
I live in a lovely little house
lovingly called
"The Little Piano House."
I have my own room
in that little house.
Another room in the house
is the music study room.
There are several electronic pianos in that room.
A few local artists
also use the little house
as a studio
and many fine paintings are created there.
Well,
that's the story of where I've been.
Now I am a resident of Wyandotte, MI!
I am
Andrea,
The Piano.
Many, many years ago,
I was born in New York.
I was hand crafted
by the many fine skilled artisans
of Steinway & Sons.
Now,
dates are not clear,
but I have lived in a few places
before coming to
The Little Piano House
in Wyandotte, MI.
(the little piano house
is actually a little house behind the main house.
i believe traditionally
they are called "in-laws" quarters.
The city of Wyandotte, MI
has many such little houses
behind the main house.)
from New York
I moved to Chicago.
Now mind you,
travel for Square Grand Pianos
was a bit difficult back then.
I made my way
from New York to Chicago
via covered wagon.
Yes, that's right!
I made the trek from the east via covered wagon.
After some time in Chicago
I would take another covered wang trip.
This second wagon trip took me to a farm in Lapeer, MI.
Now,
mine is just one of many stories told
that sing the praises of Steinway pianos
that have made the long trip via covered wagon
and arrived at their destination in tune.
I am so proud to be a Steinway!!!
My next home
was in a very beautiful house
and in an absolutely love neighborhood
in Pleasant Ridge. MI.
I was a gift for a very nice lady.
A man brought me to give to his wife.
I made that trip from Lapeer to Pleasant Ridge
in the back of a pick-up truck.
I was cushioned by mattresses and blankets
for that trip to Pleasant Ridge.
And finally,
my arrival to Wyandotte!
For the first time in my life
professional piano movers,
people who all they do is move pianos,
were the ones to bring me to Wyandotte, MI
One of the things these piano movers noticed
is that the last time I was moved
they put my legs in the wrong places.
This is sort of like
a pre-schooler who puts their shoes on the wrong feet!
But my legs are all in the right places now!
I've been in Wyandotte
since May 2014.
I live in a lovely little house
lovingly called
"The Little Piano House."
I have my own room
in that little house.
Another room in the house
is the music study room.
There are several electronic pianos in that room.
A few local artists
also use the little house
as a studio
and many fine paintings are created there.
Well,
that's the story of where I've been.
Now I am a resident of Wyandotte, MI!
I am
Andrea,
The Piano.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
What Are Some Of The Features Of A Steinway Piano?
Hello, World!
Andrea The Piano here
with another great Steinway Piano video.
This video details some of the reasons
that Steinway pianos
are the best pianos ever.
With this video,
I've included the transcript that youtube provides.
It's just that the information contained here
is so very important
that I don't want you to miss any of it.
Remember,
I am a Steinway,
albeit, a piano much older
than any in this video.
But I am Steinway!
Enjoy!
-Andrea, The Piano
**********************************
**********************************
Andrea The Piano here
with another great Steinway Piano video.
This video details some of the reasons
that Steinway pianos
are the best pianos ever.
With this video,
I've included the transcript that youtube provides.
It's just that the information contained here
is so very important
that I don't want you to miss any of it.
Remember,
I am a Steinway,
albeit, a piano much older
than any in this video.
But I am Steinway!
Enjoy!
-Andrea, The Piano
**********************************
**********************************
0:06
[music]
0:18
Since 1853, Steinway &
Sons has been synonymous with musical
0:22
excellence in the building and the
design of the Steinway Piano.
0:27
Our founder, Henry Engelhard Steinweg,
0:30
had one simple tenant that we subscribe
to today,
0:34
simply build in the best piano possible.
Period.
0:38
Today, over 1,500 pianists worldwide
proudly bear the title
0:44
Steinway Artist.
0:45
What is so remarkable about this
distinction, is that these are not paid
0:49
endorsers,
0:50
but they choose the Steinway piano because of
the love of their craft.
0:54
As President of Steinway & Sons for the
Americas, I am often asked,
0:59
"What components within a Steinway piano
contribute to this unique and imitable
1:03
Steinway sound?"
1:04
Considering a piano is comprised of
over 12,000 parts, it is a
1:07
little difficult to determine which ones
are the most prominent.
1:11
But I think as we all know, the
soundboard of the piano is perhaps the
1:14
heart and soul of any piano.
1:17
And Steinway & Sons, in 1936,
had an innovative breakthrough.
1:21
We developed what is known as the
diaphragmatic soundboard that
1:24
essentially allowed the piano
1:26
to vibrate more freely, creating a warmer,
richer, more resonant sound for a
1:31
longer, sustained period of time.
1:35
The action in any piano is an
extraordinarily important part of an
1:39
instrument,
1:40
and in 1936, Steinway & Sons
patented the accelerated action.
1:44
This was a revolutionary breakthrough
which enabled the performer to extract
1:48
whatever sounds, loud or soft,
1:50
they wished to get from the instrument.
1:58
Another exclusive feature of the Steinway
piano, is the patented Hexagrip pinblock.
2:02
The pinblock is an integral part
of the Steinway piano in that it holds
2:07
the tuning pins in place using hard rock
maple construction angled at forty-five
2:12
degrees in laminations.
2:14
It is this particular Hexagrip design
that enables the Steinway piano to
2:19
withstand any climatic conditions and
maintain its tune for extended periods
2:24
of time.
2:29
The rim of a Steinway grand piano is
comprised of hard rock maple,
2:35
continuously bent in one operation.
2:37
It is this process that enables the
Steinway piano to endure for generations
2:42
to come.
2:48
The scale of each Steinway piano is
this some of all of its components,
2:52
and one specific component which is
extraordinarily important to every grand
2:56
piano, is the cast iron plate or frame.
2:59
This component is so important to Steinway
& Sons that we own and operate our
3:04
own foundry, using bell quality
castings to make the Steinway plate.
3:12
The duplex scale,
3:13
a Steinway invention, adds color to
every Steinway piano
3:18
by enhancing the termination of each
individual note.
3:24
[music]
3:31
It takes over a year to handcraft a
Steinway grand piano from the finest
3:35
materials available,
3:37
and it is this painstaking process
3:39
that enables the Steinway piano to
develop its own unique musical personality.
3:48
Whether you are an aspiring artist, or just
want the joy of music in your home,
3:53
there is a Steinway built
especially for you.
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