Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Why do people keep playing the piano?

Ok, this is a little tongue-in-cheek, think of it as the counter to the "Why are people quitting piano" thread. I'm feeling kind of a low point, help me out. Better yet, imagine there is a "PianoQuittersWorld.com" forum and somebody asked why those crazies keep playing :grin:

Because Frédéric Chopin played the piano. If he had decided to become a plumber instead, I'd probably be a plumber, too.

Because it's challenging.

Because it's fun.

Because at my age it stimulates new areas of the brain and may help to prevent some of the more common aging issues.

Because I have always wanted to and now I can.

It's better than watching TV.

It's an obsession. Kinda like in Golf where you can't believe it's so hard to hit that ball right. You can't believe it's so hard to play piano.

For your ego. To play classical well gives you stature in society.

You must tame the beast. It's a beast with 88 teeth. Making you miserable. You must tame it.

Like making music.

I'm too stupid to quit.

I play piano because I can't not.

When I'm too old, some guy will come take my drivers license ... it'll take 10 BIG s-o-bs to take this keyboard.

ajames, I have read your post, here:

subject: Why do people keep playing the piano?

Ok, this is a little tongue-in-cheek, think of it as the counter to the "Why are people quitting piano" thread. I'm feeling kind of a low point, help me out. Better yet, imagine there is a "PianoQuittersWorld.com" forum and somebody asked why those crazies keep playing

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The reason I continue to play the piano everyday is to see if I am bright enough to play classical music. Everyday when I have a little beginner piece - because I am a beginner piano player - I think I won't be able to play the new piece - but then I calm down, play it very, very, slowly note by note, measure by measure until I can play it without without errors - sometimes I have to take a break or wait until the next day to have a fresh start but up until now I have been able to play all my 100 tiny pieces since I started 2 years ago - so everyday I face the fear of failure but so far it has been an awesome journey and I just can't stop playing because I love the journey more than anything else in life.

cheers,

3B22

A life spent to play one perfect note is a life well spent.

I play to hear the sublime, even when I cannot attain it.

My addiction began many years ago. I've been to many PA meetings but still I couldn't kick it!

Because it is just so much fun (well, most of the time ). I can see where you are coming from though, ajames. I have only been playing for a couple of months and it already really shows how difficult it sometimes is to see progress and find the strength to sit at the piano and practise.

For a few weeks, I have been struggling with my approach to practice -- I usually play later in the evening but these days, I already feel so tired by then that it is really difficult to fully concentrate on the movements of the fingers and the sheets. The exercises also get increasingly difficult, of course.

I think I'm going to have to practice playing first thing after coming back home from work when the brain is still capable of absorbing stuff.

Either way, I'm sticking with it. It is difficult but at the same time it is just so relaxing to hear the tones of the piano even if it's just the simplest of melodies.

Because so much work already went into learning what I can do now, it would make no sense to stop anymore. I'll quit when I stop learning anything

And also because I don't seem to be able to keep myself away from the piano...

I keep playing because I have found music that soothes my soul.

And I can play it over and over again as much as I like!

I love the challenge of a new piece too. I feel like I'm working my brain.

Because I'm most myself, happiest in my own skin at the keyboard.

That's a good question - made me think and and ask myself that some question. Bearing in mind I only started in March this year around my 64th birthday (though it is something I had wanted so much to do as a child but didn't get the opportunity - so that dream seemed to fade away), so how I see it is that we're 'drawn' to certain things in life for all sorts of reasons, but mainly because at some level it 'fulfulls/satisfies' something within us. Unlike 'chores' for example that have to be done and occasionally we enjoy them, but basically do them because not doing them creates more problems - however, playing piano - for me - allows some kind of expression, creates a sense of excitement - the constant quest for that sense of achievement, satisfaction - I can't say creativity, because I don't create the music, I 'reproduce' it on a keyboard - but even that allows for a certain amount of expression. I can't say how long this will continue to be joyful and satisfying for me, but while it is I keep 'coming back for more'. I enjoy the challenge, the practice, learning so many new things - but if it becomes a bit of a drag, which I hope it doesn't, then no doubt I'll give it up.

Because I obviously have a sado-masochistic relationship with the piano. It can take me to tears and great amount of frustration sometimes -most of the times- and very occasionally it makes me happy when I manage to finish a piece without too many mistakes.

I guess that I keep on trying just in hope to get to see how would I feel IF I finally manage to play one piece perfectly.

... not yet there.... still tears and lots of cursing!

Because I'm too old to climb trees.

Why not?

Josh Wright once said (possibly quoting another in the process) that everything you own - your clothes, your television, your house, etc. - can all be taken away in an instant. While this may be true, no one can steal your developed talent(s) or your art. I'd like to think that this is why I do this - so that I might develop something uniquely mine and nobody else's.

I hear something that sounds beautiful, or just really clever, and I want to utter that thing, as if I were making it up myself on the spot. The only way I can do that is to learn to play it. Just listening isn't nearly the same.

My talent in playing piano is surely uniquely mine. I wouldn't wish it on anybody.