Before joining Pianostreet ....

[candlelightpiano]

Since joining Pianostreet in December, I've become quite addicted to this forum, logging in at least once a day.  I wonder what most of you were doing before joining Pianostreet? 

I wasn't playing piano much at all and definitely not classical piano.  And I wasn't a member of any type of forum.

How about you?

[costicina]

I joined PS about three years ago, when I re-started to play the piano after many many years of silence. It was the first experience with a forum for me. It has proven to be one of the most fruitful, clever and rewarding decision of my life. I'm deeply grateful to all the generous, inspiring and competent members that have helped me so much. I  owe to you, forumeers,  most of  my progresses, the very fact that' I'm still struggling with piano playing.
Every time I feel discouraged and disheartend,  I find here motivation, force,  determination... and  fun!!!
Often I think that my true friends are here, not in the 'real' world: I'm lucky to have met you, Choo, and  Bernhard, Xvimbi, Robert Henry, Birba, David,  Enrique, AJ,  Starstruck,  Littletune, etc. etc.: .....the list can go on virtually ad infinitum.....

Thank you, Piano Street!!!!

Marg

[zezhyrule]

I just joined like yesterday or so... But before I did I was just wasting my life on other online forums, which I've now left.

I've been lurking around this site for a while, the community seemed nice and well-informed so I decided to sign up 

[candlelightpiano]

Totally agree with Marg!  I don't know what my life would be like without PS and all the friends I've made here, including Marg, whom I consider my cyber sis!  It's my favorite street and there's no better place to be!

Zezyrule, this is a wonderful community and you'll have a lot of fun here and learn a lot, too. Welcome to Pianostreet!

[Bob]

I remember I was very relieved to find music/piano people and the culture on the site.  There was a gap of that post-college.

[db05]

Before I came here, I was overconfident with a bit of an ego. I thought having one year of piano lessons under my belt made me very sophisticated, and that my "progress" (back then I could only play one piece) was good.

Now I just have the ego. 

As for forums, I had joined quite a few, but for socialization mostly, and some art. PSF is for education mostly, and a little art in the form of music.

[birba]

I led a normal life...

[costicina]

Please, reassure us, say that you are insanely happy to be bothered almost daily by requests of help for our piano playing...but to have obtained, at the same time, a huge crowd of adoring fans!!!!

[thalbergmad]

Before joining this place I used to play a lot more.

Now, I am happy to read arguments about collapsing joints.

Thal

[megadodd]

Before joining this place I used to play a lot more.

Now, I am happy to read arguments about collapsing joints.

Thal

Spoken like a boss!

[candlelightpiano]

Birba said it very well for me in five words.  I now feel as if I need to join PSA (Pianostreet Anonymous)!  However, I do want to thank Birba lots and lots for his invaluable guidance, support and encouragement through FI.  And also for his patience with me.

Thal and Megadodd:  How about sprained thumbs?  Not an argument, but I have a sprained thumb and I now need a piece for 9 fingers!  

[Bob]

"I wouldn't exist without Piano Street."
                           \
                              \@_

[m1469]

"I wouldn't exist without Piano Street."
                           
                              @_

 

[ted]

I have probably been on Pianostreet the longest of anyone who posts regularly; almost ten years I think. My total time is misleading because prior to 2008 I used to leave one work PC on personal things, including Pianostreet, all the time, and just used it whenever time permitted, which in practice wasn't all that often. There is a difference between being logged on and actively using a forum. Therefore I suspect that since 2008 my time actually on Pianostreet would have markedly decreased.

I was far more active on other forums, several to do with Filipina/Western marriage advice and discussions but those have now stopped altogether. In any case, the mechanisms of those things have changed now and my generation is way out of date (and thank goodness for it, but that is another matter). Pianostreet, and to a lesser extent Pianoworld, are the only two I visit now; and since retirement, my computer time generally has decreased a great deal. Aside from the odd post elsewhere, I tend to restrict myself to the Audition Room. I have a peep once a day to see if any new improvisations have been posted because improvisation is 95% of music for me these days.

[oxy60]

Almost three years ago I joined as a paid member because I wanted to buy some sheet music. There were no stores where I was living at the time and being able to print just the pieces I wanted  is still a big plus. Now I don't drag along an inch stack of paper just to able to practice when I travel. Next trip I will try to work just from the screen without printing out the music.

Much later I started to look at this forum and started to post. The international aspect of the participants and their common interest in classical music makes this forum unique.

I know times are tough for many people but I would like to see more "five star" (=paid) members. This site does not exist for free. There are expenses involved.

[roseamelia]

I joined like say almost a year ago. And this forum has been really helpful at times actually  I need some advice right now I'll need to ask you something in a thread.

[Derek]

I joined in 2002, having met Ted here saying that he spends most of his time at the piano improvising. Turns out he was exactly the sort of person I was looking for, and has become a good friend and mentor. Prior to that, I was playing guitar in a christian death metal band, and teaching myself a few scales and chords on the piano. I'm really glad pianostreet, and its unique members, were there for me when I needed them. Had that not been available, I'd probably be playing much less imaginatively, constrained only by prevalent pop culture assumptions about style and whether or not one is allowed to be creative based on how much "genius" one has built in from birth, etc.

[oxy60]

I was playing guitar in a christian death metal band...

Now those are words one doesn't hear attached together. Just wondering about the concept.

[Derek]

Here's the best example I can think of: Extol - Celestial Completion

[costicina]

Ehm, I don't want to shock you, but I actually LOVE this kind of music. It's great for running. Derek, can you suggest me other examples of this 'oximoromish' group? I hope you didn't quit it enterely for Bach and Chopin (with the due respect for them)....

[Derek]

Extol - Undeceived

No intention of quitting metal. Truth be told, I've listened to far more non classical throughout my life. I've sold a lot of classical cds I owned, because a lot of them sound very stiff and uncreative to me, save a few glorious exceptions (usually recordings of performers from mid 20th century)...

[costicina]

Thanks a lot for the link, Derek....great piece!!!!!
Perfect for running/training 

[pytheamateur]

I started taking piano lessons and playing regularly again after 5-year break a few months ago.  That's when I joined Piano Street.

I am a man of many hobbies, but now the piano has certainly become my passion in life.  The best thing is realising that even if you have never been a wunderkind, you can still improve your playing after your have reached 30 and enjoy making music.