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mopinko

(71,687 posts)
Mon Aug 5, 2024, 10:09 AM Aug 2024

so, it's my 70th birthday soon.

my next step in project ‘never get old’ is learning to play the piano. i’ve been poking at it occasionally for the last several yrs. partly it’s a case of- mo hates to b totally ignorant at this age. but also- i have very small hands, and a slightly crooked rt arm, and 15 minutes of a lesson and i’m hurting.
i have been on a quest to get a reduced size keyboard. called a ds5.5, it is 7/8th a standard board. they r out there, but boy howdy r they hard to get. and spendy.
this is an insane state of affairs. steinway made 1 for a guy 100 yrs ago. they made 1 for daniel barenboim but made him sign a ‘shut up’ contract. there is no reason this shd b a big deal. but it is.
i‘m on a waiting list for an outrageously priced digital, and this morning talked to the rep to several piano cos, and she’s working on getting me a baby grand piano. she runs this nonprofit.
as someone who can afford to do the thing these companies need ppl to do b4 they will change, write a check, i am planning to buy the 1st new piano i am offered.
this is a political issue. most piano students r female, but most pros r male. women burn out from stress injuries at a far higher rate than men.
when women have to use tools made for men, they get injured at very high rates. when men use tools made for women, NOTHING HAPPENS.
i’m writing a big check, but even a small donation from my friends will bring change. there r plans in the works for a stretto festival in chgo, and other cities. when that happens, expect to hear about it.
or send a donation, and hear it directly from them.

https://www.strettopianoconcerts.org/donate

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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so, it's my 70th birthday soon. (Original Post) mopinko Aug 2024 OP
Good luck have fum XanaDUer2 Aug 2024 #1
i'm pretty happy to have a cause that isnt P-politcal. mopinko Aug 2024 #2
Kick ass, fellow Irish chick XanaDUer2 Aug 2024 #3
i'll have fun doing it. mopinko Aug 2024 #4

mopinko

(71,687 posts)
2. i'm pretty happy to have a cause that isnt P-politcal.
Mon Aug 5, 2024, 10:14 AM
Aug 2024

i havent stirred up much trouble lately. i was gettin kinda itchy.

mopinko

(71,687 posts)
4. i'll have fun doing it.
Mon Aug 5, 2024, 10:27 AM
Aug 2024

i’m gonna do an audition tape and see if anyone wants me to sing w them. i’ve rly been dying to sing for ppl. i did it a few times w an irish “pick up” band. in quotes cuz the same bunch of guys has been doing it for a couple decades.
found out where divas come from. sidemen who stab u in the back. guy was so nice my 1st time. 2nd time he was mad that i wasnt insisting they play my songs in my key. iow, i wasnt being a diva. le sigh.

this will b fun. i also sent them some money, and will do pr for the concerts, so they sorta hafta let me sing.

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