making non musicians understand

[pianoplayer51]

How do you make non musicians understand how music can make you feel.   How when you listen to a concerto it can leave you speechless because you love it so much?   How you love listening to a certain pianist for their piano skills and as a piano student pick up tips from them?    I have been accused by a non musician for admiring a pianist because I 'love' them, not because I admire them for their piano playing skills and their approach to the repitoire. 

So how do you convince these people or is it a non starter

[coda_colossale]

Some just don't get it. I sometimes wonder if my father (conductor, ethnomusicologist), my grandfather (nearly tone deaf) and I (devoted listener), hear the music the same. I believe their ears cannot hear as good as ours and their brains can not comprehend the mind-blowingly beautiful music. Like some students fail at math, some are moderate and some are brilliant.

But if the accusation is why you're asking this, and who accused you was not just plain stupid, consider the possibility of you being wrong.
I must admit that I had been obsessive about some musicians, and couldn't realize that they did not interpret every single work in the best way possible until a few weeks ago.

[quantum]

Some people admire cars and their precision mechanical marvels. Others go fishing in the most remote parts of the world just to find that elusive river monster, which if they catch they release only a few moments later.  Others obsess over getting their computer that 1 ms faster.  Yet for others, creepy crawly bugs just make them all warm and fuzzy inside. 

Just express your passion for music.  They may get it, they may not.  The idea might just sit with them for years until the light bulb goes off and they all of a sudden get it.  If they accuse of you of being a ____, just keep on expressing your love for music.

[hfmadopter]

I'm fortunate in that I am married to a woman who loves music as much as I do and is moved by similar types of music as I am. So I don't have the "love" the pianist problem. I do admire and even marvel at some peoples ability to play though.

My gripe with non musicians is their utter, seemingly rude, ability to start chatting just as I start playing or in my house, practicing. At least go into another room. As I age I find sounds like chat more and more annoying and very distracting. And if a couple of folks stopped by and wanted to hear me play, then don't start chatting just as I start playing. Listen to the piece at least, I mean you did request that I play the piano ? I do believe that comes out of the night club way of doing things, where what is important is to meet with friends and chat, the music is background.. Or rock band goers where it's so darned loud your could scream in their and nobody would hear it, and they do do that.

Has anyone ever thought about starting a local amateur pianist group meeting of any sort ? Meet at different peoples houses, say once a month or some such thing. Not a club but sort of like that. Be tough to form I know, but it seems you would eventually form a group of like minded people besides online. People are so busy these days, I suppose it's a crazy idea. They have camera clubs, acting groups, model builder organizations, singing groups, fly tying work shops etc. Nothing piano that I am aware of. The nearest thing I've seen like that but it's with professionals, is Piano Haven Recording Studio here in the US has monthly concerts.

[ted]

Has anyone ever thought about starting a local amateur pianist group meeting of any sort ? Meet at different peoples houses, say once a month or some such thing. Not a club but sort of like that.

Now there is an idea definitely worth considering. Not knowing any musicians, amateur or otherwise, makes it difficult for me, but not impossible. The public library system and shopping malls here abound with notice boards hosting proposals a lot less sensible than that, so I might stick up cards and see if I get any responses.

[outin]

Has anyone ever thought about starting a local amateur pianist group meeting of any sort ?

Not quite that, but since there are a few people at work who also have started playing instruments (or sing) I got the idea of forming a study group for theory. We have had two sessions so far and I think it serves the purpose quite well. It's difficult to take the time to do it without some peer pressure. And since I am kind of in charge, I have to attend 

[faulty_damper]

So how do you convince these people or is it a non starter

You do realize the hypocrisy of what you're asking/accusing, don't you?  You think they should think a certain way when they also think you think a certain way.

But to answer the question: you don't.  You can't make a horse drink no matter how much water is around.

[j_menz]

You can't make a horse drink no matter how much water is around.

Actually, there are at least ten recognised ways to do so.

Of course, it's easier if you lead a horse to beer.

[indianajo]

People either get music, or they don't.  If they don't they probably never will.  it is not like learning a foreign language, where we all speak some sort of language.  Sometimes I feel more related to mockingbirds, than I am to my brother.  He reports he really appreciates music, but listen to those Target ambient sounds CDs when riding around in his truck.  I went to his house this holiday season prepared to play the old favorites and one difficult Christmas performance piece.  He didn't have time to listen.  There was no music even of the recorded variety Christmas day, and his new house didn't have a place for the piano in it.  In stead of spending Christmas eve visiting at some church service wit music (my tradition, not my parent's) we spent Christmas eve shpping at W***-M*** until the management had the good grace to throw us out of there so the employees could go home.  Fortunately, I was able to excape to my motel and listen to the FM radio late Christmas eve.    Bah, humbug, I'll spend the next ten Christmas's at the homeless shelter or somewhere that someone might listen to my playing.  
As far as clubs, I've been trying to find one person who wants to play piano duets with me.  The pianist at church 20 years ago refused, Brahms Variations on a Theme of Handel would get her fired if we played it, she said.   I bought Rhapsody in Blue original version this year, the two piano version, and posted a sign at the music school of the local university. I'm willing to play the Ira Gershwin part.  Nothing, no answer.  I have two similar sounding pianos (consoles).  Anybody near Louisville want to try this?  Private Message me, I'll send a phone number or something.  It might expand into piano/organ duet, I have several of those, too.  The organ "clarinet" sound is pretty good, but doesn't slide pitch.  
But I'm not desparate enough to pay a "friend" to perform with me.  Either someone else finds playing in teams fun, or they can give lessons to elementary students for their living.  

[g_s_223]

For UK/London readers: https://londonpianocircle.com/ - could provide inspiration/ideas for other locations probably.