The Problem with Playing Classical Music

Apologies for the lack of updates.  I’ve barely had any time to do much of anything now that school’s started.  Speaking of which I still need to start my homework, but instead I’m blogging.  Figures.

Anyway, I had a random thought as I was in the car in an hour (damn SAT classes).  I find it hard to improv and/or play anything on the piano that isn’t strictly written out for me.  I’m so used to playing everything that’s put in front of me as a sheet of music.  Take it away and ask me to play something from my mind, and I’m slightly lost.  Well it’s not like I sit there staring at the keys, but I can’t really play anything …really creative I suppose.  My right hand has gotten better at improv actually, but my left hand is still stuck on playing octaves and standard chords.  I can’t really get it to do anything else without knowing what to do.

It’s kind of a shame, to be honest.  If the only thing I can do is replicate what people have written, then what’s the good in that?  Anyone can copy things, but few can create something new.   I really wish I had more time to experiment with the piano more and mess around with chord progressions, but since I’m stuck with preparing classical pieces most of the time, I can’t really get innovative.  I do enjoy classical music, but there’s a part of me that wishes I could stop adhering to written music and just play what I feel like playing.

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