Don’t ask me why, but today I was Googling the top 10 greatest pianists of all time.
Here’s the list:
1. Sergei Rachmaninov
2. Vladimir Horowitz
3. Sviatoslav Richter
4. Arthur Rubinstein
5. Emil Gilels
6. Alfred Cortot
7. Glenn Gould
8. Alfred Brendel
9. Wilhelm Kempff
10. Arthur Schnabel
How many have you heard of?
Me personally, none. Weird. That got me thinking so I Googled top 10 greatest guitarists of all time.
Here’s the results:
1. Eddie Van Halen
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Jimmy Page
4. Tony Lommi
5. Dimebag Darrel
6. Randy Rhoads
7. Dave Mustaine
8. David Gilmour
9. Robert Johnson
10. John Petrucci
I knew 4 out of 10 guitarists. But I knew 9 out 10 bands that they played in.
Here’s the point.
It got me thinking again today about how the piano industry has decided to separate themselves to an elite type of level. And if you aren’t on board with exactly the way they do things. Well… then you aren’t a real piano pianist.
I am proud to wear the badge of not being a real pianist.
I simply play the piano.
Two different things.
Where is Billy Joel, Elton John, Ben Folds, Jerry Lee Lewis for cripes sakes?
They played what they loved the way, they wanted to, and were not following the approved classical style.
So you have two choices I think.
You can strive to be a real pianist, and most likely never get there unless you start at about the age 5 and decide to eliminate all social life.
Or.
You can come to terms with being a piano player. Someone who just plays the piano.
So if you are banging your head against the wall trying to be a great pianist, then stop.
Just be a piano player, and give yourself a break.
I am a blue collar piano player. Not refined, not great, but really proud of what happens when I sit at the piano. No matter who the audience.
And so are most of my students.
And you can be too.
Go here to learn how to be “not so great” at piano. But love everything about playing it:
