Restore Andrea The Piano!!

 
She's talkin' about me!
She's talkin' about me!
My pianist owner is talkin' about me, Andrea The Piano!

The complete text of what she says is below!

Or,  
you can just click here 
and Donate To My Restoration Project Now!

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I’d like to introduce you all to
Andrea The Piano.

Andrea is an antique Steinway & Sons
square grand piano.
dated at 1872,
making her 143 years old.
She was crafted in New York
by the most skilled of old world artisans

Andrea the Piano is made of Brazilian rosewood.
Because it is endangered
import & export of rosewood,
either as lumber or as a finished product,
is prohibited
from most countries in the world
including the Unites States.

As such,
Andrea The Piano
is an American made beauty
that will never leave the United States of America.       
                                   
This piano has many hand carved features,
such as the legs, music rack and pedal.
She also features hand stenciling inside.

And while we have no documented proof of this,
we firmly believe that Henry Steinway himself
chose the wood that would later become Andrea The Piano.
It takes a full year to craft a Steinway Piano,
but before that,
it takes 2 years to dry and prepare the wood.
Andrea the Piano is dated at 1872,                   
which means artisans started crafting her in 1871.
But the wood for this magnificent piano
would have been chosen in 1869
to being the 2 year preparation process.
Henry Steinway died in 1871.
So then,
it is altogether possible
that he chose the wood himself
for Andrea The Piano
though he would not live to see the finished piano.

Andrea The Piano
is one of many instruments
in The Little Piano House,
located in the beautiful city
of Wyandotte, MI.
This little house
is a music, art & piano studio.
There are actually 2 artists
that utilize studio space
in the Little piano house,
one whose artwork is featured in River's Edge Gallery
in the beautiful city of Wyandotte, MI
And of course,
Students arrive to learn the art of piano.

And so,
Andrea The Piano is housed
with several pieces of artwork,
with several electronic instruments
and a few antique reed organs.

This is NOT a piano
behind glass or a red velvet ribbon
in a museum with a
“do not touch” sign.
On the contrary,
we welcome pianists,
young and old
to enjoy this magnificent piano.

This piano is need of much restoration work
and we ask for your help and support
to bring her back to full glory.
There aren’t many qualified and trained
to do the all the work needed.
Indeed, just to bring her to The Little House
required piano movers knowledgeable
about such Victorian era instruments.
As such,
a full restoration will be quite costly.
She will need to travel out of state
to have complete restoration work done.

Just to give you an idea
of how much detail is required. . .

Did you know that each key on a piano
has over 50 pieces?

Multiply that by 88 keys
and we are speaking of well over 4,000 parts
that must be restored, repaired, or replaced.
And that is just for the piano keys alone.

Who am I?
My name is Rubi
and I am one of the owners of Andrea The Piano
and of the little house
that houses Andrea.

I am no stranger to music
in Metro Detroit and Downriver.
I’ve been working in church music ministry for years.
Perhaps you’ve been a member
of one of the many children’s choirs I’ve directed over the years.
Or maybe you were a member of one of the adult choirs
that participated in special events,
like this group that had the opportunity
to sing in Mexico City.
Perhaps I was the musician for your wedding
or your child’s first communion.
Perhaps you had me as a piano teacher
in Detroit
at COMPAS Center of music & performing arts
or at Garage Cultural / The Cultural Garage,
Or maybe even at the Little House.

Maybe it’s because I’ve accompanied you as a musician
during life’s special moments.
Maybe it’s because you have a love for music.
Maybe it’s because you treasure antiques.
Maybe it’s because you appreciate works of art.
Maybe it’s because you live in or near Wyandotte, MI
and would love to help in a local project.
Maybe you’re one of Andrea’s Twitter followers
have enjoyed her wit, humor, and wisdom.

Whatever the reason
I’m asking you to help us
Restore Andrea.

Something about Henry Steinway

While we have no documented proof of this,
we firmly believe Henry Steinway choose the wood
that would later become me,
Andrea The Piano.

It takes a full year to craft a Steinway piano.
I am dated at 1872, which means work on me started in 1871.
But it also takes two years to dry and prepare wood for a Steinway
before the work in crafting the piano even starts.
That means that the wood for me would have been chosen in 1869.
Henry Steinway died in 1871.
That means it is altogether possible that Henry Steinway himself
chose the wood that would later become me, Andrea The Piano,
though he would not live to see me as a finished piano.

RestoreAndrea.org

Andrea The Piano on Twitter

Well, it truly has been a most crazy couple of weeks on twitter.

I already posted about what one lady had to ask me on twitter.

I have a pretty interesting following,
if I do say so myself!
Authors, poets - writers of all kinds!
Photographers and artists!
And those artists are of various genres.
And of course,
pianists and musicians of all sorts.

I'm followed by a professional piano cyber stalker.
I'm followed by someone that is new to the piano social media scene.

One person follows me because her upright made her do it.

Another person said she followed me because, 
"It's the first time an inanimate object has spoken to me, except in my dreams."

Another said that God sent her a direct message
and then, there I was!

But one of my followers has really got my attention.
He has asked that I run for public office.
And I must tell you,
I am giving that serious consideration.

I'll write more about that later.
For now,
please, 
do follow me on twitter if you haven't done so already.
This Old Piano
could really use all the friends I can get!

Tweeting away,
I am musically yours,
Andrea The Piano.

How Much Will it Cost To Restore Andrea The Piano?

First of all,
let me say that my pianist owner has done extensive research.
She called and inquired to places in Metro Detroit, Michigan,
and indeed, all over the United States.

She decided on the Antique Piano Shop in Tennessee
for a variety of reasons.
I'll write another blog post explaining why
we chose this place for my restoration work.
The numbers in the blog post, then,
reflect what it will cost for restoration work at this particular shop.

A Grade 2 Restoration, which includes strings, pins, hammers, felts, woodwork and so much more, will cost $22,000.00.
(you can visit The Antique Piano Shop for complete details on a Grade 2 Restoration).

Moving me from Michigan to Tennessee will cost $900.00.
Repeat that dollar amount for the trip back home.

A finished matching historically correct Victorian piano stool
will cost $500.00.
(Please note that a piano bench is actually 20th century, 
something that started as a fashion trend.)

-QRS/PNOmation (player action) will cost $7,500.00.
Please note that the Antique Piano Shop
is the only shop in the United States
that will work this feature on Square Grand Pianos.
This should further give you an idea of just how unique
and special a piano I am!

Grand Total for Restoration Work: $31,800.00

     -Andrea,
         The Piano 

Piano Parts

A piano has more than 12,00 parts,
I believe it's more like 12, 116 for a modern day Steinway Grand Piano.
The action for 1 key alone is more than 57 parts.
So, for 88 keys that's 4,500 parts.. . . just for the keys!

It's no small wonder my restoration work
will take a full year to complete!

Post by The Friends of Steinway Mansion.

     -Andrea,
          The Piano

 

Wanna See Some Leg??!!?

. . OK, piano leg!

Here's what my leg will look like once restored.
This piano leg is on a grand piano restored by The Antique Piano Shop,
where I hope to go for my restoration work.
This leg is on a Grand Piano and I am a Square Piano, but both are made of Brazilian Rosewood.

Midcentury Products by Friendsville Artists & Artisans Antique Piano Shop

This is what my legs look like now.

Just thought you'd like to get an idea!

      -Andrea,
        The Piano

Andrea's 31!!!

Welcome to my 31!
Yes, it's time for Andrea's 31!

No, it's not my 31st birthday!
Actually when this new year came
I officially became a 143 year old piano!
Yes, I am a 143 year old Steinway Square Grand Piano!
But it's NOT my birthday!

Actually, Andrea's 31 in online event
to help raise a few dollars that will go toward my restoration project.

You all are familiar with Thirty-One, are you not?
Purses, Wallets, Tots.
Products for you, for you home!

With your purchase,
you'll get a great product
and I'll be a step closer to the Antique Piano Shop.

Won't you join us for Andrea's 31?!!??

Oh, and just so you know,
there will be many ways you will be able to support me
in my journey toward restoration.

Thank you for your support!

Musically yours,
Andrea, The Piano

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!!

********************************

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Ellen and Oso (Bear),

both pictured above

and ME, Andrea The Piano!

(my pic is below!!)

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.

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.

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

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
 

 

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.

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 Notebooks

Pianos Twitter, Too!

It's official.
I am now on Twitter

Twitter.com/AndreaThePiano

Do follow me!

Thanks!

-Andrea,
The Piano

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,

The Piano.

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
 

   
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!

T-shirts,  sweatshirts,  coffee mugs,  notebooks,
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.