A beautiful mess: making music with friends
One of the best things about being a pianist is that we’re self-contained musicians. With hundreds of years of gorgeous solo masterpieces at our fingertips, we can time travel through notes and commune with composers and styles from the past or form musical bonds with those working today. We practice alone. We perform alone. And for some of us, this is ideal. Free from the friction and hassle of working with other people, we thrive as solitary musicians. For the rest of us, however, this isolation can feel lonely.
I was reminded of just how alone we tend to be as pianists during a recent discussion with the bass player of a local jazz/Americana band in my hometown. He shared how he’d come into the group with a rock background, how the keyboardist and sax player both came from classical backgrounds, and the lead singer/songwriter was a self-taught guitarist.
“Even with our different backgrounds,” he shared, “we play together and it works. It’s a beautiful mess.”
His words stayed with me long after the conversation ended. A beautiful mess. Communication, influences, personalities, collaboration, cooperation—these are the things that make making music with other people both a hassle and a joy. These are the things that too many pianists like myself miss out on when we confine ourselves to solo repertoire.
I’m guilty of falling into the rut of solo playing. Let’s face it—it’s easier than trying to juggle schedules with other people, deal with others’ personalities and musical decisions. But when we hide out in splendid isolation we rob ourselves of the communal joy that lives in co-creating music with fellow musicians. We can change this. We can crawl out of our solitary practice rooms, join up with other musicians, and revel in the beautiful mess that is created when two or more musicians make music together.
Opportunities for collaborating with other musicians exist in every community. It need not be a professional pairing, and it certainly doesn’t need to be for a public performance. That isn’t the point. The joy in these kinds of collaborations lies in the joyful beautiful mess that is created when we make music together.
The easy, relaxed flow to summer makes it the perfect time to step away from the rigor of solo practicing and embrace making music with others. Not sure how to get started? Here are some suggestions:
Play 4-hand music with a friend
You probably have one friend or family member who plays the piano, or who used to play. Propose an afternoon of duet playing with this person, find some easy pieces, and try reading them together. The music may be rough but the laughs will be memorable.
Collaborate with a soloist
Your sister loves to sing? Your best friend used to play the clarinet? Why not give collaborative playing a try and read through some music with them?
Lead a sing-along at a local senior living facility
Love old music and love to sing? Why not offer to lead a sing-along at a local nursing home? Choose old movie theme songs and selections from old musicals. Add a few favorite hymns. Smiles and memories will do the rest.
Join or form a playing group
There are adult piano playing groups in most communities and most of them welcome new members. If there isn’t one where you live, consider starting one of your own. Meet once a month, geek out together over your shared love of music, and play for each other.
Join a band
My duo partner Molly Wheeler—a woman who possesses an advanced degree in piano performance—plays with a “Mom Band” on a regular basis. Named “Mothers of Invention,” this band is a perfect counterbalance to her work as a classical performer. Best of all? When she’s not playing keyboards, she’s taught herself to play the bass.
Accompany a local choir
Is there a community choir in your neighborhood looking for a pianist? How about a children’s choir? If you love working with singers, this is your gig.
Play for a musical
Actors are some of the most fun people you’ll ever spend time with. Why not join the party and become a musical theater pianist? If this feels intimidating, consider starting with school musicals.
Still not convinced? Make your own list. Try a few things that appeal to you. Make a mess, a beautiful mess. Celebrate the fact that the creative act is messy, that magic happens in the most unexpected places, and that shared musical joys form lasting memories.
Photo by Kyle Loftus, courtesy of UpSplash