Well, I think it's time to start getting nervous. ---- I have rented a music studio, with a Yamaha grand and an engineer for next Tuesday evening for an hour or two, for a mere hundred dollars an hour. Yes, I think I am actually insane. My mother, who just turned eighty and who must be getting infirm, has requested a cd of me playing the piano as a Christmas present. Rather than acquiring the electronic gadgets and skills necessary to record the piano at home, my piano technician suggested this studio, which is only 5 minutes from my house. Anyone ever done this ? It's crazy expensive, and I suppose best case I will end up with a nickel cd that cost me hundreds of dollars...But I'm a little excited at the same time. This may be my chance to make the worst piano cd of all time!!! Any suggestions? Other than practice a lot in the next week?

it sounds like a great present for your mother. just relax, no need to worry. think about having a good time at the piano!

What I'm going to do , of course, is think about making mistakes. Mistakes I've never made before or since...

What a great idea! Sounds like fun, actually, but then I get nervous easily and make a lot of mistakes too. I think my hour would easily turn into 3 hours!

I'm sure you'll be fine - just relax and think about how your Mom will absolutely love the gift!

Ragtime, you might want to post this in the Pianist Corner. There is also a section on recording in the PW CD Project. I'll bet you get alot of support over there from pianists who've done what you've signed up for.
Jon

Thanks Jon, I thought of posting this in the Pianist room, but it seems like those people are actually good at the piano. I am merely enthusiastic. I read the links I could find about recording your own stuff, and that sounded like real fun, once I figured out what to do. But I know me pretty well, and those first steps are doozies, and there's no need to expose my kids to that kind of language as I mess it up...