One hundred seventy-six keys

There are 176 keys right now in my house: eighty-eight keys on each of two pianos.

That's right, I have two pianos sitting in my home as I speak type. Why? you might ask.

Well, the black piano is the Weber that I've had for the last ten years on which I've taught literally thousands of piano lessons. It's really a good piano with a great sound, but it has pretty stiff action which makes playing it difficult for some of my younger students.

The brown piano, a Baldwin Acrosonic, was just moved into our "red room" (what we've dubbed our 'library' room) this afternoon. It's probably about 50 years old, but it has a lighter touch than the black one, which of course would be an advantage for my piano students.

So now I have to decide which one I want to keep.

But at least I have some time to figure it out. I got the Baldwin from a lady who needed to have it out of her house by the end of March. She originally approached me asking if I knew anyone who might be interested in a free piano. Being a piano teacher I told her that finding someone interested would definitely not be a problem.

But then she proceeded to tell me more about the piano, and I came to the conclusion that this wasn't just some beat up piano that she wanted to get rid of. So I (stupidly) suggested that if she wanted to sell it instead of give it away, she'd be able to get at least a few hundred dollars out of it. Of course she was very happy with this idea, so we arranged a time for me to go to her house to look over the piano so I could help her advertise it.

But when I saw the piano, I realized I didn't want to help her sell it; I wanted it for myself. I could have kicked myself for having suggested she sell it instead of give it away. I mean, if only I'd kept my mouth shut I might have been able to get this piano for free!

But ultimately common sense and decency overcame me and I realized that I had done the right thing in letting her know she didn't have to just give it away. It was too nice a piano for her not to get at least a little money out of it. I would have felt bad if I'd accepted it for free.

So, we discussed it and came to an agreement. I'd purchase the piano from her, but she wouldn't expect actual payment for it until I either sold my piano, or I sold the Baldwin itself if I decided I didn't want it after all. A profitable situation for both of us.

Now that the Baldwin is actually in my home, the first thing I'm going to do is have it tuned so I can see how well it holds a tune and whether or not I really do want to use it for piano lessons.

Decisions, decisions, decisions!