Is Piano Etiquette Dead? - Let's Bring Back Some Manners
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2022
- Is Piano Etiquette Dead? There was performance etiquette back in the day and what we have now. Ted talks about how recitals and causal playing has changed throughout time. We have amazing digital and acoustic piano options at Alamo Music and our other store locations. Come by to test out in person and we'll help find the best instrument for you or a loved one!
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In the second half of the 19th century, organ recitals and outdoor orchestral concerts became fashionable for the middle class. In the 1840s, recitals were laid back enough for people to talk and cheer while musicians were playing. By the 1880s, performances big and small were so formal, that composers were being told to be silent and not applaud the skill of the performers (i.e. Liszt and Wagner).
The Tampa, FL Steinway dealer told me in early 70s, Elton John was a Steinway artist; however, the relationship ended b/c Elton routinely damaged the prestine Steinways Elton demanded of concert grands supplied to him by banging his platform heels upon the keyboard, dancing atop the piano and playing so heavy handed he occasionally broke action parts.
Certainly more like heavy metal than a classical recital. But then again EJ plays rock music.
I'm a massive buyer of Chopin recitals at 1.
Coming from the guitar world, Ted’s point of not being insulting to the player or instrument are definitely words to live by. That said, the only etiquette I believe in is wash your hands before playing any instrument, but especially before you ask to play someone else’s.
As to a comment above, so many people I’ve met who were trained on the recital instruments, i.e., piano, violin, etc… are extremely snobby, but never the really great players. It’s always someone who can get through a few pieces pretty well and read music a bit, but not really improvise. Ask them to solo over something and they’re completely lost.
I can picture what a lack of old-fashioned etiquette looks like when someone is playing a piano. Could be some party at a big house where people in the backyard are playing in the pool, or playing volleyball/cornhole/etc in the grass, and those inside the house are in the dinette and living room, as well as the foyer. And someone in the foyer is banging out popular music on a grand piano as guests get tipsy. It’s like a 21st century Great Gatsby or something out of Hollywood reality TV. Unlike a recital, it’s more vernacular than genteel. What matters is that piano is respected and played well by the pianist(s), guests, and hosts. It doesn’t get dirty, and it doesn’t get broken, no matter what guests are doing. But that setting might be a piano etiquette nightmare.
I’ve had people talk about another musician’s wonderful ability in front of me, with the implication that I just didn’t quite measure up. Sheesh!
And recently, there has been a trend among violinists to upstage the accompanist instead of standing “in the harp.” Betcha there was an ego 60-miles wide that came up with that inanity, under the guise of supposed acoustic direction for the f-holes. Have you ever had trouble hearing a violin over a piano?!
Regarding recital etiquette, where we live there’s a lot of international culture that influences the formality each student brings to the performance. Dressing up does imply respect for the occasion (and helps confidence if you know you look good 😊).
Where do you think the idea of approaching the bench from the left side came from?
I contacted a Memory Care facility to ask if they had a piano, and if they needed someone to play. Thank you, that’d be nice, they said. So nervous player me goes over a few days early to see the piano and get a feel of what I was getting into. Showed up to play on the date and time as was scheduled. No one, patient, family member, nurse, office staff … NO ONE gave me a smile, a glance, a wink or a nod. Not a hello or a goodbye. I played my 30 minutes on that terrible piano, and left. Not one word. All that practice and those nerves for that???
That's too bad. In memory care many of the patients lack the awareness to acknowledge and thank you. But for staff members, and especially the Director to ignore you in inexcusable. Patients in memory care tend to be ignored and lack meaningful tasks in their day. To have a volunteer provide the gift of music and no thanks! No class.
Sounds like the material of nightmares
Did you say hello or otherwise greet the audience? Esp. in a memory care setting. A smile, some friendliness usually begets friendliness.
😉
I think the network talent show culture has soured the atmosphere for impromptu performing. When you happen upon a piano and get permission to try it out, some Simon Cowell wannabe emerges judging whether or not you thrilled the room with every note, rather than appreciating the free mini-performance for what it was.
Never really a fan of Liszt
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