This is a picture of the refinished piano in my parents’ home. It’s an old upright that had been a player piano. I learned to play beginning in third grade, one hand and one note at a time. Sometimes practicing under protest, I eventually graduated to both hands playing hymns and Top 40 songs from the sixties and seventies.
In Forever Music, Sam Daniels, an impetuous helper, decides to refinish an antiqued green piano so that Merritt Hastings will accept it and enjoy teaching piano lessons on it.
A brilliant idea!
My father is the one who inspired this subplot.
When I began lessons, we didn’t have a piano. I practiced on my aunt and uncle’s instrument. I don’t remember where Daddy found our secondhand piano, but it needed some work.
The first memory I have of our piano is individual wooden pieces covering our living room floor. Sadly, we don’t have pictures. He took it apart, stripped the old varnish off, sanded each piece and wiped the dust off, then coated each piece with several layers of varnish, sanding each layer after it dried until the wood shone like a mirror.
Here’s a closeup picture of the veneer still shining after many decades. Look at the grain of the wood. He did such an excellent job with this beautiful piece.
(A side note–Daddy bought a beginner piano book and taught himself notes. He wanted to sing better in the church choir.)
When I knew Sam needed to refinish a piano for Merritt, I thought of Daddy and our piano. Wondering if refinishing pianos was a real thing, I researched the subject.
Yes, it’s a real thing. Daddy didn’t have YouTube to show him how, however. Did someone give him tips, or did he just use his common sense from refinishing other smaller pieces of furniture? I wish I knew.
What a bold endeavor for him to undertake!
Want to try this hobby?
Today, if you’re interested in restoring a piano, many people share how-to videos to explain the process. Here is a cool website that gives lots of information concerning piano refinishing.
Have you ever refinished furniture? What’s the largest piece you’ve ever undertaken? I’ve refinished a side table and my grandmother’s treadle sewing machine. Tell me about your experiences!
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