Let's kick things off by getting to know each other a bit better. If you feel comfortable, please share a little about yourself and your relationship with the piano:
What initially drew you to piano playing and/or piano therapy?
How long have you been playing the piano, and what level of experience do you have?
Have you explored using the piano as a form of therapy for mental well-being before joining this forum?
Is there a specific aspect of piano therapy or mental health that you're particularly interested in or passionate about?
Feel free to share any personal anecdotes, challenges, or successes related to your piano journey or experiences with piano therapy. Looking forward to getting to know each other and learning from each other's unique perspectives!
Share your thoughts. Feel free to add GIFs, videos, hashtags and more to your posts and comments. Get started by commenting below.
What initially drew you to piano playing and/or piano therapy?
When I was little I had some friends who played piano and were really good at it. I looked up to my friends and thought their playing was mesmerizing and wanted to play like them, so I asked my parents if I could take piano lessons. Since then, I've always been obsessed with getting good enough at piano to play the pieces that I think sound amazing.
How long have you been playing the piano, and what level of experience do you have?
I played pretty consistently for about 15 years, however haven't been as consistent as I would like to be now that I have a grown up job. I got my Bachelors of Music in piano
Have you explored using the piano as a form of therapy for mental well-being before joining this forum?
I have used music as a form of therapy! Listening to piano masterworks makes me believe that there is a fundamental sense of order and beauty in the universe that helps me stay grounded. This has literally helped me get through existential crises in the past.
Is there a specific aspect of piano therapy or mental health that you're particularly interested in or passionate about?
I think practice music as a vehicle and metaphor for self-improvement is very powerful. With my background in piano, I know that I am capable of anything as long as I practice and work hard at it. Playing piano has given my the perspective that innate talent is overrated, and the most important thing is hard work and perseverance. This is extremely liberating and gives me a greater sense of personal agency.
Feel free to share any personal anecdotes, challenges, or successes related to your piano journey or experiences with piano therapy. Looking forward to getting to know each other and learning from each other's unique perspectives!
I think playing and talking about piano has so much potential to help people connect and improve their lives. Unfortunately, as it is now piano playing is an extremely solitary endeavor, with most of ones time sitting alone in a practice room. This forum seems like a great way to get people to get out of the practice room and connection with each other more! Looking forward to continue to participate in it!
Hey. My name is Angelika.
I started playing really young coz it was a normal thing to do in USSR and my Mom was encouraging me a lot. Sometimes with additional slaps and yells.
Now 30 years later I’m still feeling encouraged by my Mom and pressured by her desire for my happiness and achieving goals.
In my early yong adult years piano would work as a stress relief in moments of heartbreak. Pieces like Chopin etude no 24 would help me to cope with frustration or, for example, Mephisto Waltz was my territory of exploration into adult world of sex and forbidden desires.
Since I started composing music became more as a personal diary. Especially helpful composing was after my Grandpa’s passing. For 7 days I was producing piece a day transforming stages of grief into music. It was a great relief and a way to say “thank you” and “I love you”.
I have a pretty bumpy relationship with piano but I learned to make lemonade out of lemons after giving up Ego part of performing artist and opening my heart into it.