I'm going to be the world's greatest pianist!

[violinist]

"I'm going to be the world's greatest pianist!"

Yup, I said it while I was walking down the street with my wife, a music professor friend, and others.

The second after I blurted that out, my wife and the music professor burst out laughing.  Two minutes later, they were still laughing.

My ego is hurt.  What??? They think I can't become the world's greatest pianist?

They laughed so hard they couldn't even talk or walk.

Grrreat!!!

I think I got the message.

oh well.

At least it was a good laugh.

I know I want to be a worth-while pianist - whatever that means. 

Help me stop my wife and music professor friends from laughing at me.

Here's my situation:

I have a very demanding job that takes up most of my time and energy.  Weekends are gone usually.

I don't have a piano teacher.

I can practice with 5-10 minute clumps of time.  Probably adding up to about 30 minutes of piano practice a day.

I have a yamaha digital stage piano, which I like to practice on at 3am.

I have a Steinway Grand Piano.

I don't currently do any scale practice.

I've played violin for decades, and I used to teach violin, until I developed a hearing disorder and got a new career.

I'm in the latter half of my third decade of life (I'm young!!!).

I have a hearing disorder of my right ear (sounds are louder in that ear), and I have to wear an ear plug in that ear, in order to tolerate music.

So.... I guess you're probably choking on your computer keyboard while looking at this.

Anyone want to encourage me after this fiasco?

I know I won't become the world greatest pianist - and what does that mean anyway.  I just really want to be the best pianist I can be, given my career constraints.


Help???

[phdezra]

Beethoven wrote his ninth symphony when he was deaf. He also conducted it deaf. In fact,  I read that at the premeire of the Ninth when the fourth movement ended, Beethoven was off by a few measures and was still conducting even though it was over. Someone from the orchestra came over to him and gently turned him around to see the crowd standing and applauding furiously. 

While I am not suggesting you have Beethoven's innate ability, you can become a "worthwhile" pianist if you put in the time/practice/study appropriately. I do not think your hearing disorder is the issue - rather, it's the potential lack of time.  Practicing at 3 AM may or may not be useful, depends on how awake you are. It's about dedication and consistency.

For instance, for me personally, I have a busy job as well. I have four young children at home and a spouse (and a dog). And did I mention we live in a relatively small apartment (not a house!)? However, that doesn't stop me. Since I am serious about becoming the best pianist I can be, my piano routine (or the "piano side of me" as I like to call it) is:

1) I meet with a piano teacher once a week for 60-90 minutes on my lunch hour.
2) I read music theory/improvement books on my mass transit train ride (30 mins in morning and 30 mins in evening). Currently carrying around Howard Richman's "Super Sight Reading Secrets" book.
3) I practice every night for 90 minutes from 8:30pm-10:00pm when the kids are asleep (we have a Yamaha YDP-223, so I either use headphones or turn the volume down). I take Friday night off, but I'm right back at it the other 6 nights.
4) I use some of the practice methods outlined here in this forum (Bernhard and others have imparted invaluable knowledge here) as well as advice from my teacher (who, incidentally, is on the faculty at Julliard (I live in New York) and is so down-to-earth; he is amazing and motivates well).
5) When I have a free moment at work, I browse the internet or this forum for tips on effective piano practice and playing. All the while, I have a piano CD playing in the background.
6) I read books such as Aaron Copland's "What to Listen for in Music."
7) When I sleep, I dream of piano.

Will I become as good as Martha Argerich or Arthur Rubinstein? Very doubtful.  Mind you, I still have all those other obligations outlined in the first paragraph which keeps me busy the other time. (And even if I didn't, I still doubt I would become as good as the famous pianists.) You need not be as fanatical or obssessive about it as I am, but you can figure out times to do what is needed to become the "worthwhile" pianist you desire.

Just my two cents. 

Ezra

[pianistimo]

if you are going to be the world's greatest pianist - why is your name 'violinist?'  it identifies you with the violin.  it makes people think that piano isn't your #1 interest. 

secondly, all great artists never give out their age.  unless they are really honest - as with andre watts who is turning 60 or something and puts it in the program.  can you believe it!  he still looks 40.  he's playing a concerto of brahms soon at the kimmel center.  i think october.

also, ricardo muti is performing this season.  when you listen to these world class people - sometimes they make it look so easy - you think 'i could do that.'  but, the reality is nerves get in the way.  not to mention a few spastic moments when first getting on and off the stage or piano bench.  how do these people make such smooth movements.  if i play for 1/2 hour on the bench - my knees are locked in place.  then, i try to get up and i have to walk two or three steps short. 

another thing world class performers have innately is that sense of balance and proportion.  i really thought i had it with mozart and was appalled to find out my recent teacher did not think so.  in fact, he thought i was sorta robotic.  i never thought i was.  so then, i go back to the piano and caress it and try to act more romantic towards it - but it's probably like a man being told that he's frigid or something.  you just don't forget the comment.  and, then when you think of it - you freeze up and think 'i'm just the average get-it-done' pianist.

well, the only way to let it all out - is to truly learn to let it all out.  of course, this does not mean going overboard.  do not cry, for instance.  it is, according to busoni - a weakness that kills musicality.  you are crying - the music is hurting - and noone cares.  rather - one must be passionately impassionate.  now if you understand that - you can be a world class performer.  i mean - how many world class conductors go off the stage crying.  i think they might drop a tear occasionally - but they regain composure quickly by thinking about the next thing coming along. 

[zheer]

I know I won't become the world greatest pianist - and what does that mean anyway.  I just really want to be the best pianist I can be, given my career constraints.


Help???

   Well if you can make it as a surgent, i cant see whats stoping you from being an accomplished pianist. You need to love music, that way nothing will stop you from achieving your goal.Good luck.

[leucippus]

"I'm going to be the world's greatest pianist!"

Right there's your problem.  You have the wrong goal.

Most likely none of the greatest pianists actually set out to become the greatest pianists in the world.  Most of them just probably just set out to become the greatest pianist they could be, and that just coincidentally happened to work out to be the best in the world.

Right now my goal is to be able to play at least once piece that actually sounds like music.  If I achieve that goal I'll be tickled pink.

If your wife and music professor were laughing so hard they must figure that you have a lot of work ahead of you.   My advice would simply be to continue to become the best you can be.  If that turns out to be the best in the world more power to you.  On the other hand, if it turns out to be less than that, at least you'll know that it was YOUR best! 

That's really all anyone can do. 

Those who become the best in the world reach that position because their "best" just happens to be better than most other people's "best".  You can't decide to make your best better than it's going to be.

All you can do is work to make it the best it can be.  And then accept whatever that turns out to be.  So far, my best is pretty bad. 

[violinist]

Wow, I got replies to this.  I feel like I have friends here.  That's why I like coming onboard once in a while.  I did 20 minutes of piano when I jumped out of bed this morning and another 10 minutes over lunch hour, and gotta run back to some place with lots of bright lights (and it's not a stage) in a few minutes.

Ezra, I worship you.  Wow.  I love that list you made.  Julliard teacher too - and at lunch.    It's good to know I'm not alone in my obscession.  My family and friends don't understand it.  I'm trying to understand why they don't.   Thank you for sharing your obssession - we're not alone.  I too dream about piano (and lawsuits - weird combo I know).

Pianistimo - about my name "violinist."  Well, I joined the forum a few months ago before I became infected with the bug of piano, and at that time, I couldn't play a bach invention and all these things I've accomplished.  I didn't even know if I wanted a grand piano.  Things have changed, but sigh, my name is still violinist.   By all means, I'm still a violinist, and it's my connection to the professional music world (I am somewhat respected for my violin playing) - and they laugh at my piano attempt, but I think deep down they think its worth while.  But I should consider myself lucky, because I have access to some great piano players and teachers - I do sometimes ask for advice, but because of being a fellow musician, they cloud their advice and don't really tell me what's on their mind (except for that giggling fit I described above).  But my violin will kill me, but to me the violin at time seems like a job and a responsibility, but the piano is an obsession.

Am I cheating?  Am I a cheater?  Ugh...  It is the truth.  It's good to be honest like Andre Watts and his age (turning 60 or something).

Zheer!  You haven't forgotten about me.  I get so busy sometimes, I can't get to the computer.  I'm trying to quit my "night job" (meaning take less call duty) so I have more time to sleep, and read email, and maybe even get better at piano sight-reading.  I do love music.  Thanks for your words of encouragement.

Leucippus:  Thanks for the reply.  You are so right about those goals.  Constant self improvement is much better.  Once in a while I blurt out things that don't quite make that much sense, but at the same time, has some sort of truth in it.  I think I tend to say things like that in moments when I feel great about myself, and the I get the memorable snorting comments back at me that bring me back down to reality.  They are memorable.  My favorite person in the world, my roommate (who is also a musician) in college and beyond for 6 years, had to tolerate me when I was feeling so good about myself, I said something about a comparison with Midori (the violinist), and at the time my roommate was eating cereal, and he snorted so hard, that milk came out of his nose:  Yuck. 

Ok, good thing I type fast.  Time to get back to work - and don't get me wrong, I love my work - just don't want to bore you guys with gory details

Do keep in touch with me.  I love it.

- Just another Violinist....

[violinist]

Pianistimo,

Should I change my name?


How about:  "Worlds greatest Pianist??"


Nah... better stick with "Violinist"

[berrt]

Should I change my name?
How about:  "Worlds greatest Pianist??"
Nah... better stick with "Violinist"

C., somehow i understand you.... there are pieces i KNOW how i want to hear them, but noone plays them like that - so i have to do it myself..

(btw. my personal goal is "world dictator" (like the evil guys in james bond films))
B.

[persona]

Your wife and friend don't know what they are talking about... they think that just because you are in your late thirties, with few experience in piano, hardly any time to practice and a hearing disorder you won't be able to become the world's greatest pianist, when the truth to the matter is, you definitely won't but not because of any of those reasons, simply because I'm gonna be the best and there's no room in the world for two bests

(If someone above did this joke already, sorry. I didn't feel like reading the whole thing)

[pianistimo]

berrt and persona, you're both funny!  yes, violinist - you need a new name.  not necessarily describing your goal.  often, much can be sneakily obtained while pretending not to have any goals at all.  remember what you said about the unspoken 'competition' between musicians.  now, if they think you haven't much talent at all - they will attempt to reform you (which is where you get the most honest help).  they may say things like 'that stinks' and you have to have to ask - exactly what are you referring to?  then, they explain whatever it is.  yes.  most of piano lesson goals have been fulfilled by just listening a lot.

thirty is young!  it's when you 'get a groove.'  you know how to manage time (no doubt you learned this young).  and, you know how to focus.  there are many things in your favor.  especially if you are a surgeon with a good reputation.  the only thing is, you mentioned 'lawsuits.'  did you botch a job?  well, i suppose one out of a couple of hunderd is normal -but if you are a bad surgeon - it is likely you will be an even worse pianist.  the reason being is that it takes a lot of fine motor skills.  now, if i understand correctly - some surgeons develop a sort of quivering shiver - due to fear of being sued.  at least with piano - nobody has ever been sued for playing badly.  so, no fear there.

names:  fazioliman, surgeonofthepiano, imgrand, motomotion, breakneck, superpianoman.  these are a few suggestions.

[violinist]

Hello Pianistimo, Berrrrrtttt!!!!!, Persona:

You guys are all too funny.  So good to read your posts, now that I just got home.  I appreciate the attention!  Those are funny names.  But I can't change my name.  Guys like Berrrt will forget about me from many months ago.  And if I create a different name like PsychoPianist, then I could have PsychoPianist and Violinist create dialogues between each other and they would both be me, and I could have some kind of split personality disorder.

As for lawsuits.... hmmm... none yet... but just about all docs get them sooner or later.  I would be a big target.  Lot's of my patients have passed away   Traumas, Cancers....

I think my favorite name that pianistimo gave me is "breakneck."  Don't get me started on how many of these I've seen recently.  or is that more like "brokeneck."

Ha ha ha..

Time for me to practice again.   

[pianistimo]

wow.  you really are a doctor.  and, you treat broken necks.  trauma.  cancer.  are you an emergency room doctor?  we saw a 4-5 car pile up from a bike trail we were on last weekend.  a day or two before labor day.  what an awful thing.  the strange thing is that it looked like someone going the other direction fell asleep or had some kind of health problem that made them go unconcioius and drive into oncoming traffic in the other lanes.  how prepared can one be for that?!  guess it pays to pay attention in both directions and attempt to get around things that are thrown at you suddenly.   

[m1469]

I suspect that even the world's "best" can not escape simply being the best pianist they can be, given any kind of constraints.  No matter what, achieving one's personal best seems to me the way to go.


m1469

[violinist]

wow.  you really are a doctor.  and, you treat broken necks.  trauma.  cancer.  are you an emergency room doctor? 

Nope, I'm not an ER doc.  I wish I were.  That way I would have more time

I do see ER docs a lot and have them as good friends.

[violinist]

I suspect that even the world's "best" can not escape simply being the best pianist they can be, given any kind of constraints.  No matter what, achieving one's personal best seems to me the way to go.


m1469

I agree.  Good advice!!!

But for fun... anyone got thoughts on how one should lead life to become the best pianist they can be.

How about... for me, to become the best pianist I can be I would love to be able to:

1)  Practice 2 hours a day
2)  Dream about piano
3)  Attend great piano concerts
4)  Practice sloooooowly.
5)  Get a teacher for real.
6)  At least 6 days a week
7)  Try some scales

heck... make me a list to become the world's greatest pianist:

The rules I have to follow to become WBP (World's Best Pianist)
1) ? 
2)  ??
3)   
4)    ARGHGHGGH....


okay....  enuf for now.

[barnowl]

If you won't get a teacher go to...

https://www.amazon.com/Piano-Handbook-Complete-Guide-Mastering/dp/0879307277/sr=8-1/qid=1157807186/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9959102-1011934?ie=UTF8&s=books

...and read about The Piano Handbook, by Carl Humpheries. I bought it when I first got my digital piano, but soon realized I needed a teacher. So I got one. Well, two.

This course gives you an organized attack for learning piano. I tried to get my first teacher to use this as a syllabus, but she was reluctant. Same with Number 2. Teachers like to follow their own methods. Can't blame 'em.

If you click the link, be sure to scroll down to read the reviews. They're very impressive.

BTW, I had the material rebound* - put half of it in a separate 3-ring binder. It's a pain in the tuchus with all the stuff in one binder.

Yours sincerely,

Abelardo Barroso


*At a graphics arts place, but Office Max offers the same convenience.

[barnowl]

If you won't get a teacher go to...

https://www.amazon.com/Piano-Handbook-Complete-Guide-Mastering/dp/0879307277/sr=8-1/qid=1157807186/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9959102-1011934?ie=UTF8&s=books

...and read about The Piano Handbook, by Carl Humpheries. I bought it when I first got my digital piano, but soon realized I needed a teacher. So I got one. Well, two.

This course gives you an organized attack for learning piano. I tried to get my first teacher to use this as a syllabus, but she was reluctant. Same with Number 2. Teachers like to follow their own methods. Can't blame 'em.

If you click the link, be sure to scroll down to read the reviews. They're very impressive.

BTW, I had the material rebound* - put half of it in a separate 3-ring binder. It's a pain in the tuchus with all the stuff in one binder.

Yours sincerely,

Abelardo Barroso


*At a graphics arts place, but Office Max offers the same convenience.

Actually the book itself comes ina 3-Ring binder (plus a CD of the pieces as played by Carl Humphries). The Graphics House transfered the first half or so to the binder that you see in the attachment. In this section, the first 53 pages are devoted to the history of the piano. Quite nice. Then you hit Unit 1, and from there the curve steepens. So the author expects you to work hard. If you aren't going to, don't buy this tutorial.

[rc]

I was writing in my journal the other day some thoughts on the musician I want to become.  I figured that the only way to go is to become excellent, of the highest quality.  Any less is to cheat the music and the audience.  The ideal is perfection.  Holding an impossible ideal is not to frustrate yourself, it's to keep yourself forever progressing.  It's to recognize your humanity but still strive for perfection.

I think of all the pianists, guitarists, bands... musicians that I've heard. Some were bad, some were good, some were VERY good, but the performances that made a lasting impression were the ones that were great.  The rest blur together.

So, I think your aspirations are great!

Another idea is to enjoy yourself in the progress.  To work within your current skill level, pushing further but also being satisfied with current results.  Though you may be playing sonatinas, play them to the highest quality.  Not to make the listener feel "you're coming along", instead "that was a beautiful piece!".  Play your early repertoire with the intent to make the most beautiful music you can, before long you're playing beautiful advanced repertoire.  What counts is that it's beautiful, that it can move a listener, be shared.

The difference between a pianist playing high quality beginners pieces and one playing high quality virtuoso pieces is a matter of time...  I don't see much purpose in working towards any less.

[violinist]

Thanks RC!!!!
You're GREAT!

[loops]

yes RC that's great
and it made me laugh:
my husband *always* says, when I ask, "that's coming along"
He says this in order to avoid a full and detailed discussion of what exactly was
wrong with it. BUT last week I played Bach's prelude no 1 (the ave maria one)
and he said, " thaaaaaat's commmiinng alloonnnngggg!!!" and yes,
it "sang". So all in all, "it's coming along" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have one problem with being "great", it's that it's a title other people give you.
But maybe this isn't what you mean. Not an adulation thing but a self-realisation
breakthrough thing?

I would love to dream about piano....somewhere in another thread someone wrote
they looked for and found a piano in their dream and sat down and solved thier
current piano problem. I'm SOOOO jealous!!! I believe my problems are both highlighted and
put into perspective in my dreams. I believe this because it has always been so.
I'm getting desparate about my sightreading and I'm sure somewhere in my
unconscious is the solution, so why can't/don't I dream about it? But last night I
dreamt I was trying to get to a very boring conference banquet and was
having an interesting time with a bus ticket machine giving me lots of coins.

[leahcim]

I know I want to be a worth-while pianist - whatever that means. 
...
I don't have a piano teacher.
....
I have a yamaha digital stage piano, which I like to practice on at 3am.

I have a Steinway Grand Piano.

You've clearly got lots of dosh, enough to get a good teacher whatever it takes.

IIRC you were doing a piece here once, where we were all supposed to join in and learn together? A Chopin Nocturne? Just after you did a Debussy piece IIRC?

When you started Violin did you buy the Steinway of violins and play pieces that difficult?

I would have joined in but that Nocturne was much too difficult. Remember that guy who did the 3rd page metronomically as a way to practise it followed by the piece played musically? [I can't remember his nick and I can't be bothered to search], that would be enough to convince me I wasn't ready to play it. If I couldn't do that one page in the practise way...but you were posting "Here's page one....now page two...now page three" all attempted to play hands together with all the dynamics etc more or less as soon as you said "Let's do this..."

That I think is the root of your 2nd problem...if people who respect your violin playing are laughing at your piano playing the message you should get from that is that you're trying to run before you can walk with piano.

They shouldn't laugh if you play a relatively easy pieces progressively more and more difficult well but perhaps they will if you play difficult pieces badly.

People who play the rep you've been attempting sans a teacher don't need to ask how to become a pianist. Try something easier.

[quasimodo]

my husband *always* says, when I ask, "that's coming along"
He says this in order to avoid a full and detailed discussion of what exactly was
wrong with it.

Randomly, I love to pick some statements out of context  .

[barnowl]

Randomly, I love to pick some statements out of context  .

That can be cruel, Quasi.

[loops]

That can be cruel, Quasi.

I don't feel be-cruelled (if that is a word...it is now I guess).
My husband loves me, we are very happy. It's a little joke you can have when you
are confident.
There is no good answer to some questions, such as "how does this outfit look"
"how is my new hairdo"...it's the same as.."how does this piece sound"...
the sight of someone struggling to answer such a question, feeling for what the
right answer might be, tells you, you are loved.
We now have running jokes about these questions.
Q: "how does this outfit look"
A: "no weirder than normal" 

To get back on track of this thread, I don't need to be a great pianist....but there
is something about playing a piano that lures me ever on. I need the huge variety of
challenges, I *need* to be on the edge of my ability in whatever I'm doing. The mechanical
challenge of fingering some impossible sonata isn't as captivating as playing a simple
piece with intense je-ne-sais-quoi...nothing between the music and the listener? a completely
convincing of-its-own-reality rendition? (I lack the vocabulary to express my aim)
I see my teacher do what I want ...

[violinist]

You've clearly got lots of dosh, enough to get a good teacher whatever it takes.

IIRC you were doing a piece here once, where we were all supposed to join in and learn together? A Chopin Nocturne? Just after you did a Debussy piece IIRC?

When you started Violin did you buy the Steinway of violins and play pieces that difficult?

.....

People who play the rep you've been attempting sans a teacher don't need to ask how to become a pianist. Try something easier.

Good points!

My first violin was some 1/4 sized thing.  or maybe 1/2 sized thing.  It's hard to compare violin and pianos.  But you def have some great points.

I'm now trying to play another nocturne of Chopin's and I've started Ballad #1. and I'm trying to try again Chopin 10/1  haha..

The benefit of not having a teacher?  is they can't stop me from trying these pieces.  If I had a teacher, I'd still be playing the first page of some piece I've never heard of or wouldn't want to play for over a year (at least this would be my fear). 

You have a great memory!

Thanks for commenting on my self-absorbed topic.

[rc]

The benefit of not having a teacher?  is they can't stop me from trying these pieces.  If I had a teacher, I'd still be playing the first page of some piece I've never heard of or wouldn't want to play for over a year (at least this would be my fear). 

A teacher can't make you do anything you don't want to do, you leave the lesson and the rest of the weeks is up to you.  The idea is to have an experienced coach to help you achieve your goals.  Your goals are shared with the teacher, you're job is to keep the teacher informed on where you want to go and to practice what you decide, with the help of teachers insight.  Symbiosis.

You can play whatever you like aside from what the teacher assigns, or if a teacher gives you a piece you don't like you can say so and find something else...

I'm just sayin' there's nothing to fear from a teacher, you hire them to help you.  If you're unhappy you can go back to self-taught or find another.  Embrace the teacher.

[maestoso]

Good points!

My first violin was some 1/4 sized thing.  or maybe 1/2 sized thing.  It's hard to compare violin and pianos.  But you def have some great points.

I'm now trying to play another nocturne of Chopin's and I've started Ballad #1. and I'm trying to try again Chopin 10/1  haha..

The benefit of not having a teacher?  is they can't stop me from trying these pieces.  If I had a teacher, I'd still be playing the first page of some piece I've never heard of or wouldn't want to play for over a year (at least this would be my fear). 

You have a great memory!

Thanks for commenting on my self-absorbed topic.

that is the way i feel violinist. besides teachers are everywhere just point and click. i understand they had to go through the rigors of set schedules, and i appreciate that, but i like being able to attempt something that i know is way above me, and there will always be someone was in your shoes that did the same thing and they are willing to give you advice not tell what you have to do.

[kaveh]

Just thought I'd add my contribution.

Similar position, medic by day/aspiring pianist by night.  My piano goals are slightly more down to earth (Yamaha competition), but we both share a passion to excel.

I used to think I was fine without a teacher. 

However, I'd be the first to admit that finding a great teacher was the best move I ever made, hands down.  Six months later and the difference is staggering.   

Had to relearn my technique, but it was easily time well spent.  Slowly cultivating that effortless eloquence that so many great pianists share.

Find the best teacher you can. 

There's always a way.

Good luck!

P.S. Going back to basics (e.g. Bach inventions) isn't necessarily a step backwards. 

[leahcim]

I used to think I was fine without a teacher. 

However, I'd be the first to admit that finding a great teacher was the best move I ever made, hands down.  Six months later and the difference is staggering.   

Had to relearn my technique, but it was easily time well spent.  Slowly cultivating that effortless eloquence that so many great pianists share.

I'd be interested to know what you think the biggest change was - from what you were doing before by yourself? "Everything", or some specific approach?

[From the last sentence it sounds like the way you physically played?]

[nsvppp]

Good points!

The benefit of not having a teacher?  is they can't stop me from trying these pieces.  If I had a teacher, I'd still be playing the first page of some piece I've never heard of or wouldn't want to play for over a year (at least this would be my fear). 

Dear Violinist,

I used to have violin lessons as well, so I think I can see where your teacher fear stems from. BUT..
the piano is completely different. I dont think piano teachers will let you ever "suffer" so much as violin teachers were able to. One etude with 16 variations. That's only violin stuff.
I found out that learning the piano goes much, infinitely, quicker when you have someone to teach you. Give it try, seriously.

nsvppp

[kaveh]

I'd be interested to know what you think the biggest change was - from what you were doing before by yourself? "Everything", or some specific approach?

[From the last sentence it sounds like the way you physically played?]

Well, I've had the fortune of having two fantastic teachers.

The first, in addition to correcting some awful playing habits I wasn't even aware of (e.g. bad posture, potentially injurious hand motions etc), taught me a wealth of practical tools (e.g. analysis, deconstructing a piece, segmental practice, chord attack, PPI, natural hand motions) that in short, provide the means for very efficient learning.  Besides that, he really kickstarted my general musical education, and reinforced my belief and ambition.

The second, in addition to being a first-class pedagogue, is also a very accomplished concert pianist.  Physically, the most important things he has taught me are posture, relaxation and arm weight.  I knew I understood arm weight when, suddenly, I could practice for a couple of hours without any fatigue in my arms or hands.  Musically, he's taught me to really listen and feel the music, rather than playing mechanically, as I was (and sometimes still am) wont to do.  So precise timing, dynamics, phrasing, colours etc.  I feel like I'm still scratching the surface here.  Also consistency.  Having fortnightly lessons with him gives me a tangible target I can aim towards, almost as though I'm preparing for a performance.

I could go on but I don't want to hijack this thread!

[lostinidlewonder]

Practice 30 mins a day max (in 5-10 min blocks at that!)and you want to be the worlds greatest pianist or the best you can possibly become? This post is a joke right? hahaha

[violinist]

Practice 30 mins a day max (in 5-10 min blocks at that!)and you want to be the worlds greatest pianist or the best you can possibly become? This post is a joke right? hahaha

Hey, no more laughing at me.  I played the piano for 2 minutes today and then had to run off for some work related stuff.  I don't even think the 2 minutes constituted practicing. 

So... thus, I practiced zero minutes.  But spent 15 minutes looking at piano forum.  Maybe I should give up piano forum and practice 15 minutes more per day?

[kaveh]

Surely you have an office at work - why not move in a clavinova?

Practice with headphones during downtime if that's realistic.

Just a suggestion.

[persona]

Interesting point violinist... you said what I keep thinking!