30 minutes of music
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Well, closer to 35 actually… That’s what’s in my “playable repertoire” right now, in other words, polished and presentable, ready to play for people. (That’s seven pieces, each of them are around 3 to 5 minutes long.) Thwt might not sound like a lot, especially thinking about longer classical works, but it’s a lot for me and my “post classical” repertoire.
I can’t remember if I wrote about this here or not, but there’s an art shop at our local mall, they sell only artwork created by local artists (including paintings, jewelry, sculpture works etc.) It’s a really neat place actually, it’s run by a non-profit board and in order for an artist to have their work sold in the shop, they have to pass a jury (made up of the board), and then the artist has to volunteer in the shop (basically as a salesclerk) for some hours each month. (I think that’s because the shop takes very little “cut” from the sale of the artwork). A lot of times, one of the artists will be sitting in the middle of the shop, either making something or just there to answer questions etc. It’s a really neat shop.
They have a small grand piano at the front of the shop which they like to have people come and play. They recently rearranged it so that there’s a little seating area next to the piano. I’ve played there three times in the last few months. I originally went as a way to prep for my jury piece, and playing in a public space like that is great practice for my stage fright.
I always ask the person at the register if it’s ok to play, and I always thank them for letting me play before I leave. The first two times I went there (when only played two pieces) they both said “you can keep playing!” And “please come and play again.”
So this past Wednesday I went and played my whole “set.” In the middle of my first piece, the artist who was there came over and sat next to the piano, and he stayed there the whole time I was playing, just listening. At one point, a couple was walking through the store and they were at the entrance and getting ready to leave (just off to my right and a little behind me) and one of them said "Can we stay here until the song ends?" and the other said "Yes, of course! I'm enjoying it too!"
After I finished playing and was collecting my things to go home, the artist sitting next to me and the person working the register both came up and complimented me and thanked me for playing.
The whole experience was so affirming and such a boost for my confidence as a pianist. As I was walking to the parking lot, I realized my hands had hardly shook at all while I was playing.
Now my plan is to try to add to my “set,” without letting any of those pieces fall out, and maybe get to about an hour’s worth of rep. I’d like to try to go there regularly (like maybe once a month).
I also would like to have people over for a music party at my house where I play a longer set (usually when I play for people at my house, I only play 2-3 pieces). Like people could come and sit in the living room (the piano is in the “dining room,” which opens to the living room) and chat and I could play, as opposed to having to set up like a formal concert. We’ll see how that goes, Mr SK points out that people might not feel comfortable talking if I’m playing, but I don’t necessarily want to force my friends to sit still for a 30 minute concert.
Anyway, this (lengthening my playable repertoire set and using it) feels like a nice goal for summer.
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That’s fantastic. And awesome that they can afford a space in the mall.
Do you ever have piano parties? Or is it just you playing at a gathering?
@jon-nyc said:
And awesome that they can afford a space in the mall.The board is this big alliance of local people and I think there are some big donors in the background, I’m not really sure. Also, like many malls, this one is struggling and has lots of empty storefronts, so I have to wonder if they get a huge deal on their rent or something. The piano was donated as well.
They encourage people to become “members” to support the art alliance (it’s a small annual fee), so I did that, and I’ll try to attend their other events as well to get to know people connected to the shop.
It’s an amazing space, apparently it used to be a Victoria Secrets (which is kind of funny), so it’s huge and has two lovely arched entryways (the piano is near one), and a big event space at the back of the store. The artwork is all really cool so it’s quite inspiring to play there!
And the cool thing is that they actively encourage people to play, which is wonderful.
Do you ever have piano parties? Or is it just you playing at a gathering?
I don’t have a community of musicians here yet
so usually it’s just me playing at a gathering. I make sure people are fed well in exchange for listening to me play! Last year, we had a party and I played with a violinist, but she’s gone now (moved back to Japan). And in late July, I’m planning to play with a cellist, we’ll do three pieces together plus probably both of us will play some solo pieces. But he’s a student (doctorate of music) at the music school here so he won’t be here forever. But it’s a start.
What I really want is to meet people locally who play, hopefully being connected to the art shop will help.
We’ve lived in this town for almost three years now, so we’d like to start making more connections beyond work!
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@jon-nyc said:
And awesome that they can afford a space in the mall.The board is this big alliance of local people and I think there are some big donors in the background, I’m not really sure. Also, like many malls, this one is struggling and has lots of empty storefronts, so I have to wonder if they get a huge deal on their rent or something. The piano was donated as well.
They encourage people to become “members” to support the art alliance (it’s a small annual fee), so I did that, and I’ll try to attend their other events as well to get to know people connected to the shop.
It’s an amazing space, apparently it used to be a Victoria Secrets (which is kind of funny), so it’s huge and has two lovely arched entryways (the piano is near one), and a big event space at the back of the store. The artwork is all really cool so it’s quite inspiring to play there!
And the cool thing is that they actively encourage people to play, which is wonderful.
Do you ever have piano parties? Or is it just you playing at a gathering?
I don’t have a community of musicians here yet
so usually it’s just me playing at a gathering. I make sure people are fed well in exchange for listening to me play! Last year, we had a party and I played with a violinist, but she’s gone now (moved back to Japan). And in late July, I’m planning to play with a cellist, we’ll do three pieces together plus probably both of us will play some solo pieces. But he’s a student (doctorate of music) at the music school here so he won’t be here forever. But it’s a start.
What I really want is to meet people locally who play, hopefully being connected to the art shop will help.
We’ve lived in this town for almost three years now, so we’d like to start making more connections beyond work!
@ShiroKuro Great that you have a place to play for people. Hope you continue to enjoy it.
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@ShiroKuro, What a wonderful experience!
We also have an artist's cooperative in Plymouth, one of my favorite stores. I'm quite susceptible to impulse buying there, though, so I have to be attentive.
They don't have a piano, however we have a fantastic thrift shop called "Step Ladders" that has a baby grand in their 'lobby' area. I haven't gotten the nerve yet to play it yet, but I've been thinking about it. -
While you're looking for public places to play, give some thought to local hospitals or senior living facilities. One of our local hospitals has a small grand in an alcove off the main hallway between wings. The piano is normally closed, but I think they welcome people who are actual pianists to give performances there.
In the times that I've spent in skilled nursing facilities, which also served as assisted living facilities, they seemed very welcoming to people who volunteered to provide musical entertainment for the residents.
Also, when my mother was a resident at such a facility, I found two pianos in building lobbies that were open for use. I'd usually bring something to play when I visited my mother. She enjoyed it and sometimes we'd attract a couple of other listeners, even with my mediocre talent.
Big Al
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While you're looking for public places to play, give some thought to local hospitals or senior living facilities. One of our local hospitals has a small grand in an alcove off the main hallway between wings. The piano is normally closed, but I think they welcome people who are actual pianists to give performances there.
In the times that I've spent in skilled nursing facilities, which also served as assisted living facilities, they seemed very welcoming to people who volunteered to provide musical entertainment for the residents.
Also, when my mother was a resident at such a facility, I found two pianos in building lobbies that were open for use. I'd usually bring something to play when I visited my mother. She enjoyed it and sometimes we'd attract a couple of other listeners, even with my mediocre talent.
Big Al
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@jon-nyc said:
And awesome that they can afford a space in the mall.The board is this big alliance of local people and I think there are some big donors in the background, I’m not really sure. Also, like many malls, this one is struggling and has lots of empty storefronts, so I have to wonder if they get a huge deal on their rent or something. The piano was donated as well.
They encourage people to become “members” to support the art alliance (it’s a small annual fee), so I did that, and I’ll try to attend their other events as well to get to know people connected to the shop.
It’s an amazing space, apparently it used to be a Victoria Secrets (which is kind of funny), so it’s huge and has two lovely arched entryways (the piano is near one), and a big event space at the back of the store. The artwork is all really cool so it’s quite inspiring to play there!
And the cool thing is that they actively encourage people to play, which is wonderful.
Do you ever have piano parties? Or is it just you playing at a gathering?
I don’t have a community of musicians here yet
so usually it’s just me playing at a gathering. I make sure people are fed well in exchange for listening to me play! Last year, we had a party and I played with a violinist, but she’s gone now (moved back to Japan). And in late July, I’m planning to play with a cellist, we’ll do three pieces together plus probably both of us will play some solo pieces. But he’s a student (doctorate of music) at the music school here so he won’t be here forever. But it’s a start.
What I really want is to meet people locally who play, hopefully being connected to the art shop will help.
We’ve lived in this town for almost three years now, so we’d like to start making more connections beyond work!
What I really want is to meet people locally who play, hopefully being connected to the art shop will help.
We’ve lived in this town for almost three years now, so we’d like to start making more connections beyond work!
The NY piano party group started by people blasting a message out on PW asking who is in the NY area that would be interested in getting together.
Maybe you could try that?
You already have Dewey and Mik within a two hour drive and me and Ax who often get on airplanes for piano parties…
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