The piano

This is the post I am entering in the Homeschool Carnival tomorrow. Homeschoolers are always very curious about such things!

When my mother was a young single woman back in 1950s, she contemplated a career on the concert stage as a pianist. She was good enough that she received a lot of encouragement in that direction from her teachers and from her mother. But mom, deep down, wanted to be a wife and a mother and to set down some roots. She wanted to be a home body. So instead she became a piano teacher.

My mother had an opportunity to buy a 7 foot Steinway grand piano. With my grandparents’ help, and with her earnings as a school teacher, she purchased this instrument from a professor who was moving on. The piano has been in the family ever since.

As a child I remember playing under it’s massive legs. My sister and I would play house, or cave, or hide and seek. For a little kid, that piano was like a fortress. I also remember my mother giving piano lessons on it to students on Saturdays. I really hated that because it took her away from us and we couldn’t interrupt. Still the extra money it gave us was nice.

In high school I became a musician in my own right. I am a flutist and in high school I have many fond memories of playing a difficult piece and having my mother accompany me on the piano. Many times we performed together in church, at school and even did a few weddings. My friends came over to practice with her too as she accompanied many of them at solo and ensemble competition, including Mr. Pete and his brother Paul.

In the 1990s, after retiring from teaching, my mom moved out to New Mexico to be with my dad. The Steinway was packed up and moved across the country where it sat in its little ranch house for six years. My mother even let the local music festival borrow it a few times. So it was packed up and sent to a music hall and back again, down the dusty bumpy roads in New Mexico and up into the mountains.

In 1998 my mother’s health required that she move back east to be closer to me and my sister. This time it was my heroic sister who saw to the mighty Steinway’s well being as it once again traveled across the United States, this time to Ohio.

Last week, my mom moved again, this time into a much smaller place. There was no room for the Steinway. A family discussion/decision was made to move the piano into my home. It made sense. My mom is here two or three times a week anyway, and two of my children are taking piano lessons. So last week the professional piano movers came and moved my mom’s piano once again, but this time, we got to watch.

First of all, these guys are just pros. They carefully noted every scratch and dent before they even touched the piano. Then they carefully put the piano on its side onto a dolly! They made it look easy. The pedals and the legs came off next. They made it look so easy. Probably the tensest part was seeing if it would fit into the elevator. It did. Barely. I was so glad my mother hadn’t purchased the 9 foot Steinway!

A short ten minute drive and it was at my house. They used a ramp to get it out of the trunk. Setting it upright was even easier than tearing it down for the move.

The moving truck backing up to the door, maneuvering past the trees.

The Steinway on the ramp coming in the front door.

The 100+ year 7 foot Steinway on its side in my living room without legs or pedals.

The professional mover giving some final adjustments. He was over 6 feet tall himself, so that gives you a little perspective. Very good movers. I would highly recommend them!

My living room corner with the mighty Steinway!

And now the mighty Steinway sits in my living room! I have noticed that practice times have increased for both of my piano students. Mom has given it a whirl a few times too. We let it set a few days and then had it tuned and now it plays beautifully. The tuner said my kids will get spoiled to the touch and feel of this fine instrument.

We also learned that this piece was built in the late 1800s. I have yet to look up the serial number.

All and all it was a thrilling event for our family. I think Gabe is seriously contemplating a career in piano moving – but for now he has some scales to practice!

The birthday girl posing in front of the Steinway!
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