What's wrong with me

[mmro]

Ok here's what happens, I've been listening to some symhponies.
For example Brahms no. 4. Everyone tells me it's incredible, when I ask people about it they even look scared. How come I've listened to it like 10 times and I can't get why people like it so much.... I simply don't enjoy listening to it, or I don't understand it or I don't know what...
It's so sad   
Same happens with others, like Beethoven 7, Schumann 2 for example...
I don't know how to explain it, I want to "understand" them... Any advice? 

[ramseytheii]

Play it!

Walter Ramsey

[c4rem]

mayb for a start u can learn some harmony and take the music seriously?

its seriously all in the ear.

listen to the lines. listen to the themes. learn solfege, learn composition, learn improvisation.

there r no other ways.

[worov]

Everyone tells me it's incredible, when I ask people about it they even look scared. How come I've listened to it like 10 times and I can't get why people like it so much.... I simply don't enjoy listening to it, or I don't understand it or I don't know what...

Everybody here is going to shoot me for this, but I happen to have the same problem with Chopin (I know I'll be banned forever for having written that). I have listened tons of interpreters : Pollini, Horowitz, Cortot, Arrau, Rubinstein, François, Lugansky... None of them satisfy me. I think it's nice music, but definitely not something as big as Bach or Beethoven or Tchaikovsky (one of my favourite). I find his music too sentimental. Can someone help me ? That is really a great problem (especially for a pianist).

[gep]

Ok here's what happens, I've been listening to some symhponies.
For example Brahms no. 4. Everyone tells me it's incredible, when I ask people about it they even look scared. How come I've listened to it like 10 times and I can't get why people like it so much.... I simply don't enjoy listening to it, or I don't understand it or I don't know what...
It's so sad   
Same happens with others, like Beethoven 7, Schumann 2 for example...
I don't know how to explain it, I want to "understand" them... Any advice? 

Keep on trying, I guess... But there is no reason why you should be, or feel, obligated to like some composer of certain music. Growing (or finding) your own tastes mean finding out what works or not for you. I'm not blown away by Chopin (to much twiddling on the square millimeter for me), left cold by Webern, etc...
Simply find out what you like or not, and by no means let others tell you what to like or not!

[xmrbrightside89]

Can I ask you a question? well, you only listen to classical music or you play the piano too? well, basically if you start playing an instrument then you'll get into the music and you'll understand what you're listening and playing!
That's basically why lots of people in the world really don't like classical music or find classical music really boring!
Pop music, for example, is so appreciated by people because it's kinda easy to listen to! while a beautiful piece from the classical world, is not that simple and easy as the pop songs!
Some just pretends they like even if they really don't understand what's happening! which is kinda sad to me but whatever! this is my opinion

@Worov..
Well, I really love chopin and I think he was one of the greatest pianists of all the time! sure this is my opinion and you may think its just crap but, my suggestion is.. don't just try to listen to chopin's recording! It seems like you were looking for just that! tons of registration to listen to! that's true, probably if you don't like 'em you may think that you don't wanna waste your time playing them!
well, why don't you try to play some pieces, there are really striking ones which are pure gold! I don't really know your level so I can't really suggest you any pieces but you should really try to give chopin a chance! maybe you'll love playing his music and after that, you'll learn how to love his compositions!

For example, I don't really like the impressionism, and I really couldn't appreciate Debussy.. but my teacher decided to teach me one of his preludes.. and I gotta say, that It's really nice and I love to play it! I didn't think so before playing it, because.. his music simply couldn't catch my attention and I thought he was too.. inconsistent and too unimpressive! but damn I was wrong! now I think he's cool and I really like to play Debussy!
Of course he's not my fave composer! but hey, at least I've learnt how to appreciate his music

Hope You found this helpful!

[gep]

I really love chopin and I think he was one of the greatest pianists of all the time! sure this is my opinion and you may think its just crap

Errr, why would anyone think that??

[beethoven_fan]

Play Chopin, it's great, so beautiful ! Play his nocturnes, the one in C# minor.

[worov]

I really love chopin and I think he was one of the greatest pianists of all the time! sure this is my opinion and you may think its just crap

Well, no, I truly respect your opinion.

As a matter of fact, I have already played some Preludes  (no 4, 7 and 20) and a Waltz (opus 69 no 2). The Preludes were ok (I do play them sometimes), but the waltz bored me (sorry !).

But I want to love Chopin. The majority of this forum loves him, and every girl on earth loves him. Yes, playing his music is good to woo a girl. Every one of his pieces makes girls cry. I have a hard seducing girls with Bach.

So I want to love Chopin and to feel his music within my soul, so I can play it well, be moved by it. Then I will be able to play those damned Etudes and perfect my technique.

For this I intend to play another Prelude. Which one do you advise ?
Something not hard. My technique is not very advanced.

Thank you for your answer. Sorry for my english, I'm not a native speaker.

[Petter]

But I want to love Chopin. The majority of this forum loves him, and every girl on earth loves him. Yes, playing his music is good to woo a girl. Every one of his pieces makes girls cry. I have a hard seducing girls with Bach.

Lol what a noble cause. Aren't there any easier ways to make girls cry then to play Chopin?

[worov]

Lol what a noble cause. Aren't there any easier ways to make girls cry then to play Chopin?

Well, that was a joke (I have a very weird humour, lots of people tell me this).

[xmrbrightside89]

Uhm.. well, the prelude #15 also known as "raindrop" is really beautiful! you should give it a try and it doesn't require an advanced techniques so let me know
I really love Chopin's preludes but some of them are really quite challenging!

Ps: I don't know if you really like the waltzes but why don't you try the Waltz Op 64 # 2? It's not too difficult and it's such a stunning piece.
well, I kinda got the fact that you don't like super romantic tear jerking pieces so... you should avoid NOCTURNES! xD the only one I really reccomend you is the Nocturne Op 48 #1 It's super challenging (it needs a real good technique tho) but it's really an amazing piece and believe me, you'll be so happy when you'll finish to learn it! It's considered as the most diffucult nocturne! but it totally worth it

Oh don't let me talk about the etudes or the ballades! HAHAHA I'm simply crazy in love for them both 

[ted]

mmro:

If you are responding honestly to the sound of the music there is nothing wrong with you at all. Because a piece of music is famous and thousands of people like it, it does not follow that you are deficient if you do not like it. Of course, if you are basing an opinion on extra-musical associations, historical and social matters, what "experts" say, or if you simply like being contrary, then that is not the best response. But if you know your own mind and know the sounds you enjoy, then just play and listen to music, "great" or not, that you like; what is the point of doing otherwise ?

[mmro]

mayb for a start u can learn some harmony and take the music seriously?

I've studied harmony for 2 years, we've only analized Bach so far though and I do take music seriously my friend.. although I'm not too sure what you meant by that

Play it!

Walter Ramsey

I do it a lot  

Keep on trying, I guess... But there is no reason why you should be, or feel, obligated to like some composer of certain music. Growing (or finding) your own tastes mean finding out what works or not for you. I'm not blown away by Chopin (to much twiddling on the square millimeter for me), left cold by Webern, etc...
Simply find out what you like or not, and by no means let others tell you what to like or not!

It's not exactly that I do not like it.... if asked I couldn't say if I like it or not, for me it's like the feeling of watching a movie in a foreing language--- you get what I mean?? I don't "understand" what's happening

Can I ask you a question? well, you only listen to classical music or you play the piano too?

I do both things... actually I-ve played for a long time... I even teach  

It's not with everything... just those particular symphonies...

Let's take for example Beethoven's eroica... now THAT's a sympphony I do understand. I feel listening to it. I know the meaning of the notes.... an I had to listen it like 5 times but I finally got to it.

Now  with the works I mentioned it's different... I think this is all very interesiting, has it been studied? I realize brahms is not easy to comprehend often... it may also be the composer.

I love chopin btw

[mmro]

mmro:

If you are responding honestly to the sound of the music there is nothing wrong with you at all. Because a piece of music is famous and thousands of people like it, it does not follow that you are deficient if you do not like it. Of course, if you are basing an opinion on extra-musical associations, historical and social matters, what "experts" say, or if you simply like being contrary, then that is not the best response. But if you know your own mind and know the sounds you enjoy, then just play and listen to music, "great" or not, that you like; what is the point of doing otherwise ?

The thing is  ted that I can't say I dislike it. I don't comprehend the music..... ahHHHH it's hard to explain really 

[dr. j]

I think everyone has "their" favorite music and that it might change due to life's circumstances.  I have my list of favorite music to listen to and a different group of pieces I love to play.  Some of those pieces have remained with me for many years, but from time to time, new pieces become absolute favorites.  Is it because I "understand" them musically or more emotionally?  I certainly am willing to listen to and learn new music, but don't feel pressured to like music just because others do.  Thankfully we are all different in our likes.

Dr. J - The More You Play The Better Your Day

[kaii]

Play it!

Walter Ramsey

Try fiddling around with it a bit yourself? Everyone has different tastes and I don't think you should feel 'obliged' to like it because some people say for it to be incredible...

And as a girl I love Chopin... nocturnes in particular Sadly I've never had a guy try and woo me with it though 

[clara.schumann]

Actually, sometimes it is better leaving a piece for some time after you heard it a lot and suddenly you start missing it. It happened to me with Brahms' 4th symphony, actually, and that's how i learned to love it.

By the way, in this very case, i find many similarities to his second concerto. Maybe you should listen and know his 2nd concerto (which is a far better piece than the symphony) and then you will like the symphony more, because it will remind you something you love.

[c4rem]

my friend...when i say study harmony...i do not mean ANALYSIS...u cannot analyse something which is not solid and starts disappearing the moment u notice it - sound

ur ears my friend...ur ears...thats the only study a musician needs

theory is only an aid. u hv to let go of it sooner or later.

[birba]

Why does anyone HAVE to like anything?!  I couldn't stand Brahms in my younger years, and felt no qualms about saying so.  Now I find the 4th symphony some of  the most lucious and provocative music imaginable. You don't have to "love" Chopin or Brahms or whatever.  Try to understand(?) it.  Appreciate it.  That's all.  And then really revel in the music you love.

[worov]

Uhm.. well, the prelude #15 also known as "raindrop" is really beautiful! you should give it a try and it doesn't require an advanced techniques so let me know Grin
I really love Chopin's preludes but some of them are really quite challenging!

Yes, I see which prelude you mean. I'll give it a try in a few weeks, when my piano will be tuned ! It's out of tune since a week. And the tuner says he can't come before July 1st ! So I'll have to wait and Prelude no.15 has to wait too.

[Bob]

Maybe there's a music appreciation book or something about Brahms or Symphonies that will explain it more.  There are books like that for piano.  They don't always have a lot of information about every piece though.

One thing that can make a piece famous is if it's the first 'big' piece using a certain technique.  And if many copy that idea later or the idea becomes standard, then the original piece won't sound so phenomenal anymore.

Could be well-crafted.  If it's Brahms fourth symphony and he took twenty years on the first one, he probably had his shhhhtuff together.  Orchestration, what he want to do with the symphony, etc.

And there's the classical music world.  If everyone decides that a piece is good, then it's good.  Just because the classical world agrees on it. 

Could be you too.  Maybe you don't have to like it as much as appreciate it.   Or maybe you'll like it more in the future.  It might take time.

Althought I still wonder.  Once I asked a professor what made a piece of music great and he couldn't really answer.  His answer was something about the composer being great, so the piece is great.  Ok....

[hanlat]

Everyone has different tastes in composers and music.  You can't force yourself to like things, but maybe these pieces will start to grow on you.  Mean while, find some pieces that you do like.  Try listening to the other pieces later and maybe you will feel differently.

Good luck.

[appassionata91]

Everyone has different tastes in artists/composers they like. But, take it from me, the more you play, the more you have a love for the different themes and styles. I'm in love with Chopin and Debussy.

Keep on listening. Widen out in you love for different songs. I find mysels constantly humming Revolutionary Etude by Chopin. I would have never liked that song 5 years ago, but now it's one of my favorites. In my top 5

[mad_tom]

There is nothing wrong with you. 

You are not obliged to like the same stuff as everyone else.  Far better to be honest about what you do and dont like and/or understand than be a hypocrite about it.  Give it a fair trial, and return every year or two to see if you have changed your mind.  Apart from that, listen to stuff thta you like and understand.

There is enough music in the world to suit all tastes, and life is too short to waste being bored or worse.

[weissenberg2]

Brahms is not something everyone likes. My father does not like Brahms, he thinks it is dull. I love Brahms, I love this symphony (I also like 1 and 2) but I can't stand no.3, I find it so boring (I like the 3rd movement though). My dad does not like any of them.

Brahms is a composer where you don't like him at all or you do like him a lot.

[mer]

I was given a CD of 2 Schubert piano Sonatas about 6 years ago - hated it - nearly threw it away.  Then about 2 years ago I played it again - loved it!  When I first played some Brahms I didn't really like the pieces at all - the harmonies were strange.  Now it doesn't seem so strange anymore, though I don't like everything I've tried, some pieces are nice! 

Tastes change, and perhaps appreciation of how composers expressed themselves grows.

[omnicell]

First mistake...    " EVERYONE ELSE HAS IT GOING ON...    AND THIER ALL RIGHT"..    " WRONG"..!!

Your fine.. You owe no-one..       Dont start with Brahms....   OR Beethoven...     If you're going to listen to music... Listen to what moves you...   Think about what does move you... and let it develop, let it grow...    ITs the curiosity of the language of music that is interesting to me... Im not interested in what  " IM SUPPOSE " to listen to...      

It's a journey... Bach, Beethoven, Brahms..     Their down that journey a ways...     First steps first... However,   see this possibly as your interest of the future...   You may be seeing what you will be interested in , later on down your musical journey.. So,   these composers put ideas in your head about what is out their... and when you have gained experience else-where.. You will be ready for more complex music..

Note:     I would suggest for the practice of listening..  to stay away from Pop music.. for the purpose of musical growth.. find some instrumental music that is easy to listen to.. and start their...   
Just keep doing music...   You will get their..

[tac-tics]

Don't lie to yourself. If you don't like a particular piece, style, or composer, that does not mean there's something wrong with your taste in music. It is ridiculous to feel guilt over not enjoying some revered artist. Tell the world how it is. If Brahams sucks, then so be it.

Personally, I think opera is crap. I can appreciate the technical skill behind operatic singing, but it sounds lousy to my ear. They sing too high. Too many sustained notes. I also prefer small arrangements to orchestral work. Orchestral pieces aren't intimate enough and often too long. Impressionist music is utter sh*t.

That being said, familiarity does wonders for likability. When you've worked at a piece for weeks and weeks, and you hear it on classical radio, you can feel the music in a way your friends can't. If you are indifferent (as opposed to hating) a composer, try learning a popular piece. It will make a huge difference in how you feel about them.

Note:     I would suggest for the practice of listening..  to stay away from Pop music.. for the purpose of musical growth.

I'm going to attack this point. There is nothing wrong with listening to pop music. Classical music is nice and classical, but it is not intrinsically superior to any other kind of music. (Other than, perhaps, it was most popular among upper classmen who felt THEY were intrinsically superior to everyone else).

Popular music has a reputation for being cheap, and with its marketability, much of it is. But there's also volumes of shitty, awful classical music too. Whenever you have a medium for art, you're going to have both sh*t and gold mixed together. It's up to the listener to decide what makes for good music and what doesn't. The listener. Not the composer. Not the teacher. The work doesn't need to be "high brow" or "sophisticated". All that matters is that the performer is able to entertain their listeners.

[end]

For you folks who have problems enjoying a composer, I'd suggest to watch a few videos of the composer's music being danced. It's easy with Chopin, but also with Bach and some others. Perhaps it'll help you "see" the beauty of it.

[pianochick93]

There's nothing wrong with not liking or connecting to something that everyone else does. Accept it, and listen to music you do like to listen to, instead of fitting the norm. If someone asks 'Why don't you like this piece' just tell them 'I just don't really connect with it'

IMO it has nothing to do with understanding how it all works and fits together, and counterpoint and harmony etc.. I know little to nothing about those things, and I manage to appreciate most classical music I listen to. I say most because there's some that I just don't like. Meh. I'll just keep listening to my favourite composers and not listen to the works I don't like.

[nicekiddo]

     oh!
i think you should play the walter ramsey's prelude!

[momopi]

News: I don't always understand music too.

Sometimes, it takes time for us to appreciate music and maybe with the help of a teacher too. 

[jose_pepe]

You don't need to push yourself if you don't really like it. Maybe you'll like someday or not but what's important is you don't push it.

[jacksolem]

It's just not your syle, thats why

[loonbohol]

It is my problem too.....

My head is trying to reject melodies which are not composed by Kajiura Yuki.
My head rejects music which girls love.

But I want to be a composer who composes what other wants to hear.

[roseli]

I thing is all about the sound, for example: I don't like most of Mozart's music because I think it's to happy. the notes are to high... I don't know... but I do understated that he is among the best and I do realizer that are very rare the people that don't like is music.
I'm a 19th century music appreciator, if you see Chopin music.. well at least for me lol... he have some drama on is music that is very proper of is century, and it's a very grave and sometimes sad music, people think I'm weird because i like sad music... I just like it because it uses lower notes, and I prefer the sound of them. : )
so don't worry about it ok?

[synthex]

?

[peterjmathis]

Different pieces resonate with different people, and even the same person can feel differently about a piece from one day to the next. There's nothing wrong with not liking what others like.

[dss62467]

I have the same problem with sushi.  I detest the stuff.

There are some composers I love to play because it appeals to my own emotions, and others I just couldn't care less to learn.   Scarlotti, bleah.  And I haven't been able to connect with Schubert either.  I can't say that I'll never find one I'll like, but haven't yet.   

There's nothing wrong with you, but there is something wrong with people who THINK there's something wrong with you.  I know a lot of pianists who have no interest in playing any classical at all.  There's nothing wrong with them either.

[synthex]

?

[pianisten1989]

Don't care about that.  Some pieces just have to grow, until you one day enjoy listening to them