Audition preparation using electric piano?

[scholtesster]

Greetings!  This is my first time posting here.  I am 39 years old and after years of waffling I have decided to pour my energy into preparing an audition for major conservatories (Curtis, Julliard, etc.)  I am trying to work out the logistics of how I will do this.  One question I have is whether or not you all think it is feasible to prepare and audition for this level whilst doing the majority of my practice on a good electric piano such as a Clavinova.  Any feedback would be appreciated.  Thanks and happy ivory tickling!
Steve

[mjames]

No. Practice on an acoustic, please. The thing is, there is a HUGE difference and those differences REALLY matter. You can sound good on an electronic, and then when you play on an acoustic it sounds like crap (for me anyways). Over the past few months, i have gotten better and i started playing on acoustic pianos a lot more (public places). Eventually i started practicing on them, and then when i got home to play on my electronic i started to demand things from it that it couldnt possibly do. I got frustrated and i stopped using it...

Basically, there's a huge a difference and i suggest you practice on an acoustic if you want to have an actual chance against child prodigies  , it is Julliard and Curtis btw...but GOOD LUCK!!

[quantum]

For the type of conservatory you are interested in, you will need possess an intimate understanding of the capabilities of an acoustic piano.  If it is piano you are interested in studying, as opposed to electronic or synthesizer music, then it is an acoustic piano you need to be practicing on. 

Digital pianos are fine for dorm room practice, and when all the practice facilities are booked.  DP's are also great for gigging while you are in college to make a little extra cash. 

[scholtesster]

Thanks, piano peeps, for your thoughtful replies.  mjames, where have you found pianos to practice on?  Any thoughts on finding practice pianos if I am unable to incorporate one into my housing?

[mjames]

There is a local school in my country Maputo, Mozambique for music, but the security there is very poor/non existent so I would just sneak and practice there. Not only there but restaurants/bars too, or try to sneak in to some schools too lol. I'm sure you can find some remote place to practice. Good luck!

[quantum]

Look at churches, hotels, and lounge piano gigs (there is a current lounge piano thread you may be interested in reading) for starters.  

For a church, you may offer to play a few services or donate some money to the leaky roof fund as a trade for use of their facilities.  You never know, it may turn into a paying position if they like you.

Hotels or banquet halls may need a lobby or event pianist.  Volunteer to play for guests.  They might even pay you.  

One of the bars in my university had a piano, and it was frequently used as an "open piano" you could hear anything from jazz standards, to Rach concertos, to avant garde any time of the day or night. 

[scholtesster]

Thanks again, y'all.  mjames, I've done some sneaking in in my day as well.  I used to sneak into the practice rooms at Northwestern University when I lived in Chicago- some of them had Steinway grands in them! 

[j_menz]

it is Julliard and Curtis btw...

Actually it's Juilliard. If you're going to be picky, be right; you risk having your Pedant Card revoked.