A couple weeks ago something really exciting happened…my husband and I bought our first piano!  It’s a Boston GP 156 and I am in love!

I grew up playing a Story & Clark console that my grandparents bought when my mom started learning piano.  It’s a fine piano, and I’m still quite fond of it.  But I feel especially spoiled with the Boston grand.  I distinctly remember a point in time when I realized that going to college meant I would no longer have a piano in the same place that I lived.  I would have to get dressed and actually go somewhere to play a piano!  In college, I diligently practiced my 3 hours a day (and if you know how much of a rule-follower I am you know it really was 3 hours a day).  But I missed having a piano in my home.

There’s something special about being able to sit down at the piano at any moment.  Being able to get up and practice in your pajamas first thing in the morning.  Playing something while you wait for dinner to finish baking in the oven.

After college I got married and went to grad school at TCU.  I had access to all-Steinway grand piano practice rooms at TCU, but still missed having one at home.  My husband and I purchased a digital piano on sale just to have something I could play at home if I really needed.  This digital has served it’s purpose.  We’ve been able to play through music we need to practice for church together without going somewhere else.  But I definitely didn’t enjoy just siting down to play the digital.  Since graduate school I’ve had a piano in my studio to practice on, I’ve always taught in a multi-teacher studio away from home, but I have not had an acoustic at home.

Just over a year ago we finally bought a home!  When looking for a house, having room for a piano was a must.  Since finding our home I’ve been dying to get a piano to fill that space, and the time finally came!  Our Boston was purchased in 1998 and owned by the same family its whole life.  It fits perfectly in our space and sounds beautiful!

Our dog, Tucker, is not so sure about how much attention the new “baby” is getting.  But I think he might be interested in some lessons ;).

I’ve been enjoying practicing a lot more now that we have the Boston.  I’ve made it part of my routine to practice some first thing in the morning, right after my husband leaves for work.  This way I don’t get busy with my day and run out of time to play.

What kind of piano do you have at home?  How much time do you find to practice?  I’d love to hear what other teachers are learning and playing these days!

Author: Spring

Spring Seals, NCTM, teaches 60 piano students ranging from age 3 to 70 in Fort Worth, Texas. She also serves as the Director of Certification for TMTA. She is passionate about helping teachers become more effective in their studios through professional development, new resources, and fresh ideas.