Music for the girls!

[braiden]

Ok so I'm looking for some new pieces to add to my repertoire, and as you can probably tell by the title I'm looking for something to win over the ladies ^_^ and of course for my own sense of achievement/enjoyment.

I have only just picked up piano again recently after a year break (piano exams caused me a lot of stress and laziness, forceful motivation led me to want to give up, nevertheless I now realise how stupid it is to put something I'm good at/enjoy so much to waste). I have been playing for almost 14 years now and over the last few days have picked up Clair de Lune again.

Any suggestions?
Cheers 

[j_menz]

I'm looking for something to win over the ladies ^_^

Dear oh dear; spring certainly has sprung. 

It depends on the "ladies" you want to win over.

My suggestion? A long cold shower. 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

My suggestion? A long cold shower. 

I freaking don't get that joke!!!!!!!!!!  What is it?!?!??!

[chopin2015]

Fantasy on Polish airs....so hott.

[chopin2015]

Fantasy on Polish airs....so hott.

Any Fantasy, for that matter!

[j_menz]

I freaking don't get that joke!!!!!!!!!!  What is it?!?!??!

Has your google broken?  

[pianoxtreme]

Scriabin sonata op. 64 and etude op. 65 no 3, Schoenberg suite op 25, and Bartok Sz 80.

[ahinton]

It is said that British pianist Ronald Smith (1922-2004) deliberately wooed his wife-to-be at a party with his piano playing. The two eventually enjoyed some 35 years of marriage until his death, a fact which might seem all the more surprising given that the work with which he did this was the Allegro Barbaro from Alkan's Douze études dans les tons majeurs Op. 35...

That said, it might be salutary to remind anyone considering a like plan that not everyone can be Ronald Smith...

Best,

Alistair

[patrickd]

Try Le Gibet, Scriabin etude op 8 no 12, Prokofiev's 7th sonata, Alkan's Esope's feast, or any P&F by Bach.

[j_menz]

That said, it might be salutary to remind anyone considering a like plan that not everyone can be Ronald Smith...

Nor wait until their forties for their cunning plan to work.

[ahinton]

Nor wait until their forties for their cunning plan to work.

Nice one! - and true, indeed!

What about Beethoven's (and others') works without opus numbers - i.e. WoO numbered pieces?

Or, better still, what about Sorabji's Symphonic Variations? - if she's still there at the end, you'll know that you've succeeded in your endeavours!

But maybe your cold shower idea is the best answer of all here - so, Jardins sous la pluie, anyone?...

Best,

Alistair

[braiden]

Hahaha, some good suggestions and discussion.. I laughed at the cold shower.

Not so much looking for looking for something to show off technical skill, more so for a romantic feel.

Cheers

[j_menz]

Then seriously...

Scriabin 25/3 Mazurka, pretty much any Chopin nocturne, raindrop prelude, Satie's Gymnopedies or Gnossiennes, Gershwin Preludes.

Actually, the list is pretty endless. So many composers wrote pieces for much the same purpose you intend to play them. 

[thalbergmad]

Women are generally dumb, so the theme from Eastenders or something the silly cows have heard in a film is likely to get better results than anything from the classical world.

Thal

[camille101]

Chopin nocturne op 9 no. 1 seems to be a hit with every woman I play it for.
If shes a younger girl, go for the popular ones - Clair de lune, La fille aux cheveux de lin, nocturne op 9 no.2, if you're really desperate, Yiruma.

[ahinton]

Women are generally dumb, so the theme from Eastenders or something the silly cows have heard in a film is likely to get better results than anything from the classical world.

Then God help any woman pianist who ever sought to woo you with her playing! (although banging you over the head with the largest available banjo might enter the minds of some when faced with your sexist expressions)...

As you know, I see far too many cows around where I am right now, but I've yet to encounter one watching a movie and listening to its soundtrack.

Best,

Alistair

[synthifou]

Women are generally dumb, so the theme from Eastenders or something the silly cows have heard in a film is likely to get better results than anything from the classical world.

Thal

I find the irony in this rather searing, coming from someone who rejects some truly outstanding works due to a self-described “limited attention span.”

[braiden]

Women are generally dumb

Haha! I'm sure that'll go down well!

I agree in that many females can be easily moved through a simple piece off their favourite movie.

[braiden]

Chopin nocturne op 9 no. 1 seems to be a hit with every woman I play it for.
If shes a younger girl, go for the popular ones - Clair de lune, La fille aux cheveux de lin, nocturne op 9 no.2, if you're really desperate, Yiruma.

Thank you! Yes, La fille aux cheveux de lin was a piece I learnt some years ago - so should be very quick in picking that up again

[braiden]

Also I'm scared my gender could perhaps be in question if I did go for the Yurima. I can recall too many times hearing girls playing the chorus of River Flows in You 

[ahinton]

Thank you! Yes, La fille aux cheveux de lin was a piece I learnt some years ago - so should be very quick in picking that up again

Yes, I don't doubt that it won't take you long to brush it up.

But what about the other way around, anyone? What would the girls play in such circumstances?

Best,

Alistair

[synthifou]

Yes, I don't doubt that it won't take you long to brush it up.

But what about the other way around, anyone? What would the girls play in such circumstances?

Best,

Alistair

What do you mean, for each of us personally or in general?  If I wasn't already married, I would propose on my knees immediately if she played Xenakis’s Khoaï on harpsichord, or anything solo instrument piece by Babbitt for just for me, literally, given it was her intention to woo me.  Any other era/style I would much appreciate, but not to the extent of the above.

[ahinton]

What do you mean, for each of us personally or in general?

Either way, since the floor is open to anyone who might want to provide an answer...

Best,

Alistair

[outin]

Women are generally dumb, so the theme from Eastenders or something the silly cows have heard in a film is likely to get better results than anything from the classical world.

You're so cute 

I must say that what pieces work highly depends on the age and other democratic factors of the said girls...

Just do not choose something too long. In case she doesn't really like it, it will get uncomfortable. Unless of course you're so hot she'll jump on you just to make you stop  

Also don't choose something too obvious (so that she immediately knows what you are after).

[braiden]

Currently going for, Clair de Lune, La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin and Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu for something a bit harder, should keep me occupied for a while. Thanks! 

[davidjosepha]

Unless of course you're so hot she'll jump on you just to make you stop  

Yes, I'm sure given that he's asking this question, he has that problem. "I keep trying to play girls Scriabin's 10th sonata but they all just want to have sex instead. What do I do?"

Dear oh dear; spring certainly has sprung. 

Yes, spring...okay, Australia, whatever you say

[qpalqpal]

Arabesque Debussy

LISZT!!!!!!!!!! MY GOSH guys, he was by far the best show off in humanity for the piano/

Hungarian Rhapsodies, and also the transcendential etudes. Pompous pieces

 And also, depends who it is, but (i am fourteen) a lot of times, they dont really care to listen much and interrupt or comment on something completely different.t Quite frustrating

[outin]

 And also, depends who it is, but (i am fourteen) a lot of times, they dont really care to listen much and interrupt or comment on something completely different.t Quite frustrating

Maybe they just want you to stop and do something else since you're so hot 

[thalbergmad]

Anything by Sorabji will do.

You are likely to be offered sex to stop playing.

Thal

[davidjosepha]

Anything by Sorabji will do.

You are likely to be offered sex to stop playing.

Thal

I'm starting to think Alistair might be on to something...

[qpalqpal]

Okay, you guys are obviously talking about provacative music. I mean actual romance music. It has to be dramatic, impressive. I dont care for dystopic music that relates to sexual fantasies

[thalbergmad]

I'm starting to think Alistair might be on to something...

Indeed, his Sequentia Claviensis is probably the greatest bird puller in history.

I heard that at the premier in London, it took a whole hour after the concert to remove all the knickers that had been thrown on the stage.

Thal

[ahinton]

Anything by Sorabji will do.

You are likely to be offered sex to stop playing.

See post #10, paragraph 3 to discover that you're rather out of date on this one. However, would your above surmise apply even if the pianist was playing his Tantrik Symphony?

Also, do bear in mind that not every piano work by Sorabji is very long and very hard (for proof, see the catalogue at www.sorabji-archive.co.uk which includes durations of each piece)...

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

Indeed, his Sequentia Claviensis is probably the greatest bird puller in history.

I heard that at the premier in London, it took a whole hour after the concert to remove all the knickers that had been thrown on the stage.

Not only was bird-pulling not the purpose of the piece in question, I must tell you that your news sources are unreliable, for it so happens that, in The Whoarehouse where it received its première, there was not stage. Your gullibility clearly knows no bounds!

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

I find the irony in this rather searing, coming from someone who rejects some truly outstanding works due to a self-described "limited attention span."

Apart from the fact that dignifying the post in question as embracing "irony" would seem to elevate its stature well beyond that which it deserves, I take your point; I've never encountered attention span being measured in centimetres but there's a first time for everything, I suppose...

Best,

Alistair

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Liszt's transcription of Isolde's Liebestod.

[outin]

I keep trying to play girls Scriabin's 10th sonata

That could work for me...or maybe the 6th 

[braiden]

Don't get me wrong, the sole purpose for my search of repertoire is not to 'pull birds' I too am a sucker for dramatic/romatic pieces.

I am 19, and I can recall countless experiences where I've been at a party, there's a piano in the corner and I'm forced to play something for some girl.

[outin]

I am 19, and I can recall countless experiences where I've been at a party, there's a piano in the corner and I'm forced to play something for somem girl.

In those occasions you really would benefit from knowing something not classical and really well known. Like a piano transcription of a hit pop song. Maybe even make one yourself. You could then announce that it's YOUR own arrangement. That's almost like being a music producer. Girls LOVE those

[braiden]

In those occasions you really would benefit from knowing something not classical and really well known. Like a piano transcription of a hit pop song. Maybe even make one yourself. You could then announce that it's YOUR own arrangement. That's almost like being a music producer. Girls LOVE those

Ehhh still it's generally more of an intimate thing, it's not like an "Everyone gather around the piano for music time!" moment, I also play keyboard/synth for a band of completely different genre, so I feel I have my times for playing modern/self composed material.

Also really looking forward to having a baby grand (for now) in my apartment so I can really have those nice moments with a significant other.

Wow that sounded gay 

[davidjosepha]

Don't get me wrong, the sole purpose for my search of repertoire is not to 'pull birds' I too am a sucker for dramatic/romatic pieces.

I am 19, and I can recall countless experiences where I've been at a party, there's a piano in the corner and I'm forced to play something for somem girl.

Hmm. There are several Chopin preludes that are very pretty and could appeal to girls...I'd have to look up the numbers. Not sure of they're necessarily romantic, maybe just pretty. Scriabin prelude 11/15 is very pretty, I dunno if that'd really work for playing at a party. You might also want to consider your ability vs your ability while drinking...you definitely don't want to play something at the peak pf your abilities then...

Liebestraum no. 3 is very well known, romantic, and pretty. Liszt Consolation no. 3 would be good too. And maybe, just for fun, the beginning section of Funerailles

Satie Gymnopedies, easy and pretty. Again, not necessarily romantic, but recognizable and not at all difficult technically.

Rachmaninoff's Vocalise could work. Try the Richardson transcription.

I'll try to think of others

[49410enrique]

Liszt's transcription of Isolde's Liebestod.

Moszkowski's is VERY nice too 

[49410enrique]

panty dropper

[ahinton]

Liszt's transcription of Isolde's Liebestod.

Or what about Wittgenstein's transcription of Liszt's transcription of that work; it's for left hand alone, so leaves the other hand free for whatever purpose the pianist might imagine...

Best,

Alistair

[braiden]

panty dropper

Not sure what parties you're going to but I don't think it would be often I get a chance at two pianos.. 

[49410enrique]

Or what about Wittgenstein's transcription of Liszt's transcription of that work; it's for left hand alone, so leaves the other hand free for whatever purpose the pianist might imagine...
Best,

Alistair

like saving her ph number on your mobile and adding her to your facespace? can't quite thing of anything else. maybe point to her cute friend and ask her for her number too maybe?

[49410enrique]

Not sure what parties you're going to but I don't think it would be often I get a chance at two pianos.. 

well she accompanies herself here, so you just have to record one piano part and take it with you and play to it. all the piano jocks do it. it's how they get the chicks.

[braiden]

like saving her ph number on your mobile and adding her to your facespace? can't quite thing of anything else. maybe point to her cute friend and ask her for her number too maybe?

Oh my god HAHA

[outin]

Also really looking forward to having a baby grand (for now) in my apartment so I can really have those nice moments with a significant other.

Wow that sounded gay 

How so?? I assumed you meant the grand...

[austinarg]

Do you think an average girl with little to zero knowledge about classical music would be able to pay attention to a complete performance of any of Chopin's Ballades?