Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum What's the difference between a pianist and a piano player?

This was inspired by a discussion of the definition of the word "pianist" - but this seemed more fun to me

There aren't any pianists whose nickname is "Fats"

No one ever yells "Don't shoot me, I'm only the pianist!"

I used to think there aren't any jokes that start "A pianist walks into a bar. . ." but we've all heard the one about the 12" pianist by now, huh

Cathy

If you call yourself a pianist, somebody with dyslexia won't mistake you for a player piano.

I feel a distinction between the two. A piano player can play the piano while a pianist can make the instrument come alive.

Just a thought,
rada
www.pianopassions.com

LOL....too clever!

Monica - LOL

'pianist' is more refered to the profession in piano, while 'piano player' is more general term for anyone who can play piano, good or bad or whatever. therefore, i would hesitate to call myself a pianist, but have no problem with anyone calling me a piano player...

actually, people don't take too seriously about it now, but still 'pianist' usually sounds more serious than 'piano player', and therefore, people expect a pianist to play everything great, but not that much expectations with a piano player!

Well, so far Monica wins the cleverness stakes - more silly jokes!

Cathy

Clever is as clever does, don't they say?

Would a dyslectic be able to spell dyslexia?

Just as pain-o is piano spelled dyslectically.

Maybe it's not really dyslexia, but just bad typing.

What is the "de-merit" in the sub-division of the stars? Not so clever after all! Are we enjoying ourselves?

My Ramdon House Dictionary defines a pianist as: A person who plays the piano, esp. professionally. When my classical piano teacher asked me to teach classical piano as her understudy, she had her Master's in Music Education, she referred to me as a pianist. I was very happy and very grateful . Sandy B

I actually think it has more to do with ego than anything else.

True confessions.

I thought of the title as the intro to a joke and was looking for punch lines.

I don't - seriously - find any difference.

Maybe I should have titled the thread "A pianist walks into a bar. . ."

Monica, quit sniggering!

Cathy - hahahahahahahahaha!

A guy walks into the doctor's office and says, "Doc, I haven't had a bowel movement in a week!" The doctor gives him a prescription for a mild laxative and tells him, "If it doesn't work, let me know."

A week later the guy is back: "Doc, still no movement!"

The doctor says, "Hmm, guess you need something stronger," and prescribes a powerful laxative.

Still another week later the poor guy is back: "Doc, STILL nothing!"

The doctor, worried, says, "We'd better get some more information about you to try to figure out what's going on. What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a pianist."

The doctor looks up and says, "Well, that's it! Here's $10.00. Go get something to eat!"

YES!

Pretty funny, J. Mark -

Cathy

A pianist is playing in a seedy, Mafia-owned tavern in South Jersey...it's 11:55 PM, and he's 5 minutes away from the end of his gig. The owner's assistant comes up to the pianist and says:

"Da boss wants you should play Strangers In Da Nite."
The pianist says: "Okay, no problem."

The henchman continues: "Da boss wants you should play it in F#"...
The pianist says "I usually play it in F, but no problem!"

The henchman goes on: "Da boss wants you should play it in 5/4 time."
The pianist says "But the song is in 4/4 time...How am I supposed to do that?"
Henchman asks him: "Look, you want paid or not?"

So the pianist improvises an introduction, and as he gets to the opening notes of the song, he hears, in a really ugly, raspy voice behind him:

"Strangers in-da-friggin' night....exchanging glances; Strangers in-da-friggin' night ..."

Good thing I'd swallowed my coffee before I read that - otherwise I'd have to clean it off the screen - 8>/

Did you hear about the pianist who kept banging his head against the keys?
He was playing by ear.

The difference is $200 an hour.

Why is "Fats" Waller not a pianist?

If I was a "pianist" I think I should be able to accomodate a request for "Do you know ____?" by at least faking it by ear. I also think I would be able to sightread well at an intermediate level, in December, plop a book of easy to early intermediate Christmas tunes in front of me and entertain guests. Then I would be a pianist!!

This reminds me of a violin joke.

What is the difference between a violin and a fiddle?

A violin has strings. A fiddle has "strangs".

I think the difference between pianist and piano player relates to genre and social distinction. A piano player plays in a bar (or better yet, in a joint), a pianist in a concert hall. That's why Fats Waller is not a pianist.

Note: I'm not endorsing the value judgment implied by this distinction, just pointing it out.