The Piano Man

Today was a big day. After a year of listening to a severely out of tune piano, a skilled piano tuner came for a visit. He was very chatty while he worked. We learned that the piano was made on March 11, 1961 and is made of spruce. We also learned that it was so out of tune that it couldn't be tuned all the way without breaking the strings. He tuned it so that it sounds beautiful, it's just not giving true pitches yet. All the notes are just a little lower than they should be. He said if it didn't bother us he could leave it like that, but then he found out we have singers in our house and recommended we tune it all the way up. I agreed, so he'll come back some time in January to tune it the rest of the way.

I'm so happy to have a tuned piano! With as much as the kids play it, I bet the neighbors are happy too!

The Ivories

About a month and a half ago a friend in my ward texted to ask if we were interested in a free piano. I responded with lots of exclamations points that YES we were indeed interested. Another family in our ward was looking for a new home for their piano, so I reached out to her. I told her that our kids had been practicing piano on a keyboard and had asked if we were ever going to have a real piano. She was happy we wanted it and was willing to hold on to it for a few more weeks until we were in the new house.

Well, it took longer than a few weeks. The continuously damp basement and construction zone second floor delayed our piano acquisition plans, which had included using one of the three U-Haul trucks we rented to transport the piano from their house to ours. On Labor Day a couple from our ward stopped by with a pot of flowers and a sidewalk visit. As they were leaving they asked if they could help in any way and reminded us that they have a trailer. I screwed up my courage and told them about the piano.

Tonight they, plus three more members of our ward, all wearing masks, brought the piano to our house.

The family that gave it to us warned us in advance that it would need to be tuned, and they were definitely correct. It's kind of tinny but manageable until you hit the G below middle C, then it's rather earsplitting. But tuning a piano is something that we can make happen.

A house and an actual piano are two things that I've wanted for a long, long time. I'm so happy to have them both. Neither are in great condition, but that's okay, I'm still thankful.

Piano Time

Big Sisters Are Awesome

 

Piano Man

When he started piano lessons five years ago, Cooper was not a fan. I mean, he liked the actual lessons because his teacher was nice and he got to play with Lego while Peter had his lesson, but Cooper hated practicing and did not see any reason why he should spend his time learning to play the piano.

Fast forward to today and he has very different feelings. Our piano teacher retired last summer and we switched to online piano lessons, which we LOVE! Peter and Phoebe still grumble about practicing, but Cooper willingly spends large portions of his day at the piano. I ask that they work on their lesson material for twenty minutes and then can spend the last ten minutes of their practice learning any song they want. Cooper searches YouTube for piano tutorials, then gets to work. He usually goes far beyond the expected thirty minutes.

It makes my heart happy to hear him play. And playing the piano makes his heart happy too.

Oh Look, Another Snow Day

 

Just Like the Big Brothers

We love Lacey, our piano teacher. She is one of the people we will miss the most when we move. Phoebe had been looking forward to taking piano from her when the new school year started. When she realized that wouldn't be happening, she was distraught.

Then she had an idea. Couldn't she take just one lesson? One before we move to know if it's what she really wants to do? So she knows what it's like? She sold the idea pretty convincingly. Lacey agreed to do one lesson. The week of cub scout camp Phoebe took the boys' usual time slot since they were occupied shooting arrows and planning corny skits.

Phoebe loved it. She paid close attention and picked everything up quickly. Lacey was very encouraging about getting Phoebe into lessons once we move.

I guess soon we'll have three kids that need to practice piano everyday, and I'm really happy about that.

Want Screen Time?

We spent our first day of summer vacation in a lazy, TV-filled stupor. I knew the boys were looking forward to rest and relaxation after the busy school year, so I figured I would let them have yesterday. Then, today, I introduced them to this.

At first there was some general grumbling. Then, after a trip to the library for a fresh batch of books, Peter caught the vision of the job list. He made his bed, scrubbed a bathroom, started and finished two novels (reading level requirements go into effect tomorrow), read several picture books, happily practiced his piano pieces, and made scrambled eggs and apple juice for the family dinner. During bedtime I asked what he thought of the new screen time system. His answer: "It's awesome!"

Phoebe got sort of excited about it. She read several books as well, made her bed, cleared the table (which doesn't appear on the list but still earned her a few minutes), and scrubbed another bathroom.

Cooper read lots of books and made his bed, but definitely is not as into the list as Peter and Phoebe. I hope their enthusiasm rubs off on him.

Her Favorite Perch

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

On Christmas Eve Bryan's family let us share our traditional bread and soup dinner. I was so thankful since it's one of my favorite traditions. Then we gathered around the piano for one of Aunt Melody's family traditions: singing Christmas carols. I simply can't resist a good old-fashioned sing-along.

Peter, Shari, and Melody all took turns accompanying us.

Some sang, some listened, but all enjoyed the beautiful spirit that the sacred Christmas hymns brought.

Peter at the Piano

For the second piano recital, Peter had his song memorized, but was hit with a case of nerves just before he played. I suspect that it's because he hadn't been practicing the timing correctly until a few days before. I could tell while he was performing that he was thinking about that timing.



Peter's piano teacher told me last week that she could tell how much he loves the piano. She said most of her students play because their moms make them, but a handful play because they love it. Peter is one of those.

That makes my heart happy.

Cooper at the Keys

The boys had their second piano recital a few weeks ago. As Cooper was waiting for his turn to play, he turned to me and said, "I think I'm going to throw up." I said I thought it was because he was nervous and asked him to try to hold on until he could play the song, then he could go to the bathroom.



He played the song, made it through the recital, ate some cookies, went home, then threw up. At least he didn't throw up at the recital...

The Costumed Pianists

Shortly after we moved to Illinois I started asking around for a piano teacher. I learned that the Primary pianist in our ward teaches and, though she already had a tight schedule, agreed to take both Peter and Cooper on as students. They started at the end of August and last Friday they had their first piano recital.

Peter still hates performing, but he seems to really enjoy playing the piano. Cooper enjoys performing, but spends most of his rehearsal time complaining that he never asked to take piano lessons. Oh well.

Cooper's song is first, then Peter's. And if you listen closely, you can hear Phoebe singing along to Peter's song, which is a good indication of how often he played it.