so, it's my 70th bday soon. x-posting.

[mopinko]

my next step in project ‘never get old’ is learning to play the piano. i’ve been poking at it occasionally for the last several yrs. partly it’s a case of- mo hates to b totally ignorant at this age. but also- i have very small hands, and a slightly crooked rt arm, and 15 minutes of a lesson and i’m hurting.
i have been on a quest to get a reduced size keyboard. called a ds5.5, it is 7/8th a standard board. they r out there, but boy howdy r they hard to get. and spendy.
this is an insane state of affairs. steinway made 1 for a guy 100 yrs ago. they made 1 for daniel barenboim but made him sign a ‘shut up’ contract. there is no reason this shd b a big deal. but it is.
i‘m on a waiting list for an outrageously priced digital, and this morning talked to the rep to several piano cos, and she’s working on getting me a baby grand piano. she runs this nonprofit.
as someone who can afford to do the thing these companies need ppl to do b4 they will change, write a check, i am planning to buy the 1st new piano i am offered.
this is a political issue. most piano students r female, but most pros r male. women burn out from stress injuries at a far higher rate than men.
when women have to use tools made for men, they get injured at very high rates. when men use tools made for women, NOTHING HAPPENS.
i’m writing a big check, but even a small donation from my friends will bring change. there r plans in the works for a stretto festival in chgo, and other cities. when that happens, expect to hear about it.
or send a donation, and hear it directly from them.

https://www.strettopianoconcerts.org/donate