100000 ways to recognize a person who IS a very serious pianist...

[m1469]

100000 ways to recognize a person who IS a very serious pianist...


1.  Stays in during holidays and studies while everybody else goes skiing and to the movies

2.  Keeps fighting to survive regardless of what other people say and regardless of  the bad experiences

3.  Tailors one's entire life around music

4.  Is always hungry for more

5.  Is willing to look for the good in others and help others when they need it

[ahmedito]

6- Plays because of a deep personal need to make music. Not for the money, and not to show off.

7- Loves music and the piano for itself. Has personal preferences, but appreciates Mozart as much as Debussy, Liszt, Bartok and Stravinsky. And understands that salsa, jazz, heavy metal, punk rock and rap are valid means of musical expression.

8- Feels the need to practice and do always the best he can.

[Piazzo22]

9. Doesn´t look for piano works "difficult" to others.
10. Doesn´t want to learn Chopin studies, Liszt trascendental studies. And prefers to play really intended music from these composers.

[Maui]

11. Dont ask me to record a CD with only the 1st and the 3rd moviments of a concerto (that happened)

[chromatickler]

12. is a membah of da SDC

 

[pianiststrongbad]

I don't agree with no. 10.  I think these etudes should be studied.

[maxy]

  #10???

The Chopin études are jewels of the piano rep... his masterpiece IMO.
Liszt TE?  Sure there is some superficial stuff in there, but do study #5, #11 and #12.  Surprise! We could almost dare say that Rachmaninov, Debussy, Ravel were somewhat inspired by these études.

[Tash]

how can you not want to study chopin etudes they're gorgrous??!

13. will ask every single hotel if they have a piano to practice on whilst travelling around the world (i'm not a fully 'i wanna be a pianist etc' pianist, but i did do that and got lucky in switzerland!) and will be studying their music whilst on plane trips and car trips

[dinosaurtales]

14.  Will actually avoid taking vacations with the husband if it looks like he wants to go camping or anyplace where there won't be a piano for several days.  Actually gets terrified of the idea of being away from one for more than a weekend.

15.  Actually signs up for a vacation where there will purposefully be pianos around to practice on.

[adrian]

I dont thnk i am a very serious pianist in that case...
I dont purposely sign up  for vacations where they will be pianos....but I always hope there will be a piano =)

[Hmoll]

14.  Will actually avoid taking vacations with the husband if it looks like he wants to go camping or anyplace where there won't be a piano for several days.  Actually gets terrified of the idea of being away from one for more than a weekend.

15.  Actually signs up for a vacation where there will purposefully be pianos around to practice on.

Not really:

14/15: Has the wisdom to know that taking well deserved time off from piano - for example going on vacation with ones family - enhances ones overall health and well being, which in turn creates a positive and refreshed outlook and attitude for learning.

[ahmedito]

16- Is a person who constantly tries to learn more about music and the arts.

[dlu]

Not really:

14/15: Has the wisdom to know that taking well deserved time off from piano - for example going on vacation with ones family - enhances ones overall health and well being, which in turn creates a positive and refreshed outlook and attitude for learning.

Since when does playing any sort of instrument (or taking part in any kind of art, for that matter) have to do with having premium health and mental well-being? Hello!...some of the most craziest crazies are/were the best pianists/composers out there...i.e. helfgott (yes i know not that great...) sorabji, SCHUMANN!!! um...(split personality crazy!!)...ect, ect...

14/15 (revised!): is crazy

Period.

DLu

[allchopin]

17. I'll get back to you when I'm finished practicing

[ChristmasCarol]

18. Gets their piano tuned before anyone else can tell it needs it.

19.  Encourages, not discourages other people who play piano.

20.  Has the courage to get paid for playing.

[Hmoll]

Since when does playing any sort of instrument (or taking part in any kind of art, for that matter) have to do with having premium health and mental well-being? Hello!...some of the most craziest crazies are/were the best pianists/composers out there...i.e. helfgott (yes i know not that great...) sorabji, SCHUMANN!!! um...(split personality crazy!!)...ect, ect...

14/15 (revised!): is crazy

Period.

DLu

People do their best work when they are in a refreshed, healthy state - both mentally and physically.

Since you brought up Schumann, he is a case in point. There is a big difference between the high quality of  his earlier music and the inferior quality of his later works when his mental health problems became serious. Had he retained his mental health, there is no telling what great compositions he could have written.

I'm not sure what point you are making with Helfgott. He had some talent, but his breakdown directly led to him leaving the stage for decades, and never achieving his potential.

Overall it's true that you can find the odd crazy person among pianists, composers, and all artists, but that is more of an aberation than the rule. Great artists tend to love their art in a passionate way, and often have a lot of angst, but that should not be confused with mental disorder.

[m1469]

21.  Sleeps with music under pillow or at bedside

22.  Takes music with them wherever they go

23.  Sleeps in or under or around the piano whenever possible

24.  Begins to "look like" a piano

25.  Starts to style their hair like a piano's

[dlu]

21.  Sleeps with music under pillow or at bedside

22.  Takes music with them wherever they go

23.  Sleeps in or under or around the piano whenever possible

24.  Begins to "look like" a piano

25.  Starts to style their hair like a piano's

uu?... ...piano's have hair?

[dlu]

People do their best work when they are in a refreshed, healthy state - both mentally and physically.

Since you brought up Schumann, he is a case in point. There is a big difference between the high quality of  his earlier music and the inferior quality of his later works when his mental health problems became serious. Had he retained his mental health, there is no telling what great compositions he could have written.

I'm not sure what point you are making with Helfgott. He had some talent, but his breakdown directly led to him leaving the stage for decades, and never achieving his potential.

Overall it's true that you can find the odd crazy person among pianists, composers, and all artists, but that is more of an aberation than the rule. Great artists tend to love their art in a passionate way, and often have a lot of angst, but that should not be confused with mental disorder.

good point(s)...sorry for my ignorance

[Hmoll]

good point(s)...sorry for my ignorance

No ignorance at all.

I like to make the point a lot here that living life is imprtant as well as dedication.

[Glissando]

                                               
14.  Will actually avoid taking vacations with the husband if it looks like he wants to go camping or anyplace where there won't be a piano for several days.  Actually gets terrified of the idea of being away from one for more than a weekend.

15.  Actually signs up for a vacation where there will purposefully be pianos around to practice on.

Not really:

14/15: Has the wisdom to know that taking well deserved time off from piano - for example going on vacation with ones family - enhances ones overall health and well being, which in turn creates a positive and refreshed outlook and attitude for learning.

Interesting topic you two have brought up.
Personally, I have to exert all my will power to not practice everyday- I've been trying to take a few days off over the holiday break but it has been very hard- the piano room sucks me in like a magnet does metal.
But a few days of break are very good for me, I always play better if I take a break now and then.

26. Enjoys practicing.
27. listens to music every chance they get
28. Can play more Bach than just the Minuet in G
29. Knows who Scarlatti is (people just don't know who he is, it's so pathetic. And I'm having a horrible time finding recordings of his Sonatas, anyone know of a really good one?)
30. Doesn't think of "The Lone Ranger" whenever s/he hears the William Tell Overture!!!

[Rach3]

31. He/she practices.

[Rach3]

And understands that salsa, jazz, heavy metal, punk rock and rap are valid means of musical expression.

32. A serious pianist recognizes that salsa, jazz, heavy metal, punk rock and rap are not valid means of musical expression.

[dlu]

Interesting topic you two have brought up.
Personally, I have to exert all my will power to not practice everyday- I've been trying to take a few days off over the holiday break but it has been very hard- the piano room sucks me in like a magnet does metal.
But a few days of break are very good for me, I always play better if I take a break now and then.

26. Enjoys practicing.
27. listens to music every chance they get
28. Can play more Bach than just the Minuet in G
29. Knows who Scarlatti is (people just don't know who he is, it's so pathetic. And I'm having a horrible time finding recordings of his Sonatas, anyone know of a really good one?)
30. Doesn't think of "The Lone Ranger" whenever s/he hears the William Tell Overture!!!

yes!! SCARLATTI!! Pletnev is good (on piano), and Wanda Landowska (on harpsichord) is the BEST  (although the recordings aren't that great...she was born in 1879) !! I have just discovered Landowska's work and it is comparable to Glenn Gould. I would get the Pletnev recordings though if you are seeking quality performances with a good sound quality...I hear Pletnev learned the Sonatas on the plane on the way to the studio ...and I think Landowska's father must have strapped her to the harpsichord

[anda]

29. Knows who Scarlatti is (people just don't know who he is, it's so pathetic. And I'm having a horrible time finding recordings of his Sonatas, anyone know of a really good one?)

try horowitz - i absolutely love his recordings of scarlatti sonatas

[gyzzzmo]

33. Cries when playing Claire the Lune;
34. Has to go to the bathroom when hearing or playing Choping etude op25 no1.

[Glissando]

Thanks DLu and Anda!
I'll see if I can get either the Pletnev or Horowitz.

[Bacfokievrahms]

35. Ties his shoes while thinking about Chopin's delicate feet.

36. Loves Bach Profokiev and Brahms

37. Grasps a pianobar and swings away.

38. Doubles over ALL THE TIME.

[adrian]

i didnt really get 35, 37,38....please explain

[Bacfokievrahms]

Ah ok, actually a couple years ago I wouldn't ahve understood it either so I get where you're coming from, basically #35 is about undying love, #37 is about strength and passion, and #38 is about riding the wave of mental (but also emotional) emotions.

[Rach3]

37. Grasps a pianobar and swings away.

38. Doubles over ALL THE TIME.

Which leads us directly to...

39. Doesn't need superflous mannerisms and gestures to make his point.

[m1469]

40.  Hides blueprints for the world's finest piano petting-zoo between bed mattresses

41.  Is constantly thinking of excuses to sneak away and "look" at them

42.  When not looking at piano petting zoo blueprints, is thinking about looking at them

[Daniel_piano]

32. A serious pianist recognizes that salsa, jazz, heavy metal, punk rock and rap are not valid means of musical expression.

43. A serious pianist would never say something as idiotic as this statement

44. A serious pianist always motivate his/her ideas and opinions

45. A serious never try to pass for one

46. A serious pianist is never presumptuos because of his/her skill

47. A serious pianist is never haughty and don't consider people who can't play inferior


Daniel

[Bacfokievrahms]

48. a serious pianist carries his umbilical cord between two sheets of music.

49. a serious pianist knows when to dive into his work and when to dive into a lake (summertime)

50. a serious pianist realizes the ultimate force of gravity.

51. a serious pianist won't even look at his audience until his talent agent tells him to.

[Tash]

33. Cries when playing Claire the Lune;
34. Has to go to the bathroom when hearing or playing Choping etude op25 no1.

why specifically clair de lune, and why no34- i can't say that playing it makes me want to go to the bathroom....?

[Noah]

33. Cries when playing Claire the Lune;
34. Has to go to the bathroom when hearing or playing Choping etude op25 no1.

52. Can spell "Clair de lune" and "Chopin" properly.

[Ludvig_Van_Me]

Yeah 'choping' sounds like a sound effect when batman is in a fight

*Kapow!*

*Boom*

*CHOPING!*

[ahmedito]

53- His music library includes CDs or sheet music of things that aren't piano related at all.... (I've met "pianists" who have never heards Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Violin, Cello Suites or a Mozart opera in their life)

[Rach3]

53- His music library includes CDs or sheet music of things that aren't piano related at all.... (I've met "pianists" who have never heards Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Violin, Cello Suites or a Mozart opera in their life)

I second that!

[jacobspauly]

54. Analyses, studies, and learns about all classical theory, structures, and styles.

[Inscape]

55.  Can easily find a piano coin in a roll of quarters

56.  Loves to improvise and change parts of pieces for fun

57.  Browses while playing the piano

[m1469]

58.  Is surprised to find out in highschool health class...
       
       a)  mother's womb is not shaped like a piano
       b)  mother's milk does not consist of 88 keys

59.  Never matures to realizing #58

60.  Will not accept that #58 or #59 applies to them even if they are true

61.  Has a piano shaped wedding cake

[Glissando]

52. Can spell "Clair de lune" and "Chopin" properly.

LOL

[galonia]

52. Can spell "Clair de lune" and "Chopin" properly.

In high school, when studying the novel "Maestro" by Peter Goldsworth (Tash, you probably know the one) - the English teacher explained who Chopin was and why he would be mentioned in a novel about an aspiring pianist, for the benefit of those in the class who are not pianists.

About ten minutes after the explanation, one of my classmates leaned over and asked, "What is a 'Chop - ing'?"   

[janice]

25.  Starts to style their hair like a piano's

Or longs to have Beethoven's hairstyle!

[Bacfokievrahms]

I like the first one better because while beethoven had some pretty cool hair, his piano undoubtedly had way cooler hair.

[melia]

62. Looks at piano forums to get tips and insights on piano playing almost everyday at work during lunch hour!

[Tash]

In high school, when studying the novel "Maestro" by Peter Goldsworth (Tash, you probably know the one) - the English teacher explained who Chopin was and why he would be mentioned in a novel about an aspiring pianist, for the benefit of those in the class who are not pianists.

About ten minutes after the explanation, one of my classmates leaned over and asked, "What is a 'Chop - ing'?"

OH you've just reminded me that i was intending to borrow that book off a friend- we didn't get to study it but my friend used it as one of her extra texts, and i was meant to borrow it off her but forgot,hmm maybe i'll do that this week...

[m1469]

63.   Learns how to accept criticism
 

[wintervind]

Serious pianists always try to learn from others, for better or worse!

Knows the importance of a good teacher, but also can think for themselves.