I'm using the Alfred's Greatest Hits level one as a supplement to the AIO and today decided to start working on My Heart Will Go On (Theme from the Titanic). I finally got it to sounding something like it is supposed to, and I started crying. I became overwhelmed with missing my younger sister who died suddenly two days before this past Thanksgiving.

I was doing good up until then. Not sure if I should put this song away for now, or use it as a tool to deal with my still raw emotions and grief.

Has anyone else ever experienced being overcome by emotions from the music they are making?

I can't listen to "Fur Elise" without crying, and I certainly can't play it. I learned it to play for my mom at her birthday last April, and she passed away suddenly in early November.

Music has such power to move us. Pieces like "My Heart Will Go On," are, of course, intended to evoke strong emotions. But I think any kind of music at all can make one cry, with the right associations.

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

A few years ago I was asked to play my violin for an LPN graduate pinning ceremony at the college where I work. I was asked to play ‘Wind beneath my wings” on the violin. I was up on a stage area with two other ladies who were part of the program. As I began to play my violin I notice both the ladies next to me crying. To this day I don’t know if these two ladies were crying because my violin playing was so good or because it was so bad.

Yes, music does provoke a strong sense of emotion (for better or worse ;)).

Take care,

Rick

Odd... I just posted a similar statement over at the March Piano Bar.

Barbva
I am sorry for your loss. I lost my "little Sister" a short time ago as well. Music can certainly pull emotions to the surface.

Odd indeed, I'll have to go find it.

And I'm sorry for your loss as well.

Any player who is a real artist, or even a lover of music, has had a time when they have been very moved--- yes, even to tears. Sometimes to the brighter feelings. Sometimes to peace and serenity.

Any good thing can be taken beyond the point where it is healthy or useful... but that's not what I am hearing you say. My personal opinion: more woes have been visited upon the world by people who don't feel anything than those who do. So, I count you as a lucky person. I am sorry about your loss.

The inner feeling is what makes the difference is the player who is technically perfect--- but whom no one wants to hear--- and the artist who feels, and makes us feel, too.

The answer to your question is, yes, I have.

I was just rehearsing this piece day before yesterday; towards the end of the piece I felt overwhelmed with emotion - a very rare thing for me while I'm playing.

Sensing that the violinist was also moved, I then asked him if he ever felt a sense of awe that he is able produce such beautiful music. We silently reflected on what a privilege it is to make music.

My Dad died in December. I cry when I play the songs he liked and sang along with me. So its not the song, but the connection they gave to a man I loved. He and my Mom sang 1940s show tunes all the time. Both were 92 when they died.

Chopin's Waltz in A minor 19 makes me cry every time i play it.
and Nocturne c sharp minor. Lots of memories in them.
I was raised being taught to "feel the heart of each note" so it's hard for me not to cry. Music is the language of the heart.

Angel

If you could hear me play you'd know the answer was -- "always!" Oh, but you were referring to content, not ability. The answer to that is yes, sometimes.

Ed

...I cannot pinpoint any specific piece, but my first experience playing a grand piano brought tears of joy to me. Over the new year holidays, I was playing piano at a party and a friend of mine was shocked that she took a few photos of me while playing "Äuld Lang Syne" at the stroke of midnight. A few Christmas tunes were also played as well. If that is not the joy of playing the piano, then what is?

- Mark

I've always believed that playing with emotion is the key to playing well. If you feel it, others feel it. IMHO playing with emotion is way more important than playing without mistakes - it is why we play in the first place. It can make you feel kinda naked though.

Moonlight 1st mvt made me cry once, while i was playing it.

Chopin Nocturne opus 27 no.1 and Nocturne no.20.

I also cried during the Funeral march (Chopin)

That's all


Ps: I didn't play all this pieces yet, but i will soon:)

The Cast Away movie theme (by Alan Silvestri) always brings a tear to my eye and makes the hairs on my neck rise, especially at the point when the piano first comes in, I think it's a lovely piece of music. I love the film and the ending is so sad.

As a beginner I would absolutely love to learn it eventually. There are a couple of clever people on youtube playing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8-aMDLrX6Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17OalaJPqPo&feature=related

Though I believe that there isn't any sheet music available.

This is Alan Silvestri's original:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCmMfLBhvfI

Best wishes everyone
Shaun

I have a strong sentimental streak, and find my eyes welling up quite often when I listen to beautiful music. Doesn't happen much when I play, though. There's that beautiful part to contend with.

Not played but after I watched this video with music by Yann Tiersen I was balling like a baby. A must see!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr64NI33qUo

Actually, the piece I am learning right now put a lump in my throat when I finally got some of the chords right.

I don't want to disclose which specific piece it is yet since I may submit it as my next recital piece but it is composed by David Lanz.

I must admit that there are times after listening to certain songs/pieces that I get physically moved in the beauty of the piece. Goosebumps, chokey throat, eyes swelling...the whole bit.

Music really does sooth the savage beast; or at least the beast! [does'nt really have to be a savage!].

The closest for me was hearing Arvo Part's 'Spiegel im Spiegel' for the first time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtFPdBUl7XQ

So no, not playing the piece itself - just listening to it.

Every time I play "Everything I Own" by Bread. Sang it to my Dad at his funeral (under my breath) in 1975. Still makes me swell up...even as I type now.

There's plenty of music that gets me emotional, but these two pieces are the only ones that actually got the tears rolling:
Mozart - Requiem: Lacrimosa
Constance Demby - Novus Magnificat part 1

Heck I can get all choked up by "Stars and Stripes Forever". But "Danny Boy" does it for me.

There are two pieces that push my buttons every time. The first piece that ever did this to me was Mozart's "Prague" Symphony, First movement. Something somewhere towards the end just tears me apart.

The second one is a song by Guy Clark, "Desperados Waiting For a Train." (It doesn't have to be a classical piece, does it?) I play guitar and sing this one, and usually I can't finish it through the last verse. I don't play it for others.

I haven't been playing long enough to experience anything like this on the piano. Maybe someday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya1xLdnrI0c

watch this clip from "Britans Got Talent" TV Show and there were definitely some tears.....this is actually singing vs playing an instrument, but it does demonstrate music in whatever form - even when you dont understand it, can be emotionally powerful.

This will sound weird.

Sometimes when I'm playing - for example, improvising during a church service the other day - I find myself so inspired by either a phrase, chord progression, or something I do with the song, that it gives me a bit of a chill and almost brings me to tears.

Maybe it's self-induced, maybe it's divine inspiration, maybe it's just the music...I don't know, but it always makes me feel good somehow.

Otherwise, songs that make me think of my kids when they were babies usually does it too :-)

I don't get teary as much when I play but I am always moved by the "Theme from Schindler's List" by Itzhak Perlman and the Adagio for Strings by Barber.