I’d appreciate some advice from fellow piano players.
I am the usual story - played as a child, stopped in mid high school when life got busier, would play a piano when it one was around (uni halls etc), early 30s bought a digital piano for my flat (so as not to annoy the neighbours!) and then about 3-4 years ago I moved to the country, and took up lessons again.
I like lessons as I find they make me
practice on a regular basis. Left I my own devices, I will play for 8 hours one day and then maybe not for a fortnight! I also started taking exams again. I liked this as it made me focus on technique and craftsmanship in a piece, getting it perfect etc, and of course the achievement of getting the certificate! Due to work and general busy-ness, I do an exam every 2 years or so (not every year). I’m not fussed about racing to the finish, I’d prefer an extensive repertoire and be really solid at that grade, rather than just getting the certificate.
I play only for me. I might play for my parents or siblings if they come over and ask, but they don’t, usually. In the lead up to an exam, I might ask them to listen to help me get used to an ‘audience’. I don’t play for friends. No issues with it, it just doesn’t really come up in convo.
Now to my issue. I have a digital piano that I really like. Weighted keys etc. I can play with headphone or the sound down anytime, so my neighbours can’t hear a thing. I have huge echoing ceilings and pretty close neighbours, so I think it is pretty unlikely that I will ever get an acoustic piano, even though I have the space and money to afford it. As I’ve described above, a have no need for it and am perfectly happy without it, EXCEPT..... at lesson time and exam time.
At lessons, I always sound 10% worse, as I am not used to the piano. It depresses me sometimes, as only some of my work/practice can be heard, but on the whole it’s not a big deal and I cope.
But I do the exams on my teachers grand piano. So I feel behind here too! In the week leading up, I ask and pay for an extra lesson/time on her piano to help familiarise myself with it, but it is still an issue. It annoys me, as even though I am only doing the exams for me. I want the credit for all the practice I have put in!
What do you think? Do I buy an acoustic, and ear pads for my neighbours? Do I double down and ask for a whole week of extra lessons/piano time in the week or fortnight before the exam or do I just put up with it as I have been doing, and be annoyed but realising this is a pretty minor concern in life and I should get over it?
Thanks for reading. It’s been an essay.