Piano Heritage

My maternal grandparents had a big, old upright piano in their farmhouse living room. They purchased it from a catalog in 1920 just after they got married. Its finish was blackened and crackled, the keys yellowed and chipped and pieces of veneer were broken off. It was played often, by adults and children alike. At Christmastime, my Grandma or my Aunt would play it, the children would gather around it and everyone would sing. It was also a self-player, the kind with paper rolls that moved slowly across the tracker bar as you pumped hard with your feet and then flew frantically backward in rewind mode.

My grandmother’s parents and her grandparents, who had come from Scotland in 1860, had pianos, too. Nearly a hundred years later, my parents purchased a baby grand piano when they were first married. Keith and I purchased our first piano shortly after we were married. It was a beautiful vertical piano which we kept many years before we invested in a grand piano. Our two children now have pianos in their homes and our oldest granddaughter is starting piano lessons. That’s at least seven generations of pianos and pianists in my family.

Does your family have a piano history? Does the story of my Grandparents’ piano evoke memories for you? At Freeburg Pianos, we hear many heart-warming stories that have motivated people young and old to purchase pianos as part of their family life.

Today’s blog was inspired by a video clip sent to us by a precious young family who received their first piano from us (view video clip below). I did not talk with the Dad until after receiving the video. He shared with me, then, that he had grown up with a piano in his home and wanted the same joy and opportunity for his children. In the brief minute of video footage, I think you will share the children’s joy and wonder over their gift. Notice the oldest boy checking out how the action works, the youngest son rapidly tickling the ivories and the little girl performing a glissando. I particularly enjoy her “head to keys” finish.

Thank you, Scott and Brigid for making such a delightful video keepsake for us.
Thank you to all the grandparents and parents who have encouraged the gift of music through the pianos you’ve placed lovingly in your homes for all to enjoy.

Life is Grand

Joann