Pianist desperately needs access to a piano to practice on!

[karikat]

Hello everyone

I am 28 years old, and have moved to London a month ago, and even though I was a piano teacher (working with adult amateur pianists and children) and music examiner in Ireland, I had to sell my piano and relocate to the UK when a couple of unforeseen circumstances took place, such as my husband losing his job, and a serious health scare (for me!). So we are currently renting a room in a house in NW11, and I am working a full-time 9-5 office job as a means to an end.

Music has always been my life, and I miss playing the piano desperately, but I cannot afford to buy or rent a piano as our circumstances do not allow it. I am desperate to find out if someone with a piano in their house would be so kind as to let me practice it for a few hours each week, so that I can get back to playing. In exchange, I can offer piano tuition or pet-sit!

For the moment, I go to Jacques Samuel for an hour each week, but I can't afford too much more than that as they are only open till 8 pm and charge 8£ an hour!

If anyone with a piano in their house is reading this can help me, I would be so grateful.

[Gill the Piano]

You could ask at the local church. Or you could teach in pupils' homes - better than being imprisoned 9-5 in an office, and September is when everybody starts looking for teachers! Postcard in a shop window? Think sideways!

[karikat]

Hi all,

thank you for the replies and ideas

I have contacted a couple of churches in my locality with no luck so far, but I'll keep trying. The problem with getting a piano, even for free, is that I have nowhere to put it at the moment, as I'm renting short-term accommodation till my situation improves, and I doubt the other people living in the house would want a piano!

I need to think outside the box - I even emailed the secretary of a local music society/club asking if they would pass on my info to their members....I am hoping someone would not mind a pianist playing on their instrument for a few hours each week.

It is hard not to feel totally desperate, especially when working 40 hours a week for a very low wage, but that's life!