It was with mixed emotions that I sold my 1903 Thürmer upright piano a few days ago after owning it for more than 30 years. It’s been like a family member since 1988 when I bought it from Dave Carlson, who was a president of the APTTA. Fifteen years later Dave and his wife, Wendy, surrounded by my piano and singing students, gave the piano a present for its 100th birthday party: a pair of new candle holders.
When I visited Dave’s workshop seeking to buy a piano this one had come back to him some years after a full recondition. He hadn’t recently tuned it and so did not fully know its value. Because it is hard to assess a piano’s quality when it’s not in tune, I struck (and I do mean STRUCK) a note, as loudly and roughly as I could, to assess what range of colours it might have. Dave must have been horrified that I would beat a key like that and he must have wondered about my piano teaching skills because of the raucous sound. However, ever the diplomat, he didn’t say a word. Suitably impressed with the piano’s responsiveness, I agreed to buy it for $2950, which was raised from small loans from a number of students. It turned out to be a great buy.
In those days old pianos could appreciate in value so a few years later I asked Dave for a valuation. From memory I think it was $3500 or perhaps more. Not long after that something happened in Japan and the value of all the old pianos in WA went through the floorboards.
In vague terms I think the Japanese economy slid down the slopes and disappeared under the sea. All over that country people were losing their jobs and eyeing off the excellent Yamaha pianos sitting in their loungerooms, unused since the kids left home. Suddenly, huge numbers of them were in sea containers headed for Australia which meant our lovely old European and Australian-made pianos were instantly devalued.
Fast forward to 2011 when I returned to the Hills were I grew up. I resumed teaching piano, singing and theory, and accompanying choirs and exam students after a long break when I drove taxis in Karratha. I also took up another part-time profession, that of the house sitter (and pet visitor/plant waterer).
Instant problem: how do I teach and practice piano as a house sitter? The first part was easy: I teach in student’s own homes. The second part was quite difficult. For several years I paid removalists to shift the Thürmer from one house sit to another, often leap-frogging one or more short bookings. Then I got local Hills Choir stalwart and inventor, Ivan Halbert, to modify a trailer so I could shift the piano on my own with a hand winch and several bits of custom-made equipment.
Shift the piano on my own? I did try this once but then thought I’m never doing that again, so usually I slipped a few bucks to my long-suffering eldest brother, Lawrence, to help me move it. Because the equipment was quite different to what professionals use it always took at least three hours, anything up to five hours. We must have moved this piano (plus a few friends’ pianos) about twenty times and I’m SOOOO glad I won’t be doing that again.
The trailer was sold six months ago so last week the piano was moved to its new home nearby by pushing it along the road.
The new owner got it as a surprise early Christmas gift from her husband. I am over the moon that the piano, almost human to me, has gone to a good home where it will be greatly appreciated and played so well.
At the birthday party in 2003 Dave & Wendy gave me this info: “At present Thürmer pianos are not commercially imported into Australia, however if you would like one, it could be arranged for approximately $35,000 to $40,000 Australian for an upright.” One of the best brands, for sure, and built to last in Meissen, Germany. With another recondition a decade or two from now this one might outlive the new owners and their children.
These days I practice and often perform on digital pianos. No moving or tuning issues and I can literally carry one under my arm! At night I can practice and compose with the headphones on if people are sleeping nearby.
See these other pages on my website:
Piano chair boxes to adjust your sitting height
How to sit correctly at the piano
Piano chairs and benches
Piano hydration (water) beakers to maintain pitch (but note this contrary advice from the piano tuner’s association: www.aptta.org.au/faqs.aspx)
Piano music stands / sheet music holders: rigid or foldable (portable, DIY)
