Mike, I have just read your post, Quote: “I practice with headphones on so as not to annoy my wife”! Now this statement and practice needs a tad bit of thinking. Look at it this way. Before we do, however, I want to compliment you for your thoughtfulness relative to annoying your wife. Very commendable! With that said, let’s think this thing out. If you were to play your KN without using earphones, you say it would annoy your wife. Now that in itself needs some analyzing. You have got to admit that when beautiful music emits from any type of instrument it is wonderful to hear. Soothing to the soul. The lovely sounds emitting from the instrument and flowing into the ear of others is what people pay big bucks to experience. This being the case, I think there is some other factors that needs looking into relative to the annoyance of your wife. Considering this, the lack of musical appreciation could be something lacking in your wife’s training and education for adult life. This, however, is not something that cannot be easily corrected. Many places can be found that will offer classes in music appreciation. Before taking this kind of action I might suggest that an evaluation of the wife's condition be done. I know. I know! I know what you might be thinking. What if her appreciation of music is normal or, heaven forbid, even a tad above normal. Just sit down Mike. Sit down! I myself have gone through the same thing with the wife. Always an outside chance, yes an outside chance that my music really is annoying, grating on the nerves, and not the sweet strains of melodious bliss falling off my fingertips. Now here is where some real down to earth thinking is necessary. If I want to hear my keyboard sound out in all of it’s raw natural beauty and not through a set of ear cans, I must be ingenious. If I want to avoid the remote possibility that it just might be my playing, I have to really start thinking. Mike, I am not one to reserve my solutions just for myself but am willing to share. Yes, share good things with others. Here goes! If earphones keep sound from traveling out, the reverse must be true. They must also keep sound from traveling in. In my business of landscaping, when the men use the chain saw to cut up trees, they use these big yellow things over their ears. So! I gave Ruthie her choice. She could choose those nice big yellow ones or the nice black ones. Women being women, always seem to have something to complain about. The bright yellow color of the one. She liked the black ones better. It was that long black string with the plug on the end that she said would get in her way. Women! But being resourceful I walked over to her sewing basket, found her scissors and cut the complaint off. Put the snips back, walked over to the KN and played away.

And John I want to thank you also for your thoughts. Also God made us in His image and likeness. Creative! Just trying my hand at it!

Grandpa Doug