Kerbside cleanup. You know it goes. Those people who cruise the streets looking for old washing machines or parts of rusty BBQs.....
So Mitch (14yo neighbour) and Chris were press ganged into lifting it out of the Vito and setting it up in Sarah's room (she is long gone). Luckily or unluckily as the case would be, many many years ago, the UC ran a monthly youth rally and we had one of these pianos. In my younger days they appeared somewhat lighter but still too heavy to have any other memories other than their weight. So I had the necessary knowledge to assemble it. It comes in two main parts. The keyboard and base is one part and the string section is the other. The Legs are put on the keyboard and base and that part set on the floor. the string section is then hung off the keyboard and swung through 90 degrees and locked in place.
This thing is just like a real piano. Strings and things but also it has built in microphone pickups. This one even came with a amplifier / speaker. It also came with impressive heritage. It was used in times past at the Darwin entertainment centre of all places.
All connected up and of course it did not work. All manner of leads and combination of plugs and sockets were tried. All to no avail. That was weeks ago.
With a Christmas visit from Henry imminent, the need was on to get rid of it. My suggestions of taking it to the tip or even just giving it away to someone who would in turn ask me to take it to the tip were summarily rejected.
Dan tried a couple of things and it worked. Don't ask questions. Just be thankful its working.
Last night (Sunday night) we were sitting at the Oxley carols enjoying a good sing a long when Megan suggested we go and get it and put it in the school hall. Chris was keen and a second set by a kids entertainer called JAM convinced me that now was the time. We walked home.
At home we dismantled it and loaded it onto the ute. Vertebrae compressed!.
We drove back to the school. Careful not to run over any wayward kids we drove through the conveniently unlocked gate and up to the school hall. it was also conveniently not locked.
Noticed a friend "Som" and co-opted him to help lift. Megan directed and Chris, Som and myself reassembled it. It was connected to the PA system in the hall and a few notes played to reasure ourselves that Oxley school can now enjoy the melodious tones of a baby grand and a $50 reconditioned by Chris Casio harmonsing and leading the kids through the National Anthem. What are the words again you ask.
No comments:
Post a Comment