Me playing the Grand Piano in Harrord's London

Musiclover89 · Post by **Musiclover89** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:43 am

During a recent trip to London me and my friends went into Harrord's for a look and went to the Music section i asked the sales person if it was allright if i had a go on the Piano and she said yes so heres a video of me playing Everybody Hurts and Bohemian Rhapsody

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:10 am

Excellent ML! I can't play the piano but you are really good at it.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:16 am

fantastic ML...Sounded great:-6

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:43 am

Oh, I am jealous, what a great piano. You sounded great! Hey, that piano was on sale! :wah:

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:49 am

Outstanding ! :-6

Have you ever played a grand piano before ?

Can you tell the difference in sound between a gp and umm the regular kind ?

Does it "play" better ?

Is the sound more exquisite ?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:53 am

A grand piano always has a different sound, diffferent brands too.

Steinway is the best, for depth of warmth and action of the keys.

I only play a Steinway once in awhile, I have a Yamaha upright at home, a Yamaha baby grand at church to play.

ML, how did you like the one you played. Musicians have their own personal preferences in what they like.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:55 am

chonsigirl;915357 wrote: A grand piano always has a different sound, diffferent brands too.

Steinway is the best, for depth of warmth and action of the keys.

I only play a Steinway once in awhile, I have a Yamaha upright at home, a Yamaha baby grand at church to play.

ML, how did you like the one you played. Musicians have their own personal preferences in what they like.

What gives it depth, is it the length of the strings ?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:58 am

It is the combination of stings, material used to build the piano (certain types of wood), the action mechanism and weight of the keys. Each piano manufacturer have their own specifications, and the musician needs to decide which one fits their style and sound they want.

A baby grand-yes, longer strings, has more versatility for dynamics of sound. But my upright does pretty good when it is tuned correctly.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:25 am

What kinds of wood do they use ?

How can you get the same note from 2 different length's of string ?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:32 am

All kinds of pretty woods-maple, walnut, etc.

Any stringed instrument makes the notes in a specific way, when the string vibrates. The length of the string does not matter, it is a certain length, composition of material, that will tune to a specific note.

My violin-do I use metal or gut strings? Each will make the notes, but will have a different sound. I use metal strings, because I do not play enough to spend the money for gut strings. But I got a new electric violin-the bridge and strings are on with only one peg left to adjust. I am going to try once more this afternoon, then plug it into the little amp I got. (but it works cool, I tried it when two strings when on and set) I am enjoying my summer with lots of music this year.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:40 am

Oh beautiful ! I love the electric violin. Its such a unique sound. Im glad you got that for yourself.

Jean Luc Ponty does some nice things with his.

Gut strings are wound gut then ? What kind ?

What kind of wood do they use on violins ?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 9:00 am

Violin wood can be different types too. Mine is maple, it came from New England 1964. The shape is based on a Stradivarius. My violin teacher played it for years in the Boston Pops, a nice violin.

Gut strings usually have sheep or lamb gut on the inside, wrapped with silver or aluminum. Very expensive and need to be replaced about every 6 months. Metal strings last forever, I have to remember to change mine yearly for the best sound. I do it in the summer, since I will probably play in the orchestra in November/December, it is undecided yet what I will play or whether I will conduct. The music should be here in a week, we can decide then. If no one is on piano/keyboards, I will need to do that, and probably conduct from there.

The electric violin is cool, I have heard some music when it plays and it is so unique. And the advantage for practicing-put in the headphones and it is silent to the household. My husband will never know I am practicing.....:wah:

I am having a very musical summer-I got a flute, and learned to play it too. I am on Suzuki book 2 right now, and have one more thing coming this summer, a piccolo. The band teacher will be happy to have me sit in on flute sections too, and it will be fun. I get to play music about 2 hours every day this summer. I decided I would write less, and have more fun this year. And I am.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 9:35 am

WOW - Musiclover, how cool

you definately can play - I'm jealous

My friend has a beautiful Steinway, and she doesn't play the piano...

Thanks for sharing, enjoyed

Patsy

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 9:54 am

The flute is also absolutely one of my favorite sounds.

Its like wind and it carries me as the wind would.

Even though its not a wood wind. Ha ha ha...I did a funny.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:03 am

What are the bows made from ?

Different woods and shapes produce different sounds ?

Are there violins that are equal in craftsmanship to the Stradivarius ?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:17 pm

Bows are made of lighter wood then the violin. They are strung with synthetic fiibers or horsehair.

Yes, different violins make different sounds. They usually age gracefully and if taken care of, sound better when they are older.

I am laughing at your funny.......:wah:

I like the flute alot, it is so much fun to play. Not very hard at all. I ordered new music for it, and some Jethro Tull too.....