Stupid things non-musicians say to us

[drkilroy]

There is a nice Liszt transcription, I think.

Best regards, Dr

[sphince]

 

[sphince]

request to start topic "Stupid things music snobs say to us"

[rachmaninoff_forever]

request to start topic "Stupid things music snobs say to us"

I'll do it



*I'm playing a Chopin Nocturne*

Dad:  Woah that song is sooooo good!  Play it again!

Me:  Okay sure 

Dad:  Play it again

Me:  I just did 

Dad:  Play it for this girl on the phone

*Plays it again*

Dad:  Now tell her what song was that?

Me:  Chopin's nocturne no. 20 in C# min-

*saying to girl on the phone*

Dad:  Beep boopity flip flappity gumbo chops

[zezhyrule]

*at a music camp thingy in piano lab*

*girl asking around if anyone is really into classical music like her*

Me: Oh yeah, it's like all I listen to. Who are some of your favorite piano composers?

Girl-Person-Lady: I like Beethoven... I can play all of Fur Elise and there's this one awesome song that has part of the moonlight sonata in it that I can play!

Me: Oh, that's cool :3 (trying not to sound like a music snob, which I sadly sound like anyway)

Me: I'm working on a Beethoven sonata right now actually

Girl: Hmm?

Me: Working on a beethoven piano sonata, it's a pretty cool one too  

Girl: *expression that looks like she has no idea what I'm talking about*

Me: A sonata. Beethoven sonata. You know, he wrote like 32?

Girl: *confused look* Huh, cool. *walks away*

Me: u__u

I'm not sure if she didn't know what a sonata was or what but... I don't know D:

[ajspiano]

Girl-Person-Lady: I like Beethoven... I can play all of Fur Elise and there's this one awesome song that has part of the moonlight sonata in it that I can play!

I'm not sure if she didn't know what a sonata was or what but... I don't know D:

concerning.

Also, I'm hoping that the "one awesome song" isnt that alicia keys thing.

[zezhyrule]

That's why I was confused. 

She didn't specify the song, and I didn't care enough to ask D:

[ajspiano]

Maybe she thought "moonlight sonata" was the name of the piece, as opposed to it being a sonata nicknamed moonlight..

.. - I don't know, either way anyone who's knowledge of beethoven is fur elise and 27/2 obviously needs to do a little more exploring.

Actually, I had a student start the other day who said "I don't really want to learn anything old" ...so I thought, you seem to not really no what old music sounds like..  maybe you'll like bach - turned out she really liked bach. Everyone just needs to do some exploring.

[j_menz]

Actually, I had a student start the other day who said "I don't really want to learn anything old" ...so I thought, you seem to not really no what old music sounds like..  maybe you'll like bach - turned out she really liked bach. Everyone just needs to do some exploring.

Bach is not old, Bach is forever. 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Bach is not old, Bach is forever.  

Bach is a nuisance...

Rachmaninoff is forever! 

[ajspiano]

Bach is a nuisance...

One day, say in 10 years if this site still exists and we are both still here...  I'm going to dig that up and your going to say something like "gee I'm sorry bach, I may not like you that much, but I think you are wonderful anyway..  I was soo so wrong."

[rachmaninoff_forever]

One day, say in 10 years if this site still exists and we are both still here...  I'm going to dig that up and your going to say something like "gee I'm sorry bach, I may not like you that much, but I think you are wonderful anyway..  I was soo so wrong."

I actually only like two pieces from Bach.  His prelude and fugue from WTC book 2 in B minor, and his Goldberg variations.  

Those are the only two works I will EVER like from him!  So don't get too friendly with me Bach, those are the ONLY exceptions!

[j_menz]

I actually only like two pieces from Bach.  His prelude and fugue from WTC book 2 in B minor, and his Goldberg variations.  

Those are the only two works I will EVER like from him!  So don't get too friendly with me Bach, those are the ONLY exceptions!

LOL, there's hope for you yet.    Have you played either of them?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

LOL, there's hope for you yet.    Have you played either of them?

No.  I'm planning on learning the WTC one soon though.

[ajspiano]

No.  I'm planning on learning the WTC one soon though.

*Studies fugue, forms bach obsession.

[ahinton]

If it would be OK to substitute "say" with "write" in the thread topic, how about "I'm in love with Valentina Lisitsa"? I'm sure I read someone who'd put just that in front of forum members somewhere not so very long ago...

Best,

Alistair

[rachmaninoff_forever]

*Studies fugue, forms bach obsession.

I already studdied prelude and fugue in A flat major from book 2 and I'm not too fond of it...

However I've noticed that I'm spending quite a bit of my time playing that work...  

If it would be OK to substitute "say" with "write" in the thread topic, how about "I'm in love with Valentina Lisitsa"? I'm sure I read someone who'd put just that in front of forum members somewhere not so very long ago...

Are you trying to insult me?

[ancientsolar]

My main experience is with my Aunty,

always asking me to play hymns.. sings along .. then says this

"Take your foot off the loud pedal" ~~
 Ive had this arguement for 2years!!

I respond "there is no loud pedal"

My solution is that she moves the concert upright piano out of the cottage.. and into the church..
where it wont echo so much

It frustrates me so much.. but the more suitable issue, is that im still learning harmonization between the hands, ~ my playing has been very bang bang in the past.. but now the complaint is just a habbit I swear!

[ahinton]

Are you trying to insult me?

No, not at all - neither trying to do so nor succeeding in doing so. I wrote
"If it would be OK to substitute "say" with "write" in the thread topic, how about "I'm in love with Valentina Lisitsa"? I'm sure I read someone who'd put just that in front of forum members somewhere not so very long ago..."
and, just as I responded to that thread topic myself by implying that it would be untenable to claim to be "in love" with somone that one doesn't know and might never even have met, it might be taken to read as a somewhat presumptuous statement, that's all...

Best,

Alistair

[rachmaninoff_forever]

and, just as I responded to that thread topic myself by implying that it would be untenable to claim to be "in love" with somone that one doesn't know and might never even have met, it might be taken to read as a somewhat presumptuous statement, that's all...

Best,

Alistair

Well I wasn't serious lol.  It's like how a little girl says, omg omg I'm in love with Justin Bieber!  They're not really in love with him, they just like his music.  Or rather HIM instead of his music in that case...

Or when someone does something for you. 

me:  Dude I completely forgot the homework last night, can I copy it?

Other person:  uuh yeah sure..

me:  Omg dude I love you!

[j_menz]

*Studies fugue, forms bach obsession.

 

It had to happen one day.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

*Studies fugue, forms bach obsession.

I will never succumb to Bach!  We will always be enemies; in this life and the next.

[j_menz]

I will never succumb to Bach!  We will always be enemies; in this life and the next.

That would be to your profound loss.

[unholeee]

Bach is a nuisance...

Rachmaninoff is forever! 

HAHA.

[black_keys]

I will never succumb to Bach! 

I agree with you, the same to me , but not to this point I dont like that much bach but I used to play pieces my teacher suggest just like other composers .

I think its sometimes good for me to plays works that i dont like that much , its a kind of practice , and it helps you when you want to learn a piece that you didnt hear before. 

[pianist7]

I was practicing the c-minor prelude from book 1 of WTC the other day, and my wife said to me, "I don't ever want to hear that again. Play it when I'm not home.

And by they way, I copled all those hymns for you and you never play them!




George

My family had a similar reaction...but they've learned to like it (a little bit).

[chadbrochill17]

For me it's when I play trough a group of Chopin nocturnes I know and at the end I get, "wow that's all from memory??"

I also want to play his first ballade and I have the first two pages memorized. I told a friend that I hope to play it one day and he says, "it sounds like you got it done to me."
"actually I got about 7 or 8 pages to go."
"oh wow I'd get bored by then."

[sphince]

I will never succumb to Bach!  We will always be enemies; in this life and the next.

You can keep this state against Bach but I hate to break it to you but you'll eventually love(or like) him.

           I'ts not a coincidence that so many great pianists played and recorded pieces of Bach at the end of their carreers.
            I'ts not a coincidence that the greatest composers,composed pieces with influences from Bach shortly before their lifes fizzled out.
            Bach is forever.
            Bach is eternal
            Heil Bach!

[rachmaninoff_forever]

You can keep this state against Bach but I hate to break it to you but you'll eventually love(or like) him.

           I'ts not a coincidence that so many great pianists played and recorded pieces of Bach at the end of their carreers.
            I'ts not a coincidence that the greatest composers,composed pieces with influences from Bach shortly before their lifes fizzled out.
            Bach is forever.
            Bach is eternal
            Heil Bach!

This happened like 15 minutes ago

*Searching for some Bach on youtube.  Not because I like him, because it was for something else!  Kinda like taking out the trash; you don't enjoy it, but you still have to do it anyways   *

Younger brother:  Ay yo, stop listening to that white music, put on some black music, like Gucci Mane, Ninja!  *You know what I mean...*

Me:  First off, what determines white and black music?  Music doesn't discriminate.  Second off, Gucci Mane sucks!  All he talks about is shooting people in the face!  Third off, the first thing he did when he got out of jail was get a tattoo of an ice cream cone with lightning bolts coming out of it on his face!  He's garbage!  I'm a better rapper than him!  

Younger brother:  Ay you the whitest Ninja  I know!  Don't disrespect him o' else I'll flex yo' ass!  Listen to this sh*t!  This sh*t right here go hard!

Me:  You're not gonna fight me idiot...

*Plays something stupid by Gucci Mane*

Lyrics:  Yo, Ima shoot you in the face!  I beat women, and I smoke a lot of weed!  and I'll ***** you in the *** you ******* piece of ***** you son of ****** because I'm a real *** you *****************************  **************   *************    ******************* *********** *************  ***************** ********** *************** ************ ***********



That was the first time in my life I actually WANTED to listen to Bach...

[perprocrastinate]

Sister: Why do you keep playing (practicing) the same songs?

Gee, maybe it would be enjoyable to play the Ocean Etude faster than 2.5 bpm. Not as the 'Pond Etude' or the 'Water in a Doggy Dish Etude'.

[zezhyrule]

Just a bit earlier, someone compared Bach to taking out the trash. 

[j_menz]

That was the first time in my life I actually WANTED to listen to Bach...

The first of many, I'll bet.    You may even want to play him someday.

[ajspiano]

The first of many, I'll bet.    You may even want to play him someday.

This is kind of like when I was a 13 yr old punk-rock obsessed kind of angsty teen, and then I got all defiant when my friends dad told me that i'd probably love jazz in a few years time. Bastard was right too.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

The first of many, I'll bet.    You may even want to play him someday.

Yeah okay...

As long as I have my Carl Vine, Rachmaninoff, and Scriabin, I'll be A okay!

[j_menz]

This is kind of like when I was a 13 yr old punk-rock obsessed kind of angsty teen, and then I got all defiant when my friends dad told me that i'd probably love jazz in a few years time. Bastard was right too.

Thank heavens he was. 

Incidentally, "angsty teen" is tautological.

[ajspiano]

Thank heavens he was. 

I think at around 15/16 I ended up with a sense of ultimate betrayal when through loads of digging I discovered far too many of my favourite bands were releasing turd music but were capable of and rather enjoyed performing in much more eclectic and musically developed genres. Then I took his advice and paid more attention to miles davis, and someone handed me some oscar peterson - thank god.

Incidentally, "angsty teen" is tautological.

Can hardly blame them given the stuff they listen to..

[j_menz]

Signs you are getting old Number 432:

Can hardly blame them given the stuff they listen to..

[ajspiano]

Signs you are getting old Number 432:

I drink tea all the time as well - People think i'm a really fit 84 year old.

[davidjosepha]

The first of many, I'll bet.    You may even want to play him someday.

My conversion was the reverse. I started liking playing him when I got WTC book 1. It started out when I realized that playing Bach was like playing scales or technique exercises. I became a bit obsessed with trying to play everything perfectly (from a technique standpoint), maintaining good form and not missing notes or anything. With Bach, I wasn't concerned with pouring my soul into it like I would with a Romantic piece. I was really just concerned with the notes. Of course, this isn't ideal, but it did improve my playing significantly. I think I could almost categorize my piano playing into two sections. BB and AB. Before and After Bach. My playing in general got much less sloppy. Pieces I learned before were hit or miss. I'd make an error nearly every time I played a section, yet it would be a different error every time. I was able to iron out recurring issues, but there would be unpredictable problems that would be different every single time. I realized this difference the most when I spent a few hours "re-learning" Brahms' Rhapsody No. 1, Op. 79. I got it back up to the level I played it the first time around, and it sounded better than the first time I played it. However, I still was inconsistent. I'd make mistakes in different places just because I hadn't taken the time to make sure I played it right every time. I had said, "Oh, 4 out of 5 times, that's good enough!" After Bach? If I make a mistake, I stop and I replay the phrase until I get it right 10 times in a row. I'll run through the phrase again the next day. I'll keep doing that until it's perfect, from a "playing all the notes" standpoint. I work more on interpretation once I have the foundation set.

Now, as I kept playing Bach, I realized, to my displeasure, that I was enjoying it. Not just playing it, I was enjoying listening to myself play it. And then I found Richter's recording of WTC, and I've enjoyed listening to that too, especially the fugues.

Well, that's a brief story of how, at the age of 18, Bach changed my life.

[musicluvr49]

Convo between me and an aquaintance...

Her: So you play piano?
Me: Yup!
Her: What type of music do you play?
Me: Well mostly classical music.
Her: Ohh.. so like that dog's who's in that movie?
Me: Huh?
Her: You know, that kid's movie about the dog.
Me: Wait, you mean Beethoven???
Her: Yeah!! Beethoven! You play stuff by him?
Me: Yeah...

-_-

[davidjosepha]

Convo between me and an aquaintance...

Her: So you play piano?
Me: Yup!
Her: What type of music do you play?
Me: Well mostly classical music.
Her: Ohh.. so like that dog's who's in that movie?
Me: Huh?
Her: You know, that kid's movie about the dog.
Me: Wait, you mean Beethoven???
Her: Yeah!! Beethoven! You play stuff by him?
Me: Yeah...

-_-

Well she's right, isn't she?

[black_keys]

You should mention Tom and Jerry because people like its music very much  , Beethoven seems more like "nerd' in most people opinion  (people who don't listen to classical music) .

[danielekstrom]

Well, my dad doesn't know all that much about music (he likes it, though and he tries) and said this little gem: "Do you still need to read it or can you just play it now?"

Also, this annoys me: "My hands just aren't big enough to play piano." My hands aren't that big so I just wonder what they're thinking.

This one comes from a voice teacher who I stopped seeing due to her incompetence: She was showing me an accompaniment to an exercise. It was just a simple chord progression (though I don't remember exactly what it was now). I added a 7th to the V just for fun and she said "Don't put the 7th in, this is a classical exercise." She's a jazz teacher, but also does classical. She did some other things as well. I'm pretty sure she mostly teacher beginners. I was just floored, though. I didn't even argue with her about it. It was pointless, even though I could have just pulled out any piece of sheet music and proves her wrong.

Finally, I had a friend who was a jazz drummer a while ago who didn't make it into a music department. I'm considering auditioning for that same department for classical piano. I don't remember exactly what he said, but he assured me I'd do fine because evidently classical music is easier because you're just memorizing notes. I've actually heard a lot of ignorant comments like that from jazz musicians.

And lastly. I was hanging with a friend and my girlfriend and he mentioned he heard of Valentina Lisitsa. Unaware of the stir her Rach video had stirred a while ago, I assumed he like her Rach Op. 39 No. 6 video for the piece. I showed him a rendition of my iPod of Kissin playing it, and I also showed him a bunch of awesome recordings of Rachmaninoff himself playing pieces. In the end, the only thing that really got his attention was watching Valentina's hands (which is out of sync with the sounds) so up and down the keyboard. Then he showed me some of his music he knows, which is in dubious. I just let him have it. I appreciate any effort someone makes to like the music I like, but I'm secretly a total snob. And my girlfriend is getting to be one too. It was unintentional. She doesn't play any instruments, but she really wants to find the time to join a chorus. But has an incredible musical ear. I alway ask her opinion on pieces I'm playing have sometimes got some great advice on things like dynamics and phrasing that I still use. She also has made some very interesting observations that normally only an educated person would really thinking about. I think sometime we brush off non-musicians, but some really do have a lot to offer.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Okay so there's this kid who makes electronic music.  He does dubsteps, etc...

Kid:  man I need a keyboard to make music!

Me:  I have a small one you can have.  I'll sell it to you for like 20 dollars.

Kid:  really?!  Does it plug in to a computer?

Me:  I think so.  But it only has like 66 keys so I'll drop the price to 15 dollars.

Kid:  okay how wide is it?

Me:  66 keys

Kid:  yeah, I know that, but how wide is it? 

Me:  66 keys

Kid:  I know it's 66 keys, but how wide is it?

Me:   . Look dude, I'll just give it to you for free... 

[j_menz]

Okay so there's this kid who makes electronic music.  He does dubsteps, etc...

Given that you posted this here and not in the "Stupid things musicians say to us" board, you have probably just gone up a grade in "music snob". 

[ajspiano]

Given that you posted this here and not in the "Stupid things musicians say to us" board, you have probably just gone up a grade in "music snob". 

..you've heard dubstep right?

"Music"
Noun:   
The art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.

Form, harmony, AND expression of emotion..   not that it would be impossible for dubstep to qualify, but i'm not sure it does as a general rule..

EDIT:
maybe its just the particular dubstep i've been exposed to..  i could also be an "all music except for" type snob

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Given that you posted this here and not in the "Stupid things musicians say to us" board, you have probably just gone up a grade in "music snob". 

Dang...  I feel kinda salty now...

[j_menz]

"Music"
Noun:   
The art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.

What a quaintly old fashioned definition.  Cup of tea in hand when you wrote that?  

Schoenberg! Cage! Stockhausen! Webern! Berg!  (I'm sure Thalbergmad could make that list pages long)

Fit them to your definition somehow and I'll send you a nice packet of Earl Grey.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

What a quaintly old fashioned definition.  Cup of tea in hand when you wrote that?  

Schoenberg! Cage! Stockhausen! Webern! Berg!  (I'm sure Thalbergmad could make that list pages long)

Fit them to your definition somehow and I'll send you a nice packet of Earl Grey.

WAAAAAAIIIIIIIIT a second!

Didn't you say that all rap was crap!  I remember that!  So you're a snob just like me!

[j_menz]

WAAAAAAIIIIIIIIT a second!

Didn't you say that all rap was crap!  I remember that!  So you're a snob just like me!

Haha. You should hear me on country, too. 

And I prefer the word "discerning".