play the piano again

I played on my neighbour’s Grand today. The keys were very stiff and you needed to have strong fingers to play fast passages. Then again it was hard to differentiate the intonation. The piano was not very forgiving about that. I also had a crowd gathered around me and even though there were just a dozen of people it made me feel uncomfortable. Mainly because I could barely remember any songs completely. It was like “okay, let’s start this piece and see how far I can make it”. The harder I tried to remember, the fewer the chance that I actually did. Heck, I used to play in front of hundreds of people and feeling comfortable. It makes a whole difference whether you’re prepared or not.
I need a piano for myself so I can start practicing again.

My neighbours got a Steinway Mini-Grandpiano. They invited me to come by and play anytime I want. I was really glad to hear and I want to but somehow I didn’t dare yet. When I tried catching up some pieces by Rachmaninov (that’s the spelling I prefer at least) on an E-Piano with headphones, I realized that it is not only that I don’t have the skill anymore – more I discovered that what I enjoyed and miss most was playing for myself playing keys without thinking if the someone standing behind me enjoys this or not.

Well, it’s not a ‘real’ one. And as someone who is fairly conservative when it comes down to pianos I hate to say I enjoy playing again – even though the key are plastic and the sound’s artificial. It definitely gives me a little bit back of what I was missing all the time.
I am looking forward to the day when I can afford to have a real piano (or even Grand-Piano) again :) Until then, this is much better than nothing, says I.

When moving out of my parents place many years ago, I had neither the space nor could afford a piano. Now whenever I see a piano I feel the urge to play on it and I wish I had my own in my appartment again. It is sobering to see other people playing music that you could once play but not anymore.