Pianists

[opus10no2]

From what you've learned of fellow pianists, through this forum, or personal relationships, have you formed any ideas of the tendencies and personality types of pianists?

I'm not encouraging nor speaking ill of stereotyping, I just think it is interesting to observe the 'percentages'.

I'd like to say I'm atypical, but really am I? 
Touch my bum.

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings

By referring to classifying pianists as anything, do you mean classifying forum members?

Given that, I don't think it is remotely possible to come to any coherent conclusion about anything on a public forum.

[thalberg]

I have definitely formed a general opinion that the better the pianist, the more intelligent the person.  Playing the piano simply takes a good mind.  All the pianists I know are quite smart, and the best pianists I know border on brilliant.

On this forum, I have come to the conclusion that pianists here will discuss anything at all at quite some length.  Even the stupidest topic is likely to get 80 (mostly) friendly replies.

[rc]

Given that, I don't think it is remotely possible to come to any coherent conclusion about anything on a public forum.

I could think up a few generalizations about forumites, but there's a broad spectrum around here.  I think forums attract people with intellectual leanings, and I suspect the common trap of thinking/talking more than doing.  Overall I keep my distance from forums, getting too involved has a negative effect for me.  I have to be DOING, and interacting with people face to face.

Pianists in all?  about the same as any group of people...  There are all sorts of personalities.  Most I could be friends with and there are a few who I would have nothing to do with.

[pianistimo]

i tend to graviate to pianists.  i mean, if i'm having a conversation with someone and suddenly discover they play the piano, too - then - immediately i think 'ok - this is a person for my address book.'  i even think of christopher o'reilly as a friend and i've never met the guy.  just from listening to 'from the top.'  he's playing the emperor concerto at the end of july here at the mann center.  didn't realize he was a professional pianist himself.  i'd like to think that pianists will help 'rescue' each other and provide haven.  like the mcdowell foundation did.  places for pianists to come together and have informal meetings and talk about things - play music together. 

[jlh]

i even think of christopher o'reilly as a friend and i've never met the guy.  just from listening to 'from the top.'  he's playing the emperor concerto at the end of july here at the mann center.  didn't realize he was a professional pianist himself. 

Interesting... I knew of him as a pianist before I knew he had that kids' show.  I even recall hearing him play PDQ Bach... lol

[wervel]

Well, I have noticed that lots of them are not at all interested in music.

[Mozartian]

Yeah, pianists tend to be self-centered socially inept oddballs with obsessive compulsive disorder.

*ducks blows* HEY, you asked!

[pianistimo]

wervel - not at all interested in music?  how so?  i have out my 'harmonic analysis' book from 20 years ago on the desk and reinputting information that i may have lost along the way.  but, it's not from disinterest.  i think financial things come up that make time less available - and other work more important for the time being.  in the past - some musicians had patrons.  what if we had patrons today?  would we be more knowledgeable than we are?  i think i would.  if someone paid me to do anything i wanted - i'd take more music theory classes and that concerto class all over again.  i bought all the cd's to analyze concertos and then broke my leg.  it was terrible.  i was more in pain over not finishing that class than my leg.  also, i bought the scores.  not cheap either.  musicians tend to sell their lives for their music.  ever seen a musician in a music store?  they will not leave.  up and down the aisles like it is full of precious gems.  also, the good thing is that you only bump into musicians there and are likely to have a conversation about music.  can you do that on the street.  no.  so the place to be is either a music store or a conservatory, uni - and then make yourself a pest.  susan

ps also, for those that teach full time - the tendency is probably to relax a bit - and then practice. the forum provides an outlet for discussing what went on during the lessons and how to improve them.  but, there is always the problem of having too many students and too little practice time.  nobody gets paid for practice time unless they are working into a professional pianist job.  that 's why i think you have to find your own 'free gig's' to do.  retirement communities, etc. 

[dnephi]

Yeah, pianists tend to be self-centered socially inept oddballs with obsessive compulsive disorder.

*ducks blows* HEY, you asked!

What's the diff between an introverted pianist and an extroverted pianist?  An introverted one looks at their feet when they talk to you...
An extroverted one looks at your feet!

[franzliszt2]

Yeah, pianists tend to be self-centered socially inept oddballs with obsessive compulsive disorder.

*ducks blows* HEY, you asked!

hahaha I agree. I know pianists with obsesive compulsive disorder, and I used to have it really bad but sort of got it under control with a lot of help.

[soliloquy]

Even the stupidest topic is likely to get 80 (mostly) friendly replies.

I am the spirit that denies