232006

-

-

-

The HHKs look excellent, I was a bit gobsmacked when I saw the UK price though!

Sounds like you had some fun in the "" ! Lol! Was the "one of the classical pianists in the town" someone who might have played in a local Symphony Orchestra....? A number of other details mentioned and a question I think you might, from memory, have asked me about my piccy and where I was based, just made me wonder if I might know that town....... I understand you may not want to say! LOL!

Hi Sospiri, Genuinely sorry to hear that. The difference here, I guess, is that things change daily, are for many, quite extraordinary given the official facts, which have been blatantly "changed" to justify the utterly and quite ludicrous "rules" which may, or may not, be legal. Businesses are told they can open with tight restrictions one day and told another day they can't. Large chains can open, selling goods which are identical goods sold by an independently owned store (which has passed all the regulations relating to "covid" precautions) but which in some cases, have been brutally "closed" by the local constabulary. Pubs in "Tier" areas that can open, can only sell alcohol with a "substantial meal", which is not actually defined what that is and nor has any actual justification been given as to how a "substantial meal" makes any difference to how the "virus" moves about.... On one occasion a Scotch Egg was mentioned as being a substantial meal for some, and a g*vernm#nt minister said is was ok. The constabulary in some areas have decided it isn't (tell me how they decide what the law is against those actually making it) and tried to close pubs and fine them! In Wales most (it may be all - I just don't know anymore) pubs can't sell any alcohol at all - in a, you know - pub. Scotland is different again, but I haven't a clue what the rules there are. Some kinds of, it must be said, "controversial" protests have been totally ignored by the constabulary in London, and others by, in some cases quite elderly people, have been crushed brutally in a way that has shocked people here in the UK. This is not what happens in the UK, until now.... Again MSM report these in a way that is blatantly untrue, footage on Youtube and others proves this. Some has now been removed from Youtube with no explanation. It is an offence to even mention on social media, a concern about vaccines by those who have, it must be said, always taken vaccines in the past, but are concerned about the current situation. There is a pub in Kent (Tier3) which cannot open at all, but a pub literally across the street, in West Sussex (Tier 2) can....Go figure, as they say! I have heard small business owners on Talk Radio in tears saying they won't survive. No-one "official" is taking into account the shocking number of suicides, known about by people in local areas but completely unreported by MSM, such as the BBC.... Masks, well... I fail (as do eminent scientists described as "outliers" by "some") to see how a mask worn for hours and soaked in the exhalations of the wearer, constantly touched and fiddled with, the wearer then handles and puts back goods on shop shelves, and depriving the wearer of vital oxygen, be healthy against not wearing one, is unbelievable. We are bombarded every 15 mins or so, on radio programs, with "official" and chillingly voiced, "infomercials" about covid. I have come very, very close to smashing my iPad, which I often use to listen to radio programs online, on many occasions. We are being tortured. The latest says people must open windows to let the virus "particles" out! That is complete and utter BS! Currently where I am in the south of England the temperature outside is 4.5 C. I wonder how many elderly (who are told they should sit near the open window) will die of hypothermia? I apologise for this ramble and I guess it might be removed, but I genuinely fear what might be in-store for us in the not too distant future. As you say "Jingle Bells" Nah - Santa is self isolating apparently.. Good wishes for the future.

Looks like he's actually playing a digital piano "masked" in a wooden grand piano case. Anyone know what digital keyboard he's playing? Yamaha? Internal sounds? Or using it as a controller? Could be a "CarryOn88" perhaps... Lol! Seriously, I love MMs music and voice - that guy has "IT" and then some...and some more... "Sweet Freedom" - if only...... Cheers.

Yes it's a bit, um...weird here at the moment. I'm in a "Tier 2" area but that's just in the present hour, what it might be tomorrow, or the day after, or next week, or at Christmas, or the New Year, or, or, or and what that might allow - who the hell knows?.................. Most people haven't got a clue what the "rules" are now anyway. Feel like we might be being screwed here, actually. Thanks for asking.

Hello Elmer, thankyou for your reply. referring to models like the one shared by the OP Unfortunately there were 2 others (including the "Piano de Voyage") referenced by posters before your reply - I think many would have thought you were referring to all of them from the tone of your post. I wish to make absolutely clear that I have no vested interest in it, lest anyone thinks otherwise. I didn't imagine you did intend any offence to me, as we hadn't interacted..... I am fully aware of all the points you make about the CarryOn88. Taking: 1. Quite obviously not, that doesn't necessarily make it of no use to all people though. I don't think the intended, or targeted, market is a serious piano student somehow! More a bit of fun, easily packed away by those with limited living space (a common thing these days), and at the price point, a possible way for a parent or grandparent to see if their child/grandchild has any interest in a keyboard instrument. My niece, now 22 years was a case in point from my own experience. Admittedly she did end up with a violin, which she plays today! 2. Again obviously not, but, as 1. 3. Ditto 4. Possibly, but not necessarily so, and as you stated it does have a headphone socket, but again, it's obvious really, and unless you have heard it, or have been given first hand feedback about it, not really that pertinent. IMHO. Regarding the other features, most people are happy with a Class Compliant USB MIDI device, I don't expect they intend to market it to those wishing to connect to an original DIN MIDI computer interface, classic synth, or a module with only a 5 pin DIN Input somehow! Lol! It's true that Mod and Pitch would have been good, but I expect the form factor would have made that difficult. Regarding software, well I'm sure you are fully aware that with a Class Compliant USB MIDI board, that doesn't really matter one jot, with (quite a few!) bits of free software, and with a suitable USB Camera Connector can even be connected to the ubiquitous iPhone or iPad, which kids might find fun. I agree, there are many other small inexpensive controllers that will have Velocity Sensitivity, Mod, Pitch etc. and will be better suited, but might be a space issue, for which that one, might be somewhat better possibly. I understand that as a piano teacher that is rightly your focus, but as you obviously know, the world is a different place now and not many people, certainly here in the UK have room for an acoustic piano. I also agree that if an acoustic is not an option, then very clearly the CarryOn88 doesn't fit the bill for a serious student! BTW - my comments about your quite rare Chickering, and a method of folding it up, were just a bit of a wind-up, genuinely intended as a bit of fun...I can't imagine anyone would be tempted to try it, hopefully! I think I was possibly a bit more concerned that the comments you made originally would be taken to apply to all 3 of the devices referenced by 3 posters inc. the CarryOn88, and that, as I mentioned, might be somewhat crushing to a kid or financially pressed parent who had acquired, or was intending to acquire one, over the forthcoming festive period. Anyway, thank you for being generous enough to respond, and if I offended you then I apologise, that certainly wasn't my original intention.

Chronology (condensed): Morrisey posts an ad for a dubious product Fudd offers a cynical sweeping generalization about such things, attacking the product. Deldor launches into multiple posts attacking Fudd. At least we can agree that there's someone in this series being unfriendly. Oh dear! I really suspect responding will be a waste of time but I'll give it a go... Now, put your reading glasses on and actually READ what I wrote.... Are you sitting comfortably? "Chronology (condensed):" Yes Tom, you (conveniently?) missed the point about the other products referenced, before Fudds stupid sweeping trash of products he pompously assumes to be "poop" - perhaps I misunderstand, perhaps he is actually a silly child - I mean he did say "poop", right? "for a dubious product..." Yes I see what you did there... Clearly you have tested this product and judged the suitability for the intended customer demographic, probably not young Fudd, or yourself, no? I mean, I hope the people who make these products don't consider a description of "dubious" to be a suggestion that their products aren't "fit for purpose" in some way. Next.. "... multiple posts...attacking Fudd..." Really? So let's have a look shall we... Exhibit One: Kindly explain to the jury where Mr deldor has made a "personal attack" on Mr Fudd here please. I suspect that the jury might consider "Mr Moneybags" as a humorous reference. YMMV. Exhibit Two: my wife offered to buy this as a xmas gift. I said No. Socks and underwear are more useful Yes you must "just say No" I expect extra underwear comes in handy for some, at a certain time. Perhaps "Elmer" would need some after tinkling on his Chickering.... Edit - I suppose he might poop some crud on it - he seems rather preoccupied with that. I accept that you probably consider this as a "personal attack" - it was intended as what us silly old Brits call gently "taking the mickey" - perhaps as an American (which I, perhaps naively, assumed you to be) you are unable to "get" that - I mean you guys think Monty Python is actually funny, right? Never mind, someone had to I suppose. Exhibit Three: Yet again Mr Tom, you have concentrated on what you perceive as a "personal attack" - the jury may note a little frustration in the tone it is true - but might also notice that, which Mr Tom has yet again failed to address in his reply, namely that despite the fact that Mr deldor did offer some genuine advice with regard to ad spamming, as I believe he also finds such things annoying. He also made a point about how one product so, potentially fallaciously, dismissed as "poop" or "crud" (Piano de Voyage) by Mr Fudd, would appear to have essentially been launched by one individual. Perhaps Mr Tom might, therefore, consider the description of his (untested by Mr Fudd at the time of his "review"?) product, as a personal attack. Who knows? YMMV. Mr Tom has also, of course, totally ignored any actual points made by Mr deldor........ Anyway, in conclusion M' Lud, I would suggest Mr Tom might like to learn to read a little more carefully, or not be such a sensitive little "pooper" (I expect that description is ok as it was used by HRH and Greatness and Font of All Knowledge - "Fudd") I'm probably here... Done now - quite chilled (for the gentleman above who was concerned). Over and out.

Would have to be 50 Hz here in the UK, as we know all sound engineers have perfect pitch...

A classic! "The crowd didn't really notice..." - As someone who attended a Scottish friends wedding "do", I'm really not surprised...Lol! The phone prank - the way you described it - I didn't need to be there, I could see it. Brilliant. My mate who is guitarist in a busy (normally!) and popular local band that does weddings as well, has some cracking stories about gigs they've done and the things that happen when us Brits become "relaxed".

Further advice for Elmer - the ads you get trolled with on FB (why would you go there?) and Amazon (likewise) are usually based on some previous browsing behavior if your "cookie" settings are wrong - so the fact you see ads for "cheap crap" (IYNSHO) may be telling - you know like those ads for incontinence products etc - so I'm told... On a genuinely serious note - any beginners who might be foolish enough to stray here might be a bit upset to see their "cheap" xmas pressie that their hard pressed parents had bought them without consulting "The Oracle" a.k.a ElmerJFudd, (who presumably has a team of minions to move his Chickering when he nips away for the weekend), described as crap, a tad disconcerting. As I said previously as one of those referenced is not exactly "cheap", unless you aren't hard pressed financially, it might be seen as a bizarre comment. I may have been unfair to assume that Elmer doesn't find taking his Chickering for a weekend tricky, well he might be able to fold it for travel, if he has a chainsaw and an angle grinder - shouldn't affect the tone too much..... Also, I do hope that the gentleman who started the "Piano de Voyage" (it's French - from a place called "France" in "Europe" across the "pond" from where most of those here seem to reside) after being inspired by personal experience, doesn't feel you might have damaged his business with your "x spurt" review. Before any other wise sage assumes that I'm a rude young "newbie", I'll enlighten you, I'm actually (just) in my 6th decade and have seen a bit of life in that time and I'm only rude when I think it warrants it. I have been browsing this site for quite some years and had a previous login which I cancelled after reading a range of fractious exchanges between some "x spurts" on some pointless bollocks. When I cancelled it, I was told by Dave that he was surprised I didn't think it was a very friendly place - some might like to take a step back and look at the threads - such class! So friendly! Not.

my wife offered to buy this as a xmas gift. I said No. Socks and underwear are more useful Yes you must "just say No" I expect extra underwear comes in handy for some, at a certain time. Perhaps "Elmer" would need some after tinkling on his Chickering.... Edit - I suppose he might poop some crud on it - he seems rather preoccupied with that.

"The product I posted lists for $99 (ninety-nine dollars) not 900." Yes but the other one was quoted at 900 - either way apparently they are all crud - apparently..... Edit - Sorry I was replying to "ElmerJFudd" actually - as I quoted his response..

"They"re all pieces of poop (referring to models like the one shared by the OP)..." I'm not personally commenting on the action as I haven't tried any of them but to say they are ALL poop seems odd. Have you actually tried any by the way, - as you are dissing them... "Useless as controllers" - you know this from trying them? "They sound like crud" - interesting as I believe that (at least one) doesn't make any sound..... "...or as a cheap gift." - $900 - cheap - well must be nice to be "Mr Moneybags"... They seem like they might be an option for those whose lives cause them to travel about with limited luggage space. I expect in that situation most people won't expect a Steinway action...or a Chickering... I may be wrong, but IMHO to totally disrespect something should only be based on personal experience or, of that of someone you totally trust. YMMV. Edit: - "I get hammered with ads for them on FB and Amazon" - you can get ad blockers you know - maybe this has coloured your response - who knows... Edit2 - For clarity I am actually replying to "ElmerJFudd" not the OP.

Might put drummers out of work though, especially when you use the computer keyboard and keep knocking the music board keys randomly........

I don't seem to be able to open that link........................................................... Joking! (just in case anyone wondered)

Thanks for that! My Dad worked in newspaper printing and operated one of those for quite a few years. The "Lino Room" was apparently nice and warm in Winter and boiling hot in Summer. As a 5 year old he took me in to see what he did for work, which for a 5 year old, was a bit awe inspiring with the noise of about 10 of them, and hot! Perhaps unsurprisingly I was allowed to make a "slug" of my name. When they switched to "New Technology" in the '80s, he ended up using a "Qwerty" computer keyboard which took a bit of getting used to! Lol!

You need one of these: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linotype_machine Wicked keyboard layout.

Just ordered a Zynthian Synth Kit based around Raspberry Pi 4 from the shop at Zynthian Org I have already installed the open source software, inc. the default libraries, on a Pi 4 fitted with a HiFiBerry DAC + ADC Pro sound "hat" and I'm quite impressed with the results when connected to amp and monitors. Even with the onboard Pi headphone socket, not fed by the HiFiBerry, and not generally rated, it's still, in my opinion, not bad at all. Certainly good enough to use in an environment where headphones are required. I was using an iPad as the UI display (with VNC Client App) and of course real-time "adjustment" of rotary settings was not really great for playing. So I bit the bullet ref. spending the money, and have ordered a kit from them. Main reason for buying was to have a really compact stand-alone synth box that could be easily transported and used with a mini keyboard (in this case a Nektar SE25) that fitted into a laptop bag - the Nektar that is. I sprung for the little carry case for the Zynthian box too. Assuming it all arrives and works OK, I'll maybe post a bit about it, if anyone is interested. Cheers.

I used to work with a guy who was a rather good guitarist who left to start up a guitar shop with a friend of his. He later sold the shop, but in the time he owned it he accumulated the most amazing collection of guitars, many quite rare. He kept most of his collection, and when I met up with him after some years of not seeing him, (just before all this CV 19 nonsense kicked off) he admitted he hardly had any room to move in his house anymore because of his collection, even despite the fact that his wife had left him.....

Lol! That was quick thinking and quite difficult to disagree with a thoughtful answer like that, I guess! I'd have probably said something daft like, "Uh well, dunno really, why shouldn't I?" (not that I have that many, but if I had the money...)

Somebody said that to me once and I responded "Life's a bitch and then you live." Which is also true, up to a point. Yes that's a better take on it. I found it quite shocking, as a then 27 year old myself who had previously done a job that brought me into contact with all manner of different people from all walks of life, that a 16 year old had such a sad expectation of the future, but not knowing how he lost his parents, he may have had good reason to think like that I suppose.

Said to me by a 16 year old starting his first job in the late 1980s, his parents had died when he was a kid and he had been brought up by his grandparents: - "Life's a bitch and then you die". Seemed a sad thing for a 16 year old to say at the time.