Robert Estrin - piano expert

How You can Stay Passionate about Classical Music

How Robert Estrin is so upbeat in his videos

In this video, Robert explains how he can still be so enthusiastic making new videos after having produced more than 1,200 in the past 10 years.

Released on October 13, 2021

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DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Virtual Sheet Music and its employees.

Video Transcription

I'm Robert Estrin. You're watching livingpianos.com, your online piano resource. I got this viewer comment and question. They said, "Your enthusiasm is amazing. How do you stay so passionate and enthusiastic? You should make a video on that. No, really." So at first I read that, I was flattered and all. But then I started thinking about it and I thought you might be interested in the backstory as to why I always seem to be up in all these videos. I mean, I've got over 1,200 videos and I don't think I'm really depressed in any of them. Does that mean I'm never depressed? Well, no, everybody has their ups and downs, but here's the key.

Growing up, I grew up in a musical household. My father, Morton Estrin, was a concert pianist. And while he was a Professor of Music at Hofstra University, he did most of his teaching right at home. There was a big addition in the house, totally separate from the rest of the house, two grand pianos.

So I did connect with many of his students. But truth be known, my friends couldn't care less about Bach and Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. That stuff was kind of like not cool. Right? And so, I would play a couple of popular things, but it wasn't really my [inaudible 00:02:03]. I didn't listen incessantly to rock music. There were some that I really enjoyed, but my whole persona, my life was classical music.

So after all these years, to find people like you who are watching this right now, who are enthusiastic about the piano and classical music, the way I am, is actually thrilling. I look forward to these moments and you know what? It's not easy to find them. I mean, I manage to make videos every week and I've been doing it since 2009. That's a long time.

But even right now, I'm here in the showroom. Everything looks great, having a good time. But at the same time, our water heater went out. The basement's flooded. I'm waiting for a plumber to arrive. So, it's not all as rosy as you may think.

But the bottom line is this. I take life at face value to a great extent. You live. You die. So you want to make something happen in between, right? So that's why I make these videos, to be able to share what's important to me. And it really is thrilling to have people like you watch and care about classical music and the piano in the 21st century. It's not irrelevant. Is it? I'd love to hear from you and your experiences with classical music as a child and growing up. Do people respect you for it, or do people kind of mock you for it? I wonder what experiences all of you have had being immersed in classical music, assuming you are. So you can comment on livingpianos.com and YouTube.

Thanks so much for the question. And I appreciate the support from all of you subscribers out there. See you next time.
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Comments, Questions, Requests:

Ronald Verwer * VSM MEMBER * on October 18, 2021 @6:44 am PST
Hi Robert,
Just a quick message. I started at 6 year of age.I had to play classical but I hated it. My teacher (an old lady in my eyes - probably mid 30) taught me scales. How boring! I played with my fists, not fingers, so soon I had to stop touching the piano. That was it, thank God, never have to play that rubbish again.
Till I met a pianist who played enterteinment music in a restaurant. And yes, he tought me the cords, the modern songs, and made playing piano a real enjoyment. Unfortunately he passed away after 2 years and I'm from then on self taught. I have played in church for the congreagation, who loved my way of interpreting the hymns, but also the more serious music for a funeral. But I like the background or conversation music the most.
Now 77 I play every day, had gigs in Australia every Friday and Saturday evening in a restaurant, and had some students whom I teach the harmonic circle, the songs, improvisation, and made piano playing enjoyous for them.
I live now in France and play again every day, have a notice on my windows re piano lessons and a keyboard banner at the bottom of the windows. In the meantime I have some students again and it is a pleasure to see them prosper. Some like to play the classics, some the modern songs. Now it is all fine by me.
I enjoy your videos, have been a member for many years, but now I got all the downloads and feel that I have enough to last my lifetime. Thanks many times for the wonderful comments in your videos. I still can learn lots from it.
I love playing the piano every day and would not like to miss it for anything.
Thanks again and God Bless,
reply
Robert Estrin - host, on October 18, 2021 @8:42 am PST
You will continue to receive videos and piano tutorials. There are many more to come!
Jan VanDenBerg on October 15, 2021 @10:26 pm PST
I am very grateful that my parents forced me to take piano lessons as a young child. After a while, I loved playing and practicing. I learned classical music and taught piano while in college. My piano is now 52 years old and works just fine. I hadn't played it for a couple of decades but started again during Covid. I play for people my age who seem to enjoy listening to the classics. I also play pop music, too. But the classics are my favorite pieces! I've enjoyed your videos, You are keeping the love of classical music alive and well. Thank you!
reply
Robert - host, on October 18, 2021 @8:41 am PST
So many people have taken advantage of lockdown to get into or back to the piano. So there is at least one silver lining!
Franc Uberti * VSM MEMBER * on October 15, 2021 @11:56 am PST
Robert, Knowing that classical music does not lend itself to improvisation or "solos", I was wondering if you could elaborate on the small windows of expression some classical pieces allow (starting with Chopin Prelude Op 28), and then diving into the art of "Cadenza"? Your videos are always inspiring.
reply
Robert Estrin - host, on October 18, 2021 @8:45 am PST
Improvisation was an intrinsic part of classical music from embellishing the score with ornamentation in the Baroque era, to cadenzas in Classical period concertos. Romantic period pianists were known to have informal musical encounters outdoing each other with improvisations! Because of the way the scores of music are looked upon almost as holy scripture, a great deal of that spontaneous spirit has been lost. But I love to improvise, and there are others out there continuing the tradition!
Franc Uberti * VSM MEMBER * on October 13, 2021 @6:18 pm PST
Having worked in music retail for 40 years, you have to be "equipped" with a variety of songs to demonstrate keyboards. You find whatever genre the customer responds to and play it. But when you don't know, and start with a classical piece, it suddenly gives a legitimacy to you and the instrument, which makes you want to build that catalog. When you have a degree in music, your appreciation is deeper knowing what is behind the music from theory.
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Robert Estrin - host, on October 18, 2021 @8:47 am PST
I have seen successful piano salespeople who play everything from Clementi Sonatinas, to simple chord progressions. But playing great classical pieces also provides a truly memorable experience.
Wyn Galpin on October 13, 2021 @3:28 am PST
Both my parents were talented musicians and I grew up in a Church with a strong tradition of quality music. On Sundays, the organist used to play various hymn interludes and one day, when I was about 6 or 7 years old, he played ‘Jésu, joy of man’s desiring’. I was absolutely transfixed. I began piano lessons, a pursuit that continued well into adulthood and I also learned to play classical guitar and flute.

Over the years I developed a passion for classical music in general and classical church music in particular. As a youngster I certainly wasn’t one of the ‘cool kids’ and I did get mocked for it. The thing is that for me, music has been the most delightful, challenging, engrossing passion and I’m constantly learning new things.

I do enjoy your videos and it’s true that you always come across with great passion and enthusiasm which is as motivating as it is uplifting.
reply
Robert Estrin - host, on October 18, 2021 @8:48 am PST
As long as there are people like you out there who appreciate the content I produce, I will undoubtedly remain positively motivated!
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