Inspiration; Encouragement

[m1469]

I was just thinking about these two things... Inspiration and encouragement.

Where do you all look for these things?  For performance, practice, study, research...

I find them sometimes in the most unsuspecting places and at the most unsuspecting times, like, my little 5 year old students who actually get my jokes, and laugh at them.   In books about music and composers, and the great performers.  Where do you all look most for inspiration and encouragement?

Any thoughts?  I just figure we could all use a lot of it!

m1469

[donjuan]

I tend to play music that corresponds to the weather outside.  I play Fountains of the Villa d'Este when it rains, Un Sospiro in the calm evenings, Sonetto 104 del Petrarca in the sunset, etc.. this helps me put myself into the music and become one with the piano.  

I also find it inspiring to listen to my favorite recordings of my favorite pieces.

donjuan

[DarkWind]

I like what donjuan said. Sometimes though, I prefer to improvise. I seek inspiration in just knowing that I can create music, something not many other individuals can do. Also I would rather play Jeux D'eau on rainy days or Jardin sous la Plie (sp?), for the night I like to play Scarbo, or at least parts of it.

[Snappy Joe]

I tend to play music that corresponds to the weather outside.  I play Fountains of the Villa d'Este when it rains, Un Sospiro in the calm evenings, Sonetto 104 del Petrarca in the sunset, etc.. this helps me put myself into the music and become one with the piano.  

donjuan

Im curious though..What do you play if there's a tornado outside?  

**Edit: to answer the original question, well how to explain, not really sure, I really really like music, when I'm not listening to it I'm thinking it, when Im not thinking it, Im tapping my fingers..I guess you could say that Im kind of "one with the music" but that sounds a bit weird, So let's just go with: "I really really like it"  
Motivation? I want to be able to play alsmo perfectly so that I can enjoy what I play myself, and not just others,
Sometimes I can't stop practising, I just need my "fix" you could say.
First thing I do when I wake up is listen to music, first thing when I get home, music.

But ofcourse, sometimes I don't feel like playing, it is rare, but sometimes it's just as good to listen  

Not sure if I answered the question, but I tried  

[m1469]

'Orage' by Liszt

[willcowskitz]

Im curious though..What do you play if there's a tornado outside?  

To play organ in a church while thunder rages outside...  

I have meant to go reserve a time from the church but who could hook me up with a storm?

[Snappy Joe]

I heard Hogwarts is good this time a year, sure they could hook you up  

[DarkWind]

Im curious though..What do you play if there's a tornado outside?  

You don't play anything. You get the f*ck out of there as fast as possible.

[jr11]

I'm with Darkwind, donjuan and m1469. I have a big window looking out to the mountains beside the piano bench and I'll spend, uh, too long (should be practicing!) improving to whatever emotion is stirred from the scene outside. Unfortunately, sometimes the weather also beckons me outdoors, and well, maybe piano tomorrow! The fall rains help  

My 9 yr old is taking lessons (she listens to a teacher better than me), and just seeing her practicing drives me to be an inspiration to her. She is actually my most useful critic... doesn't sugar coat anything, and knows all my bad habits. But then she reedems herself by giving me a big hug  

[m1469]

So here's another related(ish) question.  

What are the proportions in what we do at the piano and with music, inspiration vs acting on inspiration, as well as seeking inspiration?  What is the most important?

I have a teacher who says that he would not even separate out like that, that one should think of them as essentially the same thing, one continuous line.  I am curious what people think.  He also says that inspiration without action is simply euphoria (sp?).  I would agree with that.

m1469

ps-- how fun to be able to talk about all of this stuff with all of you!

[Motrax]

My ideal piano setting would be to sit in the middle of a pitch-dark stage, with light enough just to show the piano. And there's an audience beyond where I can see, everyone who ever lived, as intent in the music as I am. Mmm...  

[m1469]

Wow Motrax, what a beautiful idea!  I love it.

[donjuan]

yeah, I share the feeling Motrax was talking about..I have a smaller snake light type arrangement connected to the main light.  I like to turn off the main light at night and turn on the spotlight, directing it to the keys.  It helps me focus on the music and sheer beauty of the keytops and ebony sheen.  It helps me be less aware of my hands, my butt on the bench, my family in the next room, everything--> it is like I am alone in the darkness except for my best friend- she weighs 600 pounds and can sing like an angel .  For the duration of the piece, I can forget about my little life and it's confusing technicalities.  I am living the music for a temporary period.
donjuan

[DarkWind]

Makes me wish I had no neighbor living under me , donjuan. Where can I get one of these "the spotlights"? My neighbor sometimes goes on trips, and I could play then, so I want a litte light to do what you did. Sounds fun!

[Shagdac]

About 2 weeks ago, our electric went out. Without having to worry about disturbing anyone (they couldn't watche TV hahahahah yep, I was laughing)...I could play the piano as much as I wanted. It was great. I lit a bunch of candles for the rooms we were using, and while we were all thinking of what to do (it was pitch dark outside, late at night...power had been off for about 1/2 hour already)...I realized..hey, I can play the piano. I HAVE something to do!!!

So I took several candles over to the piano...just enough to where I could see okay, and began to play. It was so quiet ....everything but the piano. I have to admit, I enjoyed it so much I was disappointed when the lights came back on!!!

S

[janice]

About 2 weeks ago, our electric went out. Without having to worry about disturbing anyone (they couldn't watche TV hahahahah yep, I was laughing)...I could play the piano as much as I wanted. It was great. I lit a bunch of candles for the rooms we were using, and while we were all thinking of what to do (it was pitch dark outside, late at night...power had been off for about 1/2 hour already)...I realized..hey, I can play the piano. I HAVE something to do!!!

So I took several candles over to the piano...just enough to where I could see okay, and began to play. It was so quiet ....everything but the piano. I have to admit, I enjoyed it so much I was disappointed when the lights came back on!!!

S

This reminds me of when the power went out one Sunday at the beginning of the service.  There was NO music, because everything is electronic.  I was rubbing my hands together in glee, because I thought "Oh good!  NOW maybe they realize that it's time to get a REAL piano!!" (They haven't ) I think that they are plotting to kill me off so they can snatch away my much-loved Kawai grand!

[BajoranD]

But what about the encouragement aspect of this question? Is it reasonable to look to one's teacher for some emotional guidance and support, or are we supposed to only find it within ourselves? What if, say, we're studying with the kind of teacher who makes a point of rarely (if ever) responding positively to the music coming out of our hands? I'm not talking about gushing effusively over ever single note, but isn't it okay to expect a little positive encouragement from our teacher every now and again? :-/

[donjuan]

Makes me wish I had no neighbor living under me , donjuan. Where can I get one of these "the spotlights"? My neighbor sometimes goes on trips, and I could play then, so I want a litte light to do what you did. Sounds fun!

I dont have a single lamp.

https://www.homevisions.com/hvprod/prod_display1.asp?Product=31738&partner=14&clktru=1&msnshopping=1

this isnt exactly what I have, but is the same idea- a torchier floor lamp with a reading light.  Mine is much nicer than the one in the link.

[Shagdac]

BajoranD wrote:

Is it reasonable to look to one's teacher for some emotional guidance and support, or are we supposed to only find it within ourselves?

I feel it is very much expected to look to one's teacher for guidance and support. I think we find our inspiration of course within ourselves, what we see, touch, smell in all aspects of our environment and what we are exposed to. But yes, it is reasonable to expect words of encouragement from one's teacher. I find when I receive words of praise from my teacher...it inspires me to want to work that much hard. I WANT his approval, I WANT his praise. And yes, in a way I guess I NEED his approval. If I depend on him and trust him to tell me when I need to do something differently or flat out wrong, shouldn't I also expect praise when I accomplish something well? I don't need him to validate my self-worth, and that's not what I'm saying here, but I think it's important when I (as a student) and looking to my teacher, relying upon him/her to let me know how I am doing.

If a teacher never praises, I don't see how a student can stay motivated or inspired. One has to have a feeling of accomplishment. We all do. It makes us feel good, that's just normal. If a teacher never expresses this, how would one differentiate between playing, and playing well?

S

[mozartgonebad]

My ideal piano setting would be to sit in the middle of a pitch-dark stage, with light enough just to show the piano. And there's an audience beyond where I can see, everyone who ever lived, as intent in the music as I am. Mmm...  

I agree with Motrax somewhat, but I would like a little bit brighter light shining on the keyboard, and blue lights in the background.

[Tash]

the reminds me of when i was in switzerland staying in a hotel for about 10 days and i was allowed to go practice in the hotel bar during the day when it was closed. so the whole place was very dimly lit, i could barely see my way to the piano with all the lounges and tables in the way. but then i just had a little light over the piano- so nice!
it was a great atmosphere to play in, cos then it's just like it's you and the piano and nothing else matters

for inspiration i have a cd i burned that that all my favourite most uplifting music which can always lift my spirits. for encouragement, i find the best comes from friends and my music teachers- they always seem to know what to say.

i also bought a book called 'great pianists on piano playing' and i found that really inspiring to improve my practice and my general attitude towards music. i love being inspired! isn't it the greatest feeling on the planet?!