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A little short story, Last year at a Christmas party at my house, I had some people over, and as the evening got started, some folks asked if I would play the piano. It waa not a virtuoso performance, just a few Christmas tunes. One guest said that she couldn't stay more than a half hour at 7:00. She left about 2:30 in the morning. We started a little music, and she grabbed a harmonica! Do you get asked to play at your or others parties? I used to use the organ as a "go home" signal. It's kind of like bringing out the slide projector with your pics of a trip to Philadelphia, all 350 of them!!! Do non musicians want to hear your piano?

yeah - that's a great story I'm sure this sort of thing happened to most of us - multiple times. At least for me.

Yeah - playing at parties at your friend's house or at your own house is very common. Most of my friends don't know the first thing about classical music or pianos etc... But you have to step back and look at the situation. You have 88 keys and to your guests they all look the same. And watching your fingers move with such precision is quite mezmorziing to them! You can make a million mistakes, because you are way too drunk, and the hottest girl at the party will probably stay the night in your bed.

I love playing for people who don't know who Chopin is. It means I don't have to be nervous and relax. When I relax is when I enjoy playing the most. Playing infront of critics or people that know note by note what you are about to play is for me alot more pressure. It's like racing motorcycles. You're not sure if you're coming out of the next 20 minutes alive or dead.

Interesting post - like fresh air.

First of all, a trip to Philadelphia would be truly mesmerizing, I am sure!

Anyway... this brings back memories of childhood. Whenever my family had a party - and we always had a party around the holidays - I would be required to provide some entertainment. It was never long (I never really wanted to play) but it made my parents happy and the guests at least feigned appreciation.

As an adult I do not volunteer to play when we have a party. Sometimes someone asks and sometimes the party winds up revolving around music (usually when there are musicians there) but, many times it doesn't get played at all.

That typically doesn't happen at our parties. Most of my friends don't have an appreciation for classical piano, however one time I was quite surprised by a friend I have known for a long time. He opened the fall board and started "plucking" away at odd notes, I thought it was 'cute' but after a few minutes the notes started making sense and then suddenly he broke out in Chopin's Valse in C# Major. Hilarious! That was the first time I learned he had any musical talent at all. He doesn't have a piano of his own.

Ahh yes, the old "Chopsticks" intro ... fun gag to pull after cracking each knuckle one at a time.

Around my home, especially at Christmas time, the piano shall be played. No classical, we're just not a classy bunch

Nope, just some old Christmas standards and some sing-along stuff, played on whatever instruments are handy, along with the piano.

I remember one particular gathering last year, with folks singing around the piano, accompanied by three ukuleles and a djembe...did I say we're not a very classy bunch?...

you sound like a really fun bunch to hang out with, Jolly!


Sophia

Precisely what I was thinking!

A sense of humor is required, when listening to your nephew pick out Silent Night on the banjo...

Maybe I am a ham, but with a pianos having a obvious presence in our home, I either want to be playing or have someone else play. I mentioned this in previous threads but on Thanksgiving, after our meal was completed, we adjourned to have piano music. One of our guest played some baroque pieces and then we sightread some two piano duets of Christmas music and other familiar tunes. Our guests appreciated it and commented how lovely it was to have "live music" to listen to rather than having a stereo or the TV blaring away. I have strong feelings about having live music in a home.

This question has to do with culture I would say.

I am latin american, and there is no way I would play chopin at a party!, even if it's a party of musicians !, I would only play things like cumbia, blues or rock; unless it's a party for elder people.