Office Christmas Parties . . . RIP?

So, 'tis the season, but there don't seem to be many traditional office Christmas parties this year. Probably the economy, and that makes sense to me.

In years past I'd play--usually with bands--for fifteen or twenty big, huge, extravagant company Christmas parties. We learned to dread them because they could be so brutally bad. Seems odd, though, doesn't it? But not if you think about it for a minute.

First, there is almost always an open bar, which invites overindulgence. And once people have one drink too many, it's easy for jealousies, resentment, suspicion and just plain stupid behavior to take over. If you've been to many of these parties, you know exactly what I mean. It doesn't have to involve a lampshade on the head--it can be a husband dancing once too often with his secretary, or a VP making snide remarks on the microphone about the boss, or . . .

The worst of the worst company events I ever played, in the sense of just a depressing evening, was  years ago, when a big Atlanta architectural firm that had its blowout Christmas party on the first Friday night in December. That afternoon, they had laid off about a third of their workforce, and the rumor was that more pink slips would be issued on Monday.

It was the darkest mood I've ever witnessed in a party setting, for sure. The managing partner in charge of the party kept harassing the band to get people on the dance floor, to "get the party going." Talk about divorced from reality. Those people wouldn't have danced with guns to their heads.

So, I'll not be missing those blasts from the pasts. Maybe younger musicians are happily playing those events, or . . . maybe they have deservedly gone away for good.

And f the recession killed them, then there is a silver lining!

Looks Like a Family Lives Here

At a neighborhood reception recently I noticed the family piano, and it made me think of how the piano was once the center of family life.  In the old days, families would gather around the piano for entertainment, and it's interesting to think of all the other benefits that came along with such a group activity.

But this piano clearly has much family use in 2010, and I think that has to a good thing. In fact, I'd say a very good thing..

There's a beginning book of music open, which probably indicates piano lessons. We all know the many benefits of music lessons at a young age.

And then there's just the beauty of the instrument itself, and the way it becomes a focal point for not only the family's educational and musical activities, but as a place to collect many family pictures. What could be more appropriate? It's silently sitting there, symbolizing all kinds of real-world family values.

(And wouldn't it be a good thing if more families had active pianos in the living room? Maybe where the big-screen TV now sits?)

Played this great Steinway last night in the Great Hall--there's no other way to describe it--in Glenridge Hall, an old (major) mansion in North Atlanta. This house is used for movies, but is an actual home.

The piano is perfect, and is perfectly maintained BUT it sounds so good in the room that I went looking for the reason. I play a lot of very good pianos, but this one sounds SO much better that I wondered why. It's not just the size of the piano---around 7 feet--tho that certainly helps.

I figured that the warm, full, almost perfect sound came largely from the wood in the room---the old wood--and from the high ceiling, but I think (after some research) that the enormous size of the hall helps. The wood adds richness and natural reverb , and the ballroom-sized room makes that a natural reverb. You just can't get that sound in a regular-sized room.

Here's a nice explanation of room acoustics and piano sound from the Beethoven Pianos website. Acoustics is an arcane science, but you sure know good acoustics when you hear it . . . so . . . I guess I need a living room that's roughly the size of my entire house!

They Were Lucky Back Then

So . . . I'm almost ashamed to say that there was a time when I wouldn't have enjoyed playing for a group of senior citizens, (as I did tonight at Clairmont Place in Atlanta.)
But times change. Now seniors among my very favorite folks to play for, and the reasons are simple.

1. They know and love great popular music because they were lucky enough to grow up with it. Gershwin, Porter, Kern, Mercer and all the rest - --that was their hit parade. They know the songs, and they ask for them. They smile and tap their feet. They enjoy the best of American popular music.

2. They appreciate the music. I get more attentive looks, more high-quality requests, and more warm and appreciative comments from these groups than from any other. And they're not kidding.

(But, I have to say it gives me pause to project ahead 50 years. I just wonder . . . what will today's 20-somethings look back on when they're in their senior years?)

Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, and Irving Berlin offer words that last, and melodies that keep on giving. It's a bonus for those who know, lived with, and still love this great music. I enjoy being able to be part of it.

It's true: the melodies do linger on.

Why I Love Doing This

I record a lot, working of the solo piano CDs,  but I also play for events. (This photo was from a house concert...and what an enjoyable way to spend an evening!)

Seems to me that the life of a working pianist, even with the hauling keyboards, the loading docks, and other minor hassles . . . is a wonderful way to spend your life. I was reminded of this just last night when I played for a banquet for the Georgia Perimeter College Foundation.

This is a college--a large one with over 25,000 students--whose mission involves being accessible to many non-traditional students. Many GPC students are the first in their families to attend any college and it does a great job.

Last night a scholarship award was given to an incoming freshman, a girl whose family had come to the US from Columbia 10 years ago, and whose family had struggled mightly to save money for her college. Each time they would get some money saved, something awful would happen and the family would have to use the college money for hospitals, or funerals and so on.

But this is a wonderful, deserving young woman with energy and charisma, and the college gave her a scholarship that made 2 years, at least, possible. It's going to transform her life.

The thing that stands out to me is how many such events I've been a small part of. Over the years I've shared many, many family moments from weddings to anniversaries, to more difficult times. I've played for every possible kind of gathering, and I watch, listen (and maybe learn a bit).

So . . . I'm the fly on the wall, playing the dinner music or the reception music. Not important, really, but sometimes you get a window into an event that inspires . . . and maybe even brings a tear.

It's wonderful.

Why Is This So Funny?

I've always loved this New Yorker cartoon from years ago. It's been on my office wall for ages.

Reminds me of the time, sadly long before ubiquitous digital cameras, when I saw an old upright piano topple out of a pickup truck. The driver clearly didn't understand the notion of momentum.

The poor piano just exploded on the street, much like this cartoon version. Notes and strings and various parts scattered all over. I wasn't close enough to hear it, but I imagine it probably played a magnificent chord as it crashed into Charles Allen Drive, right across from Grady High School.

Now that I always carry a camera I'll probably never again see such a wonderful thing. But there's always this cartoon to bring back the memory.

More Than Music From This Piano

Wandering through Hickory Flat Pottery,  a wonderful gallery in the North Georgia mountains . . . . there's a piano that almost becomes part of the art simply by displaying it.

I wonder if the pottery would look as enticing if it were just sitting on a shelf?

And . . . I wonder if the piano still draws people to want to play it, now that it's mostly a display stand. Or maybe it's even more alluring to pianists because it's covered with art.

In fact, Cindy (the potter and owner) says that people will carefully move all the pottery and other art just to have a chance to play. That's a lot of trouble . . . but pianos have that kind of magnetic attraction--they need to be played. Even if it involves carefully relocating a lot of pottery.


Another context for this piano, and it fits right in . . .

Sixty Pianos on the Streets of New York---"Play Me I'm Yours."

Now Luke Jerram has brought his "Play Me, I'm Yours" art installations to the streets of New York City. There are 60 pianos scattered around the streets of the city. From reports, they are all in constant use.

Pianists of every ability level are encouraged to sit down and play. And instant communities form and re-form all day long. Some piano-players bring their bands and have impromptu concerts. Some people make music videos on the spot.

Here's CNN report on the project.

And heres' the project's own webpage. It's been around the world and will visit several smaller American cities. The pianos are donated when the project ends.

It just makes me happy to think of all the people sharing their music---for Julliard students to self-taught 'can't really play' kinds of folks. Music in the streets! Music for the people!

The Brick Piano is Aging Gracefully

Every time I visit Chattanooga, I have to walk down Frazier Street and check on the brick piano.

Since it's a bit more substantial than most instruments, it's always there, waiting for a photo op . . . or just waiting to inspire or amuse.

Why is it there? The inscription says it's dedicated to the musicians of Chattanooga and the area, and that's a good enough reason.

But art doesn't need a reason. It's just THERE to surprise you and make you happy.

It's looking a little more grainy these days--getting some texture from age. But it's a nice graceful aging.

(I'm looking around Atlanta for some nice public art that celebrates our local musicans. I can't find anything anywhere. Once again, Chattanooga takes the lead . . . I guess Atlanta is too busy tearing down old things to take the time . . .

A Piano for EVERY Home

I love electric pianos and synths. I have several and have owned every major brand. But until last week, I really, truly  didn't like the "fake grand piano"--essentially an electronic piano in a simulated grand-piano case. Electronic pianos are great, but there is no need for them to get all dressed up as something they are not.

(In fact, I'm going to do a future post about how absurd it is for a major big-time hotel to provide one of these little things for use in an elegant ballroom. They should know better-and they have the space and money to do the right thing. In the hotel, a little fake grand looks absurd, and sounds weak. My thinking was: don't try to be something you're not--and at an upscale Marriott, a little electronic stand-in is pathetic.)

But a visit to the Antebellum Inn in Milledgeville, Georgia changed my mind---there ARE places where simulated grand pianos look, and even sound, just fine. Here's the prefect example. There simply is not room in this wonderful B&B for even a spinet, much less a baby grand. This piano isn't fooling anyone---it ain't a Steinway--BUT it sounds decent and adds music in the living room (or perhaps it's the 'Drawing Room') of the home.

A further nice note is that the B&B owner actually bought the fake piano so that her part-time staff, music students at the local college, would have a place to practice. So....a good deed for the students, and a nice addition to the room. Music and music-making is ALWAYS a good thing.

And--seeing it, hearing it, and playing it was a chance for me to be a bit less judgmental about what kind of pianos are acceptable. Without this little Suzuki in the corner, there would be much less music at the Inn.

(But I'm still going to rip the Marriott . . . )

A Wandering Minstrel for 2010

The new world of music has many paths to success, and Cliff deMarks, an Atlanta multi-instrumentalist (though primarily a keyboard player) has found his niche. He travels to craft shows and events around the country, sets up a well-designed booth, and plays his music.

It's smooth jazz of a high order, all by Cliff and his wife, Sei.

And they sell CDs. It's inspiring to watch Cliff and Sei work. They interact with people, answer questions, make photos with fans--and sell a lot of music. It's a near-perfect interface between the artist and the audience. It's as immediate as it gets for a working musician.

The craft-show market isn't easy, and selling music is different (and harder) than selling a physical work like a painting or photograph. But the deMarks have solved the problems, and very skillfully combine excellent musicmanship and direct selling skills. They also follow up with web and email marketing.

As record companies fade in importance to musicians, this is a successful model for the (rare) musician who is willing to do the considerable work, who understands marketing . . . and who likes people.

People may not get to be up close with many jazz musicians, but Cliff is accessible and friendly. People love it.

Cliff de Marks reminds me of the medieval wandering minstrel...taking his music directly to his audience. But with a very high-tech twist. Ipod, mixer, keyboards, tracks . . . and a very active credit-card machine.

And no record-company execs, no product managers, no artist managers, no middle-men of any sort. Just Cliff, his wife Sei,  their smooth jazzc, and the ever-changing audience.

More at Clff deMark's website.

They're Everywhere! (Or Ought to Be)

Having lunch at a terrific gallery/restaurant in Savannah, and we look up to see a big old grand piano sitting in the middle of the room. Not being played. Just sitting there. There is even a bench blocking the keyboard. Hmmm...

There is art all around--after all it's a gallery. It's not at all obvious if this piano is playable or is just a massive centerpiece for the funky dining room.

Doesn't matter. The mere presence of a grand piano raises the room's feeling from average to special. It might be played. (Or there may not even be keys in it--who knows? Who cares? It's there!)

Someone found this piano and put it right here. There is such potential that it makes the entire room feel more artsy.Wonder what transformations would take place if it were played?

When you're in Savannah, stop by SoHo South and check out the piano. And the art and food. It all goes together, if you ask me, and the food is just as creative as you'd expect from a room with a mysterious grand piano . . . just quietly sitting there, waiting . . .

More Fun Than a Video Game

Had lunch in a meat-and-three restaurant in Duluth, Georgia the other day. When I looked up---there was a piano on the wall. The wallpaper is composed of old Coca-Cola ads...this one features singing at the piano.

Why would Coke--the best marketer in the world--have created an ad featuring singing at the piano? Because a few decades ago it was very popular. People gathered around the piano and enjoyed singing together.

Funny thing is, they still enjoy it, when they get a chance. There used to be many more sing-a-long jobs for us working pianists than there are today . . .but people enjoy it as much as ever. Now such parties mostly happen at Christmas (because people still know the words to Christmas songs!).

Want to have a good, cheap and fun event? Print up some word sheets and invite some folks over. Sing some songs. It's fun. Sort of like do-it-yourself karaoke. Why not?

Tote That Piano!

I've always thought that dragging a handtruck through the innards of a big hotel, loaded with digital keyboard and all the trimmings, was sort of a hassle.

And I've always thought I was fairly entrepreneurial.

But . . . pushing an acoustic piano (actually four pianos!) around the streets of New York City for busking? Now, that's a hard-working piano-player.

(But he made the New York Times . . . )

Mr Steinway Himself Came Down . . .

I played a Samick piano last night. Pretty and shiny, but nothing else to recommend it. The experience did, however, remind me of a favorite joke.

Bob Hope once said that when Phyllis Diller played, "Mr. Steinway himself came down from heaven and rubbed his name off the piano."

That would hurt! But . . . I was thinking . . . how much worse it would be if your playing caused Mr. Samick to come down and remove HIS name from the piano.

Ouch.

There's An Old Piano Next To The Haunted Jail Cell

Had a wonderful dinner last week in Dahlonega (GA) with Tom, who owns what must be one of the best used/rare bookstores in the world (Quigley's Rare Books and Antiques). The conversation turned to pianos, and our server, Maggie, said, "There's an old piano down in the basement, in the room with a creek running through it. Want to see it?"

Well, not having seen a creek running through many basements, we went down to have a look. Yes, this circa 1830s building does, indeed, have a nice stone arch with a creek running right into the room.

And, there's an old console piano there. Not really badly out of tune, but at least half the notes won't even sound. They don't feel mushy from humidity, though. They just won't play.

Maybe the piano has suffered from being across the old stone hallway from the haunted jail cell. Or maybe it's the river that runs through the room. Or maybe it was a wreck when it was moved into the basement decades ago.l

Either way, it was cool to see yet another piano popping up in an unexpected conversation, and in an unexpected place.

Superman Attacks Piano. Caterer Has Kryptonite

So . . . a while back I showed up to play a very nice house party. Got some coffee, talked to the hostess, and finally visited the piano. Oops...the keyboard cover would NOT open. Something was behind it, jammed in tight. The cover wouldn't budge at all.

To make it perfect, it wasn't a simple 'slide-out' cover, but was attached with many tiny, very decorative brass screws. Not only did I have no tools, I'd be afraid to attack this woman's beautiful piano with a screwdriver.

Astoundingly, one of the catering guys was a carpenter and had all his tools out in his truck. Fortunately he wasn't intimidated by the age and beauty of the instrument . . . and he'd already unloaded all the food so he had extra time before the guests arrived.

With some effort we removed the keyboard cover, and Shazam! It was an apparently sleeping superman, with his bed, no less. The grandchild had been playing . . . not practicing...around the piano.

(Reminds me of the time, obviously many years ago, when we took a non-working VCR to the shop. It came back with a tiny toy airplane taped to the unit, and a note, "Recorder will not work with airplane inside.")

And pianos won't work with superman resting on the keys.

In this case, the kryptonite was the catering guy's willingness to work on this beautiful piano, and the lucky chance that his tools were with him.

Ten years ago, I'd never arrive at a gig 45 minutes early. Now, I always do, just in case Superman is there somewhere.

Sharing Music Is More Fun Than Watching TV

Last night we had a piano-rama at church. Six members who play the piano shared about 7 minutes of music each with a mixed and receptive crowd. We had fun playing . . . and the audience loved it.

We'd suggested that everyone play something enjoyable, so one person played a couple of older standards and an original song, another played  Stardust (and lamented that her daughters don't know this fine tune). Another played wonderful, rich arrangements of old hymns with new and creative jazz harmonies. A special guest from Korea played energizing Gospel music, showing the international reach of this Southern tradition--and added a haunting Korean melody. Another played several settings of a hymn that he found particularly meaningful. I played Honeysuckle Rose and Linus and Lucy. Lots of variety.

There was a takeaway for me in this program. It is that people genuinely, truly enjoy being together when music is being made. No one was nervous--it wasn't a recital. It was fascinating to see the different approaches each person took to his or her 7 minutes . . . and to hear why each song was chosen. It's clear that lots of folks are doing music in their spare time. The audience truly enjoyed the program, too.

Of course, we could have watched a video of a world-class pianist, or invited in a top-level player for this program. But we just shared the music that we enjoy with people who enjoy being together. It was a lovely evening.

And it should happen more often--in homes as well as churches.

Every Working Pianist Will Relate to This . . .the Philippine Solution

So . . . in the Philippines it can be fatal to sing My Way badly. Fatal! Somehow, I think this will resonate with all working pianists.

Here's the story from no less than  The New York Times.

Or course there is a moral question: would this be a bad or good thing? Would exoneration of the murderer depend on how badly the song had been sung? Or perhaps the drunken adulation of Frank would be enough by itself, ipso facto? 

I played for a wedding years ago where the groom made his bride sit in the middle of the dance floor and listen to him sing (very badly) all the verses of My Way. I know that he'd expected her to gaze adoringly at him, but by the end of the song she was avidly watching the floor.

I'm pretty sure, too, that when the performance finally ended,  the bride (and everyone present) would have voted for the groom to be severely punished. At that time, we had not heard of the Philippine Solution.

But now it has a name.

An now, it's happening, apparently with some regularity. All is not lost.

Waiting for a meeting to begin at the Rialto Theater downtown. There's a piano sitting against the stairs, calling for a picture. But the picture is mediocre . . . until I fool with it a bit in Photoshop.

Then the colors and shapes emerge and it gets more interesting.

With luck, the same thing happens when you sit down at the piano and fool around. Sometimes the colors and shapes emerge, and something interesting will happen. Or maybe it stays mediocre and nothing good develops.

Either way, it's fun to do, just to see what happens. Half the fun is the process

Nothing Beats a Great Piano

Many years ago, the 'dean' of Atlanta's society piano players, Margaret Perrin, said to me, "Jimmy, there is nothing like a good, old Mason Hamlin." I've always remembered that, and my two favorite pianos now are both "big, old Mason Hamlins."

It wasn't just Margaret's opinion, or mine. The violin virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin, wrote,  “Among all pianos none compares with the Mason & Hamlin in beauty and grace of tone, or in mellowness and softness and yet in bigness, or in anything that a sensitive and, as it were, human piano should have.“ Menuhin had five Mason Hamlin pianos in his home.

The company was founded in 1854, but it fell on hard times following the crash in 1929, and had many owners. It now has new, committed management, and I (for one) hope that the new ones match the sheer wonderfulness of the old, scratched, but incredible instruments. Here's the history.

What the Little Camera Can Do

I love having a good camera in my pocket all the time--these days its a Panasonic Lumix.

It's small enough that, when you see an upright piano with the top open, you can just stick the camera down into the guts and get a new perspective--in this case, a nice view of the bass strings.

This piano is a Kawai in the fellowship hall of the Atlanta Unitarian-Universalist church. It sounded great, and the inside view reminds me of what wonderful creations these things really are--even the schoolhouse upright! Or maybe, especially the schoolhouse upright.

What Are These Churches Thinking?

Played for a going-away reception yesterday for two church musicians from one of Atlanta's largest churches---over 50 years' experience between them. Maybe 400 people, devastated, were at the reception, mourning the church's change in direction--mourning, in effect, a pastoral coup d'etat. But the 400 people present prove that strong music programs bring people to the church and get them committed and involved.

Seems to me that churches should be careful in destroying programs that have been built over many decades. First, music. Then, who knows?

Makes you wonder exactly what book the church leaders are using as a guide . . .

Wanted: Apartment With Piano

When our son was apartment-hunting in Boston, he found a great apartment that came WITH this big old upright. Amazingly, a friend is an excellent piano tech and has visited this beast a couple of times. Now has it in good condition. After a long day of doctoring, it's nice to come home to a piano.

Every apartment should come with a piano, just as every street would benefit from either a real one (like the London Piano Project, described in this NYT article), or a brick one, like this blog's namesake in Chattanooga.

The Real Brick Piano

Walking down the street near the river in Chattanooga. Galleries. Coffeeshops. Boutiques. And a perfectly nice brick piano. The action is a little stiff, but it's there for everyone to play. Sort of  like the London public pianos project that put real pianos out all over town. (Of course,  the London pianos may have been easier on the fingers.) When you're in Chattanooga, get your picture made playing this one. Rain or shine its there to be enjoyed.

I love public art because it surprises and makes wonder.

Well . . . Why Not a Blog?

Well, why not start a blog about pianos and piano stuff? A chance to combine music, photography, writing, and talking with riends. What could be better?

I always have a camera in my pocket, and when I see an interesting piano--or a really nice one, or an ugly one, I make a picture. I look forward to sharing them.

Like this beautiful old grand shot through the window of an antique store in downtown Marietta, Georgia

And sometimes there is a quote, or a bit of a lyric, or an item in the news about pianos, or music, that is especially interesting.

It will be fun to share all this. And I hope you'll let me know about piano trivia and stuff, as well.