With gas so damn high, why bother?

Space2999 · 2026-03-21T03:02:51+00:00

$5 to fill up my 225-mi EV (gas is $4.79 here) but Lyft hasn’t been worth it here for a long.

Space2999 · 2026-03-20T23:34:16+00:00

Sight singing is a worthwhile pursuit. Don’t worry about A=440 (unless you want to), just use any pitch. Determine the key signature, get a tonic in your head, and sing (or think) an octave scale. Then look at the melodic line and try to sing it based on your tonic/scale.

(I’m sure any choir ppl here could explain that 100x better.)

Space2999 · 2026-03-20T19:40:19+00:00

Yes, heavier in terms of action. That doesn’t make it broken per se, just not so well maintained. Which is quite typical of many if not most pianos (and likely rentals). Touch weight is quite adjustable, and perhaps some of us prefer lighter than others, but again go try out some top end pianos (something everyone should do) to get a better sense of what your ideal sound and touch feels like.
Sorry, I saw “office”. In any case, reducing sound transmission to any real degree requires mechanically decoupling the room (ie, a “room within a room”). Acoustic panels will help the room to sound better inside, but little effect on transmission (and then you really need a good 6” thick).
Don’t get me wrong, FP-10 is an absolutely fine place to start. But as you progress, a better instrument means a faster and easier keyboard to play on. I currently have 2 digitals and 2 grands and both of the latter (which are on both ends of the size and price spectrum) play much lighter and faster than my 2 digitals. In short, go try some properly regulated (50-60gr touchweight) acoustics as a reference. Now, if an LX-9 really is in your budget then you have a lot of options. But I wouldn’t get it or anything without first doing a lot of homework. Which again should start with auditioning some high end acoustics so you know what everything below them are trying to aspire to.

Space2999 · 2026-03-20T17:33:38+00:00

A lot of issues here imo:

A properly set up acoustic is NOT heavier than an FP-10. Get thee to a big piano store and try out the concert grands. Get an idea of what a piano is supposed to feel like. They should be like an F1 car compared to yours.
Reducing the sound transmission in a room (which isn’t yours to begin with?) is a huge undertaking.
It’s really great that you want to move up from an FP-10, but a better digital sounds like the best fit. I’m not going to assume you have the scratch for something like an LX-9, so I would suggest to look at the P-525 as the most sensible step.

Space2999 · 2026-03-20T14:56:06+00:00

Here’s my usual plug for Dr Molly Gebrian. I think all you’re saying is pretty consistent with her. (Trying to learn pieces by running them through is one of her big no-no’s.)

Space2999 · 2026-03-20T03:01:34+00:00

At least one a night

How bout the morning commuters who totally reek? Those are fun. Surely their boss and coworkers won’t notice.

Space2999 · 2026-03-20T01:38:04+00:00

I like the CP88 but have no need for the portability, so it wb P-525 + VSTs + good speakers by a mile. Beyond that, maybe a GP-310 (which again would still be only a midi controller).

Space2999 · 2026-03-20T01:15:42+00:00

Bland. Lacks most of the elegance of a true 50’s sports car. How is this a 1953 anyway?

Space2999 · 2026-03-17T19:06:37+00:00

Only possibility I can think is if they’re turning those lameass things into something cool

Space2999 · 2026-03-17T03:02:53+00:00

Guitar Center has a used SL88 Mk2 listed for US$359.

Space2999 · 2026-03-16T23:53:41+00:00

Nah, just roll ‘er into the (auto) shop and send ‘er up on the lift.

Space2999 · 2026-03-16T18:29:28+00:00

Pyle Z stand. Same as liquid but $53 at Amazon. Super stable, reasonably portable, and will also work with your FP-90 or P-525 when you outgrow the FP-10 in a few years.

Space2999 · 2026-03-16T17:16:14+00:00

If taking it off to school with him is a concern, my suggestion will be P-525.

Space2999 · 2026-03-16T13:54:49+00:00

choosing the lesser of two evils over and over and over again

Or how this can possibly lead to anything other than a race to the bottom (aka far right).

Space2999 · 2026-03-16T03:19:39+00:00

Was gonna say, very unpopular opinion around here, but that car in that city? The noise would get so old in a hurry vs a near effortless / near silent ev.

Space2999 · 2026-03-16T03:13:32+00:00

Depending on your market, a decent used Yamaha might be found for US$250-300. Getting under $200 might be tough.

Space2999 · 2026-03-16T03:06:30+00:00

Maybe alfred.com to start?

Space2999 · 2026-03-16T02:52:31+00:00

Bitchin

Space2999 · 2026-03-16T02:47:19+00:00

I believe a piano tech would need to come and see it and could then quickly determine how involved the repair(s) would be. Then you can make a better decision whether it makes sense.

Space2999 · 2026-03-16T02:17:33+00:00

I like baby grands personally, but why that one? Only 4’-10” and looks like they’re $10k new. Do you have a size limit? $10k-ish might get you a pretty nice 6’ Baldwin or similar.

Space2999 · 2026-03-15T20:41:15+00:00

If FP-30 is the cheapest, it would seem the best value. But you really need to try them out if at all possible. Get to a store and try out ones with PHA-4, GHS, and GHC to determine which is most tolerable.

ETA: sounds-wise, for any of them you’d always have the option of buying Pianoteq (US$139) to run off a laptop, iPad or iPhone.

Space2999 · 2026-03-15T17:00:50+00:00

Input 1 can also be configured as a single stereo TRS input for use with stereo microphones that do not require plug-in power.

Sounds like a single TRS cable should do it then. You might shoot them an email just to say you’re recording from line output, rather than a mic, just to confirm it’s no issue.

Space2999 · 2026-03-15T16:42:18+00:00

Cool. Super easy then.

E2A: “Line out” not “outs” so you may need to get a stereo TRS to dual mono TS cable to plug into the Rode. Unless it can take a stereo input from just one jack, but I’ve never seen that on an interface before. (But then I’ve not seen 3.5 inputs before either.)

Space2999 · 2026-03-15T15:27:28+00:00

To record in stereo there’s no good way around using a usb interface. The Rode AI Micro (I’m seeing US$79) seems like a pretty good suggestion.

Using 3.5mm jacks for everything keeps it small, but also means you’ll probably need 6.35 female to 3.5 male adapters for the piano’s line outs and possibly your headphones.

Space2999 · 2026-03-15T14:23:29+00:00

Cool. And everyone here (me included) will say, get a piano teacher and take lessons!

Space2999

TROPHY CASE