My new Yamaha DU1A 48" upright Disklavier will be delivered on Sept. 1! I'm so happy to have an acoustic again!

I'm just getting back into piano again after 6 difficult months with my Mom's cancer, then her passing. Add to that my neck and shoulder problems, packing for a move to a house which is still being remodeled, keeping our current home clean for showings.....this has been one of the most difficult years for me, but I think (I hope) things will ease up for me now.

I used to have a Fandrich & Sons 6'1" grand but sold it a recently because we are moving to a much smaller home. Some of you may remember my posts a couple of years ago regarding the conversion of my exercise pool room into "my piano room".

Anyway, I've decided to get an upright and did the usual prerequisites, continued to lurk on the forums, etc. etc. I was even thinking of flying to CO and AZ to try Sauters & Seilers. One night out of curiosity, I even checked out prices for a flight to Germany to visit the Steingraeber factory! That must have been after I took my Ambien. I was determined that after having a grand, I needed the best upright, even if it cost me 20K+.

I visited all of the Portland dealers repeatedly, and even visited dealers up north, including Alex at Classical Grands and Norbert's shop (although he was away on a vacation), and the Fandrich & Sons showroom.

After my visit to Seattle and Vancouver, I started considering a silent option since my piano practicing will be more audible at the new house, and be more irritating for my husband. I tried the Disklavier out of curiousity and really liked it! I liked the touch, and the tone - it was perfect for me! One of the bonuses of being able to use CDs and floppys is that my husband can occasionally listen to beautiful piano music played without mistakes!!

I've arranged to start lessons again with my teacher the first week of September and can't wait to start. Back to where I left off with minor scales & arpeggios, Clementi, Beethoven and the rest of the classical guys, some New Age and more.

I'm happy to have this forum with so much humor, inspiration and advice - it kept me going through all of my difficult times, but now it's time to buckle down and practice! I've got a lot of catching up to do!

Welcome back, sleepingcats! and congratulations on your new Disklavier!

Sincere condolences on your mom's passing. I hope this will be a better year for you and best wishes as you begin your lessons again.

Sophia

also, at some point would you like to share your impressions of the pianos you tried recently? it would be very interesting, I'm sure.

Sleepingcats... Welcome back! Who could ever forget the conversion of the pool room/piano room!! It was one of the neatest transformations I can ever recall on PW.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. I'm sure she appreciated having you nearby while she was ill. Since I spent time with my Mom before her passing I can relate to your sorrow.

Enjoyment of playing the piano and reading PW assisted me in a difficult period of time. I'm happy for you to know that you've decided to stay connected with both the piano and all the obsessed members here on PW!!


You are such a considerate soul being concerned about your husband having to listen to your practice sessions. Mine is less fortunate. I recently heard him telling someone that after 30+ years he can just block out the sound while I'm playing. (sure.. with a little help from the tv remote)

I'm sure 9/1 can't come fast enough for you! Congratulations on your new piano.

sorry about your mom... but wish you enjoy your new piano and lessons, and let the fun start!

Congratulations on your new piano, sleepingcats! As I'm sure you know, music can be an amazing source of comfort in your time of sadness. Please accept my condolences on the death of your mother. I lost my mother to cancer as well, three years ago, and I know how difficult those last few weeks/months can be.

Please post some pictures when you get the chance.

hello, sleepingcats, welcome back. i dont remember your transformation as i dont think i was here then. sorry about your mom, i am sure you are under a great deal of stress with everything going on, and the piano will help eleviate some of that for you. welcome back. and pray your year is still full of many blessings.

Sleepingcats, welcome back.

I'm very sorry to hear about your Mom.

My mother passed on last Christmas.

I woke up sad every day for a long time.

Still do, sometimes, but I always know it's what I'm supposed to be feeling.

The piano and people are a great help.

I know you are going to enjoy your new piano tremendously.

You have my very best wishes.

Mel

Thank you all for all the welcomes and wishes! It's great to be back to the therapeutic piano.

I will post pictures after I've settled into the house. I can also post info about other uprights that I've tried in a later post.

Hello Terrytunes - I still have the sheet music you were kind enough to fax to me a couple of years ago! I remember you told me about your Mom.

Monica and Mel - I'm sorry about your Moms. I hope they didn't have to suffer too long. It's so heartbreaking to lose a parent. We're fortunate that we have something beautiful like playing the piano to help us through difficult moments.

I look forward to inspiration from you all!

Aileen (sleepingcats)

Hi SC

Thanks for letting me know you placed a post here. It got me back to this site, and I was a little nervous about getting the correct password -- but I remembered it. :-)

One of the first things I thought of after reading your post was that I played your grand, and so now, I'll have to play your upright.

I'll visit this forum more often and take it slow and get back to scales and gradually arpeggios. The latter still hurt my hand, but maybe with time, can get back at it.

-ILM

Aileen-

Let me add my condolences for the loss of your Mom. And congrats on the new piano! I hope it helps you ease the stress and adds some sense of peace and calm- I know mine always does.