I am going home to visit my family for 2 weeks in December. My parents haven't had a piano in the house in decades, but I thought, "no problem, I'm sure I'll be able to get in to practice on the grand in the local church." This is the church I grew up going to, and the one I was married in 2 1/2 decades ago.

When I mentioned to Dad on the phone last night that I needed to talk to the church secretary about doing this, he said, "Oh, they have some sort of electric thing now." So this church, which used to have a grand piano and a fairly large (if not pipe) organ, now has some sort of electric keyboard/organ/synthesizer 'thing'. I suppose it's cheaper than paying to maintain a real piano, but Dang!

This is a tiny (>1000 people) rural town, so I'm not sure where I am going to be able to find a real piano to practice on. Dad says there might be a piano 'upstairs' (in the Sunday school area) but I can't imagine that it would be tuned and in good shape, like the one in the sanctuary used to be.

Maybe if one of my former schoolmates is still the music teacher at the local community college I can talk her into letting me practice there (assuming _they_ still have a real piano).

If worse comes to worst, I guess I can just work on learning the notes in the rest of the Bach Partita on 'the electric thing'.

crud!

Oh no!

Well call them anyway-you never know maybe the real piano there somewhere just waiting for the attention only you can give it. Maybe one of the church members has a piano you can use (if your family is friendly enough with any of them to be able to ask)

Are there any piano shops around? Maybe you can pretend like you are going to buy a piano and ask to try them out (sneaky but what the heck).

I hope you find something.

I went on business travel a couple of months ago. When I arrived at my destination, I stopped at two piano stores. I was upfront with them and told them my situation. I on travel, and I just want to practice. One store didn't want to help me but the other store let me use one of their baby grands in a practice room as long as it wasn't needed for lessons. The lady even said she was teaching lessons in a different practice room after store closing, and I could stay until she left. By being honest I could practice as long as I wanted and do it guilt free.

It's a nice idea but I'm afraid the nearest piano stores are a couple of hours' drive (each way). Not exactly an option for daily practice.

I have emailed the music teacher at the local community college. That's probably the best chance of getting to a real piano...assuming they still have one and would let me practice. I am an alumni, after all

"By being honest I could practice as long as I wanted and do it guilt free"

Yes honesty IS the best policy...

That was a great idea to check with community college.

Fingers crossed they will have something for you.

ProdigalPianist,

I would try the one at the church just to see.

If it is a halfway decent digital piano, it might not be nearly as horrible as you may be thinking.
But I can sympathize, I am going on vacation in Orlando for a week in December, and will be without piano.

For two weeks... yikes! I hope it works out and you can find a place to practice!

Actually - I think I've got a solution...

"Merry Christmas Mom and Dad! What's that truck... oh my! It looks like you just got a new piano for Christmas ! What a wonderful gift! What, you don't play...? Oh, well, here, let me try it out for you!"

*grin* - kidding, of course.

Given how far the piano stores are, I assume there's no way to rent one for the two weeks (or month, if need be)? Probably overkill, but... just another thought.

I hope the college thing works out for you, and you get to reconnect with your friend!

As the owner of "an electric thing", I can tell you that they're not so bad. As Triryche suggested, try the church one -- you might like it.

Even if you don't get to a piano, enjoy the time with family and friends. A two-week break from playing will do no harm and you will come back to it invigorated.

Have you considered simply taking the two weeks off from practicing? You probably should.

You won't lose much (if anything at all) in that time and you'll come back refreshed and invigorated to resume your piano studies with even more determination and eagarness than before.

Take a break from the routine - You deserve it (maybe you need it). It'll only take you part of your first practice session back to get up to speed again - catch up on your reading with some good piano-related books instead. Make it a complete vacation.

Regards (you can handle the "cold turkey"!), JF

I've been wondering about practicing over vacation for quite some time. What would you guys think, in general, about purchasing a small "more portable piano" for travel purposes?

I think, in general, that the more "portable" it is the less you'll be happy or satisfied with it and will soon regret the purchase.

For a very viable and satisfactory alternative read or reread my post directly above your's. Don't let this possibility "scare" you - you will survive it and you'll be back playing better than ever in no time at all.

Regards, JF

At this stage I really don't want to go 2 weeks without practicing at all. I returned to playing only a few months ago after a 20 year hiatus...I'm finally getting back to the point where I am happy with the progress I'm making getting it all back.

Plus, I love my family but I haven't lived with them in 26 years and being in a house with them 24/7 for 2 weeks... it will be great to have an excuse to go off by myself (well, just me and a piano!).

Plus after spending all those years paying for lessons, they will be pleased that I'm still working on it...and I'd like to play for them again.

Edited: shoot...forgot to say, heard from the community college teacher, looks like I will be able to get into the college music room to practice at least a few times! woot!