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I've been invited to a local piano party this weekend and I can't decide whether I should attempt to play anything or not. I'm pretty certain I know what Cindysphinx is going say, "just do it already", but I'm very nervous and I'm afraid I might have a melt down. The good news is that I already know two of the people who are going to be there. The bad news is that they are both extremely talented and will make me look like what I really am, a beginner. What would you do? Jon
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein Charles Walter W190 Ebony
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"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein
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I'm wondering the same thing if I attend the DC area party in June. I think the best I can muster is a mediocre rendition of whatever my best piece is at the time (which most likely would be a short method piece or a one- or two-page excerpt from Bergmuller or Clementi). Everybody else will be cranking out very difficult pieces on these beautiful grand pianos that I'd be afraid to touch.
Here's my double-standard recommendation: You, Jon, should play, because I bet you're much better than you let on. However, I know that no one would be interested in hearing me (myself included), so I may opt out.
markb--The Count of Casio
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Markb, I played for some of these guys a little bit on our piano shopping excursion and I didn't wither. Like you, the problem I have is I don't have my piece at performance level yet. The other players might understand, but I'm worried about the other peripheral people, like spouses who might make fun of me or something. In my nightmares I finish playing and all I can hear is "You Su%k!, Why are you even here", etc, etc... Jon
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein Charles Walter W190 Ebony
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The idea of most piano parties is to relax and share music. People will appreciate it if you share some music with them. Don't worry about how talented other people are.
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Heheh...I really doubt, though, that anyone would say that to you. Now, if I were playing, they also may not say it, but they'd be thinking it!
My feeling is that, with all these real pianists and pianos around, why would they want to listen to me plinking around? I know I would like to hear other beginners, as well as the advanced players, but I don't know if they'd care to hear me. And that's not a feel-sorry-for-myself story.
You've probably been playing long enough that you can find something in your repertoire, even something from a while back, that you could play real purty.
markb--The Count of Casio
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I would definitely play something at a piano party, even if it was "Blow the man down". If folks laughed and made fun of me, I would know for certain that these are not folks I want to hang around with. A little embarrassment with really nothing to lose.
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just play a small piece that you're really comfortable with, and i'm sure that people would like it and forgive you if they know you're just a beginner.
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Jerry Luke, I have a miner's coal hat on my spaceship seat, but the blue color of my banana is really very smart in comparison to a green leafed bed with no windows.
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NewKFlomTo, may I say, "you are a strange one, sir/maam.." Anyway, I think I'm going to bring my music and just see what happens. I've been working on Moonlight Sonata, so that's what I feel most comfortable playing. Thanks for all the encouragement. Jon
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein Charles Walter W190 Ebony
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jd, you should keep in mind that some of the "bad comments" you imagine you might hear are just that ... imaginings, based on your own worst views of yourself. I won't go much father into that psychology stuff, but you can probably be assured that most of the other people who play can remember being in the same boat. Their attitude will probably be supportive and friendly. As far as the "peripherals" go, they may well be thinking "if HE can learn as an adult, why haven't I tried", or something along those lines. That's just as probable as my OWN worst nightmare line: " My GOD! ... and I thought JerryLUKE was the barrels bottom! Who on earth is THIS??!!?? " :p Plus it'll give you experience playing in front of other people, with not that much, really, to lose. That's a learning experience you can't get alone at home. bob
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Maybe it would help to play out the "worst case scenario" game... What would be the worst case scenario? That you play something easier than some of the others, a few people smirk or scoff, maybe someone even guffaws in the middle of your piece... First, I would think any of this would be highly unlikely. However, if this were to happen, do you think you could live through it? Probably.
If it's a piano party, my sense would be that you would be surrounded by a bunch of supportive people who want you to do well (as opposed to people trying to find fault with your playing).
BTW, I think Bob has a good point--the bad comments you imagine may be based on your own worst views of yourself. Most of us probably have a tendency to nitpick our playing to death. And, we often forget that our playing often sounds better to others than it does to ourselves. Moonlight Sonata is beautiful, and I am sure your listeners will enjoy it.
Good luck!
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Originally posted by NewKFlomTo: Jerry Luke, I have a miner's coal hat on my spaceship seat, but the blue color of my banana is really very smart in comparison to a green leafed bed with no windows. Sounds like you have a sweet ride.
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Originally posted by RKVS1: ... and I thought JerryLUKE was the barrels bottom! Sir, you have insulted me. I am an upstanding member of the Piano World community. Such libel (or is it slander) cannot go unchallenged.
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tk's comment re my post: (need I even SAY "and I quote"? ) yea, I think I will ... "AND I QUOTE":
----------- BTW, I think Bob has a good point. ---------
and in tk's SAME post:
-------- someone even guffaws in the middle of your piece --------
well, I HOPE I don't know exactly what the heck she's talking about here, so giving EVERYONE the benefit of the doubt, I say she's talking about YOU!
You going to take us BOTH on?
Bob
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Here's what I've been doing - I take my best two or three pieces with me - in fact, I "carry" copies in my purse or van (see, now you gotta take a purse... Then, if I'm in the mood, I have something to play. But I never let them put my name on anything, be it a bulletin or program, so I can wuss out without everyone knowing my shame and I'm still in control... Liz
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I just wish I could FIND a piano party in my area. I'd go - just to meet other piano addicts.
It's the journey not the destination..
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It depends on the food being served. If it isn't very good, I'm not playing. But if it's really good I'll play and clear the room in no time. MORE FOR ME .
Keep a song in your heart!
Frank -------------------------- It's not who we are that holds us back, it's who we think we're not!
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Most likely these people just want to hang out and play piano, regardless of talent or not. You will do fine and no one will think anything of it. If they messed up once or twice would you care? Doubt it, plus you'd be supportive. Don't sweat it.
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Hey, Bob! Don't drag me in the middle of your tiff with Jerry! Sorry, bub, you're gonna hafta take him on without taking my words out of context! Sigh. See what happens? I try to post something serious, and this is what I get? jdsher, I apologize on behalf of my friends RKVS1 and Jerry Luke. They know not what they do... :says solemnly with head bowed:
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Piano
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