We all got up early this morning to be at a church gig at 7:30am. Two 1.5 hour services with a yummy potluck brunch served in between. Not the best music (Haydn's Creation) and not the best hour, but not bad when I consider that we both got $$ and toffee out of the deal.
Once we got home, this happened in my house:
I bought this Young Chang off of Craigslist on Friday and got a piano mover to move it here today.
Here's the long version of that story:
I had "play-tested" it a week or two ago because it was close by and I was curious. I was in the market for an upright piano and was reading about how to discern the good from the bad. It seemed like a great start to apply what I had learned and go see if I could find anything wrong with the piano.
While there, I learned that the owners had the piano for 30 years but hardly used it. They were moving from a huge house to a small apartment on the island and weren't going to be able to keep the piano. It looked pristine and sounded great. I really couldn't find anything wrong with it other than it hadn't been tuned in over a year. Even so, it's tuning seemed stable.
I had just sold my electric keyboard and amp setup for $2000 in the hopes of someday finding a nice upright grand for less than that. The owners wanted $4500 for theirs, so there was no temptation to make any offers that far out of my range. Also, Harlan had reservations against an upright piano in the house, so I figured a grand was completely off the table.
I told the owner that I really liked their piano and would ask around if friends were looking to buy a nice grand if it seemed my husband wouldn't go for it (which I knew he wouldn't). I really wanted it to go to someone who would really benefit from it. And I kept telling myself it was too much instrument for us anyway.
As time goes by and I try out a few other upright pianos that sounded uninspiring or yucky, none of my friends expressed interest in buying a grand either. I kept feeling bad for that sweet baby grand and telling myself that it would take up too much space and be too fancy for us. Then I saw on Craigslist that the owner dropped the price to $2500. After talking it over with Harlan, I ask if they'll take $2000 for it. They said that they were having it donated for a tax deduction the next day but I could have it if I could have it moved by Tuesday, when their house closes. And just like that, we bought a baby grand!
Once the piano was set up, I had about an hour or so before I had to leave for a really cool musical, celtic legend gig where they paid me $$ and gave me flowers!
Seeing the kids and Harlan taking turns on the piano was like watching growing boys delight in eating vegetables. My heart is full. I think we're all in love with this new instrument. When I came home from my gig, Harlan and I took turns playing all night.
Me: You don't want to know what time it is. You're having too much fun.
Harlan: Why, is it 1am?
Me: Almost.
Harlan: Really? What time is it?
Me: 12:40am.
Harlan: Oh my!
Me: We should probably go to bed.
Harlan: But I only have a page and a half left to finish this piano book.
The Best Day.
