My wife wants to learn to play the piano/keyboard - help?

honeyiscool · Post by **honeyiscool** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:07 pm

Is the snide remark really necessary?

If that's really the mindset you're in, that you want something that can be stashed under the sofa, you might as well not bother. Keyboards not in at least a semi-permanent installation are in no real condition for any serious playing. To me, that means having at least 76 weighted keys, sitting on a stand, preferably of the cabinet sort, or at least a V or Z stand, and equipped with sustain pedal and height adjustable bench. These things are as bulky as they sound. Piano is furniture, even if you go digital. If you don't have the space for it, you shouldn't even bother.

Trying to impose unrealistic space constrictions on piano is just a waste of time and will not help a beginner establish continuity, progress, motivation, or interest, really. Standing is no way to develop technique, and sitting at an X stand just encourages bad posture. Regardless, maybe your wife is the one person in a million who will actually not mind setting up and tearing down keyboards (which gets old by the third time) every time she wants to doodle, but chances are pretty slim of that as well. Very few people make that much effort just to be terrible at something for a few minutes a day.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:11 pm

Fine, I'll tell her not to bother because some bloke on the internet with a cast-iron opinion on everything says it's not worth it.

willlin · Post by **willlin** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:34 pm

Who knew pianos could be such a contentious issue...

honeyiscool · Post by **honeyiscool** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:42 pm

benecol wrote:Fine, I'll tell her not to bother because some bloke on the internet with a cast-iron opinion on everything says it's not worth it.

Whatever, dude. You're the one imposing the restrictions, not me. I'm telling you what I think your restrictions make it impossible for someone to have a good experience learning piano. If you'd ever played piano, you'd probably understand where I was coming from.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:49 pm

Uprights made from Basswood..... Round 2.

cur · Post by **cur** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 4:42 pm

benecol's floorboards are made out of basswood. you will probably need to reinforce with flame top maple cross bridging.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 4:59 pm

honeyiscool wrote:
benecol wrote:Fine, I'll tell her not to bother because some bloke on the internet with a cast-iron opinion on everything says it's not worth it.
Whatever, dude. You're the one imposing the restrictions, not me. I'm telling you what I think your restrictions make it impossible for someone to have a good experience learning piano. If you'd ever played piano, you'd probably understand where I was coming from.

And a perfectly reasonable restriction at that. I've not said anything about not getting a stand, or a sustain pedal, or any particular number of keys, or anyotherfuckingthing. I've merely stated no upright pianos, and my budget. What gets my goat is that you seem to have a cast-iron opinion on everyfuckingthing (see: the HC thread pointing this out). I really appreciate everyone else's input, but could really do without your all-encompassing wisdom.