@@3r7s You may not have to. For most pianists, the skill is about 90% work, 10% talent. So if you don't have the 10% talent, you could theoretically still put in the 90% work.
I have always considered myself a humble musician, definitely no top level pianist. But I feel I need to start owning my accomplishments. I have composed an entire body of work, and started playing at age 14. By the time it was college auditions, I performed Bach P+F in f sharp minor book 2, Beethoven Op. 81a, and Messiaen regard 11 and 13. Thats a pretty big leap in 4 years, and I think its time for me to be more confident
I clicked on the video because of the title.. and was so surprised when you mentioned double thirds and then the etude 6 😅 I have started working on it just yesterday with exactly this thought: "it seems like impossible to master the double thirds at high speed!" But then, another thought came up and said: "impossible? Huh! Watch me." .. The best way to progress is going beyond our confort zone. And choosing a piece we love is very helpful of course. Thank you for this great topic.
I suffered from pretty severe Imposter Syndrome during my musical career, despite decades of successes in teaching, performing, collaborating, etc. I was sooo relieved when a health issue forced me to "retire" as a pro musician and had to change my career. Looking back, though, I am finally realizing that I knew exactly what I was doing, I was a great teacher, and I was pretty good at playing piano, too. But it was too late. Or was it? That being said, recording health-appropriate (uh-hem, "easier") music for TH-cam is the most enjoyment I have ever had in my musical journey. I will never play Chopin Etudes or Liszt again, but I am enjoying things much more overall in general. Finally.
In everything that I do, I felt like this. I have been playing piano for almost 18 years. Took up my licentiate again, then stopped again. I feel like that I am kidding myself and that I am just another musician copying another. This also became true for my dancing. Where at one point I stopped, felt inadequate. And now after almost another year of contemplating and suffering from anxiety, I finally am at a point where I am starting again, going back to when I absolutely fell in love with piano and also why wanted to start dancing 4 years ago. Having a new perspective, support from my husband and going back to why I am doing it for me, really became an anchor and a peace where I am finally enjoying it again. Thank you @joshwright piano for your passion and commitment to music. 🎶
I’m just a late beginner but I’ve bought one of your pro lessons because I value your consummate professionalism and it’s fun to aspirationally dream about what you teach. So it is particularly meaningful to see you uncomfortably talking about challenges you face. It’s easy to be the expert, it’s hard to be human. Thank you so much for this video!
You nailed me. I have a gorgeous piano that many pro's would love to own. But I don't have the training they do. The expectations of people who visit sent me on a now 5 year search in learning theory, technique, etc. Not a classical player but I am playing some difficult arrangements of pop songs. I can read music well and play about anything in many different ways ... still ... there's that thing. I had one recital 40 years ago. I'm an introvert, I don't like the spotlight. Maybe it's more than imposter syndrome but whatever it is, it makes my fingers numb and my heart filled with fear.
OMG, I feel this way when it comes to piano. I'm an intermediate player, but I feel like I only have a few big songs under my belts and that even those I play just so so.
Josh, can you share your thoughts on returning to consistent practice after taking a 2 year break from practicing? I have a bachelor of music but teaching has burned me out so much that I never have the motivation to practice!
Although I've been a musician virtually all of my life, I'm very young in my piano studies, having played other instruments from an early age. I find that, because I have a high level of expectation of my abilities, after developing decent chops on those other instruments, I'm often not satisfied with my piano playing. People frequently tell me that they enjoy listening to me play piano. Nonetheless I feel that I should be able to do more. Occassionaly I will have moments of inner stillness and I will just sit down and play without expectation or judgement. During those times the music becomes what it was to me decades ago, magical and joyous. It's so easy to lose touch with that. We want to be critical of our technique and it's necessary to do that to grow as a player but when we step away from the purpose of the art, to bring light and joy and comfort to people (and we must include ourselves in that) it becomes very tedious. That you, Josh, for discussing this topic and for all that you bring to your fellow pianists and your audiences.
Impostor syndrome? As a late learner definitely not. Coming from a non-musical family very few around can play music to a high level. In my family there is an expectation that either someone plays well or not at all. Someone who really wants to get into piano would need to be pushing a lot harder to make progress.
I recently went to play for a very good pianist called William moody who I remembered from school days. He is a classically trained/pro musician who is retired now and only gives lessons. He gave me some useful tips on improving my technique. He played a godowsky piece which was amazing and very technical . He said I was a good player so that gave me some believe about my ability. Playing for someone who is a master of their art wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.He was very helpful. Here’s a will video. th-cam.com/video/S1gD9dDBtwk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=oOoLoGmNVHy9c7df.
Thank God I suck at piano. I don't have to be worried about impostor syndrome
😂😂😂
😅 i was going to write something similar.. minus the "thank god" bit.. i wish i didn't suck at piano.. 🙈😅
@@3r7s You may not have to. For most pianists, the skill is about 90% work, 10% talent. So if you don't have the 10% talent, you could theoretically still put in the 90% work.
Those comments were very helpful to me. Thank you!😊
Thank you. Sounds advice. It's a good reminder that it's really all perspective.
Josh wright is the piano hero we need right now
I have always considered myself a humble musician, definitely no top level pianist. But I feel I need to start owning my accomplishments. I have composed an entire body of work, and started playing at age 14. By the time it was college auditions, I performed Bach P+F in f sharp minor book 2, Beethoven Op. 81a, and Messiaen regard 11 and 13. Thats a pretty big leap in 4 years, and I think its time for me to be more confident
I clicked on the video because of the title.. and was so surprised when you mentioned double thirds and then the etude 6 😅
I have started working on it just yesterday with exactly this thought: "it seems like impossible to master the double thirds at high speed!"
But then, another thought came up and said: "impossible? Huh! Watch me."
..
The best way to progress is going beyond our confort zone. And choosing a piece we love is very helpful of course.
Thank you for this great topic.
I suffered from pretty severe Imposter Syndrome during my musical career, despite decades of successes in teaching, performing, collaborating, etc. I was sooo relieved when a health issue forced me to "retire" as a pro musician and had to change my career. Looking back, though, I am finally realizing that I knew exactly what I was doing, I was a great teacher, and I was pretty good at playing piano, too. But it was too late. Or was it?
That being said, recording health-appropriate (uh-hem, "easier") music for TH-cam is the most enjoyment I have ever had in my musical journey. I will never play Chopin Etudes or Liszt again, but I am enjoying things much more overall in general. Finally.
I know well the issue you discuss, but still, having it said again is great comfort.
This video was so necessary, Josh, you are sensitive as a musician and as a person! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
In everything that I do, I felt like this. I have been playing piano for almost 18 years. Took up my licentiate again, then stopped again. I feel like that I am kidding myself and that I am just another musician copying another. This also became true for my dancing. Where at one point I stopped, felt inadequate. And now after almost another year of contemplating and suffering from anxiety, I finally am at a point where I am starting again, going back to when I absolutely fell in love with piano and also why wanted to start dancing 4 years ago. Having a new perspective, support from my husband and going back to why I am doing it for me, really became an anchor and a peace where I am finally enjoying it again. Thank you @joshwright piano for your passion and commitment to music. 🎶
I feel like this helps me in ways more than just piano, thank you!
Thank you Josh for sharing!
Thank you Josh for your inspiring words and your example!!
Just had a bout of anxiety because of impostor sindrome just this week. Never clicked so fast on a video as with this one.
I’m just a late beginner but I’ve bought one of your pro lessons because I value your consummate professionalism and it’s fun to aspirationally dream about what you teach. So it is particularly meaningful to see you uncomfortably talking about challenges you face. It’s easy to be the expert, it’s hard to be human. Thank you so much for this video!
You nailed me. I have a gorgeous piano that many pro's would love to own. But I don't have the training they do. The expectations of people who visit sent me on a now 5 year search in learning theory, technique, etc. Not a classical player but I am playing some difficult arrangements of pop songs. I can read music well and play about anything in many different ways ... still ... there's that thing. I had one recital 40 years ago. I'm an introvert, I don't like the spotlight. Maybe it's more than imposter syndrome but whatever it is, it makes my fingers numb and my heart filled with fear.
OMG, I feel this way when it comes to piano. I'm an intermediate player, but I feel like I only have a few big songs under my belts and that even those I play just so so.
Thank you. Yes.
5:55 I am Czernying some Carl as well
Sounds similar to Dunning-Kruger effect
Josh, can you share your thoughts on returning to consistent practice after taking a 2 year break from practicing? I have a bachelor of music but teaching has burned me out so much that I never have the motivation to practice!
👍♥️♥️♥️
Although I've been a musician virtually all of my life, I'm very young in my piano studies, having played other instruments from an early age. I find that, because I have a high level of expectation of my abilities, after developing decent chops on those other instruments, I'm often not satisfied with my piano playing. People frequently tell me that they enjoy listening to me play piano. Nonetheless I feel that I should be able to do more. Occassionaly I will have moments of inner stillness and I will just sit down and play without expectation or judgement. During those times the music becomes what it was to me decades ago, magical and joyous. It's so easy to lose touch with that. We want to be critical of our technique and it's necessary to do that to grow as a player but when we step away from the purpose of the art, to bring light and joy and comfort to people (and we must include ourselves in that) it becomes very tedious. That you, Josh, for discussing this topic and for all that you bring to your fellow pianists and your audiences.
Impostor syndrome? As a late learner definitely not. Coming from a non-musical family very few around can play music to a high level. In my family there is an expectation that either someone plays well or not at all. Someone who really wants to get into piano would need to be pushing a lot harder to make progress.
I recently went to play for a very good pianist called William moody who I remembered from school days. He is a classically trained/pro musician who is retired now and only gives lessons. He gave me some useful tips on improving my technique. He played a godowsky piece which was amazing and very technical . He said I was a good player so that gave me some believe about my ability. Playing for someone who is a master of their art wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.He was very helpful. Here’s a will video. th-cam.com/video/S1gD9dDBtwk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=oOoLoGmNVHy9c7df.
Gordon Lightfoot was ashamed of his lack of guitar skill