Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Can we kick some people off the Quarterly Recitals already??

Well, I think we have covered the "beginner" quite well with the title and content, but I am not sure the more experienced player is feeling the warmth.
I suppose I am troubled by the title more than anything else.

I suppose if I am going to complain, I should make a suggestion.

"The Piano World Quarterly Recital"

After all, aren't we the only game in town?

The title of the recital uses the title of the forum "Adult Beginner's Forum." So I don't see so much of a problem with that. Perhaps add some language about "pianists of all levels are welcome, whether beginner or advanced. If you're reading this, we want you to participate!"

I think that would make it less inviting to beginners. I like that people who post in the ABF Recital feel some connection to the ABF.

It already is in the ABF forum. Aren't you just validating the argument that the more experienced players, do not feel welcomed?

Perhaps, it is an impossible task to have a recital, where everyone is comfortable.

It's like this. Piano World is like an ice cream shop. An ice cream shop attracts people who like ice cream, and Pianoworld attracts people who like pianos.

The ice cream shop has a sign outside that says 'Delicious homemade chocolate ice cream'. The Pianoworld sign says 'Adult Beginner Forum'.

So far everything sounds fine and makes perfect sense,....until you go inside! Once you go inside the ice cream shop that advertises for 'homemade chocolate ice cream', the clerk says "well, we really don't carry chocolate ice cream. We stock mostly vanilla". And once you go inside the Pianoworld 'beginner' forum, you will notice the same thing...that there is really is no chocolate ice cream as most of it is vanilla.

Technically, and factually, the correct title/heading is clearly not being applied.

Nobody is saying to break the group up. Several people have suggested simply addressing the group for what it actually is. That being a group comprised of beginners and intermediates.

NOTE: If you ARE an actual pro [meaning that you derive your income from playing piano or have professional music degrees] the 'compatible' pool to swim in is NOT the kiddie pool! The Pianist Corner is for those folks.

In addition, the true beginners of today will be the more seasoned members of tomorrow. It would be nice to be part of a group in which you can sprout, grow and mature along with everyone else. A supportive group that follows along with your progress and encourages you along the way. A group in which everyone reciprocates these actions.

My suggestion once again is to fix the semantics of the title...[possibly Beginner and Beyond] to not only correctly reflect what we actually/factually are, but to also put this topic to rest hopefully for good.

[ETA: cross-posted with Mr. Super-Hunky. Mulling over what he has said, but said mulling is not reflected in this post.]

I was thinking that people who know about the recital and might be interested in performing in it, are connected with the ABF in someone way, and have found a way to feel connected, regardless of their level. (I'll leave aside for a moment the unfortunate response gooddog received early on, but note that even there, we are now seeking to repair that and make her feel welcome). So they've already figured out that the ABF as a whole is not solely for beginners. So then we add language to the ABF Recital to make it explicit that all levels are welcome there too.

Is the idea of calling it the Piano World Quarterly Recital, that we would like people from all the forums to participate, regardless of any community connection they might or might not have with the ABF?

Some times Ice cream shops attract folk who just like the wafer biscuits or the sprinkles or the chocolate sauce that is poured over the icecream like they have in ice cream vans that do Mr.whippy.

Sometimes ice cream shops attract diebetics that cannot actually eat the ice cream ( so dont buy any) but they still like looking at it for old times sake.

sometimes ice cream shops attract loads of kids with no money that also like looking at all the stuff in there.

Sometimes ice cream shops attract flies and wasps.

sometimes,ice cream shops have a nice looking assistant so attract lots of potential suitors.

There are many ways of looking at things.

That would be my guess

But you know, Liszt85 (I think that was his user name) was posting in these recitals even after he started entering competitions all over the world. So I really do think a lot of it is a personal response.

I'm one of the middle-of-the-road players, and kind of lower middle-of-the-road at that. I don't feel a need for an "intermediate" forum, tho there seem to be people who do.

I'm not sure we're the only game in town any more - there are recitals over in the pianists corner now - and I suspect some of us would feel as intimidated by entering one of those as some newbies feel intimidated by the quarterly ones here Although, it is also true that those are all classical.

The themed recitals, both here and in the Pianists Corner, do seem to draw on a wide range of players, tho - from beginners to teachers or other pros. They are limited, of course, by the theme, which ours aren't.

I'm much more concerned about the recitals becoming so heavily classical that those of us who don't play classical are a tiny minority. I really try to comment on most of the recordings, but I have a hard time with the classical even if it's a piece I like.

I don't have any solutions. It hadn't really occurred to me that the more advanced players might skip the recitals. I *do* prefer that people who post in the recitals be regular contributors to the ABF, even tho some of the long-time posters don't post as much any more. But there isn't a way to regulate any of the submissions, and I'm not sure I want there to be. I think it's these discussions that kind of really set part of the ABF "tone" or culture and encourage or discourage folks.

So that's my ramblings.

Cathy

If the name of the recital is an issue, maybe the words can be shifted around slightly. Maybe it can be the "PW Quarterly Recital, sponsored by ABF" or "ABF's Piano World Recital."

It's almost kind of silly for everyone here to be beginners, honestly. Who would the beginners ask questions from? And "beginners" can be stretched: You can be just "beginning" early intermediate, or intermediate, or early-advanced. You're still beginning something, and it's still hard, and you still want support. Maybe we should be Adult Learners, because I think all of us can agree that we're still learning and figuring things out. This forum is centered around learning how to play, theory, etc. The other forums have other things that they focus on. Pianists Corner, for example, seems to be more centered about lively discussion about works, composers, and classical music happenings. It's a different animal.



Cathy, I tend to play more classical, but I love hearing the offerings that are not classical! I am seriously going to start looking into Einaudi as a result of the recitals. Maybe if more people are encouraged to participate, there will be more variety.

I like that idea, FWIW. Just insert "and Beyond", add an extra "B" to the initials, and then head out for a celebratory ice cream of the flavor of one's choice.


Really? Is there a trend you are seeing in this direction? Are you just concerned re: suggestions of trying to turn the ABF recitals to be more PW-centric?

As a Johnny-come-lately to ABF, I think the variety in the ABFQR's is fantastic. It is just about my only exposure to jazz and ragtime (for instance), and I really enjoy it. I appreciate jazz so much more now as a result of listening and reading about it here.

I still think we should change it to "All Einaudi, All the Time."

Seriously, though, if we have to err in any direction, I'd want to err in the direction of being overly welcoming to newbies.

You always have been, Monica!

In fact, you were the first to welcome me to Piano World back in 2006, when I first joined. For that, you have always been special to me, and I see you haven't changed.

Let's see, who's getting kicked off the quartily recitals? Can't be me, cause I've never participated... can't play well enough.

Rick

[quote=Rostosky]

Mr.whippy.

YES, Mr whippy. Why not?

You see, I'm just a tad passionate about the direction of the recitals. I had something to do with its original concept and would like it to remain as successful as it has always been.

In fact, I'd almost go as far as to say that you are just as passionate about your your RST thread and what you have created as well.

I choose not to participate in your thread even though I think it is a great thread that several others participate in. Conversely, you have chosen not to participate in any previous ABF recitals. Live and let live right?

So why come on a thread and start the name calling? Do you think this is what other members want to happen to them? You see, you put people in a position that they don't want to be in and that is having to defend themselves.

If you think I'm cracking the whip to hard just remember that I'm factually supporting what I am saying. I have personal opinions about you too and if I was still 6 years old I probably would not be able to hold them back. But I'm an adult now and even though I may not act like one at times, I know better than to disrespect others just for my own personal enjoyment.

'Rossy', name calling and personal attacks on others doesn't impress me. A beautiful piano performance submitted to our adult piano group would. The thing is, I'm sure you're are even capable of it as I've seen your creativity before.

My goal is not to make you bleed from your eyes. I don't come to these forums for sport-confrontation. If that is your goal, then you win. I just want to share beautiful melodies with everyone else. This is what I try and do with my music. That's all.

Life is way too short man.

I thought he was talking about ice cream vans that serve Mr. Whippy.
http://www.mrwhippyicecream.co.uk/

That's what I also thought Rossy was referring to, Aimee.

That would be my preference. I am guilty of wanting to hear all that is available. Over the years there have been wonderful surprises from people who were here only briefly, but certainly left an impression. babama comes to mind, but there have been many.

That said, I can certainly understand the desire to keep it in the ABF house.

Mr. Super-Hunky, I don't think Rossy was insulting anyone - even without being familiar with the "Mr.Whippy" brand, I took it as just an ice-cream service. I think if you re-read it you'll see


(boldface is mine)

= vans that serve Mr. Whippy


As far as renaming the recital, I think that the Beginner and Beyond is a good name.

I also think you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time (acknowledgements to Mr. Lincoln).

I think the most we should do is modify the name of the forum & recital to include "beyond".

Cas, I never intended to have a hypothetical analogy of an ice cream store (as mentioned and compared with the ABF) somehow turn into a mobile ice cream truck in the UK. How I'm supposed to know that is beyond me but hey, apparently others do. That's amazing.

It is obvious that many of us are passionate about our viewpoints and I think that is a good thing. I just don't think people should be trampled along the way to finding a resolution.

If for some reason I read into this post incorrectly it certainly was not my intent. Good communication requires a good transmission as well as good reception. If the transmission was totally unclear to me then who knows how I'm going to receive it.

What I can say is I never intended to have my analogy analyzed any further than what it was; that being an analogy.

Anyway, if I'm in any way in the wrong here than I apologize. I certainly never intended to have to apologize for having an analogy restructured and converted into something else but we are obviously at that point. I think last time I had to apologize for deep sea diving boots or something. This is getting a bit nutz!

Passions may be running a little high right now as they usually do with this topic. This is why I would like to be part of the solution as opposed to keep discussing it and getting frustrated over it.

I promised myself I wouldn't repeat my stance on this subject more than two times and that was probably four or five times ago.

I will say that Tallguy has brought up a topic in which he wanted to voice his opinions and he did. I also think he has a valid point with beginner intimidation as he's described.

While I think it is clear that everyone wants the group to stay together, it may be possible for the seasoned members to make it even more accommodating for the newer members. I think everyone does a great job encouraging them but maybe we can do even more.

We could possibly wait until all the beginners fill the top spots in the recitals. This not only gives them first up exposure, it may prevent a first time beginner from feeling intimidated due to following an incredible pro-like performance.

It's about all I can think of but it's still something to offer to make the true beginners feel as welcome as possible.

I LOVE this idea !!!

This is a short and concise name with a message. It helps us communicate more effectively that our quarterly recitals welcomes the participation of a diverse range of piano enthusiasts.

I hadn't really planned to get into this conversation with all of the things I'm working on right now. However, those are my thoughts.

YIKES!!! I should be in bed! Good night!