Are psychological problems imminent ?

[m1469]

Just thinking ...

Isn't it a little twisted to be obssessed about something like piano ?  I mean, sometimes I get these glimpses of replacing large amounts of my life with music.  I think if I say it like that, people would be tempted to warn me against it.  However, it seems to me that people are constantly expecting that an artist pour their entire self, their entire being, into their music.  Well, how does a person do that without actually closing off themselves to whatever would replace that form of expression and that other form of living ?

It almost seems like expressing oneself and living through the music and piano playing is a bit of a psychological problem in and of itself -- isn't it ?

Okay.  I think I am feeling impressionable at the moment, but some part of me knows that I am right !

[mattgreenecomposer]

Yes, you are right....  It is a selfish proffesion.  Thats why Ive been thinking about getting out of it.  See my other thread.

[timothy42b]

In trying to assess the healthiness of your obsession <g> I would think two questions might help.

Are you running toward music, or away from something else?

How solitary an activity is it - does it result in more and more hours away from interactions with people, or does it eventually become partly social? 

These questions aren't completely independent but have different emphasis.  And they are somewhat instrument related.  Most of us amateur musicians on other instruments (I've played trombone for many years/decades) do put in our practice time but the reason is to play well in community band, orchestra, or church;  and our reward for playing in the group is normally at least as much social as musical.  Of course the better the group the more fun.  Pianists unfortunately don't have the same kind of organized support out there. 

[leonidas]

It's the result and not the cause.

To attack the root of the cause would irreperably rock the foundation of why you play.

But yes, everyone needs a life away from the instrument.

What sweet nothings would be poured into our art if all the life and feeling we had to draw inspiration from were the hours spent working at it.

Our poor little flower needs sun aswell as water.

[bob3.1415926]

But yes, everyone needs a life away from the instrument.

I agree. Rather than living through the music, have the music reflect your life instead.

Isn't it a little twisted to be obssessed about something like piano ?

I don't think there's anything that people could be obsessed with that couldn't be viewed as at least a little twisted. That shouldn't matter. I'd much rather have a twisted obsession than a bland life. It's a good thing to have defining characteristics. Keeps one interesting.

If you are finding it alienating. Try some chamber music. Not nec. just accompanying, but piano trios, quartets etc, where it's more democratic. Music can be unifying. Try not to forget.

Our poor little flower needs sun aswell as water.

Leonidas, I never knew you were such a sweetie 

[viking]

It's the result and not the cause.

To attack the root of the cause would irreperably rock the foundation of why you play.

But yes, everyone needs a life away from the instrument.

What sweet nothings would be poured into our art if all the life and feeling we had to draw inspiration from were the hours spent working at it.

Our poor little flower needs sun aswell as water.

I finally agree with something you say 

[leonidas]

How many of us are balanced, 'normal' people?

How many of us envy those more 'normal' than us?

Think of your life without the whole piano and music thing, and see how empty normality would be to you.


Personally, I find music and piano constantly rewarding, everytime I give to it, it gives back.

I think we often can't guarantee the same things in our personal relationships, so we retreat to our musical fantasy world, some more than others.

It's up to our own sense of judgement to decide how much is 'too much', and try to live a life with as few regrets as possible.

Personally, I'm getting out more, after considering these things