Classical piano vibes

Posts about classical music. My main instrument is piano, but I also play the violin (poorly...). Chopin is my special one. (He's MINE)

[classicalpianovibes]

My mom's cat has an interesting technique

[classicalpianovibes]

I'm back (once again)

Hello everyone! Some of you might've been wondering why I stopped posting. (And some haven't even noticed.)

The reason I haven't been posting that much here or anywhere during the last two years is because I've been busy and exhausted. I've been studying, learning how to drive, practicing piano, getting anxious over tiny stuff...

At least when I finally got medicated for my ADHD I finally had the ability to do things without first stressing over it for hours or days. But medication is only one part of what I need to get my life under control. I've also been trying to find a routine that works for me for a long while now. Some days I feel great and get a lot done, but other days I can't do anything else than eat pizza and stare at the ceiling. I need to find a way to not get exhausted so frequently. Overall, I need to spend less time on emotionally draining stuff, like arguing in the comments with fools, and spend it on relaxing stuff, like going outside and listening to music.

So, when am I really going to start posting my "usual" kind of stuff again? I'm not entirely sure. Probably when I've found a good enough routine for myself so I'll have the extra energy to post stuff here, on youtube or instagram. My mind is out of memeable material for at least this moment, but I still want to continue sharing some ideas and post my progress. I spent the last year in a conservatory learning music theory, learning to compose, learning technique, learning to practice effectively. I learned a lot that I've not yet shared. Probably my next posts will be about that.

Thank you all for sticking with me all these years :) Happy practicing! (And remember to relax every day)

[classicalpianovibes]

Hello!

I want to be a classical pianist but I don’t have a teacher right now, so I’m kind of teaching myself. What kind of practice would you recommend?

Hi!

That's a good question. It depends on your skill level and how much you want to (or can) practice. If you have a few years of experience already, it's going to be easier to learn by yourself than if you have played only a couple of years or less.

What and how you are going to practice depends on your skill set. I'd break it down to categories: technique (right/left, strength, velocity, trills, intervals, chords, legato, pedals...), sight reading, interpretation, music theory, history of music, performance and so on. Take a moment to think which categories you need to work on the most.

Also take into account your repertoire. Can you play any sonatas or etudes? What about Bach's inventions, preludes or fugues? Chamber music? Music from baroque, classical, romantic or impressionist era? If you have a relatively small repertoire, you could focus on introducing new pieces to it from different eras. Nothing too difficult, though. If you struggle with your left hand, for example, you could add pieces with left hand melody to your repertoire. (For example Chopin's prelude no. 6 or Bach two part inventions)

If you have access to an acoustic piano (that is playable), it's going to be easier to practice technique and interpretation than if you have only a digital piano, even if it has weighed keys. Sometimes digital pianos can impact your technique negatively. Your technique might then require correction. (Side note: I have a digital piano with weighed keys and the most common complaints I get are uneven dynamics, weak legato and bad pedaling when I've not played an acoustic piano in a while. It's corrected almost automatically when I start playing an acoustic piano.) If you don't have access to an acoustic piano, like many don't, you should focus more on building up repertoire, sight reading, music theory or memorization skills. Practicing technique on a digital piano (or a bad acoustic one) can be more difficult, but it can be done using caution. Don't continue playing if your fingers/hands/arms hurt.

Don't forget to make practicing enjoyable! Find ways to practice that work for you. What time of day is the most rewarding for playing piano? How long are you able to focus? How many days a week can you practice? What helps you concentrate? How many pieces can you learn at the same time? How can you reward yourself for practicing? How can you make practicing more comfortable?

Learning by yourself can be difficult. But you can make it easier by evaluating your current skill set, finding ways to target weaknesses and making practice more fun. I hope this helps :)

[classicalpianovibes]

Okay, so a "little" infodump on ADHD and a rant about the treatment of people with ADHD in the media

This post focuses on ADHD and media representation of ADHD.

Introduction

I know this isn't my usual type of content, but I need to rant to an audience. I will get back to my usual type of content after this. I got diagnosed with ADHD over two months ago, and I've started following a few ADHD accounts on YT and Instagram to find social support, but what I've seen is tons of comments filled with misinformation under every single video/post about ADHD. I also saw this type of behavior from news outlets and the comments under every single ADHD news story I found. I decided to make this post to make it clear what ADHD really is and what it is not. I attempt to be as truthful and unbiased as possible, but I am only a human being so if you notice something wrong, please let me know in the comments.

What is ADHD? (And what it isn't)

ADHD is a condition that affects a person's attention, impulsivity and activity. Some have difficulty with only their attention, some have with only their hyperactivity, some have difficulty with both. It can affect both girls and boys, both women and men. You are born with it and it doesn't disappear as you age. You can't get it from using the internet too much. It is a real condition and not manufactured by "big pharma" or whatever some say. It isn't a fake condition that drug addicts use to get meth. It's not easy to get a diagnosis and you need to pass a drug test. It has been around for a long time before internet and western medicine. It is genetic. Symptoms can be managed through therapy, medicine and the help of loved ones. What doesn't help is grit, daily grind and prayers, neither does blaming and yelling.

What are the symptoms? (Inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, emotional dysregulation)

People with inattentive ADHD have difficulty initiating and focusing on certain tasks (such as cooking, paying bills, learning) especially those that require effort and are uninteresting or unpleasant. People with inanttentive ADHD might seem quiet, lazy or like they never listen, but really they just can't control their attention as well as many others.

Impulsivity is the tendency to act without thinking. It shows up especially in relationships and personal finance. People with this symptom might spend a lot of money on things they don't need (duplicates of a item they already have, books that they feel like they will someday read but never do, buying random stuff online) and ruin their financial situation for a while (because you need money to live, eat, pay the bills.) In relationships they might act without thinking of others, for example they may offend others without meaning to. Overall, their behavior could be characterized as risky and impatient by others. Still, they can be an empathetic person, even though their actions at times might seem insensitive.

Hyperactivity symptoms are both external (you can see it) and internal (you can't see it.) External symptoms include difficulty staying still (pacing, doodling, talking excessively.) Internal hyperactivity symptoms include having a racing mind, taking unnecessary risks, getting anxious over "nothing" and being impatient. People with hyperactive symptoms might seem to be always busy, overwhelmed or seem immature. Try to be understanding: inside they may feel very restless or extremely bored.

One symptom that I've seen discussed on various YouTube channels is emotional dysregulation. People with emotional dysregulation have difficulty with controlling their emotional response and dealing with strong emotions. They might seem dramatic or they seem to overreact, but just remember that they may feel guilt or embarrassment for acting out the way they do. But emotional dysregulation is not just an excuse to avoid responsibility, but instead it's an explanation to why they've acted the way they did.

Brain chemistry of ADHD (and are people with ADHD just lazy)

ADHD brains don't have as much dopamine as neurotypical ("normal people") brains. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that creates motivation to do stuff. Without it you wouldn't do stuff. You wouldn't play games, eat, walk or even blink.

So how can people with ADHD play games then? Are they just lazy? No, playing games doesn't make you lazy, neither does not doing laundry. Think of it as all people having a certain threshold that needs to be exceeded for a task to be doable. For neurotypicals the threshold is easier to exceed, because they have more dopamine. So for them doing laundry is easier to start, but for people with ADHD the threshold may be too high, unless they get help. The threshold for playing games is lower, because it's much more enjoyable than doing laundry (at least for the majority.) So playing games is easier to start doing and focus on, doing laundry involves discomfort, so it requires an extra push.

How ADHD is portrayed in the media

I've seen many news outlets, tv-shows and other forms of media treat ADHD as a boys' condition that disappears in adulthood. Also, in recent years ADHD has been portrayed as a "trendy diagnosis" teens and young adults "want" to have along with autism spectrum disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and many others in order to gain "respect" or "status" or just to get a free pass on being "lazy". More often than not the medicine used to treat ADHD is presented in a negative light and it is claimed that children shouldn't be given ADHD medication because it is "literal meth" and it's a study drug that makes students geniuses without any effort. These are all misleading claims and I'll try my best to debunk these below.

Can girls have ADHD?

It is true that boys are more likely to get a diagnosis for ADHD, but it's because ADHD presents differently in boys and girls. Girls can also have ADHD. Girls typically have more inattentive symptoms and they are more likely to mask (or hide) their struggles from others in fear of judgement from parents, teachers or peers.

Can adults have ADHD?

ADHD symptoms do sometimes lessen with age, but ADHD doesn't disappear when you reach adulthood. Sometimes symptoms may even worsen in adulthood because of increased responsibility. People with ADHD may forget to pay their bills and may have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. In childhood parents are usually the ones to take care of these kinds of things, so when a person with an undiagnosed ADHD moves out and tries to live independently it's very difficult. They find out they've had severe problems with self-regulation their whole life without even knowing.

Is ADHD just a trend?

Is ADHD actually a trend among teens and young adults? I'd say that's irrelevant, because it isn't harming anyone. People with ADHD face a lot of hate and judgement. ADHD is a very stigmatizing disorder and many have to hide their condition from others. Some have to get a diagnosis later in life because they fear their family might disown them after seeking help. So, for some it is comforting to be part of a group that understands their problems and doesn't judge them. People should have the opportunity to feel included and supported even if they didn't have ADHD but showed symptoms.

There has been growth in ADHD diagnoses in recent years, in part because of increased awareness, in part because of a change in people's lifestyles. By "change in lifestyle" I am referencing people using internet more and people having busier schedules. Both of these may make ADHD symptoms worse, so people are more likely to seek help. Remember that the number of people with ADHD hasn't changed, only the number of diagnoses. Could this be explained by by a rise in false diagnoses? Probably not, because the same trend is seen in multiple countries. There may be misdiagnoses for sure, like with every medical condition, but it's highly unlikely to explain everything. In fact, ADHD is often falsely diagnosed as depression, bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder, especially in women.

Is ADHD medication dangerous?

ADHD medication has often been vilified, even to the point that medication is seen as a last resort. It has been painted as a dangerous drug that leads to people becoming addicts. So, is it justified to say that ADHD medication is "meth"? I don't think so. Even though it's true that some countries allow the use of methamphetamine in treating ADHD in both children and adults, it's not justified to label it as meth because of the negative connotations it has (and also because not every ADHD medication use methamphetamine; there is also methylphenidate, atomoxetine and more.) In controlled doses ADHD medications are safe and the risk of addiction is low. Often medication even lowers the risk of future addictions as people stop self-medicating with illegal substances. Serious side effects do exist, so the symptoms of ADHD medication (and any medication) should always be reported, monitored and taken seriously.

Are ADHD meds good study drugs?

Are ADHD meds a good study drug then? No, not if you are a neurotypical ("normal brained") person. They won't make you smarter, but they may give you a false sense of confidence and insomnia. If you have ADHD, the medication may let you finally concentrate, which possibly will help you get better grades.

How the media has affected people with ADHD

Journalists have failed in debunking these false claims and instead push these talking points even further, making it more difficult for people to seek help. People who suspect having ADHD but don't yet have a diagnosis may feel unsafe telling others they need help because society treats them as potential drug addicts, lazy students and attention seeking phone addicted teenagers.

The thank you's and all that (The end)

Thank you for reading this post. This took me a few hours to write and I'm sure it took you multiple minutes to get here (or you just skipped right to the end.) In any case, I hope you either learned something new or found a new way to debunk misinformation.

To all of you with ADHD I just want to say that you're not lazy, you're not weak, you're not annoying and you're not dramatic. You're not a burden. You deserve help and a loving, nurturing environment and you deserve to be taken seriously. If you're not diagnosed, but relate to ADHD symptoms, you should consider talking with a mental health professional. It is also okay to not want a diagnosis, and in that case it's best to find safe support groups, either online or offline.

Stay safe.

Edits

Edit 1: I want to add that some adhd medications can cause side effects such as insomnia. ADHD already by itself can affect sleep quality, so sometimes it's recommended to take melatonin or something else that helps you sleep. It's also important to practice sleep hygiene (calming down before sleep, eating something before bed, etc). I also want to add that "feeling like a zombie" while taking ADHD medication is not normal. It can be caused by the dose being too high or the medication being unsuitable, so it can be solved by lowering the dose or switching to another medication.

[classicalpianovibes]

Music and coffee in celebration of Chopin's 213th birthday

[classicalpianovibes]

How do you celebrate Chopin's birthday?

I listen to his compositions

I try to learn more of his life and music

I go to see his heart in Poland and worship everything he ever was

I google him and read his wiki page for 1 minute until I get bored

I don't and will not celebrate

Voting ended onMar 2, 2023

[classicalpianovibes]

This is a reminder to stop playing right away if you feel pain in your hands (and a reminder to warm up to avoid pain in the first place...)

[classicalpianovibes]

I'm also a classical pianist! What are your practice goals for 2023?

I have planned a few things. I will learn Ravel's pavane, a couple of Chopin's preludes and finish off some pieces that I've not finished yet. I'm also going to compose new pieces.

I don't have any plan yet on how I would achieve these goals, but basically I will just take it all step by step, letting myself relax often so I wouldn't burn out. I will probably practice in the mornings because that's when I have the most energy and focus.

So not any huge commitments, just going at my own pace, practicing consistently.

[classicalpianovibes]

New Year's resolutions: What to do if you have trouble keeping up?

New Year's resolutions video is finally out! (I didn't take my own advice seriously enough so it took over two months to make this.)

My editing is still bad, but it has improved. I'll make more videos like this in the future, hopefully at a better quality.

If you decide not to watch the video (I won't force you to), I'll summarize it below:

Part one:

Problems and solutions to common reasons people give up on their resolutions:

Problem 1: Goals are unrealistic

Solution: Lower your standards (at least until you can do the habit at your lower standard consistently)

Problem 2: Goals are not specific

Solution: Set goals that you know when you have reached them. (Break them down to small, actionable parts, that you could check off a to-do list when you have done them.)

Problem 3: You feel like you don't have time

Solution: Arrange time for your goal. (Small amounts of practice add up in the long term, even though it might seem insignificant at the moment.)

Problem 4: Procrastination

Solution: Make it ridiculously easy to complete a day's work (At least in the beginning. Practice only for 2 minutes until you start feeling more comfortable starting.)

Problem 5: Habit is not linked to a routine

Solution: Link the habit to a routine or to another habit that energizes you (For example, practice after watering your plants.)

Problem 6: A bad habit takes up your energy and time

Solution: Quit or reduce the time you spent doing the bad habit. (It may be something that is "obvious", like spending 5 hours a day on the internet and it may as well be something that is not obvious, like planning excessively.)

Part 2:

My problems: It wasn't clear to me how long it takes to make a video or even what steps to take when making a video. Also, I played piano even though I started burning out; I didn't stop, because I had too high standards.

My solutions: I will only do the bare minimum. Anything more will be considered extra and I can do that extra work when I feel like it. I didn't force myself to do any work for two weeks when I had burned out. I'll listen to myself more in the future (and I'll start taking my own advice more seriously.)

Notes:

Aim to get help from others, especially if you have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to take care of yourself. You should have someone other than yourself to rely on.

Let yourself make mistakes and learn from them. You'll be sure to succeed if you choose to learn and not give up.

[classicalpianovibes]

Sibelius: pieces to listen to

In honor of Jean Sibelius' birthday (and Finland's independence day 6th Dec) I made this list of his works to listen to:

Symphony, op. 39 no. 1

Violin concerto op. 47

Tapiola, op. 112 (A symphonic poem)

Romance for violin and piano, op. 78 no. 2

The Spruce (from "The Trees") op. 75 no. 5

Etude, op. 76 no. 2

Waltz, op. 81 no. 3

Valse triste, op. 44

Finlandia, op. 26 (A symphonic poem)

Karelia suite, op. 11

Sydämeni laulu, op. 18 no. 6

[classicalpianovibes]

Here's an original composition. This time for an actual piano and not a synth, so I hope you like it. It's still not finished, but I'll continue composing it when I get to learn composing next spring at my conservatoire. I'll focus on improving the beginning because it's so repetitive and I'll try adding on the existing ideas and make them more complex or "colorful." But it will take a while.

[classicalpianovibes]

Here's a new video:

It's so stressful performing in front of a camera, but I finally got this one filmed after multiple tries.

[classicalpianovibes]

Update

I've been busy enjoying my piano lessons and music history/knowledge class. I've progressed much already. We've gone through baroque, classical period and early romantic music. On one music history lesson we went through Chopin's work so I wore a Chopin shirt and showed it to my teacher. He was just confused :D

I also have music theory, but I'm not enjoying it so much. Simply tolerating. The others there are mostly 12 y and they never answer questions so I have to answer when no one else does. I feel so old there, almost twice their age, but at least it's an easy class.

Now I'm practicing Chopin's preludes nos. 6 and 7, Bach's invention no. 4 and some Moszkowski etude (not sure which one, but it's "easy".) Also I'm practicing with a singer and a violinist (I get the melody maybe once per piece.)

I filmed one video today, so it's out in a week. I'll post a link here when it's done.

And here's what's to expect (again):

I'll post memes, Chopin stuff or random stuff whenever I have the time and an idea

Two videos of me playing piano (one Chopin and one of my own compositions)

A new update (maybe around the holidays, if nothing major happens)

Possibly an instrument tour video and guitar playing video (if I'm mentally capable)

Also, extra... Should I make an instagram account? It could be a hybrid between this blog and YT. Tell me your opinion and I'll do it if you want.

So, anyway, remember to relax and practice when you can.

[classicalpianovibes]

Anyone else ever have that one section just repeating in your head day after day because you don't remember what happens after the repeat?

[classicalpianovibes]

Me when I shouldn't be whistling because my SO is sleeping:

[classicalpianovibes]

Sometimes I feel bad for not having heard Beethoven's symphony no. 9, but then I remember he hadn't heard it either...

[classicalpianovibes]

This is one of the pieces we've been listening in our music theory classes. I hope you enjoy it too :)