Post if you're a pianist.

[gtg723]

Hey,

I was searching around to find a message board where there would be intelligent people posting replies. I think this is a pretty good place. I like the idea of sharing ideas with people that you don't know, because then all that matters is what is being discussed. Anyway, with that in mind...

Why do you guys play piano? What keeps you on playing? Include your age and gender. I'm curious as to what effect they have on piano-playing.

Other than that, I'll tell you a bit about myself. I'm a freshman (guy) in college, and play piano because it's artistic. I love all forms of art, and try to do them all ranging from poetry to sculpting. I like talking to anyone about interesting topics on anything. If you are like me, then let's communicate. I have AIM, facebook, and e-mail. Cheers!

[pianistimo]

duh.  this is PIANO street.  pleased to meet you anyways.  i just like to talk.  i don't give out my age anymore because i feel 18 - so therefore i am 18.  forever.  but much wiser.  i no longer play for money although i still want a career.  does that make sense?  probably not.  let me let you in on a secret.  never give away anything for free.  otherwise you're in a catch-22.  people find out and you end up doing more free stuff- and then it gets to be that you are on-call for anyone who needs a pianist.

i think musicians tend to be a friendly bunch.  some of my best friends were and are pianists.  i would say best friend - because they understood and understand the artistic temperament.  the quietness.  and then the sudden craziness.  the geekness of it all.  the moments when you are very touched by a piece of music and have to listen closely - requesting that everyone be quiet for a moment.  and, then - the unexplainable urge to play the piano at any time of the day or night.  a sort of 'call of the wild.' 

my favorite part of the week is listening on saturday mornings to 'from the top' -where mr. o'reilly interviews musicians who find themselves at young ages (as with yourself) and are doing fabulous things with their music.  they play varied instruments and not always piano - but always feature a pianist somewhere along the way.

as an older musician - i take inspiration that i too, at a young age - already knew i loved music and wanted it to be a 'career.'  unfortunately, or fortunately - i never made that much money to call it a career.  but, it is a full-time hobby.  and, with three children will probably stay that way for a little while - although i am doing everything in my power to make it a career.  1/2 way though a grad degree in piano performance.  and, i like to hear what musicians say about finding performing venues and audiences.  even mozart had to dig up his own places and get everything prepared and ready.  (and he was genius). 

 

[pies]

I stopped playing ~3 months ago.

[lostinidlewonder]

Welcome gtg723. Looking for intelligent people? Well I guess there are a few around, I don't know I'm not very intelligent myself, a lot of people here confuse me What do you mean you play piano because it is artistic? I play piano because I can't get enough of the sound that comes out of it. I study piano also to improve my ability to teach it, there are many things I would not ordinarily study for myself which I must because of the demands of my students (like "Jazz" piano). Music is pretty much a passion as well as my day time job.

What keeps me playing the piano is the fact that there is little in this world that can totally shut off the world around us. With playing piano you can shut off your entire mind to stress, I find sometimes when waiting in a queue I'll go through a piano piece in my head and before you know it I'm at the front of the line. I strongly believe playing or/and listening to music is good for your health and extends your life as well. Piano music to me is worship to God as well.

[pianistimo]

we're the more intelligent ones because even when people say 'anything but piano' - we ignore them.   piano is usually all consuming to people who love it.  you can't sidetrack them by telling them to talk about anything but piano.  it's kind of ridiculous in my mind.  it's like hypnotizing a monkey. 

[pianolearner]

I am learning to play the piano. Does that make me a pianist?

[wishful thinker]

Yes, I think so.  We are all, those of us who play piano, learners.  You can never stop learning, no matter how long you have played 

That's what makes it fun