Not a Beginner?

keff · 2024-05-09T11:21:25+00:00

I'm not a beginner but then again I find it difficult to say that I am a pianist. I can sight read things like Mozart sonatas and easier Bach pieces such as...

Rubens

I just say I play the piano as a hobby, simple as that!

HeartKeys

Rubens I just say I play the piano as a hobby, simple as that!

I like this one in particular. You keep it straight factual, and it takes away the ambiguity. And if they think you’re so good you should be a professional, that’s when you can thank them for such kind words! : )

BartK

Rubens I just say I play the piano as a hobby, simple as that!

Same here.

SouthPark

Rubens True! We play the piano. We are all piano players.

twocats

PianogrlNW yes, I think if you say you're a "pianist" it sounds like that's your career. But "amateur pianist" preempts that.

twocats

I think what I actually say is "serious amateur pianist" these days. I'm much more serious about it than I used to be, will never be at professional level but trying to get as close as possible 🙂

Stub

I say I'm taking piano lessons. If they have any interest, they'll ask for how long and I'll tell them. Otherwise, "taking piano lessons" is enough for them, lol.

The people who ask will usually say that they had lessons for a time as a child. I always tell them it's not too late to jump back in.

Sgisela

I also struggle with this and never call myself a pianist— internally, this label feels like something that makes sense for people who are much more skilled and learned than I am. I ‘play a little,’ I ‘take lessons,’ and I ‘have a very nice piano.’ But when I send around Christmas piano video greetings, people seem rather surprised/impressed by my playing.

One of my frames of reference is professional pianists, and so from that perspective, ‘I play a little’ seems correct. But another frame of reference I have is Jane Austen and Victorian novels, and my perception of expectations for an ‘accomplished young lady’ from this time. From that perspective, I feel like my efforts are more Elizabeth Bennett-like than Georgiana Darcy-like. But in today’s world, I suspect Elizabeth Bennett would not have played past age 10, and Georgiana Darcy would have gone to a conservatory. It feels that in today’s world, there’s not very much space for amateur musicians. Professionals play at extremely high levels, probably at higher levels than ever. And very few people learn to play at all, whereas in prior eras, casual music making was much more common.

ranjit

Sgisela Professionals play at extremely high levels, probably at higher levels than ever. And very few people learn to play at all, whereas in prior eras, casual music making was much more common.

And this is sad. There are other countries where virtually everyone sings. By making music a niche professional thing, it loses its cultural relevance imo.

ShiroKuro

Sgisela It feels that in today’s world, there’s not very much space for amateur musicians. Professionals play at extremely high levels, probably at higher levels than ever. And very few people learn to play at all, whereas in prior eras, casual music making was much more common

Yes, I think this is pretty accurate, unfortunately.

I sometimes wonder if part of performance anxiety comes from the fact that, as you say, there’s not much space for causal music making, and because few people play, it feels like the expectations are super high. After all, most people don’t often listen to amateur play, so we may subconsciously expect them to be less forgiving.

Stub

Amateur pianists were a big market for music publishers for many, many years. That started to change when other means of home entertainment became available to households, namely radio and the phonograph. It used to be that having at least modest skills at playing and singing were considered necessary social graces. Nowadays (cynicism warning!) being deft at manipulating your smart phone is considered a social grace. In short, making your own music has been in decline for over a century. Which is sad, because no matter what you call yourself, making music with your own two hands (or vocal chords) is just sooo satisfying.

ranjit

Stub Nowadays (cynicism warning!) being deft at manipulating your smart phone is considered a social grace.

Haha. I personally value computer skills more, they look cooler.

Sam

Stub Publishing music for amateurs is still a big business - just look at all the method books, graded repertoire books, self published music by the neo-classical crowd, and the Fabers and Alfreds. There are people making a living composing and publishing and recording for the "neo-classical" market.

keystring

It's interesting - I just joined yesterday and the first two threads I've read: one is a video about whether one is a beginner or intermediate, and this one is called "not a beginner". I abandoned my thoughts on the other one and I'm thinking: what if we don't worry about what we are and just do the doing? I can't label myself anywhere. I do sometimes say "I'm all over the place." - which I am.

HeartKeys

keystring

At some point I’m inclined to just say, “sure” to whatever they ask. “Are you pro?” “sure.” “Wow you play undisciplined.” “sure.” “Oh goodness you should record yourself more!” “Sure.” “Uhm that’s not how the Nocturne is supposed to sound. Your improvisation detracts from the spirit of Chopin’s work.” “sure.” 🙂

Pallas

keystring what if we don't worry about what we are and just do the doing?

I'm in.

ranjit

HeartKeys At some point I’m inclined to just say, “sure” to whatever they ask. “Are you pro?” “sure.” “Wow you play undisciplined.” “sure.” “Oh goodness you should record yourself more!” “Sure.” “Uhm that’s not how the Nocturne is supposed to sound. Your improvisation detracts from the spirit of Chopin’s work.” “sure.” 🙂

This is funny. I relate to where you're coming from.

Killomiter

I know I have said on PW that if anyone asks and they rarely do ask about what standard I am at on the piano my reply is simply that 'I am Student of music' although I played for more than 25 years lol

SouthPark

My aim was to just relax and keep learning and developing at my own pace, and playing what I like ... no time limit, and just knowing that if we keep having fun and continuing to enjoy playing our pianos and accommodating/absorbing and understanding teachings in music (direct and indirect), then we can start conveying music in our own ways, and being totally comfortable with piano anywhere.

So the learning isn't just about playing scripts, where playing scripts is a significant skill in itself of course. The learning is also about applying theory and music experience and life experience ... to express yourself in your way ... as freely as you feel. So basically, it's sort of like singing in your mind while translating a version of that to the piano. But of course, the piano can't pitch bend like what our music in our mind is doing. And it can't alter the loudness or timbre profile of sustained notes. But it does have amazing timbre and multi-note and blending capabilities, and the soft loud piano-forte control. So we can certainly make pianos do some amazing and wonderful and beautiful and elegant etc singing ... in its way (and our way -- as it's a team effort - us and the piano ... as one).

So if we make it our life-long aim to keep learning, and keep developing and keep practising etc, then we usually find that we become formidable in our own ways, even if being 'formidable' or 'good' etc wasn't the aim/goal.

And my aim is to just keep playing piano for the absolute love of them, and absolute love of music.

Sam

ShiroKuro Most professionals I know do not judge the amateurs that they know. Instead they are happy to listen, happy to help if asked, happy that there are amateurs out there enjoying music. So do not be shy about saying you are an amateur - that is how you make connections and find other people that share amateur music making.

ShiroKuro

Sam Most professionals I know do not judge the amateurs that they know.

Sam, I agree. I think professional musicians are probably more sympathetic listeners actually. With my comment above, I wasn't thinking so much about professionals, but rather non-musicians. I think if people (in general) were used to hearing music made by non-professionals, then they also would be sympathetic listeners. But what I meant was, most people rarely listen to live music -- they listen mostly to recorded music (by professionals). Or they listen to YouTubers and Tik Tockers who are amateurs in theory but make music at a professional level.

So, perhaps without even realizing it, expectations are higher.... Probably not all people are like this, but if "casual playing" were common the way it used to be in the past, and people had more experience listening to music making that wasn't at a professional level, then I think there would be less pressure to be perfect.

ShiroKuro

Sam Publishing music for amateurs is still a big business - just look at all the method books, graded repertoire books, self published music by the neo-classical crowd, and the Fabers and Alfreds. There are people making a living composing and publishing and recording for the "neo-classical" market.

Yes indeed! You might remember the article a few years back about how solo pianists like David Nevue and Michelle McLaughlin were making huge amounts of money from Pandora radio. As it happens, these artists (along with people like Alexis Ffrench, Einaudi etc.) also sell their sheet music and I have the impression that it sells very well. Nevue was picked up by Hal Leonard and I think he has two score collections published by HL now. Which is really saying something!

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