The Difference between a Pianist and a Man who loves his Piano too much?

[angeloconstantinou]

Hi everyone, so first off I have to apologise, I didn't know where to post this as it contains an attachment of an improv of mine, as well as some questions. So considering how little response the Auditions forum gets, I brought my Questions here.

I had some piano lessons when was about seven, if I remember correctly. They lasted all of six weeks before I had been held back after a lesson and the idea was put forward that maybe this "style" of learning wasn't right for me. I got sent to a new tutor, who began by introducing me to the Blues scale. I enjoyed this leaps and bounds more, however these lessons also came to a halt. My short attendance at "piano lessons" prompted my parents to buy me a Piano.

I have been playing since (I am 21 now). The problem is that in the whole fourteen years, I haven't been able to understand or show motivation to comprehend some of even the most basic music  theory and/or piano playing techniques. I couldn't for the life of me identify 'styles' of music, neither could I spell out every note of any chord (minus maybe the blues scale if I am not tired). I don't know what modes are, chords or keys..

I feel like i am ONLY able to improvise, in a non style - and i view the piano in a sort of every key has his sound, how can they mix sort of theory rather than a logical memorised theory.

I am currently trying to increase my ability within Piano playing but also music production but i keep coming back to the same thought that my increase in ability, is just a self ability. That it has no commercial value to earn me a living either as an art form, or a service (sessions musician, band member)

I am at a loss to whether i should try to take up Piano lessons again, or to just keep doing what i'm doing. I would greatly appreciate any feedback negative or positive about two recorded improvisations I will post, i have been browsing through the posted improvisations on this forum and I feel overwhelmed by the attention to detail and overall "clean" playing by a lot of it's members.

I am really sorry about how long this is, but you tell me.. Am i a pianist? or a man who love his       Piano too much?

https://soundcloud.com/angeloconstantinou/p-imp-piano-improvisation-002

https://soundcloud.com/angeloconstantinou/my-br

[soitainly]

 You are a musician, you are a pianist. I say that because you are able to convey a musical idea on piano. I could feel what you were trying to play. I "liked" it if that is what you are asking. Are you a virtuoso or a genius, I don't know? You are able to play with feeling and improvise, which is a point that 90% of musicians never get to.

 The second part of the question is about learning the theory behind what you are playing. I tend to think that the more you understand about the music the more you have to draw on. Learning keys. chords, and modes ect. will make it even easier to do what you do best and that is create the music you hear in your head. It's kind of like learning how to spell and how to write will help you to communicate your ideas to other people. Music theory helps you to overcome stumbling blocks when they come up, it doesn't have to hinder you with senseless "rules".

 The fact that you are asking the question kind of answers itself for you. Learning music is a life long study. You can stagnate and just keep doing it just like you are now, or you can expand your horizons.