The perception of sound and it's influence

I don't post much, but read actively.  I try to take in all of your ideas, thoughts, opinions and perceptions and make some understanding of it all.  I like most of you work diligently to acquire "the perfect sound".

What in gods name is the perfect sound?

Tainted.  We are all in some way and it influences the sound we are trying to achieve.  Whether it be a recording we love dearly and hold close to our hearts.  Whether it be a sound we remember as kids, that touched us forever.  Something which we grasped as the holy grail sound in our minds.  Here are some of my experiences as a concert pianist and playing for people my entire life.  And remember even I am tainted.

I have played pianos made from just about every manufacturer in the world, of all sizes and in various conditions.  Some had missing keys, no pedals, sticking keys, etc.  However, in all aspects one thing remained common in all scenerios.  The perception of sound still existed.

What in the hell is this man babbling about you're thinking?  Sometimes I even confuse myself so no hard feelings.

Being a concert pianist, where do I typically find myself most when near a piano?  In the playing position.  It is here, that my most influencable experiences are drilled into my memory forever.  It is here that I learn to achieve the sound I am looking for.  The tonality, and touch that give exactly the resonance and sound I am projecting from my deepest parts of soul.  Yet, is this in fact what the listener hears?  Absolutely not.  They may hear the emotion, and technical aspects.  The soft touch or rapid succession of notes building to a climax, yet deep down, they are not hearing the same sounds I am.

I have experimented with lids open, lids closed, removing the music stand from a grand (this gives a little more accurate sound as to what they hear but, it exagerates a lot of the excited notes by increasing how much hammer contact, pedal noise and string resonance I hear).

Whenever I listen to a recording of a beautiful Steinway I am mesmorized by its soft sound and beautiful tone.  Yet, to me it is a foreign sound of which I cannot seem to mentally get my hands around (or feet).  This is because, that sound is not anything near what I hear when performing.  Because I am sitting in the performers bench.  Not 100 feet away like a hanging microphone from a ceiling in the most exclusive music hall in the world (although I might try this one day!).

I recently played in one of the most prestigious dining facilities I have ever been in.  While there eating dinner with a friend, I was requested to play.  I got on the stage and commenced to doing my thing.  Lights blinding my face and the heat radiating from them. All of a sudden something hit me.  I looked out in front of me to see men, women and children of all ages and cultures staring at me from various positions, distances and angles.

I began to think, hmm.  How do you suppose the gentleman over there, approximately 50 feet away from me, directly straight ahead from the top of the piano is hearing my music?  I then glanced over to my right and it dawned on me that many people were having different experiences all stemming from the same source.  These people were in direct fire of the open lid of the concert grand.  What did it sound like for the woman who stood up in her chair about 25 feet away to observe my hands?  What about the two lovely young women who came up to my side, one standing in the deck of the piano, and the other sharing a seat on my bench?  What about the servers who were walking around catering to peoples needs?  Their ears shifting from side to side, room to room getting a different perspective without me ever changing one dynamic.

I have come to my own conclusion now that if it is good, it is good.  There is no perfect sound, nor perfect piano.  Because each and every listener will hear you differently.  No matter what venue.

This brought a peace to my body more so then ever since day one of owning Pianoteq as I always had a fear of having the perfect sound all would love.  It just isn't possible.  I have had people tell me certain versions were the most beautiful they ever heard, and then have someone else say to me that they preferred such and suches version.  It isn't a direct blow to me, it is their own tainted mind that has grabbed onto what they feel is the holy grail of sound for that piece.  It is special to them, and that is all that matters.

Even now, I sit here struggling over whether I love C3 or M3 more.  The thing is, I love them both.  They fit different situations for me.  I find the M3 is more accurate for the player, and C3 is more accurate for the listener (with its softer tone and less harsh attack, due to listener distance).  My mind wants to grab the M3 and say it's better, but it isn't.  If I want to give my friend a copy of me playing a piece, I have the ability to give it to them as I hear it, or how they would hear it (or perhaps as they would like to hear it if they can explain what they would like).

I experimented with this by making a recording and then giving it to 5 friends (none of which played the piano) and said pick which one you like more.  They all picked C3.  I then gave it to 3 friends who played grand pianos for a living.  They all picked M3.  The choices are endless and you will never satisfy everyone.

Friends, if it is good, it is good.  Pianoteq, you are good.

Maestro2be