Why spend the better part of our lives engaged in a piano practice?

[green]

I'm interested to hear what others think of this, and what, for you, is the purpose of an artistic practice like playing piano.

The way I have come to see it is as a tool for cultivating awareness. I see counterpoint as a tool for developing non-dual awareness, and that this level of consciousness is a kind of prerequisite for being able to play 2 or more lines simultaneously with full, equal, undivided, attention on all parts.

When I was a teenager, and unaware of these things as I am now, I can recall having 'awakenings' like this when practicing, and entering into states in which I could play effortlessly, with lightening reflexes, and when it all just sort of came together. I know what that is now, but I thought nothing of it at the time.

I cannot watch Glenn Gould without thinking that he was in very deep altered states of awareness. And I cannot believe that any great pianist was not, to some degree. Why did Michaelangeli cancel so many concerts? Well, he woke up on the morning and just knew that he didn't 'have it' that day, and that was that. He knew what it was, and when he had it. Friedrich Gulda said that when he was 17, he had a revelation when in the middle of a performance in Vienna, that he suddenly felt that it was not him playing the piano, but that he was being played through.

Anyways, many examples. But as interesting as all the spiritual manifestations are, what I am interested in is teaching which views musical practice as a method for awakening deeper levels of spiritual awareness, and that these awakenings are really what constitute the progress or decline of a good musician.

What do you think? 

[49410enrique]

Piano music is pretty.
I like to play the piano.
Playing the piano is fun.

That's pretty much it for me.

[chopin2015]

I have learned to play fast and ar different rhythms at same time. I have ninja reflexes!!!

[zezhyrule]

Piano music is pretty.
I like to play the piano.
Playing the piano is fun.

Pretty much this.

Why not play the piano, if you enjoy it? No need to get all philosophical or spiritual about it.

If you play music only to "awaken deeper levels of spiritual awareness" then I guess that's cool for you.

[j_menz]

I practice so I can play what I want.

Oh, and the odd Friedrich Gulda moment helps.

[quantum]

I could watch TV all day. 

But I'd rather play piano because:

Piano music is pretty.
I like to play the piano.
Playing the piano is fun.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I do it because it's fun.

[iansinclair]

Piano music is pretty.
I like to play the piano.
Playing the piano is fun.

That's pretty much it for me.

Yup.

[hardy_practice]

Hold on in there green - I agree with you 100%.  You'll find the world's full of philistines though, that's just the nature of the beast.

[keypeg]

It is true that when you really learn to play an instrument as opposed to fooling around, it does have an affect beyond the instrument.  I feel more centered with a different kind of concentration.  If I'm feeling really loopy because the world can be weird (people in a bad mood, confused/ing people you work with), and get in a good practice session in, then the loopiness goes.  But I don't think many of us go to the instrument only for that.  It's just a very nice bonus.

[p2u_]

Why spend the better part of our lives engaged in a piano practice?

One element that hasn't been mentioned yet (probably because it is taboo) is that touching the piano with your fingertips has something erotic; something akin to touching your mistress or your lover with the difference that music or your piano will never betray you, so it's safe. Since one of the main motivational powers in humans is to strive for pleasure, this must be a factor that counts, especially if you keep in mind that people keep doing it, even if the artistic results don't come. I had a deaf student who played the piano wonderfully, better than some with good ears. She seemed to enjoy the moving, the touching and the vibrations coming out of the instrument. She emitted something like groaning sounds while doing it and was quite upset every time she lost "it" because of some mistake in the organisation of her movements.

Paul

[dcstudio]

 Friedrich Gulda said that when he was 17, he had a revelation when in the middle of a performance in Vienna, that he suddenly felt that it was not him playing the piano, but that he was being played through.



What do you think?  

At the risk of sounding like a lunatic--I will share my story.

On one of my very first paying gigs--cocktail piano jazz--I sat down and drew a complete blank--I could not have told you where middle C was.  I sat there looking into the faces of all the people sitting having dinner and I panicked.   The leadsheets and arrangements I brought with me were useless--it seemed I had forgotten how to read as well.  lol.
Anyway,  I tried to call on my classical finger memory--but that also failed me.  
That's when it happened--my hands found the keyboard and suddenly I was playing a song.  I sat there amazed because I was not playing--and yet I was. It's hard to describe--but I had no idea how I was doing this--it really was like someone else was using my hands.

It took me a few seconds to even recognize the tune--it was Linus and Lucy by Vince Guaraldi.  The people at the tables were now smiling at me--and I smiled back at them while my fingers continued to play.   I had played that tune for years--so it wasn't like I was playing something I had never done before...but it was still really weird.  After about a minute I regained control of my senses, remembered how to play and read music--and I played the rest of the night without incident.

one last note...the night before this gig--I had dreamt that Vince Guaraldi was seated next to me at the piano..he put his hand on my shoulder and said.."you are gonna do great, kid!" (cue: Twilight Zone music) 
true story--and yes I am crazy LOL   Vince Guaraldi has always been one of my favorite jazz pianists...but since that night he has a special place in my heart--and in my hands. 

[m1469]

Why spend the better part of our lives engaged in a piano practice?

Because nothing truly substitutes.

[clavile]

I'm interested to hear what others think of this, and what, for you, is the purpose of an artistic practice like playing piano.

The way I have come to see it is as a tool for cultivating awareness. I see counterpoint as a tool for developing non-dual awareness, and that this level of consciousness is a kind of prerequisite for being able to play 2 or more lines simultaneously with full, equal, undivided, attention on all parts.

When I was a teenager, and unaware of these things as I am now, I can recall having 'awakenings' like this when practicing, and entering into states in which I could play effortlessly, with lightening reflexes, and when it all just sort of came together. I know what that is now, but I thought nothing of it at the time.

I cannot watch Glenn Gould without thinking that he was in very deep altered states of awareness. And I cannot believe that any great pianist was not, to some degree. Why did Michaelangeli cancel so many concerts? Well, he woke up on the morning and just knew that he didn't 'have it' that day, and that was that. He knew what it was, and when he had it. Friedrich Gulda said that when he was 17, he had a revelation when in the middle of a performance in Vienna, that he suddenly felt that it was not him playing the piano, but that he was being played through.

Anyways, many examples. But as interesting as all the spiritual manifestations are, what I am interested in is teaching which views musical practice as a method for awakening deeper levels of spiritual awareness, and that these awakenings are really what constitute the progress or decline of a good musician.

What do you think? 

There is a thing called focus. There is also a thing called practice. Then there is something called progress. Then there are results.

I wouldn't call suddenly playing a line of music perfectly and quickly "the awakening of a deeper level of spiritual awareness". I would call it progress, and result.

Ive played music before where it feels like it couldn't possibly be my hands playing it. Would I call it spritual awareness? Never. It's my mind finally grasping the music, my hands following what I have studied long for, and my heart feeling the music, without me having to think hard about it.

[dcstudio]

There is a thing called focus. There is also a thing called practice. Then there is something called progress. Then there are results.

I wouldn't call suddenly playing a line of music perfectly and quickly "the awakening of a deeper level of spiritual awareness". I would call it progress, and result.

Ive played music before where it feels like it couldn't possibly be my hands playing it. Would I call it spritual awareness? Never. It's my mind finally grasping the music, my hands following what I have studied long for, and my heart feeling the music, without me having to think hard about it.

I felt that way when I had only been playing for four years--but then I was about 8.  Talk to me after 4 decades--and tell me you have not seen the spiritual side of playing the piano.  Gotta be a little crazy to still be playing after 40 years.

I mean no disrespect--I am sure you are a fine pianist--and I don't mean to suggest that I am a finer pianist--but I will say that I am an older and more experienced one.  If you have no spiritual connection to your music what keeps you playing?

[teran]

Because if I don't practice I will get beaten with the fire poker.

No not really, it's because I love music and it's just one major part of what you do to get better at playing/understanding it.

[danhuyle]

To build your repertoire and to learn pieces I actually like playing.

[jogoeshome]

BECAUSE WE LIKE IT!

[elenka]

Good question... I think that no pianist would be able to answer if we try to find an aswer to everything we will get to ask ourselves: why should I work hard to earn money for eating things that my body will somehow burn and eject?
Everybody in his life has got passions, there are pianists, there are stamps collectionist, whatever it is, is something that makes us happy and we give a sense to it just beacuase it makes us feel good

[bronnestam]

Oh, it is that wonderful feeling of conquering a new skill. When I start learning something new and difficult, it sounds totally terrible, like a joke. I have to struggle for a long while just getting the first bars right. It is a real challenge. And then I practice and I practice, and suddenly there is the moment - some hours, weeks or even months later - when I sit down and just play. I can do something I could not do earlier. It was like this when I learned how to drive a car, or to swim, or to speak foreign languages like English, German and French. At the piano, I get the chance of recapture this feeling many, many times.

And I also love the music I play (or else I would not play it ...) and I love to play it the way I want.