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PIANORAMA



Last Updated: 11/18/2009

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Status: Single
City: Santa Barbara
State: California
Country: US
Signup Date: 11/4/2006
Thursday, August 07, 2008 

Current mood:  accomplished
Category: Music
Okay, here's a few of the things I've had to do to get to where I am now: 

1.  Practice piano 5 or 6 hours a day for years

2.  Sell encyclopedias door to door to pay for my last year of college.

3.  Work in offices at dull jobs I hated

4.  Work as cleaning lady

5.  Work as petsitter, dog walker, house sitter, etc.

6.  Work as a nanny

7.  Work as a waitress

8.  Be a street musician playing autoharp and singing folk songs in Harvard Square

9.  Try to ignore people telling me I need to get a "real job"

10.  Try to ignore people telling me "it must be nice to play the piano all day"

11.  Ignore people telling me I should play for parties, church services, weddings, funerals, etc., for free, or that I charged too much

12.  Find a piano to practice somewhere when I was too poor to own one myself

13.  Teach piano to lots of kids who didn't really want to play the piano; their parents wanted them to; therefore they never practiced

14. Teach piano lessons to little boys who went into my bathroom and emptied out all my shampoo and bubble bath down the toilet while their little sisters were having their lessons because they were bored

Has it all been worth it?  Hell, yeah!  I'd do it all again if I had to.   Here's the thing.  Music has opened many doors to me that would have otherwise remained closed.  I have played piano in some of the most beautiful places in this country and others.  I have met wonderful people and made good friends.  That is such a blessing.  And I like to think that my music has perhaps made someone's day a little brighter and happier.  The bottom line is that I would do just about anything to keep on playing the piano and making music.

5:07 PM
 
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Maunder Marionette

 
Wow!  That's all I can say...  I don't know...  I've wondered if it is a blessing or a curse...  still trying to decide...   Looks like you see it as a blessing.  I wish I could. s.
 
Posted by Maunder Marionette on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 1:31 AM
[Reply to this] 
Lenny Revell

 
All of a sudden my life doesn't look too bad! LOL Don't worry about it. I've had people tell me some of that (not all of it), but some. Never had to sell encyclopedias, but had people tell me to play for churches, funerals, and parties. But those people were at least willing to pay for my services. Never babysat so I never had any shampoo being poured down the toilet, and I don't even own bubble bath formula. Hahahahaha. I worked in offices at jobs I hated too. I telemarketed, even worked at a warehouse a packager, etc.
Eventually, I thought "they are crappy jobs everywhere. If I am going to work these kinds of jobs, I mine as well move to NYC so I can get a following in the meantime so I don't have to work these kind of jobs forever. Eventually I will become successful, and move on."  Right now modeling jobs are pretty lucrative, as well as teaching piano or the martial arts which is what I am concentrating on now. :)

 
Posted by Lenny Revell on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 1:33 AM
[Reply to this] 
PIANORAMA

 
Oh, yeah, I worked as a model, too, but that was so many years ago, I'd forgotten about it.  I bet nobody would want an old lady like me to model nowadays, haha.

And I tried to do some telemarketing, too, but was fired after two weeks, the reason being that I wasn't "aggressive" enough!

 
Posted by PIANORAMA on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 4:49 AM
[Reply to this] 
Liz Ammerman, Harpist

 
I find this very inspiring; Thanks! :-)
 
Posted by Liz Ammerman, Harpist on Thursday, March 15, 2007 - 3:36 AM
[Reply to this] 
Space Station Lounge

 
I think people like us HAVE to play even if nobody else understands. Its part of our very fiber--Powerful stuff we really cant comprehend!!

Turtle (of SPACE STATION LOUNGE)
 
Posted by Space Station Lounge on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 4:56 AM
[Reply to this] 
PIANORAMA

 
You're right, we HAVE to play - which usually not many do understand. People think you are weird, or maybe lazy, or maybe even incompetent. Sometimes you end up feeling like a piece of shit. But anyway, I guess it goes without saying all of life is a gamble anyway. Most of the time I feel very privileged to be able to express my heart and soul through music.
 
Posted by PIANORAMA on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 5:15 AM
[Reply to this] 
Robin James Hurt

 
Hey yeah, great fun reading this, I can certainly join the ranks of those who relate and sympathise...
Me, I've worked in 1) a bank (fired after 6 months! Yay!!)
2) a local government tax office
3) Dominos (pizza delivery)
4) an arthouse cinema (usher)
5) a convenience store (nightshifts - woohoo)
6) rehearsal studios run by friend of mine (this wasn't so bad!)

And I have, of course, spent most of my adult life financially embarassed. But hey, I've played a lot of music, and I'm making all of my living from playing music these days; so how could I moan about that? :-)

Fair play to you though, your list is longer and funnier than mine! Kudos to you. Hope all is good with you today...
R.x
 
Posted by Robin James Hurt on Friday, June 08, 2007 - 2:14 AM
[Reply to this] 
Keep Your Eye Simple

 
Well, sounds like my jobs, did we work together? lol. If you have accomplished what you had hoped to then I guess it would be worth it, right! If playing the piano is your passion, then that is what you can and should do if it's within your reach. You have been blessed with the ability & a talent that not everyone has. You also get to share that with others.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
 
Posted by Keep Your Eye Simple on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 10:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Eryn Eubanks and The Family Fold

 
Thank you for posting this entry...I'm not alone on 8, 10, 12! (ERYN)
 
Posted by Eryn Eubanks and The Family Fold on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 5:24 PM
[Reply to this] 
Kimberley

 
Yup, I can relate to about half of that list! (Especially the play-for-free... yeah, right!)
 
Posted by Kimberley on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 2:24 AM
[Reply to this] 
The Working Poets

 
I really can relate to this too...I've done whatever I could to be a musician and radio and club disc jockey...and like you...yes I would do it all over again...It goes to show your true love is really piano and music and as with any love...it takes hard work...but you will sacrafice and do whatever it takes. An the accomplishments and rewards are the best that a heart can feel!
 
Posted by The Working Poets on Tuesday, October 02, 2007 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
Rare Bird Productions

 
Now I know why I'm just a composer, who can't play her own music.

Well, actually I started to late, missed the talent and was more interested in composing.
 
Posted by Rare Bird Productions on Saturday, November 10, 2007 - 5:13 AM
[Reply to this] 
Leo Waygen’s Twilight Realm

 
DEAR ELIZABETH
LIFE IS A STEEP LEARNING CURVE WHERE WE LEARN TO WALK ON OUR OWN AND BE OURSELVES...I LIKE THE WAY YOU ARE WALKING...
LEO
 
Posted by Leo Waygen’s Twilight Realm on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 8:53 PM
[Reply to this] 
Elizabeth Geyer

 
very entertaining.. and oh, so VERY true!!!
 
Posted by Elizabeth Geyer on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 12:18 AM
[Reply to this] 
nick nicely

 
Yep I can snap most of those...

...but this week a new variation. A company selling a compilation CD with my track at the start for 16 Euros and selling well , is stunned that I'm unhappy not to have been included in any revenue streams !

Apparently I should be happy to get 'the publicity'...while they pocket the cash . Great eh
 
Posted by nick nicely on Sunday, December 16, 2007 - 5:16 AM
[Reply to this] 
FBC
fabienne delecluyse

 
Oh, how funny! Great to read this blog!
 
Posted by FBC on Sunday, December 16, 2007 - 5:45 AM
[Reply to this] 
ironic nightshifts

 
Hi Elizabeth ~ it seems we have some things in common,
even though I am not at all a professional musician like you are :-)
It is a pleasure to be connected, thank you very much!
All the very best wishes from Austria ~ Marion
 
Posted by ironic nightshifts on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 5:41 AM
[Reply to this] 
OPreflector

 
The creativity is part of our very fiber, exactly. You have allowed yours to flourish and grow.
 
Posted by OPreflector on Monday, December 31, 2007 - 4:08 PM
[Reply to this] 
LiLi Roquelin (is on iTunes)

 
your music touches my heart in a way no other musician has ever done
it is so shakeful that it gives me beautiful tears
 
Posted by LiLi Roquelin (is on iTunes) on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 6:53 PM
[Reply to this] 
Heather

 
I recall an aspiring rocker I met once who took on a seemingly puzzling gig as a hotel lounge/piano bar player. I asked her why, and she replied, "I'm getting paid to practice!"
 
Posted by Heather on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - 10:12 PM
[Reply to this] 
PIANORAMA

 
Yeah, I used to say the same thing when I was playing piano at Nordies right next to the ladies lingerie department . . .
 
Posted by PIANORAMA on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 9:31 PM
[Reply to this] 
Maricet

 
I am roaring with laughter here, I beg your pardon. Reading your blog is equal to the life events of my own daughter. She has been teaching Piano since the age of 15 having begun her lessons at the age of 5. She received her Masters Degree and is teaching private and college students. She has two years in vested having started her own ensemble. She also accompanies other performers and too much to list here.




Not feeling fully appreciated or satisfied with Music alone, she decided she'd try the field of medicine. She is studying the past two years and continues. She just auditioned last week-end and has been chosen for a role in a Sundance supported movie. Same week she auditioned for a comedy club gig and got that too. I am still roaring laughing: because this is the inspiration being a music teacher has encouraged her toward. I think she's amazing! Still teaching, still loving music but, needless to say, not taking much time out for composing. I love and respect her and all of you, teachers, musicians all, so much. I adore you for your devotion and thank you for the great ones you are and the ones you have inspired and taught. So many of them do go on to express themselves with their music, in their lives and ours.
What would this world do without you? With my great respect and Love, Maricet
 
Posted by Maricet on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 3:15 PM
[Reply to this] 
SongOfJoy ♥

 
Dear Elizabeth, I so appreciate learning of all your experiences.  It's made you a wonderfully compassionate and interesting person/musician.  I have always loved music, and wished loudly and often for piano lessons as a child; but my mom was one of those kids who was forced into lessons and practice that she disliked, so she wouldn't hear of giving them to me.  I did play by ear as an adult, and spent hours at the piano, lost in the music, many years ago when I had the time and means to do this.  I sincerely understand your need to play, and am so very glad you do......your music is inspired.   It's such a privilege to hear you, and to get to know you better.   - Joy  
 
Posted by SongOfJoy ♥ on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 3:26 AM
[Reply to this] 
PIANORAMA

 
Dear Joy, I am so sorry you were denied piano lessons when you were a child.  That you play by ear tells me that you have the heart and soul of a true musician!  And now you understand music and what it means to play and express it so much more.  Your friendship is a blessing to me!

 
Posted by PIANORAMA on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 4:06 AM
[Reply to this] 
Piperon

 
Yes, it is a blessing all these you had been experiencing.  Like what Mother Theresa said "Soul will NOT sparkle in the comfort  of your home, hardship will enhance your soul matrix".  Don't compare your life with others cause all have to experience difference life form in difference lifes.  Life is about learning, only when you know the truth meaning of suffering, then you will know the truth meaning of life.  For example, would you know the actual pain of a hungry person if you are well fed daily?   Learning the meaning of love, unconditional love.  Continue with your gorgeous work.

PS : Famous Quote : When you are richer, you are further away from God.

With million of love from Singapore.
Piperon - One and Only spiritual flute player on Earth.
 
Posted by Piperon on Sunday, September 13, 2009 - 1:22 PM
[Reply to this] 
PIANORAMA

 
True words.  Your friendship is a blessing.

 
Posted by PIANORAMA on Sunday, September 20, 2009 - 11:06 PM
[Reply to this] 
heyjude_19

 
Well, I am glad you made it through all of the above, because your music is amazing!!
Keep on keepin' on!!
 
Posted by heyjude_19 on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 9:22 PM
[Reply to this] 
PIANORAMA

 
You just made my day.

 
Posted by PIANORAMA on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 6:56 PM
[Reply to this]