Do you view yourself as alone in your musical endeavors ?

[m1469]

I wonder how many people whom I might view as actually being a part of some musical club (whatever it is for them : "jazzer" "concert artist" "composer" ... whatever), actually feel as though they are part of something at all ?

[thalbergmad]

I sometimes jam some banjo with my cousin and his friends.

With piano, i am very much on my own. My teacher has no time for me anymore due to a packed concert schedule. Yet, if i went to someone else, he might be upset.

Thal

[amelialw]

Nope, I know i'm not on my own. My piano teacher plays a huge part in my musical and normal life. She is always there for my to help me and encourage me. Many of my friends are extremely supportive of me too.

[goldentone]

Quite alone.  I am preparing to dive in singlemindedly toward what was once only a dream, but am realizing that it can really happen.  I am gathering what I deem to be the necessary ingredients of exquisite playing.

I'll have to see if I want to continue teaching myself or start taking lessons again.

[pianowolfi]

Quite alone.  I am preparing to dive in singlemindedly toward what was once only a dream, but am realizing that it can really happen.  I am gathering what I deem to be the necessary ingredients of exquisite playing.

I like that

I'll have to see if I want to continue teaching myself or start taking lessons again.

Why do you say "or"? Can't it be both?

I voted for "Not always but mostly", though it seems to go a bit more towards "No" at the time, it's somewhere in between these two.

[goldentone]

Thanks, pianowolfi.


Well, I feel if I start back up taking lessons that I will be surrendering my independence.

Let's take technique as an example.  I skip around in the Hanons before I can play said exercise at the recommended fastest speed.  Hanon is quite rigid about mastering their exercises chronologically, but I am making faster progress doing it my way.  I'm working on exercises that differ in difficulty simultaneously, but mastering them as well.  I just have my hands in a bunch of cookie jars!



 

[pianowolfi]

Thanks, pianowolfi.


Well, I feel if I start back up taking lessons that I will be surrendering my independence.

Perhaps I still think naively but when you find the right teacher you won't lose your independence.

Let's take technique as an example.  I skip around in the Hanons before I can play said exercise at the recommended fastest speed.  Hanon is quite rigid about mastering their exercises chronologically, but I am making faster progress doing it my way.  I'm working on exercises that differ in difficulty simultaneously, but mastering them as well.  I just have my hands in a bunch of cookie jars!

hmm cookie jars? I smell a problem . Perhaps you'd like to tell us more about what pieces you play and perhaps want to play or dream of being able to play. I mean, so far I only know that you seem to be busy with some Hanon exercises, though, doing them in your own way sounds already good.

[thalbergmad]

Well, I feel if I start back up taking lessons that I will be surrendering my independence.

Perhaps, but maybe not your finger independence.

Thal

[pianistimo]

i am an orphan.

[amelialw]

no matter , it's still better to get a teacher goldentone

[cmg]

Nope, I know i'm not on my own. My piano teacher plays a huge part in my musical and normal life. She is always there for my to help me and encourage me. Many of my friends are extremely supportive of me too.

Amelia, I admire you.  I've been taking note of your healthy, productive posts for some time now.  I find it wonderful that you've found an inspiring teacher.  The role she plays in your life is such a gift.  I've had teachers like that.  My first one, when I was four, was a miracle of a woman.  Her teacher was a Liszt pupil.  My last teacher had been a pupil of Casadeseus and Gieseking in Paris after World War II.  I'm a lucky man!

And my friends are musicians (and other sorts of folks).  The musicians I purposely sought out.  I love chamber music and, well, I also need a second pianist for my Rach 2 run-throughs.  And singers.  I love to play for singers.  And duets.  We do lots of sight-reading on Friday nights.  You'll have to come to NYC to hear our Beethoven Ninth.

If you are alienated out there, then you have to do something about it.  Musicians are everywhere.  Find them!

[pianowolfi]

It depends on the question if there are people who "see" you. And if you "see" them.

[zheer]

   Not anymore.

[amelialw]

haha...i'm not allienated out here anymore. I found out that one of my friend's brother's is doing is ARCT Performer's too. so yay...now I have someone doing the same and he's going to music school too

[goldentone]

no matter , it's still better to get a teacher goldentone

I hear you.    And I very well might.  I don't want to lose too much time tackling "the dream" solely on my own, while I could have already arrived at some promising country.

[wotgoplunk]

For piano, I despise playing in groups. It takes away freedom and expression I find. Because the woodwinds and brass are never as skilled as the pianist, one must compensate for inadequacy, and end up playing metronomically. Plus, I like to be the centre of attention when I perform! 

[pianowolfi]

At the moment I would answer "Yes, entirely". But this is a question that can be answered differently every day, to me. So it's interesting to come back to it every once in a while and check the current state.