Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum how do non musicians view us?

I didn't say anything about him being aggressive, mean or condescending...I was making a suggestion because, in all honesty, I do find his posts a bit lengthy sometimes, and somewhat lose interest midway through.

I was listing those things which are actual turn-offs. When posts are lengthy, we can always skim and try to get at the essence. Not everyone has the ability to get at the meat of the matter when they write.

Most people tell me they think it is great and they wish they could learn, but don't feel think they could do it.

I also love to golf, have figured out the golf swing better than the piano. But that took years of practice too, just like the piano is taking.

I enjoy both, and life is short.

I have a few too many hobbies. Being spread so thin, not a darn thing gets done with any of them. It kinda makes me not so good, or, not as could as I could be by having inconsistent focus on the different subjects. If you enjoy one thing or ten, then so be it. The desire to put forth effort into things just because you want to is intrinsic motivation. For me, the gratification that comes from doing a good job complete and all on my own is a big motivator. Things like chores and going to a job to make money would be extrinsic motivation. It really isn't a hobby if it doesn't come from within. So, if you take on a task because someone convinces you that you should, then it's extrinsic and wouldn't be your hobby.
It takes all kinds to make the world go around.


thanks,
Mark

It's nice to see that there are a few other highly intelligent individuals out there with exceptionally discriminating tastes.. .

Golf doesn't have to be "a good walk spoiled" as some have claimed it to be (especially if you ride a cart around the course ) but it can be extremely frustrating and aggravating - I seem to demand much more perfection there and am far less tolerant of mistakes playing this sadistic game than I am when sitting at the keyboard in the throes of my pianistic studies...I wonder why...

It is not so much a matter of how they view us.
More accurately...

People do not view the world as it exists.
They view the world as they exist.

The only "non musician's" opinion that matters, for me, is that of my husband. As long as there is balance in our lives, and my piano hobby isn't negatively impacting our relationship, we are both happy. He has his computer programming hobbies (also time-consuming) and I play piano. We share other activities such as hiking or going to the fitness center.

I don't think most non musicians have any idea of the amount of time or commitment playing piano takes, or the powerful draw that it has for people who are musically inclined. I don't try to explain to them why I spend three hours a day practicing a "hobby", other than to say that I enjoy learning a new skill. My spouse lives with that commitment everyday, so I try very hard to have an acceptable balance with him.

Even the world-class professionals have fallen victim to extensive cursing, club-throwing, and caddie-berating.

... and that includes shanking 'em during the warm-up.

ditto!

Another vote for "I don't care what they think."
Why is it anyone else's business how many hobbies we do or don't have?

I can answer that (since you asked) - it's because piano music, unlike golf, and in spite of a bunch of flubs and fumbles in execution, "hath charms that soothe that savage breast (or is that beast?)"...to quote my man "Shakes"...

[Don't you just love it when people quote their own posts and then respond to it? ]

Probably because an errant drive, or 3-foot putt that goes only 2.5 feet, has no inherent pleasure to it. On the other hand, I can play at a pretty low level of competence (and I do), and it is quite enjoyable nevertheless!

Ha! You beat me to the answer by a couple hours... I hadn't seen this before posting my (very similar) reply.

It's like anything in life.. those who love and those who don't..

You just have to know how to appreciate something.. [taking another sip of an excellent wine of which I'm sure it will not be appreciated by many people]

However, too much of a good thing

Thanks so much for this post... I don't have that balance (and it's not because of too much time on the piano), and the only way I'm going to get a decent amount of piano time is going to be some serious work in other areas of my life. There's no way I could say "I try very hard" (as you have here) with a straight face re: keeping my wife satisfied with how I'm spending my time.

Hearing about the effort that you are making gives me a sorely needed kick in the pants.

I've never thought to ask before... what % of your time is spent in silent mode in order to appease your neighbor?

easily 80%.

It stinks.

The ones who need to understand this, never do. I also used to ride bicycles in a sporty manner and one of my club's ride leaders put it well, "If he's faster than you, he should have more patience and wait. If he's slower than you he should realize it and not expect you to ruin your ride waiting for him."

Ugh. That does stink.

More evidence that you are a ridiculously nice person.