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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
I picked up the Times today and cut out the review. Will keep it tucked inside the front cover.
That's a good idea, Bernard. I'm going to start taking my book along to gatherings and have other members sign it. Reading PW and attending gatherings have truly inspired me to enjoy my many challenges with the piano and to have the support of good friends along the way!
Originally posted by Jeanne W: I'm wondering if you have any preferences about whether some of the finer points you talk about in your book are discussed (or should I say "revealed") on PW? And if that is Ok with you and I or someone else were to do that, I would suggest the title of the post include a disclaimer of some sort, i.e. "For Those Who Have Already Read "Grand Obsession".
I'd like to do the same on the tech forum, with your approval, Pique. And inviting ONLY those who have read the book.
Michael Harrison has been mentioned in this thread a few times and he played part of his "Revelations" for our stop at Faust Harrison.
While I was there I picked up a copy of his earlier album called "From Ancient Worlds For Harmonic Piano." I find myself listening to it a lot. It's gorgeous, meditative and spiritual. Soothing too. I highly recommend it.
"Hunger for growth will come to you in the form of a problem." -- unknown
My copy of 'Grand Obsession' has arrived here in Hamburg... can't put it down!
Pique (Perri?), if you ever return to Germany, the birthplace of the object of your obsession, please let me know. I'd love to meet you, and have my copy autographed!
Chatting with my seat-mate on my cross-country flight (to NAMM) I found out she is on the advisory committee for choosing books in her school district, and a published author.
Of course I mentioned Grand Obsession, and that I happened to have my copy with me. She asked if she might take a look.
She read 14 chapters on the plane, and probably would have finished it if we weren't landing.
She said she loved the "voice" the author writes in, and found the book mesmerizing. "I have to pick up this book as soon as I can so I can finish it" she said.
This from a woman who does not play any instruments.
I think the Washington Post review does a good job of explaining how Pique's book could appeal to anyone, including people not "into piano".
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
I really agree with you that anyone could enjoy this book. If anyone is planning a trip, this is an excellent book to read on a long flight--it would make it so enjoyable. My husband recently went to Greece, and he regretted not having this book with him on the flight. This would be a great book for airport bookstores!!!
Originally posted by pianoloverus: Congratulations Pique on the terrific review of your book in the New York Times Book Review!
thanks, pl! it was so much fun to finally meet you in nyc.
and thanks everyone for your kind words about the book.
jeanne and anne, if you want to have discussion threads about the book, you don't need my permission (that's one of the hazards of becoming an author )--just please try to be kind. writing it was a lot of hard work, but i know people are entitled to say whatever they like about it.
i'd just suggest having the thread title bear a warning, something like SPOILER ALERT, so that those who haven't read the book will know not to venture there.
also i would encourage people who have questions about the book to ask away. i have q&a at my readings and that is fun. i never know what people are going to ask.
frank, thanks yet again for talking up the book--getting the book onto school curriculums is definitely something we'd like to see happen. you have great luck with seatmates!
Pique, congratulations on the fantastic review of your book in the New York Times! Do you realize that on the the very back page of your review was a review of a Condoleeza Rice biography with a cartoon of the Secretary of State playing...you guessed it...a grand piano! Condi at a grand
"Playing the piano is my greatest joy...period."......JP
I'm not sure if everyone can do this or it's just an admin function (I should know this stuff).
If you click on a members name in any post of their's, you should get their profile (as a pop up). At the top of their profile should be a link to "recent posts", listing all their, well, recent posts :-)
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
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