Is an out of tune piano still worth something?

Waddles · 09-16-2018, 03:01 PM

I have two opportunities to acquire a piano.

One, there's a piano in my apartment building, down in the lobby. No one ever plays it, and it's horribly out of tune, but all the keys produce a sound and it's in reasonably good shape otherwise.

Two, there's a different piano available at a local thrift store. It is out of tune as well, but it also plays sound on every key and is in good shape for the price of $60.

I've asked the landlady for the building if I can have the piano in the lobby. If she says no, then I might opt for the thrift store piano. Up to now, I've been "teaching myself" music theory through videos on YouTube (mostly Michael New and Adam Neely, among a few others). I haven't yet started on the technique of, "here's how you press the keys."

Knowing the piano isn't going to sound as it should and I can't afford to get it tuned, would those of you who play piano still recommend getting one of the instruments I described, if only to practice technique?

The Batlord · 09-16-2018, 03:04 PM

Bruh, if it makes sound then it's worth it. And a $60 piano is worth its weight in gold since you'll have a piano and be able to make sounds with it. If the sounds aren't what you should be expected to make then cum on them and make cool **** anyway. It's ****ing music, dude. Just have fun. Your band teacher can kill himself and the world would probably be no worse off.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prepared_piano

**Frownland** · 09-17-2018, 12:03 PM

$60 is a screaming deal so long as you can transport it yourself (I assume that's why it's so cheap). You can hire a professional tuner for $100-150 to get it in tune. Could cost more if strings need to be replaced. Or you can just be a G and work with what you can get and mash dem out of tune keys like a madman.

Plankton · 09-17-2018, 12:25 PM

^That all seems like a lot of work, just get one of these:

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyb...-mini-keyboard

Portable, cheap, won't go out of tune, and good for that next step in your journey.

Waddles · 09-17-2018, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plankton

^That all seems like a lot of work, just get one of these:

[Link removed because of my post count]

Portable, cheap, won't go out of tune, and good for that next step in your journey.

Does something like that have a headphone jack? If it does, I could play it in my apartment without getting complaints from fellow residents.

Plankton · 09-17-2018, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

Does something like that have a headphone jack? If it does, I could play it in my apartment without getting complaints from fellow residents.

Quote:

SPECIFICATIONS
44 mini keys
8-note polyphony (max.)
100 new tones
50 Rhythms
10 Play Along Songs
5 drum pads
Melody-off function
Easy to switch between the piano and reed organ/organ sound
LC display
Input and output: headphones
Speakers: 2 x 0.8 W
Power supply: power supply unit or 6 AA-size batteries (both are optional)

10-4 good buddy.

rostasi · 09-17-2018, 02:53 PM

If your intentions are solely to learn how to play keyboard,
then, yes, you should get yourself a portable one. If keyboard
playing is something you continue to enjoy after a few months,
then you could easily move on up by buying one with more sound
possibilities. OTOH, if you start hating piano, you won’t be stuck
with a huge burden of a full-sized one. A “proper” piano is one
of those things that is nice to have when you are older and
settled in a nice home with space.

I have a neighbor who has a junk piano on his front porch -
painted mostly bright red - with the word “doorbell” in huge
letters across the front.

https://lakewood.advocatemag.com/201...ll-is-a-piano/

Waddles · 09-17-2018, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plankton

10-4 good buddy.

Ah, I didn't see that. I should probably have my coffee before I try socializing. Thanks.

Dresden · 09-27-2018, 11:52 AM

Apartment living I wouldn't recommend it, they're heavy and loud. But when/if you get a house I highly recommend getting a piano, even if it's a slightly beat up one. And then if you love it and start to get good at it then you can upgrade.

The Batlord · 10-02-2018, 04:16 PM

I notice nobody ever talks about a trailer. I'd live in a trailer. Better than an apartment. Less expensive than a house. Why the **** not and you always have easy access to meth.

09-16-2018, 03:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Waddles Groupie Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Colorado Posts: 27	Is an out of tune piano still worth something? I have two opportunities to acquire a piano. One, there's a piano in my apartment building, down in the lobby. No one ever plays it, and it's horribly out of tune, but all the keys produce a sound and it's in reasonably good shape otherwise. Two, there's a different piano available at a local thrift store. It is out of tune as well, but it also plays sound on every key and is in good shape for the price of $60. I've asked the landlady for the building if I can have the piano in the lobby. If she says no, then I might opt for the thrift store piano. Up to now, I've been "teaching myself" music theory through videos on YouTube (mostly Michael New and Adam Neely, among a few others). I haven't yet started on the technique of, "here's how you press the keys." Knowing the piano isn't going to sound as it should and I can't afford to get it tuned, would those of you who play piano still recommend getting one of the instruments I described, if only to practice technique?

09-17-2018, 12:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	$60 is a screaming deal so long as you can transport it yourself (I assume that's why it's so cheap). You can hire a professional tuner for $100-150 to get it in tune. Could cost more if strings need to be replaced. Or you can just be a G and work with what you can get and mash dem out of tune keys like a madman. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

09-17-2018, 12:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,765	^That all seems like a lot of work, just get one of these: https://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyb...-mini-keyboard Portable, cheap, won't go out of tune, and good for that next step in your journey. __________________ See location...

09-17-2018, 02:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
rostasi . Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4,007	If your intentions are solely to learn how to play keyboard, then, yes, you should get yourself a portable one. If keyboard playing is something you continue to enjoy after a few months, then you could easily move on up by buying one with more sound possibilities. OTOH, if you start hating piano, you won’t be stuck with a huge burden of a full-sized one. A “proper” piano is one of those things that is nice to have when you are older and settled in a nice home with space. I have a neighbor who has a junk piano on his front porch - painted mostly bright red - with the word “doorbell” in huge letters across the front. https://lakewood.advocatemag.com/201...ll-is-a-piano/

09-27-2018, 11:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
Dresden Groupie Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 9	Apartment living I wouldn't recommend it, they're heavy and loud. But when/if you get a house I highly recommend getting a piano, even if it's a slightly beat up one. And then if you love it and start to get good at it then you can upgrade.