Yann Tiersen - Love of my life

[ahinton]

Sorry, change it to Chopin's Mazurkas***

Karol's mazurkas would scare women away, at least the ones that aren't trained in music. Let me have a go at Maria's.

My bad.

OK...

Best,

Alistair

[mjames]

Oh yes Maria Syzmanowski, I remember her. There was a thread about her before. The incredibly generic transitional composer that wrote like almost every other composer did during that period and yet that's enough to call her a huge influence on Chopin because she's polish and wrote mazurkas, polonaises, and nocturnes too. lol I'm afraid her mazurkas would bore women too.

I will have a go at op. 24 no. 4 and see how it'll work out. After that I'll give up and take Rach's advice on jazz and pop stuff.

[ahinton]

Oh yes Maria Syzmanowski, I remember her. There was a thread about her before. The incredibly generic transitional composer that wrote like almost every other composer did during that period and yet that's enough to call her a huge influence on Chopin because she's polish and wrote mazurkas, polonaises, and nocturnes too. lol I'm afraid her mazurkas would bore women too.

I will have a go at op. 24 no. 4 and see how it'll work out. After that I'll give up and take Rach's advice on jazz and pop stuff.

But all that notwithstanding, has it not occurred to you that the purported premise of this thread is in any case utterly flawed and so what might follow therefrom is almost certain to be likewise (as has indeed so far proved to be the case)? Presumably not, but that's hardly my fault...

Best,

Alistair

[ronde_des_sylphes]

No I don't. I mean the Liszt one. It works for me. I know this is a piano website but hands are not everything..

OK, but I don't get your refeence to other parts that could be active during a performance, then; I'd assumed you to refer to the Wittgenstein because it does at least leave one hand free to do whatever the pianist might feel inclined to do whilst engagin his/her let hand in the playing thereof...

Playing the piano using both hands (as is necessaray for Liszt's transcription) requires the involvement of four limbs, so it's rather difficult to see what else could be done the while - but perhaps I'm missing something here and I trust that you will clarify what that might be if so...

Lol olga.

I think she knows what she's talking about  

That's one video of the Liebestod I'm not putting on youtube.

[mjames]

Olga named herself after (or shares the name) after a fanatical Lisztomaniac. I think it's fairly obvious what she's talking about. XD

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Olga named herself after (or shares the name) after a fanatical Lisztomaniac. I think it's fairly obvious what she's talking about. XD

Lol. 

[ahinton]

Lol. 

Whether or not she knows of what she writes (and, for the record and for the avoidance of doubt, I for one am casting no doubt upon it), I'm not sure that the frankly bizarre thread topic has thereby been addressed (and that's far more of a criticism of said topic than it is of member olga-janina)...

Best,

Alistair

[debussychopin]

What about mazurkas and men?

See a fine young lady performing a mazurka on a piano would attract a man any day.


Especially if she has some qualifying physical assets.


Maybe she can play anything even chopsticks.


Perhaps even if she doesn't even know piano.


Just standing there.



Definitely.

Mazurkas and men. ...answered that one for ya fellas.

[outin]

What about mazurkas and men?

Men are easy...just lie down on the grand, no need to spend time learning to play...

The times when women studied music to get a husband are far in the past.

[olga_janina]

Playing the piano using both hands (as is necessaray for Liszt's transcription) requires the involvement of four limbs, so it's rather difficult to see what else could be done the while - but perhaps I'm missing something here and I trust that you will clarify what that might be if so...

This is a family website.. I think.

Ronde understands 

[visitor]

[ahinton]

This is a family website.. I think.

Is it? I don't know - but I was thinking of your post #38 when writing as I did.

If some of this might be considered less than suitable for such a website, by all means PM me with any thoughts that you might otherwise consider inappropriate for airing here.

I continue to contend that I have no idea why mazurkas in particular, regardless of who might have composed them, are as lacking in one particular that the OP appears to consider them to be.

Oh, mon Dieu!

Best,

Alistair

[visitor]

[sumpianodude]

can't believe i just wasted 20 minutes reading this thread... *facepalm*
that said tho, perhaps i should start learning more nocturnes than just the c minor one...

do they work if the person your trying to woo can play them as well? XD

[adodd81802]

can't believe i just wasted 20 minutes reading this thread... *facepalm*
that said tho, perhaps i should start learning more nocturnes than just the c minor one...

do they work if the person your trying to woo can play them as well? XD

Well that depends on their EGO.

You could purposely be worse to get free 1-to-1 lessons with them if you know what I mean

Or you can play it so much better they are in awe and admiration of your playing. Or hate your smug playing abilities

Women are a complicated thing. But general consensus is Nocturnes are a hit.

[ahinton]

Woman are a complicated thing.

"Woman" is singular.

But general consensus is Nocturnes are a hit.

Best go learn Gulistān, then - or, for those that are even more ambitious but think that the wooing process might take longer, the same composer's Symphonic Nocturne (all 2¼ hours of it)...

Best,

Alistair

[chomaninoff1]

Wowww to all the sexism in this thread. It is very insulting to the many women on here to claim that we don't like mazurkas because we're women. I also am bothered by your insinuating that women only like simplistic and cookie cutter sounding music with "a steady beat." I'm sure our simplistic female minds can't understand the nuances of mazurkas like the superior male mind can...   

It is quite troubling how you say a non-musician woman can't understand or appreciate mazurkas, while suggesting that male non-musicians can? I'm sure both male and female non-musicians can appreciate mazurkas, and I'm sure that some won't. Stop making this into a gender thing, acting like women are like a different species and won't like the same music men like.  What is your reasoning or evidence to suggest that just because a few girls you met didn't like Chopin's mazurkas, that this in any way means that women in general don't like mazurkas?

I will admit the mazurkas are definitely an acquired taste for some, and might be a bit strange sounding to non-musicians, regardless of gender.  But why make the distinction that it is only women non-musicians that can't fully appreciate mazurkas?

Ps. Kudos to the members who called this BS out and called this ridiculous thread for what it is.

[cuberdrift]

You know what, I just realized this, but I've got a feeling that a LOT of my actions involving "showing" something to other people, most especially in piano, seems to be fueled by my desire to be "liked" by pretty girls.

Wow. Seriously.

Even all this talk about "dressing well" because "it makes me feel good". Many people (particularly the young adults or teens) like saying that, especially the girls. But I'm starting to think that while one MIGHT think that, one is actually really just trying to attract the opposite gender.

Growing up in an exclusive private school I always liked grooming my hair well, even at times putting gel in it maybe on a daily basis. I knew my entire school's students were basically guys, but then somehow I yearned to actually see girls from the neighboring sister school. What's strange is that I sort of just wanted to "see" them, or maybe to get near to them, but it never occurred to me that I actually should have talked to them.  

When I play "Romantic" or "sentimental" piano pieces I think I'm really greatly motivated by the fact that I want to capture the hearts of beautiful girls.

One more thing:

I'd like to know something; which would appeal to girls more, given that the performer is male; a highly romantic, sentimental piece like Schubert's famous Impromptu in Gb Major or something "testosterone-fueled" like Prokofiev's Toccata?

I'm starting to think that maybe the latter one would do. It goes along the mentality that women prefer "Alpha" masculine guys, etc. (reminds me of nyireghazi/holygideons, lol). Strangely, I always preferred playing sweet tunes whenever I imagined nice-looking female girls possibly being among my audience.

[starlady]

You know what, I just realized this, but I've got a feeling that a LOT of my actions involving "showing" something to other people, most especially in piano, seems to be fueled by my desire to be "liked" by pretty girls.

Wow. Seriously.

Even all this talk about "dressing well" because "it makes me feel good". Many people (particularly the young adults or teens) like saying that, especially the girls. But I'm starting to think that while one MIGHT think that, one is actually really just trying to attract the opposite gender.

That's nothing to feel bad about!   Birds do it...bees do it....even educated fleas do it....

[cuberdrift]

That's nothing to feel bad about!   Birds do it...bees do it....even educated fleas do it....

Of course...that's the Fitzgerald song, right?

This realization about attracting the opposite gender actually reminded me of how much we humans are animals, really. Lol. We just happen to be more clever.

Ps. Kudos to the members who called this BS out and called this ridiculous thread for what it is.

On the contrary. I honestly think it's an interesting study. A really interesting one. Stereotypes are of course disliked.

But come on. I'm a boy. Call me an egotistic, cocky, insecure, competitive, apathetic bastard if you will, I don't care, it's part of...our nature. And females will always generally be the more intuitive, "emotional" side of our species. It's all about nature.

Us males need to "lead" so bodies are naturally more powerful, so we're generally more competitive. Females are destined to care for their young so they'll always be attracted to "cute" things. It's nature.

What about mazurkas and men?

See a fine young lady performing a mazurka on a piano would attract a man any day.


Especially if she has some qualifying physical assets.


Maybe she can play anything even chopsticks.


Perhaps even if she doesn't even know piano.


Just standing there.



Definitely.

Mazurkas and men. ...answered that one for ya fellas.

How true, ha-ha.

I don't think any woman would be attracted to even an attractive man doing that same thing. For us it takes way more work.  

_{EDIT: A-ha. 69th post.}

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I'd like to know something; which would appeal to girls more, given that the performer is male; a highly romantic, sentimental piece like Schubert's famous Impromptu in Gb Major or something "testosterone-fueled" like Prokofiev's Toccata?

I really wouldn't like to generalise. Women are wonderfully varied. i know what sort of pieces usually get the best response when I play them, but that's in part because of who I am. I don't think it's sexist either to say that playing piano well to an attractive woman and getting a very positive response is about the biggest kick I can get as a (male) musician.

[visitor]

date=1479220953]
I really wouldn't like to generalise. Women are wonderfully varied. i know what sort of pieces usually get the best response when I play them,[/b] but that's in part because of who I am. I don't think it's sexist either to say that playing piano well to an attractive woman and getting a very positive response is about the biggest kick I can get as a (male) musician.

on that note, i was reading through this (btw the arranger is super talented do check out his channel if anyone likes this sort of stuff, he's a stand up guy and if you email him and follow instructions, he's happy to furnish scores). and think it would be a pretty big hit w/ a decent size swatch of folks.   stuff like this is fresh enough but w the re harmonization, it classes it up, i think in the states playing it in a nordstrom lobby (they usually have steinways  by the escalators in their stores) would get a lot of attention

[mjames]

Wowww to all the sexism in this thread. It is very insulting to the many women on here to claim that we don't like mazurkas because we're women. I also am bothered by your insinuating that women only like simplistic and cookie cutter sounding music with "a steady beat." I'm sure our simplistic female minds can't understand the nuances of mazurkas like the superior male mind can...  

It is quite troubling how you say a non-musician woman can't understand or appreciate mazurkas, while suggesting that male non-musicians can? I'm sure both male and female non-musicians can appreciate mazurkas, and I'm sure that some won't. Stop making this into a gender thing, acting like women are like a different species and won't like the same music men like.  What is your reasoning or evidence to suggest that just because a few girls you met didn't like Chopin's mazurkas, that this in any way means that women in general don't like mazurkas?

I will admit the mazurkas are definitely an acquired taste for some, and might be a bit strange sounding to non-musicians, regardless of gender.  But why make the distinction that it is only women non-musicians that can't fully appreciate mazurkas?

Ps. Kudos to the members who called this BS out and called this ridiculous thread for what it is.

Who the crap said all that bs you're spouting? This was never meant to be a "serious thread" genius, it's just a thread about using piano music to pick up women, and which works/genres will give you the most success. It's focus is on women not because of some sexist agenda, but because I'm a straight male. It wasn't about why "women can't do this" or "men can do that", please don't put words into other people's mouths just because you want to feel victimized.

I'm sure our simplistic female minds can't understand the nuances of mazurkas like the superior male mind can...

This is baffling, I have no idea where you got this from. It's a light-hearted thread, okay? Now go away.

[stevensk]

This was never meant to be a "serious thread"

-No, obvious not. Stop this sh*t!

[visitor]

..

[mjames]

Notice how the people who genuinely responded talked about the music, instead of complaining about sexism or whatever... 

[visitor]

[ahinton]

That's nothing to feel bad about!   Birds do it...bees do it....even educated fleas do it....

What? Play mazurkas?

Best,

Alistair

[starlady]

What? Play mazurkas?

Best,

Alistair

I believe we have discovered a lacuna in Ahinton's encyclopediac knowledge of great music!  Ahinton, look up a recording of Ella Fitzgerald singing  'Let's Fall in Love' and all will be made clear.

[chechig]

I must say I'm a woman, and I love Chopin's mazurkas. Some of them are fabulous!!
If you want to try something different, why not some mazurkas by Maria Szymanowska?

 mazurkas by Glinka

[mjames]

Yeah, I don't like Maria at all, I honestly don't know what you guys see in her music. I didn't know Glinka composed mazurkas though, that one's extremely beautiful and creative. : D

[ahinton]

I believe we have discovered a lacuna in Ahinton's encyclopediac knowledge of great music!  Ahinton, look up a recording of Ella Fitzgerald singing  'Let's Fall in Love' and all will be made clear.

Not at all - and of couse I am familiar with the recording that you mention - but sadly you missed the joke (which, OK, wasn't all that great); never mind!

Best,

Alistair

[olga_janina]

I've had a lot of pieces played to me in the mornings recently 

Liszt Liebestod, Brahms Eb intermezzo, Debussy arabesques... these are my favourites. Also Casta diva, Chopin Nocturnes, some mazurkas haha, slow movement of the third sonata, Liszt Rienzi fantasy, some etudes, some Hungarian rhapsodies, Moonlight sonata, slow movement of the Hammerklavier, some weird piece of Alkan... other stuff too.

The sight-reading isn't as good as he thinks though 
Pretty good but not *that* good.

[octave_revolutionary]

I'd like to know something; which would appeal to girls more, given that the performer is male; a highly romantic, sentimental piece like Schubert's famous Impromptu in Gb Major or something "testosterone-fueled" like Prokofiev's Toccata?

Ladies, you decide.............. 

[visitor]

[ahinton]

Ladies, you decide.............. 

I thought that this thread was about mazurkas.

Just heard three of Szymanowski's set of 20 Op. 50 broadcast today on BBC Radio 3 but I suppose that this doesn't count here as the pianist is female...

(...yawn...)

Best,

Alistair

[octave_revolutionary]

@visitor Is that you?! 

[dogperson]

Ladies, you decide.............. 

You are kidding, right?  Tol be able to compare is to assume that the insane 'octave revolutionary'  feeding frenzy at the piano can be used as a comparator. 

[octave_revolutionary]

@dogperson NO, I'm not kidding in the least. And  if you're not female (and preferrably young, i.e. under 40), your answer doesn't count to me.

[ahinton]

OK,so rubbish thread, but if people can't even stick to its title, that should tell us all that most of us never wanted to know in the first place, I guess.

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

.

[mjames]

And yet you're still here, posting off topic crap. Seriously if you think its trash and what not, just stop posting; it's that simple. All you need to do is say it once. Besides, people have already addressed the topic and have moved on. Now we only have a bunch of dolts talking about obscure composers I didn't ask about, sexism, and whatever.

I changed the title for a reason, in hopes of that people will ignore it and move on. Now shut up and go debate about politics, jesus.

[sumpianodude]

Ladies, you decide.............. 

still hoping for poll results to this one lmao