What a keyboard at home would mean
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Piano in Esther's life
Pressing keys before she can reach the pedals, picking out her first tune, and maybe one day playing it back for us. We want music in the next room while she grows up.
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Room to keep growing
A real keyboard in the apartment means Talmage can practice any evening, headphones on, without waking anyone. Skills grow when the instrument is always right there.
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More music
Songs worked out at the bench the moment an idea shows up, before it gets away.
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Our songs, kept
Record the songs we've made together and write out the sheet music, so they last long past this Christmas.
The keyboard we're after
We aren't naming a model yet. We're holding out for one that feels like a real piano under the fingers, because that's what makes someone want to keep sitting down to play.
- 88 weighted keysFully weighted, so the keys push back like hammers and playing louder takes more finger. Nothing springy or semi-weighted.
- Graded from low to highHeavier in the bass and lighter in the treble, the way an acoustic piano is.
- A grand-piano catchA small click near the bottom of each key, like the escapement in a grand. We'd love it, and we'll weigh it against everything else.
- Three sensors per keySo quick repeated notes and trills come out even and don't drop.
- Textured, ivory-style keysA surface that grips the fingers instead of sliding, even in a long practice session.
- Plenty of notes at onceGenerous polyphony, so long passages with the sustain pedal keep every note ringing.
- A rich concert-grand soundWarm, full speakers, and a good headphone sound for late nights.
The gift also covers a sturdy stand, a bench, and a proper sustain pedal that responds to half-presses, so it's ready to play the day it arrives.
Be part of the gift
Any amount helps, and every bit is one more key. We'll say a proper thank you the moment you do.