These old pianos had already been collecting dust and mold for awhile. However, students from the Japan Tuning Music Academy in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward were not giving up on them. They were determined to bring these pianos back into working condition. Their sole motive for rebuilding and fixing these pianos is so that they can donate it to establishments around their neighborhood.
“It was a problem child piano,” admitted Ayumi Nakamura, a 30 year old student who took part in this rebuilding project. Currently, a black upright piano is ready to be donated. This repairing and tuning process took a total of ten months, from the effort of twenty students. Japan Tuning Music Academy is actually the oldest training school in Japan for piano tuners. In fact, it has been around since 1980. In other words, it has been in operation for 32 years. For the first time though, the school is accepting requests from potential recipients of the repaired pianos.
For the problem child piano, it was first built after the World War II. Unfortunately, it was neglected and unused for a long period of time. Apart from all the dust and mold, the design of pianos back then were much different as compared to modern day pianos. For example, the piano keys were longer, heavier and situated in higher positions. It took much effort just to deal with the internal parts. Hence, it made the entire process a whole lot tougher. That is also the reason why it took the students 10 months to get it back to its original condition. After coming this ordeal, the students felt a stronger sense of attachment to it. “I would like a recipient who will play it a lot–enough to make up for its long neglect–and cherish it,” stated Ayumi.
Initially, a piano manufacturing firm assisted in starting up the school. The school played a huge role as they had to dismantle scrapped pianos and inspect every single part. After doing so, they would have to replace the keys and strings before cleaning and repainting the body. These rebuilt pianos are supposed to within decades of use. In fact, they are comparable to new pianos. The academy has allowed schools, kindergartens, homes for the elderly, and other welfare, education and cultural establishments in the Kanto region to send in applications to be a potential recipient for such pianos. Do check here for more information.
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