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My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
We are looking forward to seeing all of you who will be coming to this year's Mason & Hamlin factory tour. Although the tour is about a week later than it has been in previous years, we hope that the new date will give more of you a chance to visit us in Haverhill.
Terrytunes wrote to me last month about the 2008 tour and I know that she is working with the Fredericks and Larry Buck to put together some fun piano events for you to enjoy and be a part of before and after the factory tour. It should be a great time for everyone who loves the piano.
Don't forget to practice for the after-tour recital, where you share your piano talents with the PianoWorld family. Bring your own music, play from memory or play by ear. You bring your fingers, we'll supply the Mason & Hamlin pianos.
Cecil
Cecil Ramirez National Sales Manager Mason & Hamlin
Sorry Frank and Cecil, but I won't be coming this year. Bummer!
I'll be traveling to Oklahoma and the rest of the Great Plains on a different kind of vacation from May 8th to May 19th. Pictures and videos will be available.
Why couldn't the tour have been scheduled from between May 5th - May 7th? I have that week off too and wasn't planning on going anywhere then!
John
Current works in progress:
Beethoven Sonata Op. 10 No. 2 in F, Haydn Sonata Hoboken XVI:41, Bach French Suite No. 5 in G BWV 816
Current instruments: Schimmel-Vogel 177T grand, Roland LX-17 digital, and John Lyon unfretted Saxon clavichord.
Hello Frank. This is my first post (to any forum). I've sent an email with my info. I'm looking forward to seeing the M&H factory. I have a 1924 M&H model A.
HI. My name is Andrea and I would love to attend the M&H factory tour. I have sent an e-mail to the webmaster. Please let me know if there is anything else I should do/know about signing up for the tour! Thanks!
Lovett Piano Works is booking tunings on Boston's South Shore now!
Originally posted by JeffBC: Obviously cameras are allowed... video cameras too? I'd like to shoot some HD video and we can put it on YouTube...
Hi JeffBC,
You are welcome to shoot video while the group is on the 6th floor before the tour, during lunch, and of course, for the after-tour recital. We ask that the PianoWorld folks please stow their video cameras while on the manufacturing floors, for the safety of the group.
'Looking forward to seeing you in Haverhill.
Cecil
Cecil Ramirez National Sales Manager Mason & Hamlin
Although I have been enjoying this forum for months, I have only recently joined. In fact, this is my first post - ever! I'm sure to join in forum discussions as I am looking for a grand piano for myself and my daughters. I would like to sign up for the Mason & Hamlin tour and have already sent an email with the essential information. I look forward to meeting you all!
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
Hi Terry, thanks for the warm response! I kinda fell off the face of the forums again after posting my initial message. I notice that you are not listed in the main thread as attending the tour, is that an oversight?
Regarding the tour, and specifically the playing that I expect will happen after, are there any rules or conventions we should be aware of? Like, what happens if somebody has their one best piece that they are really excited to play and somebody else gets up and plays it first because they didn't realize the other person was planning to play it? Will the other person be out of luck or can they play it again anyway? Or what if somebody only knows part of a piece and likes to play just the first page but can't do the rest? Will they be pelted with rotten fruit if they get up there and play half a sonata or the EZ Edition of Rach 3? (Actually, that might be pretty cool to hear.)
Ok, I'm obviously joking around, because I know everyone will be perfectly pleasant and there are all levels of playing among PW members, and more music is always better. But are there any rules like "NO STAIRWAY" for the piano equivalent of Stairway to Heaven? (Wayne's World reference there) And what would that be anyway? I might guess Heart and Soul, but at least Stairway was a great song inherently, even if overplayed.
Originally posted by SteveM: Hi Terry, thanks for the warm response! I kinda fell off the face of the forums again after posting my initial message. I notice that you are not listed in the main thread as attending the tour, is that an oversight?
Regarding the tour, and specifically the playing that I expect will happen after, are there any rules or conventions we should be aware of? Like, what happens if somebody has their one best piece that they are really excited to play and somebody else gets up and plays it first because they didn't realize the other person was planning to play it? Will the other person be out of luck or can they play it again anyway? Or what if somebody only knows part of a piece and likes to play just the first page but can't do the rest? Will they be pelted with rotten fruit if they get up there and play half a sonata or the EZ Edition of Rach 3? (Actually, that might be pretty cool to hear.)
Ok, I'm obviously joking around, because I know everyone will be perfectly pleasant and there are all levels of playing among PW members, and more music is always better. But are there any rules like "NO STAIRWAY" for the piano equivalent of Stairway to Heaven? (Wayne's World reference there) And what would that be anyway? I might guess Heart and Soul, but at least Stairway was a great song inherently, even if overplayed.
As a former music store owner, I can tell you that fur elise is the piano equivalent to Stairway to Heaven:-)
That said, I still like both pieces.
There are no rules about what you play, we are always happy to have anyone/everyone play whatever they are comfortable with, even if it's the same piece the person before them played.
The idea is to relax and enjoy the company of people who all share a passion for the piano, and the joy of playing a room full of freshly minted high-end pianos.
If you've never taken a tour of this type before, you will find you have a new found respect and admiration for the work and craftsmenship that goes into making a fine piano.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
SteveM...I can atest to the fact that they WON'T pelt you with rotten fruit if you play wrong notes...as I did... the PW members have always been very gracious and there is always a wide display of talent... The tour is a must see, the M&H Family are the BEST HOSTS. They are the best!!!
Les Koltvedt Servicing the Greater Atlanta area www.LKPianos.com PTG Associate
Originally posted by SteveM: I notice that you are not listed in the main thread as attending the tour, is that an oversight?
No, not an oversight. I attended the first 2 tours; 2004 & 2005. Each year the tour becomes more popular and it's necessary to let others come onboard as much as I would like to be there every year.
Last year Larry Buck hosted a gathering at his piano shop in Lowell after the tour. I found a new challenge for myself in assisting with the food setup for the after tour gathering! We had a great time meeting and enjoying the tour group and another chance to play more pianos was provided in the performance room at Larry's shop. Here is a link to last years pics: Larry Buck\'s Piano Shop Lowell - May 2007
I hope you and your brother will plan to join both events on Monday. Prepare yourselves though, as these gatherings can become so addictive!
I'm hoping the advance notice will assist with those who have busy schedules and allow them enough opportunity to prepare for all the events that are scheduled.