How many "rebounders" are here?

[bernadette60614]

I'm an adult "Rebounder", someone who took lessons as a child, stopped for decades and now is taking lessons again.  Just wondering how many other Rebounders are here.

[outin]

Quite a few I think. I'm one as well.

[amytsuda]

I am here too!  Are we supposed to do sort of a roll call?

[bernadette60614]

Not necessarily, but I've been thinking that some of the issues we face might be different than those faced by someone who has continued their studies without interruption.

I, for one, find myself really beating myself up when it takes me a horribly long time to "get" something.

[hfmadopter]

Not necessarily, but I've been thinking that some of the issues we face might be different than those faced by someone who has continued their studies without interruption.

I, for one, find myself really beating myself up when it takes me a horribly long time to "get" something.

I'm one, count me in !

[j_menz]

Are those of us who aren't "rebounders" just plain bounders? 

[amytsuda]

I, for one, find myself really beating myself up when it takes me a horribly long time to "get" something.

But it sounds like you are learning really advanced long repertoires. Did you say you are working on Schubert sonatas? Did you really learn those things so much faster when you were a kid, or you simply have less time to spend on music?

For me, not only that it takes months to learn a new repertoire, but also I never seem to be able to bring it to the level that can be called music.... but that was always the issue with me. No matter what I play, it's just tons of ugly sounds. So I am not sure it's a rebounder issue, lack of technical trainings, bad hands, or lack of musicality after all....

[paperstardust]

/raises hand

my story:
I took lessons for many years when I was a kid, but I stopped them 6-7 years ago.

And since then I would tap about on the piano whenever I was bored, I grew older, matured, learned to love piano, and realized that I was an embarrassment of a student (I rarely practiced, was rarely motivated to play out of passion for the instrument)

But the problem is, I haven't fully learned many new pieces since my lessons ended, and I certainly have not progressed on my own. I'm still that passably ok middling rate piano amateur ("you're too stiff," says my best friend, who did scherzos and fantasie impromptu towards the end of our lesson-taking days. it was the nice way of saying, "your technique sucks").

I finally feel ready to learn from a teacher, but life's really busy right now and maybe from here on out.

[hfmadopter]

/raises hand

my story:
I took lessons for a many years when I was a kid, but I stopped them 6-7 years ago.

And since then I would tap about on the piano whenever I was bored, I grew older, matured, learned to love piano, and realized that I was an embarrassment of a student (I rarely practiced, was rarely motivated to play out of passion for the instrument)

But the problem is, I haven't fully learned many new pieces since my lessons ended, and I certainly have not progressed on my own. I'm still that passably ok middling rate piano amateur ("you're too stiff," says my best friend, who did scherzos and fantasie impromptu towards the end of our lesson-taking days. it was the nice way of saying, "your technique sucks").

I finally feel ready to learn from a teacher, but life's really busy right now and maybe from here on out.

I learned on my first round with piano that all that busy stuff in life needed to be put in order, how much is "really all that important" and what is it that I "really have to do" ? And so I made room for my piano. I took seriously piano as a young adult, very seriously. I took lessons for roughly 11 years with a good teacher, cross repertoire but mostly classical. I practiced two to five hours per day depending if there was a recital in the works. Balancing this with raising a family. But I have a great wife who was willing to give and take . Some people are stuck with bitches or warlocks for spouses, that's not the case for myself. Also, Friday night at the night club is not part of a good learning curve in music and piano if you take it seriously. I.E., I changed my extra work and play time around that I had been involved in and my life style to a pretty good extent and devoted that time to my piano and music back then.

This time around I'm taking a different approach, on my own working out arrangements for various kinds of music and creating my own compositions as well. And classical is a back burner issue. I also play for the church and bible studies twice per month.. I'm putting my music to good use as such, it has meaning this way. But we never never stop learning either way !

Piano was never a chore for me but a desire, a driving desire. And it's a desire of music, not complication in articulation of the keyboard but making music. I stopped playing when I had to take a new medication that altered my edge in learning, little did I know I just needed to adjust to it !  I went on to raise kids , take trips with my teen aged sons fishing trips etc.( all good) and now am back again, fully adjusted to that med. Both creating music of my own and teaching my grand kids to play, and others to play. I am going on three years back at the piano now. Very pleased with this course I am on, I don't intend to change it a whole lot after I retire from my job next week.. Maybe increase it a bit but not change the general course. It is meant to be this way.

[bronnestam]

I'm an adult "Rebounder", someone who took lessons as a child, stopped for decades and now is taking lessons again.  Just wondering how many other Rebounders are here.

Oh yes, I'm one. I really love to practice now (which I did NOT when I was a teen) but life is complicated by now. I have a teen son with authism which eats most of my time and energy in these days. His needs and problems the last 6 months have severely impacted my piano playing time, sob.

However, tomorrow I go for a 3 day "piano holiday" to listen to my favourite pianist and completely indulge in piano music again. (I will probably not get the chance to play by myself but that's OK, I can study notes instead. And listen!) I went to a piano summer school in England this summer, a whole week about nothing but piano, piano, piano, and it was the most wonderful holiday I have ever had, I think.

[paperstardust]

I learned on my first round with piano that all that busy stuff in life needed to be put in order, how much is "really all that important" and what is it that I "really have to do" ? And so I made room for my piano. I took seriously piano as a young adult, very seriously. I took lessons for roughly 11 years with a good teacher, cross repertoire but mostly classical. I practiced two to five hours per day depending if there was a recital in the works. Balancing this with raising a family.
...
Piano was never a chore for me but a desire, a driving desire. And it's a desire of music, not complication in articulation of the keyboard but making music.

Wowow that's great! I'm glad you're able to share the results of hard work with communities (real and virtual).

I'm actually in the throes of grad school applications right now, and the stress has made me really itchy to play piano. I avoided the practice rooms all month, telling myself to buckle down on the other stuff first, but today the itch was too much. Even cooped in my room I found a way to keep my mind on piano all day. -_- may it be over soon.

I catch myself asking things like: "will I compromise a stable future if I can't control myself for another month?", and "my interests change so unpredictably, what if playing piano doesn't make me happy?" but I by on lots of piano music and the idea of bringing my books up from home after my admissions exams finish. Today's a break day from the things I feel less passionate about.

[dcstudio]

Not necessarily, but I've been thinking that some of the issues we face might be different than those faced by someone who has continued their studies without interruption.

I, for one, find myself really beating myself up when it takes me a horribly long time to "get" something.

nope... I'd say the beating up of ones self is pretty rampant among us "bounders" as well. 

[iansinclair]

Don't know if I'd count... I was a minister of music for many years -- choral directing and playing organ, and I loved it.  But now I'm retired, and I don't have an organ handy or a choir, and haven't for about seven years.  Sort of just "hung out" with a "honey, do..." list.  Until I realised that the Steinway in the main room was just gathering dust.  I'd never really played, but now -- for the last four years or so -- I've been practicing and building repertoire as a serious classical pianist.  I'm not there yet, and, given my age, probably will never get there.  But I love it more than ever I did the steady work (except that I still miss the incredible rush of a leading a truly great performance of some choral work -- two in particular stay in my mind; a Faure Requiem, many years ago, with a soprano with a voice of surpassing beauty, and a Brahms Requiem).

There's a moral in there somewhere?

[pianoplunker]

I'm an adult "Rebounder", someone who took lessons as a child, stopped for decades and now is taking lessons again.  Just wondering how many other Rebounders are here.

Took alot of lessons as a kid, skipped a decade, took some more lessons, quit taking lessons but played for decades with wrists that would once in a while flare up. Now catching up on technique, if I can find a teacher that can deal with me would be great.

[dfw1977]

I'm one who starts lessons again at the age of 37 tomorrow. I took lessons for 10 years or so, then came college and medical school. Haven't touched it in 15 years. I decided to purchase a piano and am so happy to have one again. Now the fun begins with lessons!
David

[richardb]

I'm one.  Took lessons as a boy, now in my late 50s I'm really enjoying playing again, especially Bach (working on some 2 part inventions and some of the French Suites) and Scarlatti sonatas.  They are so much fun to play.

When I retire I'll have plenty to do:  the Bach 3-part inventions, the English Suites, the 6 Partitas, and the 48 Prelude and Fugues of the WTC.  And I think Scarlatti wrote over 500 sonatas.

Probably won't get to all that in this lifetime!

[josephine93]

I don't know if you only meant rebounders who are a bit older, but I quitted when I was 12. And restarted last year. I am know 20 years old.

[mari1]

I'm one! I fell in love with the piano in high school, majored in piano in college. Originally intending to be a professional musician, I changed careers.

In grad school I stopped playing almost entirely. I slowly got back into playing and in my 40's I took lessons again, practiced daily, and played in a student recital.

After my father died I stopped playing for 15 years. There were other reasons too but looking back that was the tipping point for stopping.

In the past 2 years I've made strides to get back into it; I learned a few Nocturnes this year, which were my first new pieces in years (though not as challenging as I'm capable of if I devoted more time to it). I even returned to my former teacher but was unsatisfied. After recovering from a minor hand injury, I'm ready to resume. I have to plan around my full time job and having a family, but I'm very tempted to take lessons again, though there are budgetary constraints.

[ahinton]

Are those of us who aren't "rebounders" just plain bounders? 

Only just seen this. Typically droll, to be sure, but maybe the "rebounders" here are those who take up piano when on the rebound - such as people who might eventually get over their vociferous declarations in forum posts of alleged love for a certain Ukrainian pianist in her mid-40s, for example...

Bedst,

Alisitstair (there's a clue in there somewhere)

[j_menz]

Only just seen this. Typically droll, to be sure, but maybe the "rebounders" here are those who take up piano when on the rebound - such as people who might eventually get over their vociferous declarations in forum posts of alleged love for a certain Ukrainian pianist in her mid-40s, for example...

Bedst,

Alisitstair (there's a clue in there somewhere)

"On the rebound" would be people who had recently broken up with the viola, or oboe, or bagpipes (or banjo, though that seems improbable).

Is the clue to the brand of scotch you're on, or the number?  

[indianajo]

I'm one.
I had seven years of lessons age 8-14, then quit piano to concentrate on a band instrument that was more social and got me more fame (All State Band my senior year, playing for President Johnson at the Astrodome opening,  and the school band was invited to the Rose Bowl parade the year after I graduated, pity I missed it).
No music in college, off to the Army and then a career that was very demanding.  I bought a piano age 32 and practiced some tougher pieces for a year in a motel until I bought a house and got involved with people around - and I  concentrated on work.  I did play for a church junior choir for about four years which was not technically demanding (except the guitar pieces) but was quite rewarding socially. 
I quit working age 58 due to the dangers and irritations of the job, and playing on piano (and organ, now they cost <$200) is such a cheap hobby.  I may be less focused when my income doubles when social security payments start in 18 months, but I have plenty of time on my hands now.  
I've had one piano lesson since 1964, and the new lady last year I didn't like the  teaching piano (a Yamaha console player), so that was the end of that relationship. Besides her style points were so conventional and mine are so different. Pity though, she knew something about popular arrangements playing by ear that I don't.    I've made a lot of progress by myself though, in my pedestrian workman like  style.  Practice make perfect, if you don't count my style which is unfashionable to put it mildly.  
I've had two organ lessons, concentrating mainly on playing posture (very different) and sounds of the pipe organ (so mysterious).  The legato style of the organ is no difficulty; much of my piano repretoire doesn't use a sustain pedal.  

[ahinton]

"On the rebound" would be people who had recently broken up with the viola, or oboe, or bagpipes (or banjo, though that seems improbable).

Ah - so nothing to do with a late Xenakis work (not for piano), then?...

Is the clue to the brand of scotch you're on, or the number?  

No sir!

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

(or banjo, though that seems improbable).

Once started, impossible to give up.

Thal

[cbreemer]

I've had two organ lessons, concentrating mainly on playing posture (very different) and sounds of the pipe organ (so mysterious).  The legato style of the organ is no difficulty; much of my piano repretoire doesn't use a sustain pedal.

It's easy enough, after two lessons, to play organ legato-style like a pianist. But you mostly don't play legato on an organ, at least not in Baroque music - which may be your field as you say you don't use the sustain pedal much. Playing legato on an organ makes everything sound soggy, depending on the attack and decay of the organ pipes and the acoustic of the venue, usually a church.
Also if you leave the previous key down for even a fraction too long, or even just long enough, you may create a very nasty dissonant. This is not the case on a piano, where it is even a way to play legatissimo imitating a string instrument. It is very important to learn to play detached, and always leave some air between all the notes. It feels really strange at first coming from the piano, but it grows on you.
When I started organ lessons the first thing my teacher said was "you play like a pianist". This was not a compliment... But very justified. Pianists typically think they can easily learn organ. This is not so, at least if you want to do it properly. There's an awful lot to learn, and just as many things to un-learn.

[j_menz]

Ah - so nothing to do with a late Xenakis work (not for piano), then?...

No. Only Iannis could make a percussion solo so soporific, and the only "rebound" likely (the title notwithstanding) is that of my head from the pillow.

[ahinton]

No. Only Iannis could make a percussion solo so soporific, and the only "rebound" likely (the title notwithstanding) is that of my head from the pillow.

Fair comment!

Best,

Alistair

[pianoplunker]

It's easy enough, after two lessons, to play organ legato-style like a pianist. But you mostly don't play legato on an organ, at least not in Baroque music - which may be your field as you say you don't use the sustain pedal much. Playing legato on an organ makes everything sound soggy, depending on the attack and decay of the organ pipes and the acoustic of the venue, usually a church.
Also if you leave the previous key down for even a fraction too long, or even just long enough, you may create a very nasty dissonant. This is not the case on a piano, where it is even a way to play legatissimo imitating a string instrument. It is very important to learn to play detached, and always leave some air between all the notes. It feels really strange at first coming from the piano, but it grows on you.
When I started organ lessons the first thing my teacher said was "you play like a pianist". This was not a compliment... But very justified. Pianists typically think they can easily learn organ. This is not so, at least if you want to do it properly. There's an awful lot to learn, and just as many things to un-learn.

Playing the feet tends to separate the organist from pianist as well. Not saying pianist could not play organ or vice versa but they are not similar at all

[indianajo]

It's easy enough, after two lessons, to play organ legato-style like a pianist. But you mostly don't play legato on an organ, at least not in Baroque music - which may be your field as you say you don't use the sustain pedal much. Playing legato on an organ makes everything sound soggy, depending on the attack and decay of the organ pipes and the acoustic of the venue, usually a church.
Also if you leave the previous key down for even a fraction too long, or even just long enough, you may create a very nasty dissonant. This is not the case on a piano, where it is even a way to play legatissimo imitating a string instrument. It is very important to learn to play detached, and always leave some air between all the notes. It feels really strange at first coming from the piano, but it grows on you.

Interesting about playing  detached to allow for the room to reverb.  I can play detached, it is a trick used in JS Bach Inventions for effect, but I've played on a pipe organ about three minutes, at the end of the lesson where he showed all the stops to me.  So playing on a pipe organ is about a $40 an hour hobby, one I can't indulge in very much.  I own electronic Hammond and  Wurlitzer theatre models both of which of course stop immediately when the key is let up  unless the reverb is turned on, so no feedback there. 
I got pretty good on 25 pedals in about a year practiciing two pages  Passacaglia and Fugue in C min, but doing it in shoes is another trick I'm still working on.  I don't have a 32 pedal, probably can't fit the cheap reject ones through the front door, so playing on a high church organ will be a dream unfulfilled probably. I am off this afternoon to help a retired Miller pipe organ employee assemble/repair a pipe organ in the local Episcopal church, so maybe my opportunities will widen.  This one will sound in front of the console, so should I ever play it I won't have the nuisance of the sound happening 3/4 second after you press the key like occurs in the downtown Catholic church, I tried out for Pipes Pumpkins & Pizza AGO event (meant for children) 
Pictures at an Exhibition uses almost no pedal, nor does Moonlight Sonata 3rd movement, my main practice pieces for the last five years.  Scott Joplin doesn't use sustain pedal either, my three warmup pieces. 

[starlady]

I rebounded across a distance of 40 years.  I won't say I regret stopping the lessons in the first place--at that stage of my life I simply had to give priority to other things--but I do wish I hadn't waited so long to go back to lessons.   

The real rebound is that in my teens I skipped practise whenever I could, now I get antsy if I can't practise.   I'm frustrated here in Taipei because I can play only 1 hour a day (the limit when buying practise time at the piano store).  My 12-year-old self would never, ever have believed it.

--s.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Probably I am. I had a good teacher between 10 and 16, but barely touched a piano between the ages of about 17 and 25, and even after that it was a while before I sought proper advice. I rather regret not having done things conventionally and gone to music college like so many musicians I know. On the other hand, I probably appreciate it more this way..

[thalbergmad]

I probably appreciate it more this way..

And so do i old chap.

If you had done things conventionally you would probably be playing the same old stuff that everyone else is.

Thal

[emill]

Probably I am. I had a good teacher between 10 and 16, but barely touched a piano between the ages of about 17 and 25, and even after that it was a while before I sought proper advice. I rather regret not having done things conventionally and gone to music college like so many musicians I know. On the other hand, I probably appreciate it more this way.. 

And so do i old chap.  If you had done things conventionally you would probably be playing the same old stuff that everyone else is.

Thal

My apologies to the original poster, but it is precisely like above opinions and experiences that scares parents like me, so that I must ask the quoted folks above or anyone - what one must do for extremely passionate children who would want to stake a living from the piano despite extreme odds? Thanks.

[j_menz]

what one must do

That, I'm afraid, is something Enzo can only do, or rather, find,  for himself.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

If you had done things conventionally you would probably be playing the same old stuff that everyone else is.

Ugh, perish the thought!

[ronde_des_sylphes]

My apologies to the original poster, but it is precisely like above opinions and experiences that scares parents like me, so that I must ask the quoted folks above or anyone - what one must do for extremely passionate children who would want to stake a living from the piano despite extreme odds? Thanks.

That's a very difficult question. I think the central issue in Thal's and my posts is that conventional musical education not only shapes your playing, it also defines, for good or for bad, a framework within which you operate. Your son is very talented, but I don't know him other than through his playing. If the piano ever becomes a task and a chore for him, you should be worried: that's the first step to stopping. If it continues to stimulate his intellectual curiosity, then all is good! I'm not putting this very well, but as I said it's not the easiest thing to address. I have absolutely no idea, for example, if the way I've gone about things has truly been right for me. I could easily have ended up at music college (it was certainly discussed at the time) but for various reasons didn't.

[indianajo]

My apologies to the original poster, but it is precisely like above opinions and experiences that scares parents like me, so that I must ask the quoted folks above or anyone - what one must do for extremely passionate children who would want to stake a living from the piano despite extreme odds? Thanks.

Children have odd ideas unconnected to reality, even me, so I wouldn't worry too much. But were I a  parent I wouldn't spend $$$$$$ on a child's formal college education in music performance, or basket weaving either.  I paid my way through college, so should your child.  The child needs to confront the idea that he/she has to support himself at some point, how about high school graduation?  My parents did feed and house me while I was in college. I had a choice of three colleges within driving distance of my parent's home. I didn't even apply to an Ivy league school or MIT or CalTech that I was qualified for by SAT score and grades.
The $$ a month for private or group piano lessons of a teenager or younger, most parents can afford that.  The driving to a decent teacher's house was something I needed help with; the teacher moved away to a nicer and far neighborhood after a couple of years of lessons and there weren't other pro teachers  within bicycle distance of my house.   OTOH, I paid for my private lessons and expenses in the high school band, which was within walking distance.   I mowed lawns, raked leaves, cleaned gutters, starting age 8 on the gutters under my Mother's turtledge.  
A passion for music is a child is a much more fulfilling hobby than many other more popular pastimes children take up.  Music performance also develops the brain in ways that few other hobbies can.  Hope you two can come to some compromise.  

[sarahyinlo]

re Starlady, I'm in Taipei, maybe we should meet.

I had regular lessons between  5 and 11; 4 of those years were in the UK.
I wasn't exceptionally talented and was a poor sightreader, learning new pieces was always painstaking, and didn't really enjoy practicing.
I returned to Taipei when I was 11, and since I was always the academic type, schoolwork soon became top priority and I stopped regular lessons.
I still played, on and off, but less and less.
Since university I hardly played at all.

A couple of months ago my 5-year-old daughther asked if she could attend music lessons. I enrolled her into a class and brought in a digital piano. (Neighbours would definitely complain if I used an acoustic)
I have practised an hour every day ever since, sometimes more.
I'm like an addict, can't leave that piano alone.
Sometimes I regret stopping lessons that early, but then again I wouldn't have appreciated it that much if I hadn't stopped.
Now at 33 I'm trying to pick up pieces I played in my teens.

I don't have a teacher right now, but I am planning on it, maybe when my daughter starts one-on-one lessons. I feel I need some guidance; my hands fatigue easily and I am hitting speed walls.

[thalbergmad]

My apologies to the original poster, but it is precisely like above opinions and experiences that scares parents like me, so that I must ask the quoted folks above or anyone - what one must do for extremely passionate children who would want to stake a living from the piano despite extreme odds? Thanks.

I would not be worried my friend your son is extremely talented and i was being selfish. If Ronde had done things conventionally, the chances are he would not be playing fantasias by Thalberg and Pixis, he would be playing Beethoven sonatas and Chopin Etudes like thousands of others and i would have been denied the joy of his playing.

Every day i kneel down and give thanks to the Lord that i was not good enough to go to music school. I play what i want, when i want and if anyone does not like it, they can vanish up their own bottom.

Luv

Thal

[emill]

x..x..x...  If Ronde had done things conventionally, the chances are he would not be playing fantasias by Thalberg and Pixis, he would be playing Beethoven sonatas and Chopin Etudes like thousands of others and i would have been denied the joy of his playing.
Every day i kneel down and give thanks to the Lord that i was not good enough to go to music school. I play what i want, when i want and if anyone does not like it, they can vanish up their own bottom.

Luv

Thal  

I see and get what you meant .... thanks Thal.  
I think as they say the "die is cast" ... Enzo is deep into it now, literally like a monk in Tibet only that it is in the "cold and desolate" place of Rochester, NY which seems to fit his mental frame so well. As what the future will bring, I have my fingers crossed.

That's a very difficult question. I think the central issue in Thal's and my posts is that conventional musical education not only shapes your playing, it also defines, for good or for bad, a framework within which you operate. Your son is very talented, but I don't know him other than through his playing. If the piano ever becomes a task and a chore for him, you should be worried: that's the first step to stopping. If it continues to stimulate his intellectual curiosity, then all is good! I'm not putting this very well, but as I said it's not the easiest thing to address. I have absolutely no idea, for example, if the way I've gone about things has truly been right for me. I could easily have ended up at music college (it was certainly discussed at the time) but for various reasons didn't.

I fully agree that many going into formal studies in music or the piano - the "rules" play varying degrees of influence in one's playing, so much so that many are curtailed or handcuffed by the rules resulting in a "restricted" & similar playing of pieces. The challenge therefore is how to develop and  project one's music and artistry different from others & without mangling the composer's intentions.  I misunderstood you and Thal to have suggested that both of you would have extremely regretted going to music school and making the piano your primary source of a living... which really scared the parent in me!  Although that does not detract from the the truth that it is indeed a struggle to solely rely on music and the piano for a living except for a "lucky" few.  

For my son, the "die seems to be already cast" .... his interest is unwavering and still getting stronger.  He will be 3rd year this coming school year at Eastman.   THANKS ! !

Children have odd ideas unconnected to reality, even me, so I wouldn't worry too much. But were I a  parent I wouldn't spend $$$$$$ on a child's formal college education in music performance, or basket weaving either.  

 

"unfortunately" in Filipino and Asian culture & tradition it is the parent's obligation to see to it that their children get the best education one can afford to give. They also consider it an investment and an honor for the family to have a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, an artist...etc. Therefore if parents can afford it,  they are expected, under social pressure and scrutiny,  to see to it that their children get the best education their pockets can finance.

x..x..x..x..x..x..x.... A passion for music is a child is a much more fulfilling hobby than many other more popular pastimes children take up.  Music performance also develops the brain in ways that few other hobbies can.

Couldn't agree more ! !    THANKS!