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-   -   Can someone tell me the age of my piano? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=369997)

  • Jun 28, 2009, 04:57 PM
    Chopinfan
    Can someone tell me the age of my piano?
    Can someone tell me the age of my piano I got it from a second hand store a few days ago and they don't know the age. It would help a lot if someone could give me an estimate of the date. The serial number is # 158944 and it's a Kohler & chase. Thank you.
  • Jun 28, 2009, 06:20 PM
    JudyKayTee

    This site provides exact info for $5.00 - How Old Is My Piano - Submit Form
  • Jun 28, 2009, 06:25 PM
    Clough
    Hi, Chopinfan!

    If I could find my Pierce Piano Atlas I could tell you for sure. However, unfortunately, it's really packed away somewhere...

    For now, if you would post an images of it here, I should be able to give you a general idea as to it's age.

    If you do provide an image, and if there are legs on it, it's important to include them in the image. The leg styles on furniture in general, can be good indicators as to the period in history from which the piece originated.

    Thanks!
  • Jun 29, 2009, 01:25 PM
    Chopinfan

    HI, Clough,

    I can't upload a photo because I don't have a camera but I can describe it if that helps. Its an upright piano with two legs in the front. If that helps at all.
  • Jun 29, 2009, 01:44 PM
    Chopinfan

    Thanky you JudyKay tee, I would to that but I don't have a credit card.
  • Jun 29, 2009, 06:54 PM
    Clough

    Hi again, Chopinfan!

    Would it be possible for you to borrow a digital camera?

    Here are some questions that will be helpful to both of us:

    Are the legs perfectly square, tapered square, rounded or flute?

    Is there any sort of fancy design at the top of the legs?

    What color and wood type is the piano?

    The following isn't about the age, but it's something that I ask out of concern because I'm a piano tuner/technician.

    Can the piano be tuned to modern, standard pitch of A=440? If so, when was the last time that it was tuned, please?

    Thanks!
  • Jun 29, 2009, 07:13 PM
    Chopinfan
    I can't get a digital camera right know but I found a picture of a piano similar to mine there are some diffrences though like the brand, the woods dark brown and its missing the stand for the sheet music it's a lot more worn down and very much out of tune. It only cost $149.00 but all the pedals work and just needs tuning. Thanks for the help!

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hvUgLTILEV...Wurlitzer1.JPG
  • Jun 29, 2009, 07:30 PM
    Clough

    Thanks for posting the image, Chopinfan!

    It looks like a modern console piano not an upright. Technically, there are vertical and horizontal ones. The names for them will have to do with how long or high they are. An upright piano is one of the terms used for the vertical ones. They can range in height from about 4&1/2 feet to over 5 feet.

    Typically, the old upright pianos were made from the 1870's through the 1920's. There were literally hundreds of different manufactures.

    What also makes a determination as to the name designation for the vertical pianos is the type of action in them.

    I have no doubt that the piano in the image that you've provided is a console piano because it has the height of cases that would allow for a console action to be installed.

    An upright action would need to be much higher than what the console piano case will allow.

    I would say that the piano in the image is dated somewhere between the late 1960's up through the 1970's.

    Have you or someone played the piano that you have?

    Thanks!
  • Jun 29, 2009, 07:39 PM
    Clough

    Okay, I can see that you're not logged on here anymore, Chopinfan.

    If you would like, I'm sure that we could find a way for me to listen to a recording of your piano on the Internet. I could then do a free evaluation for you.

    I've posted sound files on other sites of songs that I write together with people on this site.

    All that's really required is a microphone for your computer, or a recording of some kind that you can record with a microphone attached to your computer.

    Thanks!
  • Jun 29, 2009, 07:51 PM
    Chopinfan

    Thank you for all your help Clough! I don't have a microphone though. But I'll try to get one it may take a while though. Thanks very much for your help.
  • Jun 29, 2009, 07:53 PM
    Clough

    I did ask earlier if you played your piano or if someone else did for you?

    I'm serious about my offer to you! I hope that you're able to obtain a microphone. I'm also a professional pianist and music teacher.

    Thanks!
  • Jun 29, 2009, 08:05 PM
    Chopinfan
    My little sister and me both do were the only ones in the house that play.
  • Jun 29, 2009, 08:07 PM
    Clough

    Your username certainly has me wondering about you!

    Do you play the music of Chopin on the piano?

    Thanks!
  • Jun 29, 2009, 08:13 PM
    Chopinfan
    Oh course Nocturne # 20 in c sharp is my favorite do you play any of Chopins music?
  • Jun 29, 2009, 08:15 PM
    Clough

    Yes, I can play many of Chopin's works. I'm a professional pianist as well as music teacher. I have been doing those sort of things for a very long time...

    How long have you played the piano, please?

    Thanks!
  • Jun 29, 2009, 08:18 PM
    Chopinfan
    Oh that's wonderful! He's one of my favorite composers, I've been playing off and on again since I was around seven and I'm fifteen now so maybe six or seven years all together.
  • Jun 29, 2009, 08:19 PM
    Clough

    Okay, thought that you were probably a youth...

    Do you play any other instruments?

    Thanks!
  • Jun 29, 2009, 08:23 PM
    Chopinfan
    I used to play the flute and alto sax I tried the violin but I was very bad at it. Are you stictly a pianist or do you play or teach any other instrument?
  • Jun 29, 2009, 08:29 PM
    Clough
    I've taught private lessons and taught in schools for many years. I trained to be a band director, orchestra director and choral director. I play and teach many instruments. I'm also a professional singer and have been a music leader in churches for a very long time. I've played in chamber groups, concert bands and orchestras. Currently, I teach privately and play piano, string bass and percussion in the Quad City Wind Ensemble, which is like the local symphony orchestra, except that it's a concert band. I also direct the Bend of the River Chorus which is a male barbershop chorus that is the Rock Island, IL chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society which is the largest organization of male singers in the world.

    I go out and give lecture demonstrations to groups on a variety of musical topics.

    I've been in over 45 musical theater productions as either an actor or a musician.

    I think that I already mentioned that I'm a piano tuner/technician.

    Would you like to use this site to have fun learning something in music?

    Thanks!
  • Jun 29, 2009, 08:37 PM
    Clough

    I apologize for writing so much about myself, but you seemed interested...

    Thanks!

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