35 Pet Peeves Every Pianist Can Relate To (And How to Deal with Them)
Let's face it, being a pianist isn't always smooth sailing. From out-of-tune pianos to well-meaning but misguided comments from non-musicians, there's a whole world of annoyances that only fellow pianists truly understand. But hey, we're not here to just complain – we're here to commiserate, laugh, and maybe even find some solutions. So, grab a cup of coffee (just don't spill it on the keys!), and let's dive into the 35 things that make every pianist roll their eyes.
The Instrument Itself
1. Out-of-Tune Pianos
There's nothing quite like sitting down at a piano, excited to play, only to find it sounds like it hasn't been tuned since the Renaissance.
Solution: Always carry a tuning fork or a reliable tuning app on your phone. While you can't tune the piano yourself on the spot, you can at least check if it's in tune before committing to a performance.
2. Sticky Keys
You're in the middle of a beautiful passage, and suddenly... a key gets stuck. Talk about ruining the moment!
Solution: A quick fix can sometimes be achieved by gently cleaning around the problem key with a soft, dry cloth. For a more permanent solution, consider learning some basic piano maintenance or befriending a piano technician.
3. Uneven Key Weight
Some keys feel like they're spring-loaded, while others seem to be stuck in molasses. It's like playing on a keyboard with multiple personalities.
4. The Dreaded Middle C Squeak
Why is it always middle C that develops that annoying squeak? It's like the piano equivalent of a squeaky floorboard.
5. Pianos with Missing Keys
It's like trying to read a book with missing pages. Sure, you can improvise, but it's not quite the same, is it?
Practice Woes
6. Interruptions During Practice
You've just settled into the groove, and suddenly – the doorbell rings, your phone buzzes, or someone decides it's the perfect time for a chat.
Solution: Set clear boundaries with family or roommates about your practice time. Use a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door, and put your phone on silent (or better yet, in another room).
7. The Plateau Effect
You've been practicing for weeks, but it feels like you're getting nowhere. Welcome to the infamous plateau.
Solution: Mix up your practice routine. Try new techniques, tackle a piece in a different genre, or focus on a specific skill you've been neglecting. Sometimes, a change of pace is all you need to break through.
8. Forgetting to Set the Metronome
You finish a piece feeling pretty good about yourself, only to realize you forgot to turn on the metronome. Was your tempo all over the place? Who knows!
9. Sheet Music That Won't Stay Open
You're playing along nicely when suddenly, the pages decide to have a mind of their own and close on you mid-piece.
Solution: Invest in a good music stand or page holder. Some pianists swear by magnetic page holders or even use clothespins in a pinch.
10. The Right Hand vs. Left Hand Struggle
Your right hand has the melody down pat, your left hand knows exactly what to do, but put them together and suddenly it's like they've never met before.
Solution: Practice hands separately, then slowly combine them at a much slower tempo. Gradually increase the speed as your coordination improves. This guide offers some great exercises for improving hand coordination.
Performance Anxiety
11. The Dreaded Memory Slip
You're performing beautifully, and then... poof! Your mind goes blank, and you can't remember the next note to save your life.
Solution: Practice mental play away from the piano. Visualize playing the piece from start to finish, imagining every note and movement. This strengthens your mental map of the music.
12. Cold Hands Before a Performance
Nothing like icy fingers to make those first few measures a real adventure!
Solution: Keep hand warmers in your piano bag. Do some gentle hand exercises or run your hands under warm water before playing.
13. That One Passage You Always Mess Up
No matter how many times you practice, there's always that one tricky bit that seems to go wrong.
Solution: Break down the troublesome passage into smaller chunks. Practice these sections slowly and repeatedly, gradually increasing the tempo. The Musician's Way offers great strategies for tackling difficult passages.
14. The Audience Member Who Just Has to Cough During the Softest Part
It's like they've been holding it in just for this moment.
15. Realizing Your Bench Isn't Adjusted Properly... Mid-Performance
Too high? Too low? Too close? Too far? And now you have to subtly adjust without interrupting the music.
Social Situations
16. "Can You Play [Insert Pop Song]?"
Because apparently, knowing how to play Chopin's Nocturnes means you must have the entire Top 40 memorized.
17. "Oh, You Play Piano? It's Just Like a Big Guitar, Right?"
*Facepalm*
18. The "Play Something for Us!" Request at Parties
Suddenly, you can't remember a single piece you've ever learned.
Solution: Have a few crowd-pleasing pieces memorized for such occasions. Or, politely decline and offer to play at a more appropriate time when you're prepared.
19. Non-Musicians Trying to "Help" During a Performance
"I'll turn the pages for you!" says the well-meaning friend who has never seen sheet music before.
20. "I Used to Play Piano as a Kid. I Wish I Had Kept It Up!"
Followed by an expectant look, as if you're supposed to offer free lessons on the spot.
Technical Frustrations
21. Sight-Reading a Piece... Only to Find It's in a Ridiculous Key
Six flats? Really, composer? Really?
22. When the Tempo Marking Is Clearly Unrealistic
Allegro? More like "Alle-good luck with that."
23. Inconsistent Fingering Markings
It's like the editor couldn't decide which fingers you should use, so they suggested all of them.
24. The Dreaded Page Turn in the Middle of a Fast Passage
Who designed this sheet music? A gymnast?
Solution: For particularly troublesome page turns, consider making a photocopy of the problematic page and creating a fold-out section in your sheet music.
25. When the Sustain Pedal Starts Squeaking
Nothing ruins the mood of a romantic piece quite like a squeaky pedal.
Solution: Always carry a small can of WD-40 in your piano bag. A quick spray can often solve the problem temporarily.
Physical Discomforts
26. Hand Cramps During Long Practice Sessions
Your brain says "keep going," but your hands are screaming for mercy.
Solution: Take regular breaks and do hand stretches. The Musicians' Health Collective offers some great hand exercises specifically for musicians.
27. The Post-Practice Hunger
You sit down to practice for "just a few minutes," and suddenly it's three hours later and you're starving.
28. Back Pain from Poor Posture
Hunching over the keys for hours isn't doing your spine any favors.
Solution: Invest in a good quality, adjustable piano bench. Practice proper posture, and consider incorporating exercises to strengthen your core and back muscles.
29. Paper Cuts from Sheet Music
Who knew learning Beethoven could be so dangerous?
30. The Imprint of Piano Keys on Your Fingers After a Long Practice Session
It's like a badge of honor... that's also slightly concerning.
Miscellaneous Annoyances
31. People Who Think Playing Piano Is "Easy"
Because pressing buttons is the same as creating music, right?
32. When Someone Leans on the Piano While You're Playing
The piano is not a piece of furniture, thank you very much.
33. The Cost of Quality Sheet Music
Why does it feel like you need a second mortgage just to build a decent music library?
Solution: Look for legal, free sheet music resources online, such as IMSLP for classical pieces in the public domain.
34. Finding the Perfect Piano Bench
Too hard, too soft, too high, too low... finding the Goldilocks of piano benches is a real challenge.
35. When Non-Musicians Try to "Compose" on Your Piano
Random key smashing is not composing, Karen.
Conclusion
While these pet peeves might make us want to bang our heads against the keys sometimes, they're all part of the rich tapestry of being a pianist. Remember, for every annoyance, there's the joy of mastering a difficult piece, the thrill of a standing ovation, or simply the peace that comes from losing yourself in the music.
So the next time you encounter one of these frustrations, take a deep breath, maybe share a knowing look with a fellow pianist, and remember why you fell in love with this incredible instrument in the first place. After all, a life filled with music is worth a few eye-rolls along the way.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go practice. Just as soon as I figure out how to keep my sheet music from closing on me mid-piece!
Meta Title: 35 Pianist Pet Peeves (And Solutions): A Humorous Guide for Piano Players
Meta Description: Discover 35 relatable frustrations every pianist faces, from sticky keys to social faux pas. Learn practical solutions and laugh along with fellow music lovers!
