I’ve had a great few days, feeling the love.

It began on Tuesday when I took my very first online order for sheet music: one copy of my re-published book of dodecaphonic piano solos, Child’s Play, sold to a masterful pianist and teacher in the USA. I was so pleased I put an extra one in the envelope. Must get on to making videos of that group of pieces!

Friday morning came another novelty: my very first paid House Concert. I’ve played background piano for parties before but this time it was a genuine recital with me as the star billing.

MDJ at piano

Friday afternoon: piano accompanying for a couple of young music students doing exams at the AMEB. What’s so unusual about that? They paid me DOUBLE what I asked.

Who cares about money? Anyone who knows me knows I’ve dialled down my own need for income. The less you spend, the less time you need to spend to earn the folding stuff. But it really is the thought that counts and it was great to work with such thoughtful people. The mother didn’t ring and say “My kids have exams next Thursday, can we fit in one rehearsal as well?” No; she said “My kids have exams in five weeks. Can you come to rehearse four times?” My faith in humankind was rekindled, and then she paid double and they all gave me chocolates and a card! Surely, the excellent playing standard of her kids is no coincidence.

The house concert was organised with only four weeks’ notice but finding material to play was easy as I’ve been exploring a big repertoire in many recitals over the last two and a half years.

My programme featured four original works, plus pieces by Bach, Debussy, and Schubert. We also had a sing-along of my in-progress arrangement of Londonderry Air, with new lyrics. The audience and the host were absolutely stoked with the whole performance.

A non-camera shy section of audience.

What a joy it is to be so appreciated, and what a stark contrast that is to the insults I sometimes get.

I expect every year about this time to get tapped on the shoulder to donate my time and expertise to play piano for some worthy cause. It happens to every musician. People say ‘Please do it for free, it will be great exposure/experience/practice/publicity for you.’ Yair, right!

In reality they don’t value our expertise and/or they want something for nothing. It’s a huge insult. They pay thousands of dollars for a venue and publicity but peanuts for the players. What are they saying? “We need a stage, but you’re not worth paying for.”

Being asked to play for nothing is not a complement, it’s a tremendous insult. It’s ALWAYS an insult and people should be ashamed of themselves for daring to suggest any skilled musician should play for peanuts.

I ration myself to no more than one free gig per year, by invitation only. That’s MY invitation, not someone else’s. That is, I offer to play for free sometimes. Insulting me automatically disqualifies any application.

Sigh. Deep breath. I think of my upcoming residency at a cafe. More fun soon!