You know you're a pianist when...

[silvaone]

Ok, I'll get the ball rolling....

1. When a standard impatient tap becomes your swan song

2. When you see the national speed limit sign (UK) and think of tremolos

3. When you hear pieces of music and picture words

4. When someone says they went to rhodes you think they went to the Rhodes Distriution Warehouse

obviously some not as common as others

- Silva

[Kassaa]

5. When you play more piano than you open useless threads

[Doodle]

*  Your fingers move to what's playing on the radio, even if you aren't paying any attention.

*  You avoid volleyball, basketball, and any other ball because you're freaked out about injuring a finger

*   You have ever slept under a grand piano.

*   You have ever slept under a grand piano while someone else was practicing on it.

*  The owner of a local arcade dreads to see you.  With your hand-eye coordination you never spend more than a dollar on an hour of entertainment.

*  You give away a pet after it bites a finger prior to a gig.

*  American Idol give you a migrane.

*  You have a job doing something non-musical just to support you music career.

[lagin]

*you can't walk by a piano without touching it

*you stop only seeing a movie, and start considering if you want to learn the background   music

*you pick up the sound of a piano on every commercial and t.v. show that has it

*your favorite day of the week is piano lesson day

*sleep and eating become secondary to practicing (especially noticable if you are a teenager)

*you start giving pets composer related names

[thalbergmad]

You can practise with one hand and eat a big mac with the other.

[Goldberg]

You can practise with one hand and eat a big mac with the other.

Or, similarly when you set your laptop/computer keyboard on your lap or on a nearby table and type at a few MSN convos and/or something on the forum while going at it with the other hand.

[rob47]

*  You avoid volleyball, basketball, and any other ball because you're freaked out about injuring a finger

you play basketball, injure a finger, practice lh stuff while the chipped bone in your rh index finger 'recovers', when it can move somewhat you start practicing again, reinjure it from overuse to early, devlop tendonitis yet keep practicing even though it hurts, then when the tendonitis cedes you practice as many octaves as you can until it returns 10 fold; occassionaly practice but when you realize your in pain you stop for about 10 mintues, than are somehow drawn back and begin practicing again despite your agreement with yourself to take a couple days off, then you reinjure the same finger going for the same stupid rebound in basketball, repeat all this over again, and still post ridiculously long threads on the piano forum despite not having an ergonomic keyboard, only making things worse.

[dlu]

*you can't walk by a piano without touching it

*you stop only seeing a movie, and start considering if you want to learn the background   music

*you pick up the sound of a piano on every commercial and t.v. show that has it

*your favorite day of the week is piano lesson day

*sleep and eating become secondary to practicing (especially noticable if you are a teenager)

*you start giving pets composer related names

omg...yes...I woke up at 5 to practice this morning...and I wanted to name my dog Sergei...

DLu

[Waldszenen]

Your ≠ You're


(topic title)

[pianonut]

before going on a trip, you give your piano a hug.

you are turned on by the sight of pianos.

difficulties mean nothing to you (having banged your head on the wall for years) and breakthroughs are adjusted from four year increments to less than a year (if you practice enough).

no insult or injury would keep you from the piano.

the worst performance of your life would just make you try harder next time.

the fleeting moments of a good performance make everything worth it.

watching someone else play doesn't work for you.

you teach sitting at the piano - making the student sit in your chair (just kidding).

you learn from your teacher that going to the beach is not a top priority.  nor is watching reruns of piano competitions.  or, eating/sleeping, for that matter.  no.  you must sacrifice to be good.  that means you live in a sort of survival of the fittest mode (comparing your ribs to others that have gone before) and are willing to die for your piano should it be terrorized by chopsticks or something the neighborhood kids bring in.

[Jacey1973]

before going on a trip, you give your piano a hug.

you are turned on by the sight of pianos.

difficulties mean nothing to you (having banged your head on the wall for years) and breakthroughs are adjusted from four year increments to less than a year (if you practice enough).

no insult or injury would keep you from the piano.

the worst performance of your life would just make you try harder next time.

the fleeting moments of a good performance make everything worth it.

watching someone else play doesn't work for you.

you teach sitting at the piano - making the student sit in your chair (just kidding).

you learn from your teacher that going to the beach is not a top priority.  nor is watching reruns of piano competitions.  or, eating/sleeping, for that matter.  no.  you must sacrifice to be good.  that means you live in a sort of survival of the fittest mode (comparing your ribs to others that have gone before) and are willing to die for your piano should it be terrorized by chopsticks or something the neighborhood kids bring in.

Erm...i'm not so sure about getting turned on by a piano? Lol...

My suggestions:

**when any electrical appliances give out a tonal buzzing sound (like e.g a hoover) i sing different notes on top (whilst hoovering) to experiment with different harmonies...(is that weird?)

** I go to sleep with piano music playing in my head, i wake up with piano music playing in my head

**I practise for what seems like an hour and realise 4 hours have passed.

** All my favourite films are piano based (although they also happen to be Johnny Depp/Adrien Brody based too).

** I plan my whole life around forthcoming (especially piano related) concerts/recitals (i've already mapped out next seasons 2005-6 series (at Birmingham symphony Hall and St Davids Hall) , plus all summer concerts (Cheltenham festival, 3 choirs festival, the Proms)

btw good idea for a post!

[rc]

You walk into somebodys home and start looking for the piano, because you sense one is near.

 

[Goldberg]

Oh, yeah, I can totally relate to that one. In fact, it happened just today. A woman was trying to set me up with the details for a long weekend house-sitting job I'm doing for her, and all the while I was somewhat distracted, looking for the piano--it just HAD to be there somewhere! Finally, I found it but it turned out to be a rickety old Wurlitzer upright something or other...I opted not to ask to play, for fear that I might break it.

jenni: I've been known to sing various harmonies with my appliances is as well! Sometimes, you can have a lot of fun if, on muti-speed appliances, you can get the pitch to change significantly and get a neat little chant piece going lol. Surely you've heard of the Gould/maid/vacuum cleaner ordeal in which Gould's maid had the vacuum cleaner on (well, duh) and he liked the effect it had on his practicing so much that he quickly adapted the technique of running the vacuum and/or TV, radio, etc. during practice, so he could intentionally cover up the sound of his own playing. Have you tried it? It's actually very remarkable, and it seems to help me too, although I haven't found anything quite loud enough to do the trick perfectly...

[minimozart007]

I gave a lecture recital to my grandparents for amusement about Debussy's Le Danse de puck.  Incidentally, I had to explain A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare and Whole tone and pentatonic scales.

Also, I'm worse than making harmonies to go with electrical appliances.  I transcribe melodies in my head for fun when I'm listening to the radio or watching TV.  Wierd huh?

You know you're a pianist when you slap the fool that asks,"Can you play Fur Elise?  Can you play that fast piece?  You know, the one that goes,  (sings some indiscernible melody)"

You know you're a pianist when you play hard duet music with your teacher?  Like Schubert, Menhdolsonn, etc.

[csharp_minor]

*you can't walk by a piano without touching it

*you stop only seeing a movie, and start considering if you want to learn the background music

*you pick up the sound of a piano on every commercial and t.v. show that has it

*your favorite day of the week is piano lesson day

*sleep and eating become secondary to practicing.

* You go to sleep with piano music playing in your head, wake up with piano music playing in your head

Yes these are all true to some degree for me!

*You walk into somebodys home and start looking for the piano, because you sense one is near.

...or you watch a tv program / flim and l look for a piano in the background!

*you start giving pets composer related names

Yes if I ever get another male cat I think I would like to call him Joplin esp if hes is a Ragdoll.

*you are turned on by the sight of pianos.

Not turned on, but your eyes widen at the sight of them.

*when any electrical appliances give out a tonal buzzing sound (like e.g a hoover) i sing different notes on top (whilst hoovering) to experiment with different harmonies...(is that weird?)

Ha ha thats what I do with the Hover! I hum in tune with it then I like to hum a semitone higher or lower so I can hear the disonance in my head! I l also like to try to hum a 3rd or 5th above or below etc to try to harmonise with it! . If you hear a sound like a buzzing sound or the sound of the tumble-dryer etc you wonder what key its in.

before going on a trip, you give your piano a hug.

I haven't been away from my piano ever as its a new thing in my life but when I go on hoilday I would miss it, and would probably give it a hug!

Heres some of mine:

*You keep your nails well trimed and hate the thought of nail extensions .

* You get a sudden interest awarenes in hands.

* You avoid any rough kind of sport so you don't get a damaged hand or arm. I used to do Aikido but I can't think of doing it now! just the thought of someone twisting my wrist! . 

*You have a modle / bust of your favorite composer .

*Your bookshelf becomes increasingly full of sheet music and not much room for books.

* You have scores on your piano and on the floor of the room where the piano is keept.

Thats just some for now...

[go12_3]

Yes these are all true to some degree for me!

...or you watch a tv program / flim and l look for a piano in the background!
 Yes if I ever get another male cat I think I would like to call him Joplin esp if hes is a Ragdoll.

Not turned on, but your eyes widen at the sight of them.

Ha ha thats what I do with the Hover! I hum in tune with it then I like to hum a semitone higher or lower so I can hear the disonance in my head! I l also like to try to hum a 3rd or 5th above or below etc to try to harmonise with it! . If you hear a sound like a buzzing sound or the sound of the tumble-dryer etc you wonder what key its in.

I haven't been away from my piano ever as its a new thing in my life but when I go on hoilday I would miss it, and would probably give it a hug!

Heres some of mine:

*You keep your nails well trimed and hate the thought of nail extensions .

* You get a sudden interest awarenes in hands.

* You avoid any rough kind of sport so you don't get a damaged hand or arm. I used to do Aikido but I can't think of doing it now! just the thought of someone twisting my wrist! . 

*You have a modle / bust of your favorite composer .

*Your bookshelf becomes increasingly full of sheet music and not much room for books.

* You have scores on your piano and on the floor of the room where the piano is keept.

Thats just some for now...


I'd miss my piano, and would love to hug it before going on a trip, although its a grand.....a bit too large.....and when I return home, I can hardly wait to play.  I have to play piano everyday, or I'll just die.  It's a part of my life forever, and ever...  
I know what most of you are saying....can relate!

[mr music]

... I play Prelude by Pachulski.

[mr music]

You can practise with one hand and eat a big mac with the other.

 

[pianisten1989]

* When you get upset when you've overslept. NOt because you'll be late for school, but because you wont have time for you're morning practice.

[go12_3]

I just love looking at my grand piano and knowing the anticipation of running my fingers over the keys and making wonderful sounds that would fill the room whatever and whenever I want to, such a gratifying feeling,  and to know that playing the piano does fill someone's heart and soul while putting a smile or a tear .   Playing my piano, eases the lonliness and burden in my life.....such a wonderful instrument to have and to hold for the rest of my life......... 

[mr music]

* When you get upset when you've overslept. NOt because you'll be late for school, but because you wont have time for you're morning practice.

The story of my life.

[csharp_minor]

* You avoid building snowmen and playing too long in the snow, in case you get frostbite in your hands!

[csharp_minor]

I just love looking at my grand piano and knowing the anticipation of running my fingers over the keys and making wonderful sounds that would fill the room whatever and whenever I want to, such a gratifying feeling,  and to know that playing the piano does fill someone's heart and soul while putting a smile or a tear .   Playing my piano, eases the lonliness and burden in my life.....such a wonderful instrument to have and to hold for the rest of my life......... 

  I know.

[pianisten1989]

* You log onto pianostreet.com and watch this topic atleast 5 times a day

[dana_minmin]

* haunted by music at night and hardly stop thinking about it

* attempt to train yourself perfect pitch

[csharp_minor]

*You drive your family members and neighbours insane from going over the same passage or bar over and over and over and over and over and over again .

*You sometimes can’t sleep at night as you can't wait for the next day to come so you can practice again! - happens to me, sad init?

*You love your piano more then your cat .

[edwardweiss]

 ....You can play Busoni's 'Fantasia Contrappuntistica' from beginning to end without the copy and without a mistake.

[smiggy]

Hmm...I can relate to some of these quite a lot :O Especially not playing some sports cos of my hands. Every time a car door shuts, i clench my fists (i shut my hand in a car door 2 years ago and cut it open quite badly...sucked). Also:

- Talk to your mates about piano too much, even if they don't give a crap
- Play every piano you see and compare it to other pianos you've played
- Fallen in love with one piece and listened to it and tried to play it non-stop

[ahinton]

You can practise with one hand and eat a big mac with the other.

Practise banjo, you mean?...

Best,

Alistair

[naturlaut]

... you are planning what you're going to practice on Valentine's night. 

... you thought your best gift for your girlfriend was the Sorabji Etude you've been working on.

... all your online passwords are composers' birthdates.

... your porn collection in your bachelor pad is actually PIANO, MUSIQUE, etc.

... you start disregarding all existing law about copyrighted pdf/mp3 sharing.

... your alarm ring is the 2nd movement of Feinberg 1st concerto.

... you fall asleep to the tune of Feinberg's Berceuse.

... friends thought the photo on your desk is your father but it's Samuil Feinberg.

... you are the only one among friends to throw up after watching Shine.

... your IE bookmarks are IMSLP, Sorabji Archive, Hyperion, Feinberg Society, etc.

... you join every composers' group on Facebook.

... cannot comprehend why you can't practice past 11pm.

... you ignore the FTSE or DOW 100-point drop but went mad when your "A" went below 338.

... you are reluctantly buying something for your girlfriend because it digs into your "Steinway" savings.

... you have argued in your head numerous times if sex is really better.

[naturlaut]

[duplicate]

[anda]

... you hear your friends talk about "the OC" they saw last night on tv, and you ask them what they thought about Sorabji...

(true story)

[Petter]

...when you refuse to learn how to play othello?