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I love my digital piano. She's got weighted keys and can be quiet when she needs to, but for practice there are few things which compare to a real nice acoustic piano.

I live in London so there must be some places to go every week or 2 for the real deal. Bonus points for cheaper places, but I'm willing to accept that a Bosendorfer might push the price up!

So, the question is, Where might I be able to go to play a good quality acoustic piano regularly?

Alexander Troup
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    No idea on the accuracy or validity of this information, sorry: http://streetpianos.com/london2012/ It says some are still available. – Lee Kowalkowski Apr 15 '14 at 12:44
  • Make it an answer man, let me give you rep :D There are indeed plenty of street pianos around. Including one in Camden Market and Multiple at st Pancras Station – Alexander Troup Apr 15 '14 at 12:45
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    I live in Colorado, so this isn't much help to you (...now), but I'm planning to start a non-profit organization to provide access to practice rooms and pianos for people who don't have them at home. – Kyle Strand Apr 15 '14 at 15:39
  • @KyleStrand That's a great idea! I don't have a piano to play regularly, this would be of great help :) bon courage! – Chris Cirefice Apr 15 '14 at 18:59
  • You could also contact ABRSM and ask if they can aid you. I'm not sure if they can but it does not take a lot to send an email. – Neil Meyer Apr 18 '14 at 11:00

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I would suggest schools, but more and more schools are getting rid of their pianos. However, if you find one, ask about seeing the caretaker and going in at holidays (now!) or weekends. Some pubs may provide, and maybe you could play in the background when punters are in. Occasionally rehearsal studios (not cheap) have a real piano.Colleges , especially music colleges, will have the facility - you either ask nicely, or walk in brazenly, it's up to you !

Alternatively, print some fliers, and go posting locally. There will be a neighbour, possibly an old biddy, who would love you to play the piano her kids learnt on 40 yrs ago ! Some churches will have retained their piano, or there may be one in the Church Hall that needs playing : always mention that acoustic pianos need regular playing !

Tim
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No idea on the accuracy or validity of this information, sorry: http://streetpianos.com/london2012 says some are still available.

Failing that, these look reasonably priced: http://www.jspianos.com/hire/practice-room-hire - I might use them myself next time I'm working in London, since real pianos kinda scare me.

Lee Kowalkowski
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schools, churches, nursing homes. that's probably about it.

nursing homes have sort of gone to digitals or else you may find their acoustic way out of tune. but it's worth a shot. you'll definitely have an appreciative audience.

other than that, pony up the cash and buy one, or make do with your digital. My cp-33 is fine for me, at least. I like to come across an acoustic, though.

Stephen Hazel
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Here's a couple of central practice rooms I've used:

http://www.jspianos.com/hire/practice-room-hire http://themusicstudios.co.uk/rates.php

And a list from RAM (PDF):

http://www.ram.ac.uk/viewfile.cfm?id=794&h=C4EEABAD93A5D4D0B5D22A704D1F4E39F63F9CDC2DA53FE99DC276FCF6EF25DD

Typical prices are between £10 and £20 an hour.

chrismear
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It might be worth trying Lonely Pianos - They list pianos and rehearsal rooms that are available to hire. http://lonelypianos.com/

Emma
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