tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post3845477501773457312..comments2024-03-22T06:38:04.697-04:00Comments on Beyond the Notes: My slightly unconventional path to a career as a pianistErica Ann Sipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-84611599960268311282011-06-11T17:47:26.456-04:002011-06-11T17:47:26.456-04:00Sherry,
It is so very good to meet you! I've...Sherry, <br />It is so very good to meet you! I've been looking at your website for DuoWest and am fascinated! I partner with my husband, a singer, frequently and we've been wondering if a small ensemble could function as a non-profit mini organization. I see that you are making it work! :-) And I also notice that you're doing house concerts - another interest of ours! <br /><br />Thank you for your kind words - I really do appreciate the feedback and am grateful that there are folks out there that find my words encouraging. <br /><br />I look forward to learning more about you as I peruse your website and I hope to hear from you again soon :-)<br /><br />Best wishes on all you are doing,<br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-5661029184999330602011-06-08T17:35:07.106-04:002011-06-08T17:35:07.106-04:00Your most welcome, Harold - thank you for reading....Your most welcome, Harold - thank you for reading. I'm sure you hear about many interesting stories that pianists have about getting where they are. This is yet another, I suppose. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. <br /><br />And thank you for your kind, kind words. I get so much inspiration from you all - I'm thankful for that! <br /><br />With warm regards,<br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-86459561153752984392011-06-08T14:23:49.982-04:002011-06-08T14:23:49.982-04:00Hi Erica,
What a wonderful new post about your jou...Hi Erica,<br />What a wonderful new post about your journey in music - thank you! You inspire so many people now in your several roles as musician and writer, and I love keeping up with you as much as possible. <br />You're one of the musicians of the future, one who will bring music to the people who really love and need it!<br />Best,<br />HaroldHarold Grayhttp://portlandpiano.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-42797011168532423132011-06-07T21:08:28.376-04:002011-06-07T21:08:28.376-04:00Bob,
I'm so glad you mentioned your latest pos...Bob,<br />I'm so glad you mentioned your latest post - I almost missed it in the mayhem of celebrating a birthday in our family!<br /><br />Thank you for reading this post and for your comments. I am sensing more and more that there are really a lot of us out there that are feeling the same way about perfection, performing, rules, etc...It is so very encouraging to be finding and talking with others seem headed down this same path. <br /><br />Here's to continued discussion! <br /><br />With thanks,<br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-53548137016771992682011-06-06T17:53:54.620-04:002011-06-06T17:53:54.620-04:00Erica - I enjoyed reading this post of yours (as u...Erica - I enjoyed reading this post of yours (as usual). I for one am impressed with your breadth of musicianship. I am not a fan of a system that forces musicians to only play one instrument, and to even further specialize to only one kind of performing (e.g., accompanying vs. solo performance). I'm of the mindset that a versatile musician is a powerful musician...and often consequently an employed musician!. Your post here really reinforces my latest post about "blurring the lines" traditionally drawn in music. Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />BobBob Woodyhttp://beingmusicalbeinghuman.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-51031143741160423232011-06-06T15:27:53.548-04:002011-06-06T15:27:53.548-04:00Thank you for your comments, Harriet. So glad you...Thank you for your comments, Harriet. So glad you like the blog's new look.Only makes me wonder why it took me so long to make the change in the first place, sigh. Oh well.<br /><br />It sounds like you have come to terms with who you are as a musician. You're right, it can be so hard to make it as a self-supporting musician. I am fortunate in that we don't rely on just my income to support our family. I'm sure I would have a very tough time "making it" in the traditional sense as well if our situation was different. But I'm glad that you didn't give up music and that it is obviously makes up a big part of who you are. I know many that have given it up all together for various reasons and now find a part of themselves missing. <br /><br />There is much joy in playing music on any level, I believe and the amount of satisfaction one gets from it mostly depends on the individual, not the circumstances or situations we have to play in. <br /><br />I'm curious to find out more about what you've learned in the "real" world. I need to check out your blog to see if there's more about that there. <br /><br />Thank you, as always, for your comments. It's great to hear from you again.<br /><br />Happy music-making,<br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-6472042896986409502011-06-06T13:10:08.203-04:002011-06-06T13:10:08.203-04:00I am another pianist/cellist hybrid, though really...I am another pianist/cellist hybrid, though really more of a cellist. My feeling about it is the cello is a lot of fun to play, but it is so much easier than the piano that if you concentrate on the piano, the cello will benefit more than the other way around. The piano teaches you to be a more complete musician; the cello teaches you how to create a beautiful singing line, a solid bass, an atmospheric texture. I find the two instruments complementary.<br /><br />The other thing about being a musician in general: It's very, very tough to make a living out there. I decided at 35 that if I wanted to be self-supporting, I had to do something else. It's been difficult at times, but overall I think my musicianship has improved because I'm not using it to earn money; I'm playing music because I want to. I can play the kinds of things I want to play, and I can turn down jobs if they aren't appealing. Working in the real (business) world has also taught me better people skills that have served me well in my musical endeavors.<br /><br />So good luck! Life is always a work in progress.<br /><br />(BTW, the new look for your blog is a big improvement! Much easier to read than white on black.)Harriethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13880173260724402584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-87337086207567957212011-06-05T16:00:46.735-04:002011-06-05T16:00:46.735-04:00Thank you, Leah for mentioning your blog. I actua...Thank you, Leah for mentioning your blog. I actually took a look at both of your blogs and plan on spending a little more time with them :-)<br /><br />And Antonio, it's very nice to meet you. Thank you for checking out this blog post and more importantly, for encouraging my stubborness. Sometimes it can come in handy, lol!<br /><br />Many thanks to both of you for commenting,<br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-78633903330480216782011-06-05T05:22:19.580-04:002011-06-05T05:22:19.580-04:00Excellent post!!!
Congratulations for your "...Excellent post!!!<br /><br />Congratulations for your "stubbornness".Antoniohttp://www.madrimasd.org/blogs/ciencia_marina/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-75793805022061472142011-06-04T19:43:06.631-04:002011-06-04T19:43:06.631-04:00Forgot to mention that I blog over at www.forloveo...Forgot to mention that I blog over at www.forloveofpiano.blogspot.com<br />I clearly haven't been doing it as long as you have, but it's an outlet for my musical musings and teaching experiences. There is a wonderful community of pianists/teachers out there that I have so enjoyed gleaning ideas from! Glad to have found yours, and I'm looking forward to browsing some of your topics as I have time to. :)Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06039577030874040919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-44892693831021616622011-06-04T19:07:40.063-04:002011-06-04T19:07:40.063-04:00Leah,
It is so wonderful to meet another mom-wife-...Leah,<br />It is so wonderful to meet another mom-wife-pianist! Thank you for taking the time to comment on the blog. I so love your attitude about life - I keep trying to head down that same path. It's amazing how much more we can accomplish it seems when we stop looking at roadblocks as just that - roadblocks. And I find life so much more enjoyable when I look at it as a constant "beginning of opportunities" as you so appropriately said. <br /><br />Here's to optimism, to courage, and to a constant embracing of our journey. <br /><br />Thank you again for your comment, happy practicing, and best wishes in your RCM pursuits.<br /><br />I look forward to more conversation with you,<br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-46712823966600298272011-06-04T15:14:27.027-04:002011-06-04T15:14:27.027-04:00I really enjoyed reading that- thanks so much for ...I really enjoyed reading that- thanks so much for taking the time to post it. I love reading about others' piano dreams.<br /><br />I, too, have had some piano dreams dashed, but only to realize other dreams I didn't even know I had. I am also terrified at the thought of solo piano, but I love to accompany others. However, I am working on my Grade 10 with RCM and eventually my pedagogy master's, and both of those involve solo piano exams. Memorizing does not come easily for me, but I am plodding away. I realize it will take me longer since I am a wife and mother now and have less free time, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. It keeps me motivated to keep thinking about the rewards at the end...and then the end will just be the beginning of opportunities!Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06039577030874040919noreply@blogger.com