Closing the forum

[Terry]

Dear Well-Balanced Pianist Forum Members:

I am writing today to tell you that we have decided to close the Well-Balanced Pianist Forum.  Although posts are usually rich, honest, and thought-provoking, there are not enough of them to justify time spent administering it.

We want you to have time to say good-bye!  And weigh in on any topics you’re been thinking about.  So the closing date is set for January 1, 2010.

With my sincerest gratitude for your interesting and thoughtful contributions,
Teresa Dybvig
Director, The Well-Balanced Pianist

[kashi]

I'm sorry to hear that, however I definitely understand!  I've run forum in the past and they are a lot of work to maintain!  Wishing all the other members the best on their own journey.

[Terry]

Thanks kashi,

And I want to second your good wishes to all the members.

[ocd]

I think the forum gave itself impossible rules.  Talking about piano technique without being able to talk specifics is a very hard task.  I think this is reason for the low traffic.

I do not disagree with the intent.  I do not give technical advise, as I worry that my advice might result in poor technique, or, worse, injury.

I thank the forum managers for the attempt.

ocd

[Terry]

Thanks for your thoughts, ocd.  Actually, any amount of detail about your own process has always been welcome (for more elucidation please see http://www.wellbalancedpianist.com/forum/index.php?topic=155.new#new).  And there are many topics besides technique!

I was curious recently to see that some Pianoworld forum topics on which people gave and sought technical advice were closed to further discussion after a warning was posted to be careful about applying any advice that was given before the topic was closed.  I didn't know if that was because of a rule, or moderators' judgment.  But I think it's a good idea.  As for the WBP forum, we have always chosen not to be the source of possibly damaging personal technical advice.

Thank you for your contributions, ocd.  Best of luck on your piano journey!

[Sitbon09]

Hello All

As someone who has literally just come across this forum, I'm very sorry its closing.  I am an adult pianist and currently retraining due to physical problems related to a condition called Thoraic Outlet Syndrome or TOSS.  As you can imagine its been hard finding any information about TOSS in relation to piano technique, so its been great even seeing other posts by those the condition has affected.

So with less than one month to go, if anyone else has any knowledge about TOSS in relation to retraining, pls email me at a.mcmillan50@optusnet.com.au.

I'm sure this forum has helped many who eventually stumble upon it.  How many members would it take to be viable?  Is this really the key factor?

Thanks

Andrew
Melb Australia

[Terry]

Welcome Sitbon09! (great name, BTW!)

First, check out http://www.wellbalancedpianist.com/forum/index.php?topic=193.0.  Someone wrote in about thoracic outlet.

I'm glad you like the forum.  I do too.  Activity is the key factor, not the number of members.  Although there is probably a relationship there that some cybergeeks know in their sleep!

Wishing you the best with your work!

[arreiser]

I am also very sorry this forum is closing.  I am guilty of not being as active on the forum as I would have liked to be (but only because I do not enjoy spending time on my computer).  I regret not taking the time for this forum now.

During the times I was an active participant on this forum, I found it tremendously helpful.  There are so many issues that come up with having an injury and I found the other members' experiences and comments so helpful and insightful.  I also felt like this forum was a great source of support when dealing with the difficulties of being injured and retraining. 

In addition to the great discussions on injuries, it was a good place to read comments about music and playing piano in general.  I appreciated that this forum was not only for those of us who have had injuries.  It reminded me why I was retraining - not only to eliminate pain but also to enjoy playing piano and to share music.

I would like to comment on the guideline this forum has about not giving specific technical advice.  While I would love it if there was a forum that could teach me perfect technique, it is completely unrealistic.  I know from experience that the absolute best way to learn healthy technique is in a lesson with a good teacher.  The lesson experience cannot be replaced with books, DVDs or forum discussions.  While I believe these things can support lessons, if you don't have the ability to ask questions, hear explanations or see demonstrations, it is possible for technical advice posted on a forum or written in a book to do more harm than good.  I think it is wise of the moderators to set a guideline like this. 

Thank you to everyone who posted thoughtful comments and responded to posts I made.  And thank you to the moderators who gave their time to this forum.

[Terry]

Thank you for your comments, arreiser.

Please don’t feel guilty for not spending more time here!  It’s only natural that people will participate when they feel a need and will not when they don’t.  And the life of the forum wasn’t in any one person’s hands.

Thank you for your contributions, arreiser, and best of luck on your journey.

[Armwalker]

As both a moderator and participant, I am sorry to see the closing of the forum as well. This forum has provided a uniquely safe space for those who have sought to make great changes in their musical lives. It also has been a place for those who wanted quality information to improve their own work process or teaching. Furthermore, it has given those of us who have been through the process (to whatever degree) the chance to reassure others that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The "rules" helped to elevate the level of discourse for all concerned. If it took a bit longer to formulate one's thought, so much the better in this age of instant everything. Perhaps taking these policies to other forums will have a positive effect there as well.

Thank you,Terry, and all involved, for your time and hard work. It has been a pleasure to be a part of this endeavor.

   

[Terry]

Thank you for your comments, Armwalker, for your thoughtful contributions over time, and for all your help too.

Wishing you well on your journey.

[rad]

Hi guys,

i'm just writing to say bye and thanx for being there!  You guys helped me alot when i had trouble with my undergrad teacher and other topics were fun too.  They made me think sometimes more than i had to think in school

just one thing, i miss the smileys

Good luck everyone!

[Terry]

Hi rad,

Oh, the smileys!! -- when we changed the name, it seems they were traumatized out of existence.  Our admin guy says the setting says they're enabled, although obviously they're not.  The trouble is, when the setting says they're enabled, there's nothing you can change to enable them.  Sigh.  Or, should I say,

And thanks back to you for all of your interesting posts.  You made me think too!  Best of luck to you.

[SusanN]

I'd like to add my thanks to everyone who contributed to the forum. So many fascinating threads have emerged as a result, and I've been constantly impressed by the sincerity and elevated quality of thought demonstrated by the majority of posts. Both reading and responding have been educational for me.

Access to the collection as it stands would continue to be a great reference source. And... perhaps I'll get to meet many of you at future WBP programs!!!

Happy New Year, Everyone!


Susan

[Terry]

Thank you, SusanN, and thank you to everyone who wrote publicly or privately about the forum closing.

A common theme has been the hope that past forum posts would continue to be open to the public.  I was touched by how many people wrote privately to say that even if they had not contributed much if at all, forum discussions had helped them in many ways – with practice and teaching ideas, through their retraining, and in improving practice and performance mindset.  Therefore our admin guy has managed to keep all posts open to the public.  We hope they will be of benefit.

I hope you will join us at a Well-Balanced Pianist program, and  on our Facebook page:  The Well-Balanced Pianist.

Happy practicing, everyone!