The piano shop on the left bank quizlet

5.0 out of 5 stars Thad Carhart understands what it is to love a piano.
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2017

For anyone who has ever been attached to a piano--that lumbering piece of furniture that becomes whatever you make of it--this is a must-read. I was influenced in my love of pianos by my mother, who talked for years about saving up for a Wurlitzer spinet, and she did it! It was her pride and joy. It was my babysitter during summers alone at home when there really wasn't anything else to do.Because my mother's mother was a strict music teacher, and because my mother was a very shy child, her mother would not teacher her to play because she couldn't be brave enough to count out loud. Her mother being over-strict, mine refused to push me. And of course, I wish she would have. But the piano was my playmate, and I slowly worked my way through a few inappropriately difficult pieces over the summers. I have never become an accomplished player, but I do love playing "at" piano on this one that is more than I ever deserved.Carhart's story resonates with those of us who's hearts have bonded with a piano. Pianos are ridiculously complex and delicate or sturdy, whichever way they are personally inclined. They can be had for almost no money when somebody needs to get rid of a piano. I paid $300 for the piano in 1969, and probably $3000 in moving and tuning over the years. My 1920s Blasius & Sons upright grand, which I've had for 48 years, has been moved, stored, and moved at least 10 times. It is a trouper, and it can still be tuned to concert pitch.It is about to become the property of the local ragtime festival, and I can't wait to hear its destiny fulfilled by being played by worthy musicians. I will be standing around awaiting their praise as if it were an only child. I will strive to be rational. This piano is also a favorite of our 11-yr-old grandson, who is against the notion of moving it on. I have campaigned the notion of "stewardship," saying that this piano is bigger than the two of us and that it has a destiny to fulfill. Together, we recorded our names and dates inside the lid yesterday, inspired by Carhart's story. Thank you, Thad! I am buying several copies to share with friends.

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Top reviews from the United States

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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 17, 2022

This is a wonderful book that describes a retired American who lives on the left bank who decides to resume playing the piano for his own enjoyment. He buys a used grand piano from a local shop and becomes friends with the owner. He finds a teacher, discovers a neighbor who is a professional accompanist, gives a history of the development of the piano, and attends master classes. The book is a quick read since the pages are narrow. I am not a musician but am addicted to listening to classical music. The book was informative but the deeper story is the relationships between various musicians and piano lovers who the author encounters.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 8, 2009

I heard an excerpt of this one day on the radio, and from that moment on, I just had to hear the whole thing. I searched high and low, and eventually found an affordable copy on tape here on Amazon!

After getting it and converting it to CD, I began what would be one of the most fulfilling and worthwhile journey's.

The idea of an audio book appeals to me on a different level to a printed book. What I find in an audio book is a much less intense engagement with the story, and often a less exciting journey through the character's experiences and the life. Normally, I would listen to an audio book to switch off; to quieten or distract my mind. But what I found in this audio book was edge of the seat, 'what's gonna happen next?' type of engagement with the book.

Not that it is an active or even mysterious story; I mean, after all, it is about a guy who walks past a piano shop for weeks and weeks before deciding to buy one! But the passion with which it is written and read is phenominal! I am a musician also, so to hear someone speak of an instrument (in this case a piano) as though it were a living thing struck a 'chord' with me from the outset!

It is a long story (about six hours), so I found myself trying to fit listenings in around other things, which didn't always work well for the family, but they got through somehow. Interwoven into the story is this amazing appreciation for and vast knoweledge of the history of the piano. The writer holds these instruments in such revere that when the characters of the story sit at a truly great instrument to play even the most basic piece of music, I found my own throat drying and my own heart rate quicken. The telling of this story really does transport you to France, and as a person sits at a Steinway or even a broken down no name upright, you can feel the instrument in the room with you (which is great, because not a note of music is found on the telling!)

I'm not going to go into the story, because that's why the book was written (for people to read it (or in this case, hear it) for themselves), but I will say that it is truly an amazing journey of history and modern day music making that takes you with it every step of the way. I look at my own piano with such a different respect and appreciation now than I did before being treated to this amazing story. I know that it came from Germany in 1903, and that it is one of only a handful to come from the 'factory' in Berlin; information I would not have thought to consider before listening to this amazing story!

It is highly recommended. If you are a musician of any worth with a love for your instrument, you will get this book (as in understand it) from the first chapter.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 15, 2017

For anyone who has ever been attached to a piano--that lumbering piece of furniture that becomes whatever you make of it--this is a must-read. I was influenced in my love of pianos by my mother, who talked for years about saving up for a Wurlitzer spinet, and she did it! It was her pride and joy. It was my babysitter during summers alone at home when there really wasn't anything else to do.

Because my mother's mother was a strict music teacher, and because my mother was a very shy child, her mother would not teacher her to play because she couldn't be brave enough to count out loud. Her mother being over-strict, mine refused to push me. And of course, I wish she would have. But the piano was my playmate, and I slowly worked my way through a few inappropriately difficult pieces over the summers. I have never become an accomplished player, but I do love playing "at" piano on this one that is more than I ever deserved.

Carhart's story resonates with those of us who's hearts have bonded with a piano. Pianos are ridiculously complex and delicate or sturdy, whichever way they are personally inclined. They can be had for almost no money when somebody needs to get rid of a piano. I paid $300 for the piano in 1969, and probably $3000 in moving and tuning over the years. My 1920s Blasius & Sons upright grand, which I've had for 48 years, has been moved, stored, and moved at least 10 times. It is a trouper, and it can still be tuned to concert pitch.

It is about to become the property of the local ragtime festival, and I can't wait to hear its destiny fulfilled by being played by worthy musicians. I will be standing around awaiting their praise as if it were an only child. I will strive to be rational. This piano is also a favorite of our 11-yr-old grandson, who is against the notion of moving it on. I have campaigned the notion of "stewardship," saying that this piano is bigger than the two of us and that it has a destiny to fulfill. Together, we recorded our names and dates inside the lid yesterday, inspired by Carhart's story. Thank you, Thad! I am buying several copies to share with friends.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thad Carhart understands what it is to love a piano.
By truman bratton on April 14, 2017

For anyone who has ever been attached to a piano--that lumbering piece of furniture that becomes whatever you make of it--this is a must-read. I was influenced in my love of pianos by my mother, who talked for years about saving up for a Wurlitzer spinet, and she did it! It was her pride and joy. It was my babysitter during summers alone at home when there really wasn't anything else to do.

Because my mother's mother was a strict music teacher, and because my mother was a very shy child, her mother would not teacher her to play because she couldn't be brave enough to count out loud. Her mother being over-strict, mine refused to push me. And of course, I wish she would have. But the piano was my playmate, and I slowly worked my way through a few inappropriately difficult pieces over the summers. I have never become an accomplished player, but I do love playing "at" piano on this one that is more than I ever deserved.

Carhart's story resonates with those of us who's hearts have bonded with a piano. Pianos are ridiculously complex and delicate or sturdy, whichever way they are personally inclined. They can be had for almost no money when somebody needs to get rid of a piano. I paid $300 for the piano in 1969, and probably $3000 in moving and tuning over the years. My 1920s Blasius & Sons upright grand, which I've had for 48 years, has been moved, stored, and moved at least 10 times. It is a trouper, and it can still be tuned to concert pitch.

It is about to become the property of the local ragtime festival, and I can't wait to hear its destiny fulfilled by being played by worthy musicians. I will be standing around awaiting their praise as if it were an only child. I will strive to be rational. This piano is also a favorite of our 11-yr-old grandson, who is against the notion of moving it on. I have campaigned the notion of "stewardship," saying that this piano is bigger than the two of us and that it has a destiny to fulfill. Together, we recorded our names and dates inside the lid yesterday, inspired by Carhart's story. Thank you, Thad! I am buying several copies to share with friends.

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Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for piano lovers

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 13, 2012

I came across this book whilst searching for something else. I am interested in all things to do with pianos and am an adult learner. I have wanted to learn to play since childhood but my parents couldn't afford lessons but I am learning now so no looking back. I own a black, upright Yamaha but aspire to a french-polished grand. I sit at my piano most days, sometimes for up to 4 hours and don't care what I am doing with it so long as I can be near to it. I do not find scales boring and I enjoy every second I am with my piano. If this sounds like you, you will enjoy this book. It is for anyone who just loves the instrument and wants to talk about it and look at it in whatever form it comes. I also learned quite a bit too.

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 18, 2017

favorite book! Arrived quickly and well packaged. Many thanks.

5.0 out of 5 stars The romanitc world of pianos and those who love them.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 22, 2013

This book is a must-have for anyone interested in pianos and trying to play them. It will fire your enthusiasm, especially since it's set in Paris.

2.0 out of 5 stars El estado no es MUY BUENO como decía la descripción

Reviewed in Spain 🇪🇸 on December 29, 2021

Parece que un caracol ha tenido un festín con la tapa del libro. El resto está decente. No creo que se pueda describir como MUY BUENO el estado del libro

2.0 out of 5 stars El estado no es MUY BUENO como decía la descripción
Reviewed in Spain 🇪🇸 on December 29, 2021

Parece que un caracol ha tenido un festín con la tapa del libro. El resto está decente. No creo que se pueda describir como MUY BUENO el estado del libro

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5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly entertaining srory.

Reviewed in Italy 🇮🇹 on May 22, 2016

Excellent story. For piano players a must. For non piano players still very entertaining. True story or not you can tell that a lot of research was done to write this novel. All prizes and praises are well deserved.
I can relate to Thad's experiences as I too am a U.S. expat that's been living in Europe for many decades.

What is the theme for The Piano Shop on the Left Bank?

Why does the narrator use a metaphor to describe his response to playing the piano?

How many pounds of pressure is being supported by the metal frame on the modern piano?