Funny how much sheer pleasurability and inspiration matter for habits. Ever since I got a new piano, my old practice time goals (which I often struggled to meet) feel comically low. Now somewhat effortlessly 3 months ahead of target… gotta ratchet up the goal!
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I'm curious - what about the new piano made it more pleasurable to play?
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80%+ a great action. I used to play a 1923 Steinway K (upright). The regulation was understandably poor, which made it very difficult to shape phrases beautifully. I knew it was out of regulation but didn't know how big an effect it had; thought it was mostly inadequate skill.
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What's in the remaining <20%?
I'm curious if you reckon it's other aspects of its performance, just the fun of it being new, or of being done waiting for it?
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Most of it is tone/voice—it has a very plush European resonance, which makes even simple Romantic-era music more rewarding. Also went from an upright to a grand, so I have a richer bass and a bit more sustain. A bit is aesthetic appreciation for physical beauty; a bit is novelty.