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I played the piano from age five to 22. From lessons, to contests, and lots of practicing in between, piano was a big part of my childhood. Not only was it something I enjoyed, most of the time it was really helpful as a singer. I want our kids to take lessons, but I want them to enjoy it, so I’m not trying to push them until they seem interested. Part of sparking that interest required us having a piano. I’ve had an alert on Craigslist for about six months now, and it’s been fascinating to see just how many pianos are on there. I wish they were still seen as a showpiece in the home, but public opinion’s loss is my gain. From grand Steinways selling for $15,000 which is cheap to mid century uprights for free…there is a mix of styles, colors and price points. I could have bought a number of them throughout the last few months, but I sat waiting for just the right one: stylish, wood, a good price, and close to our house.
I knew moving a piano wasn’t something Micah was going to be thrilled about, so something a few miles away verses a 40 minute drive made sense. I love the legs and tone of this beauty. The kids are loving banging on it at any given chance why did I want a piano? But seriously, it makes me sad that people don’t care to have a piano anymore. Aside from the entertainment and joy they can bring, they’re a beautiful piece of furniture that adds a ton of character to any space. And when we’re talking Craigslist prices, that’s a lot of character for a little money.
Now to figure out a new bench. This came with a “matching” one, but it’s in rough shape and the color is off…I doubt these started off together. I’m thinking something clean and modern with maybe a pop of color could be fun.
Do you have a piano in your home? If you’re in KC, I’d love some tuner recommendations!
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For the first time in over 60 yrs we are without a piano. But that’s because our daughter, a professional pianist and teacher, built a new home and we recently shipped her 1928 Baby Grand made in Chicago with full brass insides to her. She also has the upright I grew up playing along with the 1800s pump organ that belonged to her great great grandmother! We had a beautiful bench with a needle pointed cushion and a sweet little mahogany adjustable stool with claw feet and glass balls shipped too. We all grew up playing and singing but our son prefers guitar and writing music. Your new piano is stunning! And looks AMAZING with that art work! Class act all the way.
That sounds amazing, what a lucky daughter you have, Pamela! Thanks for following along!
I love that you love having a piano. I have always admired it and people who can play, and I WILL learn, as only of my life goals! It’s on my list of things to add to our new home, but we’ll take our time getting it.
Did you move it yourself and then have it professionally tuned?
Love your blog, your aesthetic, and point of view on things. You’re doing awesome!
My husband and his dad moved it. They used a trailer and some muscle. 🙂 Thank you so much, Malorie!
Oh what a gorgeous instrument!!! It looks so fabulous with the wall color too. We have an old baby grand, and I’ve always had a piano, being a musician since I was a child. We also have an 1880s pump organ, and various other instruments but my husband is also a musician. I definitely agree about not pushing the kids until they seem interested, but what creative opportunities that opens up for them:-) So beautiful!!
Thanks, Anita! Envious of your baby grand!
i grew up with this piano! it had been in my grandmother’s house, and now my parents’. what a great surprise to see this morning! it looks beautiful with the wall color and painting.
Oh, how fun! Thank you, Amanda!
my parents have the exact same piano! Sadly, I gave up on lessons around ager 10 🙁
So fun! That’s ok. My brother and sister only played a few years too, it’s certainly not for everyone!
Try Meyer Music in Blue Springs, its a local family owned music store.
I took lessons there for years!
How pretty! I love pianos. I’ve always wanted to have one in my home (I favour the aesthetic of the grand but obviously, uprights are much smaller to have in a regular home). I never learned how to play. I was raised by a single mom with no music bone in her body and since we didn’t have a lot of money to spare, although she wanted me to do one activity she made me choose between learning an instrument or doing a sport. I chose gymnastics. I know it’s never too late and I still hope to get a piano one day to start learning (I’m lucky enough not to have inherited the “no music bone” aspect of my mom as I actually have a good ear and can reproduce sounds pretty easily). Anyway, I love your home (we have similar styles) and I love the look of your new addition.
It’s definitely never too late! I hope you’ll start lessons soon. 😉 Thank you for your comment and following along, Caroline!
So beautiful!! I love the legs. It looks amazing against your walls/trim. I played piano through school, and I so wanted one for our newlywed house. I found one for free on a facebook yardsale group. Definitely NOT this pretty, and needs tuned, but she’ll do for now. 🙂
Wonderful, Bethany! That’s kind of how I feel about this one, while beautiful, it’s not in amazing shape but pretty and great for kids to start playing!
I am so with you on this! I grew up with a Steinway grand that was played by my brothers and I every day. For years after I moved out on my own I missed having a piano, so two years ago my husband and I went on a search. I was amazed, but a little sad to see all the beautiful free pianos out there. We found an antique upright grand for free and had it moved by a piano mover for $300. It also came with a “matching” bench that is clearly not original. Looking forward to some inspiration in that department!
A Steinway grand?! You started with the best! So glad to hear you have your own now too. Thanks for commenting, Becky!
What a beautiful piano! I have looked at Craigslist too, and was shocked to see people giving pianos away. My parents want me to take my piano from their house but moving it 3 hours doesn’t sound awesome.
Yes, that’s a long move!
A great way to find high quality pianos is at auction, just bring a piano tech to the preview to check them out with you. You can get a “golden age” Steinway for well under $10k. Some piano techs do restoration jobs, too. Our 1927 baby grand was free, and our tech restored it. I and my boys practice every day. Much better piano than the ones built now for the same price overall. I did a post about auctions and antique pianos about 6 months ago. If you’re interested, you can go to my blog and search the “auctions” category— 6 things you should buy from auctions.
So smart! I’ll have to hop over and take a look!
Lovely piano. I too grew up with a piano and have one now even though no one in the house yet really knows how to play very well. That is on my old lady bucket list -to finally learn. One note about tuning -but you probably know this, you are supposed to wait a bit to tune a piano that has been recently moved. A few weeks to let the instrument adjust to different humidity.
That’s smart, I didn’t think of that!
We have a baby grand my husbands parents bought the year he was born. He grew up playing that piano, lots of wonderful memories for him as his teacher was his mother.
That’s so wonderful to have the memories in it too!
well done! beautiful piano! I love pianos…my husband is a professional piano player(and teacher) and my son is now following in his footsteps. It’s so lovely to hear them practice, even if its the same couple measures over and over. It’s good to let your kids become interested and not force them(until they get to a certain age, then force them, cuz every adult we talk to says they wish their mom had forced them to stick with lessons, if I had a nickel for every time i’ve heard that!!). Anyway, I had to chime in with my piano loving two cents.
So sweet of you to respond to all these comments…you don’t have to respond this btw. 😉
I love that, thanks so much for your comment and sharing, Mimzy! How sweet to have your son follow in his father’s footsteps. 😉