Playing a hotel piano and feeling shy

[starlady]

This is a variation on the 'I'm away from a piano for a couple of weeks what do I do?" threads. 

I'm on a long work trip and haven't been near a piano for almost 2 weeks and it has made me sad.  Now I get to spend a week in a nice place in Kyoto where they have a lovely Yamaha in the dining room. I noodled on it a little and the host told me that I should please play, they'd love to have me use it, etc.  So what is the problem?  I'm feeling very shy and embarrassed about playing in a public place (not that it's SO public, this is a little inn, not a huge hotel).   I'm a respectable hard-working intermediate-advanced student (at least that's how I like to think of myself), not a performer.

What would you all do?  I suspect you all would jump on that piano like it was a free beer and you're wondering what I'm going on about.

--s.

[zezhyrule]

I would jump on that piano like it was a free beer, so I really don't know what you're going on about.

[j_menz]

What would you all do?  I suspect you all would jump on that piano like it was a free beer and you're wondering what I'm going on about.

Yep. A case of Just Do It. 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I would jump at it like it was a Higgs Boson! 

[unholeee]

if anyone asks just say you can't afford a drink so you are busking.

[49410enrique]

you might try sloshing down a few cold ones before during and after for good measure too.

[starlady]

I did it...sort of.... I didn't have the nerve to try the new piece I am supposed to be working on, and which is very rough; I did play a few things I already know pretty well.  It was wonderful to feel the keys again, and none of the guests ran out of the hotel screaming, so I will score it a win.  --s.

[oxy60]

You could fold in a few bars of the new piece, then go back to your repertoire. Then a few more bars, etc. You are sort of part of the atmosphere.

[hfmadopter]

I did it...sort of.... I didn't have the nerve to try the new piece I am supposed to be working on, and which is very rough; I did play a few things I already know pretty well.  It was wonderful to feel the keys again, and none of the guests ran out of the hotel screaming, so I will score it a win.  --s.

That's great !!  I wouldn't want to play anything that's still in the rough in a semi public place either. I don't think not playing that piece is a big deal, just playing is though, especially if you have not don this before. Again that's great !
David

[quantum]

Doodle around for a bit till you feel the atmosphere.  When you are more more at home with your surroundings you can start "practicing."  Other people will most likely take the most notice at the onset of your playing.

[miamlevy]

Haha, I totally understand that feeling. I always feel embarrassed when I play in public in a non-piano related setting (like at a social gathering, mall, or even with a few friends).

Before you sit at the piano, plan a little agenda for yourself... Like, "I am going to practice this section this many times..."

By the time you finish what you said you would do, hopefully you will overcome your embarrassment.