ahoteinrun wrote:
Our piano is 100 years old next year. It's got real ivory and ebony keys... and one key that can't be tuned no matter whats done to it. I love it. *pets piano*
Whoa. You're awfully fortunate then- supposedly, the older the piano, the better it sounds. (Not to mention it sells nicely, but I doubt you guys are letting go of that.)
Anyway, I've taken piano for a little over 10 years so far. Doing decently in Royal Conservatory (although my results are completely inferior to Inrun's- I started with a 99 in theory (stupid flat!) then it went all downhill from there, while in performance I received 80-ish marks, now 70-ish

), finished grade 10 a few months ago, and am working on getting a degree in performance. Sure, I won't really be using it, but I guess it's something to turn to if I need a short-term, part-time job as a piano teacher.
Have fun with that piano. Do remember that your interest might die down later on, as most who play piano do...but enjoy it while you can. I can say though that it's helped me develop good reading speeds, adequate pitch, sight reading and technique (although I can't play well by ear), and an overall sense of music that just seems to come in handy no matter what instrument comes across.
I love my piano.
But my parents are going to move it to a different wall so they can put in a 300 gallon fish tank.
It was my great grandmothers piano, and then my grandmothers/great aunts, and then my moms and it will be mine when I move out.
Theres just that one blasted key. D sharp/E flat is completely buggered. Don't know why, we've had about three different tuners look at it, no reason for it. Just is. Makes it more special.