This is my first post. I have been lurking here at Piano World for almost two years now and have learned a lot. So I feel obliged to participate with this description of my piano quest, just now ended.

First some background: I’ve made my ID “Student Senior” ….I’m a senior in my early eighties and I’m a student. I first started to play the piano in November 2010. For a year I played on my own and as of the first of this year, I started taking piano lessons. I’ve had a piano in the house ever since I’ve been married and we got our new Mason Hamlin console in about 1961. My wife was the pianist but she had quit playing years ago.

One of the first things I discovered was that I had apparently outlived the piano. The sounds were bright to harsh and loud --- almost clanging. Then I discovered you could partially bring your piano back to life with voicing. I discovered the Reblitz piano servicing book and Steve Van Nattan’s website for do it yourselfers and did a little voicing and reshaping myself. It did improve the piano. But there’s a limit to what you can do with an older small piano and since I had the means, I decided to get a grand piano. I was off on the piano search. I discovered Larry Fine’s book and his map of the market for new pianos. Then there was Perri Knize’s “Grand Obsession” which I read. It was an engaging and informative book. However the lesson I took away from it was that it may not be wise for me to ever fall in love with a piano. At least not for me.

Given my late start and modest ambition and skill (I don’t think I’ll ever become an advanced pianist), it appeared to me that something like a high end consumer grade piano would do. Something like a Brodmann PE 187. But when I started my field research, I found that what stood out for me wasn’t always as it was supposed to be. I played the Brodmann’s but afterwards couldn’t “remember” them. They weren’t bad … they just didn’t stand out for me. Yet a certain 6’ 2” Henry Miller did stand out and it’s supposed to be just a notch above entry level. It sounded almost as good as the Yamaha C2 next to it. Yes I could sense that the Shigeru Kawai’s were a level above the RX3 Kawai’s. But the Hallet Davis and Samick pianos at the same dealership also sounded pretty good --- not as good as the Kawai’s but still pretty good. How to evaluate the differences which are subjective and peculiar to the individual is the burden that every piano buyer has to bear.

So how did it end up? Well there was a 1988 5’ 10” Schimmel that had been on the market for about a year and a half. The owner was asking $15,000 for it. My initial reaction was for that amount and maybe a little more I could buy a new high end consumer grade piano and I wasn’t interested. Then I heard a new Vogel V180 at one of the Houston area dealerships and I liked it. However it was housed in about $10,000 worth of fancy cabinetry and I didn’t want that. I then remembered the 1988 Schimmel and thought maybe it would sound something like the Vogel since Schimmel makes Vogel. When I played the Schimmel however, it sounded nothing like the new Vogel. It was different but I liked the sound. It has sort of a singing quality to it and is described by some as sweet and European. Furthermore my wife likes the sound. Of course I had my independent technician inspect it…something you learn to do at Piano World. The original owner and I agreed on a price and it now sits in my living/dining room. I may even learn to love the piano.

How Delightful!

Congratulations on finding the perfect piano for you and your wife to enjoy.

Especially, a big Thank You for your lovely retelling of your search.

Congratulations! You took the time to evaluate the piano you love and that's what I'm in the process of doing. Hope you have many years of wonderful enjoyment from your piano.

Wow, congratulations, StudentSenior!

And, that was a very nice "piano stroy"... we like those on Piano World! The only thing missing are pictures of your new-to-you Schimmel!

Wishing you all the best!

Rick

Congrats. Pics or it didn't happen, lol.

Congratulations. Be sure and drop by the Adult Beginner's Forum and maybe Pianist Corner as they're both friendly communities for enthusiastic learners.

Congratulations on your Schimmel! They are very fine instruments and you should get very good performance out of it.

Congratulations! I wish you many happy hours playing your lovely new piano!

Pianonewb says "pics or it didn't happen". So here it is. Please note the old Mason Hamlin in the background. Looks like I'm going to have to give it away to get it out of the house.

Congratulations on your new Schimmel. They are very nice pianos. Yours looks to be in great condition and should give you years of enjoyment.

Also, good on you for taking up the piano at your stage in life. Don't sell yourself short concerning what level you can achieve. With enough dedication, effort and perseverance, it is amazing how far you could go.

Go for the small steps in improving your technique and don't worry about where you are. It's the journey that counts, not the destination. Before long, you can look back and be amazed at how far you've actually travelled.

All the best in your quest,

allthumbs

Wow, what a nice-looking piano. Does it sound as good as it looks? It looks new.

Lovely! Again, congratulations.

Congratulations! It is beautiful! Have fun with your piano lessons, and enjoy your new piano!
Kathy

Congratulations!! Lovely piano. Hope you get years of enjoyment out of it!

I love this, and I love the encouragement people receive here. When I first started reading this forum I was surprised at how many people were starting piano well into adulthood, or picking it up again. When I was younger, If someone said, "I sure wish I knew how to play the piano," I would be sympathetic to their regret. I later learned that graduating from high school does not mark the end of musical opportunities. (Silly I thought that, I know!) Now I say, "We'll, why don't you learn?!)"

I had an elder student one time. He was 88. He came to me saying that I had him for 10 lessons and that was it - there were other things that he wanted to do in his life too!

I hope you stick with it a little longer than that, and with that beautiful piano, I just bet that you will!

Has the wife played it too?

LL

Lilylady, I think you had a difficult and unrealistic student no matter what the age. To be sure there are other things we want to do with our lives. And by the time you are in your eighties, you should have done a few of them. I will stick with it and go as far as I can. I have some classical pieces at the intermediate level almost performance ready.

My wife hasn't played the piano. She is having some memory problems and is struggling a bit. But maybe....

Congratulations on your new-to-you piano. It looks great, and it is a fine instrument. I hope you get a lot of enjoyment from it.

Regarding your wife and the memory problems, I am unaware of research with older folks (I confess to being no longer young myself, but I digress), but there IS research that shows that playing the piano is good for young people whose brains are still developing.

Me - I'm thinking - playing the piano is good for the brain, WHATEVER age you are.

Perhaps you should invite your Lady to sit at the piano with you and play some (at first very simple) duets? Dare I suggest, love duets?

Music can be very healing. It might just help with this "memory" thing.

All best wishes with your piano and with your music.

Me too... I'm thinking that is why I'm smarter and better looking than I've ever been. (Just kidding... no I'm not )

Rick

Great story, SS!! The Mason-Hamlin looks good as well. Hopefully, it will go to a good home.

Senior Student,

Congratulations on: 1) your choice to study piano - it's wonderful therapy and great for your brain at any age. 2) your beautiful Schimmel - it's gorgeous and they do have the bell-like singing sound (especially in the treble). 3) learning and reading the PW Forum. 4) your enjoyable piano story. It was a pleasure reading about your journey.

I wish you many happy years playing, learning and enjoying your Schimmel.

Great pick StudentSenior and what a beauty it is! You have a lovely piano room for it too!