You remind me of when in my childhood (at only 5 years old) I first put my hands on the piano. My father, a lover of Music and especially Cinema, had taken me to see a film about the life of Strauss the son. I arrived home, opened the old family Feurich, and played by ear that waltz that I had liked so much. In the end, I turned my gaze and saw the dismayed faces of my parents and my grandparents. Their eyes were wide with amazement, but to me it was normal. I had done nothing more than repeat what I had heard. Afterwards, I would sit at the piano to play. I composed, invented, and remembered what I did. My compositions were love motifs, even if I didn't yet know what that was. Whoever came to the house was forced by my grandmother to listen to what I had invented, and I would perform, announcing the titles I had given to my compositions.
Now that much time has passed, I am no longer a "composer," I only play; my diploma is only in piano, and in concert I play classical compositions. That sweet memory of when I used to invent and the creative sensation I felt has remained within me. Beyond "compositional science," we can all create and experiment. The rules of Harmony exist, yes, but even at a high level, they are governed by good taste. So courage, young composers....who knows if other "little Mozarts" will be born!!!!!
Ad Majora
Paolo
P.S. Forgive these tender memories of my past
There is no need to apologize for these tender memories you have shared with us, in our group, in this company that is Pianoconcerto. On the contrary, we thank you for doing so. You too, however, Paolo, at five years old you had already begun to think about the piano, like Simone, and as I think the vast majority of piano students do (for me, instead, it was a fantasy thought not at 5 years old, read carefully, but at 55 years old, two "5s", or 5 multiplied by 11, exactly three years ago 😆). Paolo, reading you leads me to a reflection: naturally, starting to study a difficult instrument like the piano at age 50 cannot lead us to know how to play like someone who starts doing it as an adolescent, but can we hope to at least get close? Do you have knowledge of adult students who became piano virtuosos on the threshold of death? But, perhaps, I am only thinking of it now; this question could have been the theme of a new discussion. Well, I've made it here, now, because it was you and Simone reading here who brought me to this reflection.
I am telling you a true story. Even if I don't have precise references, it is a beautiful story
In America, a 90-year-old woman started painting. At 99, she became famous and appreciated by critics. At 108, she died.
Fantastic. She lived another life at the end of her life!
Now we have no limits and we must not set limits.
As age increases, only one thing happens: we simply become increasingly over-structured, and therefore every learning of new knowledge encounters, moment by moment, instant by instant, our severe judgment. It is harder to learn because we are full of information and our mental superstructure presides. Let's surrender ourselves a little.
A phrase that makes one of my friends very angry is the one Forrest Gump says in the famous film of the same name... or rather, the phrase that the Author puts into his mouth, deliberately to the fool. He, despite being a limited boy, almost mentally disabled, manages to become a war hero and even a ping pong champion. Someone asks him: "but how do you do it?". He replies: "But in the end it's simple... you just have to hit the ball to the other side".
The meaning is profound, immense. The less one does, the more one does. When you have learned, you discover that everything is based on a few principles. "few rules, but sound ones"...................now I don't want to stay here playing the guru. The ski instructor shouted at the Roman student, seeing him descend stiffly and with his "legs wide open": "Close those skis....close those skis......close those skis"- and the other: "...And don't get pissed off! For heaven's sake....you know how to ski!!!!!!!!!" 😆
Oh really? And you, Simone, call this "a stupidity, obviously"! Well, from now on I won't tell anyone anymore that I am studying the piano, me who at 58 years old doesn't even know how to play a piece of music that you actually composed at 11 years old.
Come on, there is nothing complex about it, believe me.
Regarding what Paolo was saying, it is very beautiful that your passion for music sparked at 55 years old. The pleasure of playing has no age, so roll up your sleeves and best wishes for your studies. With commitment, anything can be achieved!
G
gian
Member
Reply 44 by gian
Posts
60
pianoexpert wrote:
Dear Gian,
I will tell you a true story. Even if I don't have precise references, it is a beautiful story
In America, a 90-year-old woman started painting. At 99, she became famous and appreciated by critics. At 108, she died.
Fantastic. She lived another life at the end of her life!
Now we have no limits and we must not set limits.
As age increases, only one thing happens: we simply become increasingly over-structured, and therefore every learning of new knowledge encounters, moment by moment, instant by instant, our severe judgment. It is harder to learn because we are full of information and our mental superstructure presides. Let's let ourselves go a little.
A phrase that makes one of my friends very angry is the one Forrest Gump says in the famous eponymous film... or rather, the phrase that the Author puts into his mouth, deliberately to the fool. He, despite being a limited boy, almost mentally disabled, manages to become a war hero and even a ping pong champion. Someone asks him: "but how do you do it?". He replies: "But in the end it's simple... you just have to hit the ball to the other side".
The meaning is profound, immense. He who does less, does more. When you have learned, you discover that everything is based on a few principles. "few rules, but sound ones"...................now I don't want to stand here acting like a guru. The ski instructor shouted at the Roman student, seeing him descend stiffly and with his "legs wide open": "Close those skis....close those skis......close those skis"- and the other: "...And don't get pissed off! For heaven's sake....you know how to ski!!!!!!!!!" 😆
Of course, everyone here on the site is encouraging! Especially you, Paolo, whom I have met numerous times within this forum, and every time giving me an affectionate pat on the shoulder to cheer up this "old man" (meaning me) who already feels almost at the point of "closing the account". But why feel almost at the end? At 58 years old? When instead there are people, like the woman you mentioned, Paolo, who even at 90 started painting! One must believe in oneself; this is the formula that allows those who practice it to be successful. Imposing this confidence must be like a mantra on which to keep one's attention perpetually fixed, and when a "string" naturally begins to loosen (according to the laws of physics), it must be immediately tuned, and the sound returns to being the right one (at 440 Hz). Friends, however, I am already starting to think like a musician, have you noticed? I suspect the cure will work; after all, I am only 58 years old, so to reach 108 years old, one simply has to "close the legs". 😆 Thank you very much.
Of course everyone here on the site is encouraging! Especially you, Paolo, whom I have met numerous times within this forum, and every time giving me an affectionate pat on the shoulder to cheer up this "old man" (that is, me) who already feels almost at the point of "settling the account". But why feel almost at the end? At 58 years old? When instead there are people, like the woman you mentioned, Paolo, who even at 90 years old started painting! One must believe in oneself; this is the formula that allows those who practice it to be successful. Imposing this confidence must be like a mantra on which one keeps their attention perpetually fixed, and when a "string" naturally begins to loosen (according to the laws of physics), it must be tuned immediately, and the sound returns to being the right one (at 440 Hz). Friends, however, I am already starting to think like a musician, have you noticed? I have a feeling the treatment will work; after all, I am only 58 years old, so to reach 108 years one simply needs to "hold on tight". 😆 Thank you very much.
Hey!! A splendid example of how in life it is NEVER too late to do something. Absolutely magnificent and instructive!!
P.S. But... look, from the way you speak (both Paolo and Gian), one would never guess your age... I didn't even know it... but come on... it is a great pleasure to read what you write!!!
Dear Francesco, welcome back. It is a pleasure and a fortune for me to be your friend. Young people are our only Masters, because we see ourselves reflected in them without deception and come to light sincerely. They make us live the dimension of our time and keep concepts, decisions, and insights "fresh." They accelerate our calm rhythms and awaken our motivations. Hurrah!!!
Dear Francesco, welcome back. It is a pleasure and a fortune for me to be your friend. Young people are our only Masters, because we see ourselves reflected in them without deception and come to light sincerely. They make us live the dimension of our time and keep concepts, decisions, and insights "fresh". They accelerate our calm rhythms and awaken our motivations. Hurrah!!!
... If only everyone thought so... Thanks to you! 😆
I know this discussion is a bit old, but I want to update the situation.
Today I found myself together with Andreea and Simone (both on the Forum, known as aiemandy and Sasi97 🙂) playing the piano at school, the Klingmann that I also mention in technical problems...
Anyway, talking today I made up my mind: I will put in the effort and try to write that piece that has been playing in my head for a while... Also because everything started from Simone's question: "can you let us hear what you wrote?" And even from there I realized that I remembered it very little... Then between one story and another I decided, and as soon as I finish writing it I will post it here 🙂 :).
