Leaving the Church Because Pianists Aren't Paid

[Guest]

Free is free, I guess. She does have good arrangements, but variety is nice. Here are some great arrangements that are very affordable:

CopyPack Music presents musical choir arrangements that may be copied

[NightSG]

The basses need you, MorningStar, so we can stay on key.

Your ward has more than one? I gave up on being the only one in the building who even tried to sing the bass parts. If I was any good at being the only bass, I'd be in a barbershop quartet.

[MorningStar]

There's a budget for these things?!?!?!!

-RM

Sometimes. Maybe just enough to buy one new piece of music.

[RMGuy]

Sometimes. Maybe just enough to buy one new piece of music.

Ah, ok, so kind of like the YM/YW's budget then...lol!

-RM

[Guest]

Maybe we should have over-the-top dinner/auction fundraisers to fund new music libraries. Oh, the pieces I'd buy. . .

[MorningStar]

You realize that if we didn't use the awful, bastardized equal tempering on our pianos, a double sharp would have a unique meaning, not just the next whole step up, right?

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ........

[MorningStar]

Your ward has more than one? I gave up on being the only one in the building who even tried to sing the bass parts. If I was any good at being the only bass, I'd be in a barbershop quartet.

Yeah, lately we've had more basses than sopranos. And one tenor.

[Guest]

We've been filling the choir seats this year and then some, with plenty of men. It's pretty awesome.

[Backroads]

I think JKP's song this year (As A Child of God) is the boringest song she's ever made. And I like a lot of JKP.

I am so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I have been suffering in silence.

[Guest]

I am so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I have been suffering in silence.

And it's such an awkward key for me (I'm straight alto) to sing... it's too high to sing with my regular voice, and it's too low to sing falsetto. I ended up doing a mismash of the two and I sound like a frog croaking.

[Guest]

We've been filling the choir seats this year and then some, with plenty of men. It's pretty awesome.

Our ward is pretty lucky... We have A LOT of pianists - both men and women and even in the Youth groups. And I'm not counting those ones who are just good enough to play the hymnbook/Childrens' Songbook and not much else.

We also have a big choir - more men than women though, so the women tend to get drowned out. We even have a member of the Symphony Orchestra in our ward choir... :)

Our problem is - our choir practice attendance is sketchy at best.

[Guest]

Have any of you heard any of JKP's "White Star" music (the Saturday's Warrior sequel). Ugh.

[Backroads]

yes. It's foul.

[pam]

My mom was the only one in our ward that I grew up in that played the organ. If you don't think she didn't get burned out.

[EarlJibbs]

I think that those of us that are good speakers need to set boundries and let the Bishopric know that we will only speak in church only once a year.

I think that those of us that are macanics need to let everyone know that we will give advice out on Wed and Thur only.

I think that those of us that know how to sing need to set boundries and let everyone know that we dont always want to sing for free. We are not your personal radio.

I think that those of us that know about computers should not be approached by any church member unless it is to offer to pay us for our advice and services.

We all have tallents. Yes we can get burned out, and it is okay to say no when you are feeling that way. But I have a feeling that sometimes pianists and those that are musically tallented seem to feel this way more than others? Or are at least more vocal about it. Maybe everyone else simply holds it in. I may take some crud over my post, but this is the way I am feeling this morning. Bad attitude Earl!

[Guest]

I really get what you're saying, Earl. But I think a good speaker would get burned out more if he was asked to speak at every meeting, sometimes as he was walking in the door . . . because a good speaker should just be able to wing it, right? That's what happens with pianists. Sometimes we find ourselves playing at every single meeting, every week, and often we're expected to without notice or the opportunity to practice what hymns/songs need to be played.

On one side, I'm so happy to have a service to offer and have a talent that's useful in worship. Sometimes my attitude is bad and I just want to sit with my family and enjoy other's talents. And it would be easier to have a good attitude if people would offer the courtesy of asking me in advance and giving me time to prepare. That's all.

[Guest]

I think that those of us that are good speakers need to set boundries and let the Bishopric know that we will only speak in church only once a year.

I think that those of us that are macanics need to let everyone know that we will give advice out on Wed and Thur only.

I think that those of us that know how to sing need to set boundries and let everyone know that we dont always want to sing for free. We are not your personal radio.

I think that those of us that know about computers should not be approached by any church member unless it is to offer to pay us for our advice and services.

We all have tallents. Yes we can get burned out, and it is okay to say no when you are feeling that way. But I have a feeling that sometimes pianists and those that are musically tallented seem to feel this way more than others? Or are at least more vocal about it. Maybe everyone else simply holds it in. I may take some crud over my post, but this is the way I am feeling this morning. Bad attitude Earl!

Probably because in Church, pianists are more in demand than mechanics... just my guess.

[kathysmike]

Our Stake seems to have a large number of members completing their medical education, I often see them being stopped and being quizzed about medical issues that should really be addressed in a medical setting not in a church hallway. I know these brethren ,(currently have no knowledge of any sisters in this position), are more than generous with their knowledge, It does take them away from their worship time or their limited time with their families.

[EarlJibbs]

Probably because in Church, pianists are more in demand than mechanics... just my guess.

True, but church is once a week. All of the other days are wide open for mecanics. We have a few in our ward and let me tell you they get asked for favors all the time. I am pretty good friends with one of them, and knowing what he goes through I only ask him to help me when I truely need it, but even then I pay him well. Otherwise I ask him if he wants to do the job. He passes on some and takes others. Happy to say that I am on his family and friends list now. But I sure dont abuse it. And I guess that is one of the points of the post. Don't abuse others tallents.

Eowyn, It is not easy to learn to play the piano and do it well, and even more so the organ. I do think that you (in general) are underappreciated. We only have two in our ward, and one is 19 years old! When we asked her to start playing I felt a little sorry for her, because it is one of those "for sure" callings that she can count on for the rest of her life. But so far (over a year) she loves it.

[Guest]

True, but church is once a week. All of the other days are wide open for mecanics. We have a few in our ward and let me tell you they get asked for favors all the time. I am pretty good friends with one of them, and knowing what he goes through I only ask him to help me when I truely need it, but even then I pay him well. Otherwise I ask him if he wants to do the job. He passes on some and takes others. Happy to say that I am on his family and friends list now. But I sure dont abuse it. And I guess that is one of the points of the post. Don't abuse others tallents.

Eowyn, It is not easy to learn to play the piano and do it well, and even more so the organ. I do think that you (in general) are underappreciated. We only have two in our ward, and one is 19 years old! When we asked her to start playing I felt a little sorry for her, because it is one of those "for sure" callings that she can count on for the rest of her life. But so far (over a year) she loves it.

Actually, Church is not just once a week for pianists... There's sacrament meeting and conference presentations from all the Auxiliaries and the Ward and Stake Choirs. And there's the Easter Cantata, Christmas Play, etc. etc. These require accompaniment and tons of practice outside of Sundays. And then, like mechanics, there's the standard... "can you teach my 3 year old how to play the piano... pretty please?"... and there's the... "can you go with me to check out this piano from craigslist?"... and then the, "We're having a drama play at school, can you provide accompaniment?".

Edited December 13, 2012 by anatess

[MorningStar]

Earl, I'm just saying we shouldn't bite off more than we can chew and we are the only ones who know what we can handle. I have spent up to three hours a day practicing very challenging songs and if someone wants to give me less than a week of notice to play a song for them when I am already working on ten songs, it's OK to say you're too overwhelmed and you need more notice. Playing the piano is not just showing up, but the hours of practice away from our families too.

We had a brother in charge of our ward bulletin and I loved that he told people they needed to get their information in by Thursday night because he wasn't going to spend every date night working on it when he should be spending time with his wife.

I have had the same guy call me 2 hours before a baptism to ask me to play multiple times. Sometimes I can do it and sometimes I can't. Last time I told him I needed more notice. My husband was about to get laid off from his job and we already had plans to go to my parents' and work on his resume/cover letter, which was way more important to our family at the moment than playing at a baptism when they easily could have found someone a week or two prior to that. It's easy for pianists to get take advantage of. I had a sister ask me to play for a baptism and had plans for that day. She said, "Well I'm going and I managed to fit it into my schedule!" I had already played for a baptism 2 times within that month and I think I should be able to make plans, especially when other people can play primary songs or hymns.

As for speaking, I always tell the bishopric I need two weeks notice if they want me to speak. Some people don't have a problem with short notice, but it's too stressful for me. They don't mind. They're just happy I said yes because a lot of people say no. If my husband had his way, I wouldn't give talks because I had so stressed and can't eat for a day or two before. It's weird because I have no problem singing in front of people. "Oh, you want me to sing for a funeral tomorrow? OK."

[EarlJibbs]

Actually, Church is not just once a week for pianists... There's sacrament meeting and conference presentations from all the Auxiliaries and the Ward and Stake Choirs. And there's the Easter Cantata, Christmas Play, etc. etc. These require accompaniment and tons of practice outside of Sundays. And then, like mechanics, there's the standard... "can you teach my 3 year old how to play the piano... pretty please?"... and there's the... "can you go with me to check out this piano from craigslist?"... and then the, "We're having a drama play at school, can you provide accompaniment?".

I think you win :) I completely understand what you are saying and agree. I need to stop comparing outside of the main OP. My point was that I think there are many within the church that feel underappreciated, overwhelmed and not respected.

I can understand the problem is that being known to play a musical instrument that is found in every school and church in the state, reaches far beyond sunday service.

[Guest]

I think you win :) I completely understand what you are saying and agree. I need to stop comparing outside of the main OP. My point was that I think there are many within the church that feel underappreciated, overwhelmed and not respected.

I can understand the problem is that being known to play a musical instrument that is found in every school and church in the state, reaches far beyond sunday service.

YEAY! I WIN! What's my prize???

Yes, of course the problem is not the piano but the inability of people to recognize the effort it requires to do the favor - any favor. Sometimes (and I'm guilty of this as well), we, who don't know much about what we're asking for, think it's just a simple matter and shouldn't be a problem.

Reminds me of my dad asking me to fix his broken computer. I said, send it to the technician... and he said, I thought you were an expert on computers. Uhm, yes, I am... an expert programmer, not an expert computer fixer-upper. He just doesn't understand.

So yeah, those with talent will have to just be a little patient to those who are clueless of such talent, and learn to politely say, It's not as easy as it looks and I really don't have the time or energy to help you right now - but maybe you can use the MP3s from lds.org to play the instrumental for you to sing to? And maybe next time, I'll have the time and energy to help you out...

Something like that.

P.S... There's somebody in our ward who has an embroidery machine. I mistakenly asked if I can borrow it... I didn't realize those things are over $4,000 worth!

[Vort]

Reminds me of my dad asking me to fix his broken computer. I said, send it to the technician... and he said, I thought you were an expert on computers. Uhm, yes, I am... an expert programmer, not an expert computer fixer-upper. He just doesn't understand.

Whenever there's a network issue, Sister Vort wants me to fix it. I always grumble, "I don't know anything about this! I'm not an IT guy!" Doesn't matter. I work with computers, so therefore I'm in charge of all things computer-related. I suppose if I were an auto mechanic, I would be responsible for repairing the car's upholstery.

[Irishcolleen]

My daughter is amazing at sight reading. A few years ago, when she was just a freshman in high school, my husband was subbing for a sick pastor at a church that didn't have a pianist. My daughter would play whenever my husband subbed. The music director used to like to see if he could stump her, so he would pick songs she had never heard before. She got tired of it one Sunday. The director didn't know that she can transpose in her head. He gave her a song and when he started to lead the song (he was miked) she changed the key on him, so he was way off key. It was funny- everyone laughed.