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Hi all. Have lurked for quite a while, but decided to take the plunge. First of all--Norbert I hope you don't mind that I have taken one of your thoughts as part of my signature. It's true.

It seems there are many talented and knowlegable people on this forum and I hope you don't mind if I try to pick your brains. I have zillions of questions. Manners first--an introduction.

For many, many years I have played a Cable-Nelson "Upright Grand" (circa 1906). It's a wonderful piano and I didn't know until I engaged a REAL technician two years ago how wonderful it could be--learned about voicing. On his last visit in September, he asked me when I was going to buy a grand. My response, "When you convince me what acoustic gain over this one I will achieve." But he had planted the seed.

I went around to a couple of stores and played their grands and I was convinced that I would never own one. (Money and stubborness). Then I heard a radio commercial about a dealer in town who had lost his lease and was liquidating his inventory. I went, told the salesman that I was not thinking of buying but just wanted to shop. I played about seven more pianos and hadn't changed my mind. Then we came to the Estonias. I struck a C-major chord on middle C and fell in love.

This was the middle of October. On November 6 I signed the papers. On the 10th My Essy had her new home. I think she's happy here. With either my strongest touch or lightest tickle she sings.

Two years ago I decided to take lessons again--it had been at least 20 years. My hands are built for Rachmaninov--there's only one interval in his prelude Op 3, No. 2 that I can't reach. So she has me playing Mozart and I didn't know my fingers could move so fast.

With the lessons and my Estonia I've experienced a resurgence in my music. The piano enables me to pour out the emotion the music speaks. I've been playing hard all winter and I don't know what will happen in a few weeks when the pasture greens up and the horses need attention. Maybe I can give them recitals.

One of the things that struck me about Nancy's story was her wistful remark about friendship with the salesman. I didn't know that buying a grand piano would be adding more people to my family.

Glad to participate in this forum.

my hands are built for Rachmaninov".

i like that.

I'm so glad you bought a piano.. may you have many years of joy farmer Dan.

This is a great story. Congratulations.

Lucky you!!!

Dang.

It's amazing how often it happens that you play a lot of pianos and suddenly one of them just feels "right".

Glad you found yours and welcome to the forum!

Let's hope he was referring to the music!

Congratulations on your new piano, Farmer Dan.

Knew as soon as I posted I could have worded that differently. So, for the record, in THIS case I'm referring to the music.

@Horowitzian: Having that reach is usually wonderful, but in many cases it's frustrating. Accuracy can sometimes be really frustrating for me, even in finger exercises. I have to be soooo careful.

Also, my natural tendency is to reach rather than play the note with the finger on top of it. And my thumb over reaches on a "tuck." There are lots of "tucks" in Mozart.

Congratulations on your new Estonia!


They are nice!

My fingers are made for Chopsticks. But even that sounds nice on an Estonia.
Congratulations.
As for the horses, maybe you could teach them some scales and put a new meaning to the word "horseplay".

My fingers are definately not meant for chopsticks. Flying food, anyone?

Congratulations on your new piano!

You should have many happy years horsing around with it.

(I don't believe I said that. )

These two remarks confirm my suspicion that this forum would be a fun place. Starting with whippen boy's response to my "Rachmaninov hands" this thread started on a downward spiral. Let me join too!

I still have the Cable-Nelson so maybe, using one of the horses, I can work up some two piano-six hands stuff. Don't want to take away from their football practice though. Their going up against the Clydesdales next season.

I'll match my Belgians to Clydes any day. You in for some fun?

The Belgians have a hoof spread of an easy 10th. They can Rachmanin-Roll with the best of 'em!

Well, I guess you cannot have your cake and eat it too!

Congrats on the new piano.

Congratulations, Dan! I'm glad to hear how much your piano is contributing to your learning, playing and enjoyment.

Your story, like mine, begins with a tech talking about sound and explaining the difference from level of piano to the next. I think that is probably a pretty common experience; the techs do a lot to support and encourage business to the local dealers. It's a difficult balance--explaining the benefits of upgrading without making someone defensive about their current piano.

I'm sure your time outside when it warms up will add even more depth to your playing. I'm sure the horses will be glad for some more contact too!

Nancy

Farmer Dan,
Good for you! Enjoy the Estonia, by all accounts a fine piano which I've not yet had the chance to try.

I really enjoyed your tale. Talking of which (tails) your horses could perhaps be stimulated with these little numbers.

Warm up1

Galop

Charge

Please be sparing with the whip......

Congratulations on your new Estonia, Farmer Dan, and welcome to the forum. At least now you know this place is prone to bad puns. Hope you will hang around in spite of that.

@Monica K. I love the puns. If things get too bad, I can always say, "That's 2/3 of a pun--p.u. Turn it around and that's an up out of you."

@NancyM333 Waiting to hear that your 168 arrived.

@Marty in Minnesota I love Belgians although I own none. Their so cuddly and like to stand on you and sit on your lap. I do, however, have a behmouth appaloosa who makes me feel like I'm gonna split right up the middle when I ride. Of course, I'm not as limber as I used to be.

@Horowitzian Your right, but there's no harm in trying.

What a fun place this is. But I wish you would all discuss someting other than pianos and music.

HERESY! - We never discuss anything other than pianos and music!

Well, maybe ice cream, pizza, or even scrapple. A latte or two, and sometimes a fine cognac.

But, let me say again - We never diverge from the original topic. That is sacrosanct. Anyone found guilty of the offense will be condemed to the heck of a truly bad spinet.

Please forgive me if I am sounding too Neigh-gative. (Sorry Monica)

With this posting, I fully assume that I shall spend all of eternity harnessed to a Lester!

Since I have been reigned in at the moment, could someone order a thin crust, double sausage, double cheese pizza for me? It has been on my Chopin-Liszt for days. I'm chompin' at the bit for one.



All in good fun, my friends, all in good fun.

Marty, I'll bet no one has ever accused you of Haydn from anything. And don't worry, you're two states north of the mules.

Maybe we should tone this back a little.
The thread is getting to hot to Handel.

But, but, but,

I lived in a state of Missouri for 21 years!

Now, I find it's fun to Playel around a little bit.

You are right, I was Britten with some sort of Tempest-tation. But, we should get Bach to the original posting.

I'm sure that you have enought horse sense to select a recital program for your baby. I'm sure it will be a grand event.