Quadsville

I made a little bit of an impulse buy Wednesday night.

I studied the piano for 14 years and even had a scholarship to Augustana College for playing the instrument. But when I graduated two years ago, I found myself without a piano for the first time in my life.

I don't exactly have an extra $1,000 lying around to buy a new one - and have it delivered - so I just resigned myself to the idea that I would play again when I someday bought a house and could afford a piano.

Then I found an upright at the Salvation Army this past weekend for $150. The finish is a little worn, but the rest of the piano is in great condition. I immediately called my fiance to see whether we knew anyone with a van.

We couldn't think of anyone, so I left the piano there. But when I stopped in again Wednesday, the piano was still there and I found out that there is a guy who would move it for $30. Well, the moving price sealed the deal and that piano ended up coming home with me.

I dusted off my old piano books and played Chopin waltzes, Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," DeBussy's "Clair de Lune" and songs from the Broadway musicals "Rent," "Les Miserables" and "Wicked." Before I knew it, I had played for more than an hour.

My skill level has dropped considerably, so I need to practice my scales and find my copy of Hannon's "The Virtuoso Pianist" so I can practice the exercises in there. I used to hate technique drills as a kid, but now I'm really looking forward to them.

The piano is in need of a good tuning, however. Can anyone recommend a good piano tuner so I can tell the difference between a wrong note and a key that is out of tune?