Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Goodbye

Brilliant quote. And so true!

--------------------------
Play New Age Piano
http://www.quiescencemusic.com

Hi Frycek,

It sounds like you’ve got a lot of support here, including the owner of the forum. Are you sure you want to leave such fine friends and co-learners?

Heck, I’m 52 and have never been satisfied with my playing. However, just touching and feeling the piano keys is a form of stress relief and therapy all in itself.

Hang in there, it’ll get better.

Take care,

Rickster

-Frycek,

You are being harsh on yourself and on us who enjoy your knowledge and your play.

Please reconsider.

Selfishly and sincerely,

Lisztener

I have read many of your posts here on PWF and as with many others have found them interesting and informative.
It is encouraging that you wish to continuing playing for your own enjoyment, that I believe is why most of us are learning for our own enjoyment.
I too feel your pain I do experience the same frustrations and in my case self doubts.
I really do hope you continue participating in the forum, I have been learning piano for less than a year and look up to the members such as yourself as a form of inspiration to where I want to be.

Frycek

It looks to me that you have alot of friends here who admire you. I have read many of your posts and you are always full of useful and interesting information. There's no doubt in my mind that you have a deep love for music. If I recall you played a Fields Nocturne at one of the recitals. I remember it being quite beautiful.

I just finished practicing tonight and I didn't like how I sounded on any of the pieces. Often when stuff like this happens. The next day I will take out the same pieces and practice and I will notice some improvement in my playing.

You know what I think? It sounds to me like you are having a bad day. We all have bad days musically. I betcha even Chopin had his share of bad days musically.

Chances are tomorrow will be a better day. I will keep my fingers crossed for you ok?

NONSENSE!!! Utter and absolute NONSENSE!!

Frycek,

I don't know you personally, but I feel like I have come to know you (as well as many others) from your participation and contributions to the forum.

I just turned 40 and in my own own eyes I many times feel like I am the epitome of mediocrity (especially concerning guitar and chess). But yet I keep pushing forward. It's like there is something there taunting me, like a dangling carrot, always and infinitely just beyond my grasp. I know I will never obtain it, but it is like the chase is what has me leaning dangerously over the edge, reaching, reaching, with reckless abandon, for the unachievable award.

So for selfish reasons I ask you, please (PLEASE PLEASE [PRETTY PRETTY] PLEASE) continue to grace us with you presence. You are (at least in my eyes) a valuable asset to this online community that has become a very special part of my musical journey and keeps me plunging forward. Not to mention, what type of role model would you be for persons possibly approaching a midlife crisis??

I know this an online forum which provides anonymity and screen names for some to hide behind. But, and not to sound cliche, as many of us wear our hearts on our sleeves in this forum, it really truly brings a sense of a real community.

I have seen this happen on other forums, and never really felt compelled to intervene, but in this case I feel obliged.

So if you must go on hiatus, know you will be missed.

Sincerely,

Rich

.

Frycek,

I was trying to pick a few good quotes from the many others here who have already responded to you, but it was hard to narrow them down. Everybody else has already made whatever points I could make. But I think Frank here represents most closely my reaction to your post.

I just got back from seeing Einaudi play his music with a skill that brought tears to my eyes, and I realized that I will probably never sound anything as close to as good as he sounds.

But I also realized that it didn't matter, that I *still* liked how I sounded when I played his music, imperfect as it was, and that I got immense satisfaction from just trying to come close to his genius and beauty.

There will always be somebody better than us. That doesn't mean that what we're doing right now is worthless.

Hang in there.

A story (you may not know this, but folks from the South tend to speak in stories, meandering to a point )

Not too long ago, I knew a brother and sister, each with a gift of music. The boy played piano a bit, strummed a decent guitar and was session quality on percussion, mostly drumsets.

The girl? Could sing pretty well, could play piano pretty well, could play a flute very well. But she had something her brother lacked...she had ears like a bat, and the ability to immediately know what was wrong with a piece of music...I heard remark as she walked through a room one day where a symphony was playing on tv, "Y'all hear that second clarinet, he's a bit flat."

And she was right. She has the gift to immediately hear a problem in a mixed orchestra and fix it. She has the gift to push and pull musicians as she will, and achieve what she wants.

But she doesn't enjoy music as she should. A good bit of talent, good enough to play at a local symphony level, but hypercritical enough that she's never good enough, she never achieves the perfection she seeks. It frustrates her.

The brother? Different child, different planet. Everybody makes mistakes, music should be fun. One mistake is a screw-up, two are jazz. He lives for the give and take of a band, and the applause of the crowd. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be enjoyable.

One rarely plays much...not anymore. The other will always enjoy his music.

The point of the story? Play for yourself, play for enjoyment. Play not for perfection, but play for all the right reasons. Play for life.

The brother and sister? Yeah, I know them fairly well.

I fathered them both....

I have accepted the fact that I will be a life long intermediate pianist, and that is okay with me. I, too, think you should give this decision a bit more thought. You are a better player than I. If you should chuck it in, then I probably should, too. I won't, though. I enjoy it too much (most of the time, anyway).

Stick around awhile, and see if you feel differently in a few days. We all get frustrated sometimes, and begin to wonder why we keep trying. Usually, the mood passes, and we carry on. All I am asking is that you take the time to be certain you are making the correct decision. Of course, if you do quit, you may later decide to come back to it like so many others. I came back to the piano. Twice, so far. You have my respect and best wishes whatever you decide.

Of course you will continue—it's inevitable, so don't keep it private!

Each of us has a personal relationship with our practice of music, but none of us has to be alone in that. Everything you need is right here, where we teach, learn and share our joy.

I don't know [what else to say] that wouldn't seem trite, or patronizing, or inconsequential. Just know that I'm your friend to be called upon as needed. It's my honor and privilege to repeat those words back to you now.

Steven

.

Frycek,

I haven't been able to be around here much recently for a variety of reasons, but I saw your post and have to reply. You've had lots of great advice here but the other thing I want to say is please take care of yourself. You sound very down and I hope you can be kind to yourself and get some support. (Just read through this thread a few times!). I get frustrated as well knowing I'll never play at a really high level but that's not the point of music, is it? When you feel ready to share it again I think you've seen we'll all be here . Take care.
Sophia

Dude, remember when I posted ~this~ last night?

I respect the feelings you are having because they seem to make me a better person.

I came to the conclusion I wasn't... ...how did I put it? Yes! That, I don't know you at all so I must now be speaking to that part of me in you and you in me: I said, regarding musicianship, As they say to the drunk, the junky, and (as they should) to the artist: I hope you fall. I hope you fall hard. I hope it hurts. I hope it means something this time. Truly, there's not much more time left.

peace

Frycek, you have contributed so much to this forum! Your knowledge and passion for Chopin seeps through in every post you write. You have taught us all so much, pleeese don't go!

How about taking a break for a few days, or even a month? Re-evaluate things, but remember the wise words from everyone who has posted here so far.

I started playing two months before I turned 18, so I count myself as an adult beginner. No other music before that except a year of bell choir, which, I think, doesn't count for much.

I'm dedicating my recent improvisation to adult learners including Frycek. For me some of what adult learners feel is expressed in this piece. Some anger some frustration (but some beauty hopefully):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h37sLTCAgOk

Frycek,

I usually think: as long as *I* can hear all the weaknesses of my own play (oh, and I do...), then my musicality in my head is larger than I can express. So, there is some potential in the future. If I considered my play as perfect, it would be quite suspicious...

Please keep posting. I like your posts!

Frycek, if you don't mind, could you tell us what is bothering you that causes you to feel this way?

Dear Frycek, since returning to the piano last year at the age of 56 I have often felt the way you've expressed. I don't know what - or who - exactly has prompted you to feel as low as you do right now, but please be assured that you're in good company here in the ABF with your frustration!

'Lacking in musicality'.... ah, yes that would be me me too! Except that I know the 'musicality' is in me just as I know - and I feel I know you quite well - it's in you too. Together, we will bring our musicality to the surface - just wait and see if we don't! Our love for the piano and it's repertoire is too great for any other alternative. Let's leave the virtuoso performances to the virtuosos. Our efforts are just as worthy.

and... forget the age thing. It's an advantage!

Hey, I'm pushing 60. No concertos for me, but it is a thrill to make music from a bunch of dots on a page.