Tomorrow, I will successfully play in public without the score for the first time in almost four years! I expect that things will go very well, based on my practice of the past few days. It's been a long road back from a neurological disturbance

Good luck, Chase. What are you playing? And do you have to play by memory? Isn't it acceptable to play with the music these days? I know...it looks cooler to play without the music.

Technically, Monica's still on that road!

I wish you all the best, Chase. Take a lot of deep breaths!

Hey!......

I played Alborada del gracioso, Pavanne pour une infante defunte, Oiseaux tristes, Voiles, Ce q'ua vu le vent d'Ouest, La fille aux cheveux de lin, La serenade interrompue and General Lavine-eccentic by Ravel and Debussy. At the last minute I used music for the serenade only. Some messy spots but no lapses The second half was Poulenc's Babar the Elephant, (with music) with eight dancers. The concert was a big success.

I guess it is acceptable lately to play with music, but my students have to memorize for competitions so what does it look like if I use music? Kinda damages my credibility a bit, imo. Also, I prefer to look at my hands, if I have to look at anything; my vision got screwed up in the disturbance so it's best to be focused on one thing. And it's just better to be memorized; after all, actors memorize their lines, we probably should too.

I will post proper recordings of these pieces over the next few months, one at a time and making sure my piano is in tune. On to the Liszt Eb Concerto on May 3rd. I was going to play that the day I was incapacitated, lol people are keeping an eye on me

Sounds like a very nice concert. I'm glad for you.

I also prefer to play from memory, except it seems to take me forever to memorize things these days. But when I do, I am much more relaxed and can get into the music. Unless there is an audience, then no matter what, I am nervous and wish I had the music up there. Although, I've screwed up with that too in an instance where I had the piece memorized, but put the music up on the stand in a last second decision. Totally bad idea! You either have to know well ahead of time if you're going to play by memory, or if you are going to use the music. Not good to change the game plan right at the kick-off.

So...I am in the dark, here. Did you have an accident or something? How were you incapacitated? If it is too personal, feel free to tell me to bug off!

I can't even practice properly without having the music memorized. I dunno what I would do if I wasn't able to memorize stuff fairly easily.

You are very lucky, Terez. Oh, how I wish....

I changed the game plan last year two days before, and used a page turner. It went very well, except for those spots where one must look at the keyboard.



Brain aneurysm rupture. I was in the hospital for almost a month, and was forced to take it easy for a few months afterwards. Which led to me discovering this cool place, which helped to keep me going with piano, and to devise an alternative path to my musical goals, although I'm not sure what those are anymore, except to keep playing. It's funny how fate sorts things out.

OMG, that's sounds terrible. You are lucky to have survived! I'm glad you are back to the piano again.

Scary
But great that PS helped you pick things up again. The goal to keep playing is a good one - I think PS has that effect on many people. Lookinf forward to your recordings !

I'm simply glad to be alive and ok. Most people who survive a BAR don't make it as far back as the piano, let alone to a lot of other more important stuff. Not being able to play well was infuriating to me and I think the need to regain that helped me along, more than a little bit. I'm glad Piano Society was there to help!

Thx

Oh, I thought the aneurysm just happened recently. Still, it's a great outcome!

I don't really have anything to contribute to this thread other than a supportive nod.

*meaningful inclination of the noggin*