Problem of staying next door to a talented pianist

[markfch]

Blobbi:

Sorry, I'm tooting my own horn!


At the height of my musical prowess (cough), someone in the neighbourhood actually rang the doorbell to ask if I was a music teacher and if I could teach her daughter *puffing with pride*.

But the truth was, I used to only practice exam pieces only, and frantically too, just before the exams. I always scored well too - (think mainly distinctions). Which goes to show - you can fool all of the people some of the time ... but you can't fool all of the people all the time.

Now, I don't even touch the piano at all! :lol:

Blobbi,
It's such a waste having achieved such proficiency that you've stopped playing now. Could you transfer all your *skills* to me just like in those Chinese martial arts movies? There are just so many songs that I'll like to play as I age.

[sleepy]

To solve the problem, learn another instrument. How about drum?

[Blobbi]

markfch:

Blobbi:

Sorry, I'm tooting my own horn!


At the height of my musical prowess (cough), someone in the neighbourhood actually rang the doorbell to ask if I was a music teacher and if I could teach her daughter *puffing with pride*.

But the truth was, I used to only practice exam pieces only, and frantically too, just before the exams. I always scored well too - (think mainly distinctions). Which goes to show - you can fool all of the people some of the time ... but you can't fool all of the people all the time.

Now, I don't even touch the piano at all! :lol:

Blobbi,
It's such a waste having achieved such proficiency that you've stopped playing now. Could you transfer all your *skills* to me just like in those Chinese martial arts movies? There are just so many songs that I'll like to play as I age.

Em, you remember how they used to transfer martial arts skills? Images flashing through my mind now, yikes! Plus I got to turn into a man and you, into a woman. Too much trouble, surely :D.

Dunno why, the thought of sitting down at the piano is so alien to me now :roll:.

[sleepy]

ksi:

My neighbour always thinks the family disturbs us and we always think we disturb them.... but actually we only could hear if we are out at the corridor....otherwise very faint sound. Actually we don't mind listening as our neighbours are also good but I cannot speak for them... bwaaah. :lol:

I didn't realise piano sound travelled that far until my neighbours from different floors asked which dd is playing :lol:

[autumnbronze]

Blobbi:

Sorry, I'm tooting my own horn!


At the height of my musical prowess (cough), someone in the neighbourhood actually rang the doorbell to ask if I was a music teacher and if I could teach her daughter *puffing with pride*.

But the truth was, I used to practice exam pieces only, and frantically too, just before the exams. I always scored well too - (think mainly distinctions). Which goes to show - you can fool all of the people some of the time ... but you can't fool all of the people all the time.

Now, I don't even touch the piano at all! :lol:

Well, you do have something to toot toot about

From what you have written, seems like you are/were one helluva player. Why did you stop playing, if you don't mind me asking lah

[buds]

Where we're shifting soon, there's loud melodious piano

playing that fills up the hollows of the corridors when the
door is opened... & hubs finds that DD2 might embarrass
us when she begins her piano practice; once we move in! :lol:
But i on the other hand am hoping it'd provide DD2 with
some inspiration.

I cud imagine delicate little fingers playing when the neighbour plays. :love:

Psst... i'm assuming it's not an old man instead lah..
Hey, mebbe it's Blobbi! Pheweet! :boogie:

[Blobbi]

autumnbronze:

From what you have written, seems like you are/were one helluva player. Why did you stop playing, if you don't mind me asking lah

I'm trying to think back. Initially, I really loved it. I loved scales and the various exercises even. There was a ... spatial symmetry that I loved. My teacher was the typical, rap your knuckles, didn't like modern music type, but that was fine with me actually. I just loved Chopin and disliked Bach even though that was probably the most symmetrical, hmm. There is this feeling of being in tune with the music that one can achieve with enough practice (maybe become delirious, haha!). But as I got older, it became a real chore having to balance schoolwork, reading (I was a junkie), and practicing, and I started to dislike it. Plus I was, em, \"advised strongly\" to take up French which took up a lot of time. So I saw Grade 8 as the final end. I made a pact with my parents and, well, I guess I held up my end of the bargain pretty well. :roll:

Psst buds, can't be me lah. Think I can manage chopsticks or Fur Elsie if I'm forced to now, but nothing else!

[Blobbi]

Fast forward ... a few years later at college, I met a fellow Singaporean who never had formal piano lessons but decided to learn on his own because he loved Chinese pop music. This fella started in his teens, had poor posture and weak fingering. But he played the most beautiful music! He improvised chords as he went along and he was breathtaking! :shock:


That made me realize that I didn't have that spark that I always thought I had (yep, I believed what my teacher told me. I even had the grades to prove it :shock:). It takes a certain something to be good, not just be technically perfect. It takes interest and passion, which for me didn't manage to last out in my musical journey. Maybe in the initial stages perhaps, but it definitely petered out before I was done with Grade 8.

Would I ever practice again? Writing these posts has given me a chance to reflect. Hmm. Maybe. When I have more time. But I have to LOVE it first.

[markfch]

sleepy:

To solve the problem, learn another instrument. How about drum?

The very act of me playing drums will cause the resale index of my property to drop by 15% overnight :moneyflies: Cos all my neighours will be wanting to get out.

Hmm. Good. Then I can buy theirs and flip at a good profit :dancing:

Must remove all these evil thoughts from my mind

[autumnbronze]

Blobbi:

I'm trying to think back. Initially, I really loved it. I loved scales and the various exercises even. There was a ... spatial symmetry that I loved. My teacher was the typical, rap your knuckles, didn't like modern music type, but that was fine with me actually. I just loved Chopin and disliked Bach even though that was probably the most symmetrical, hmm. There is this feeling of being in tune with the music that one can achieve with enough practice (maybe become delirious, haha!). But as I got older, it became a real chore having to balance schoolwork, reading (I was a junkie), and practicing, and I started to dislike it. Plus I was, em, \"advised strongly\" to take up French which took up a lot of time. So I saw Grade 8 as the final end. I made a pact with my parents and, well, I guess I held up my end of the bargain pretty well. :roll:

You know what Blobbi .... you must be given credit for holding up to your end of the bargain. Despite your busy and time consuming schedule, you gave your best and did well too. At least you put in a concerted effort. How many would have been able to do that, at that age ... what with distractions and all

This sort of trait is ... you have my respect lah :salute:

Interesting comparison (in blue) ... btw I don't play any musical instruments