I call myself a 'piano player' rather than a classical pianist or a jazz musician, though I've aspired to be both of those. Mostly self-taught, I clock in at about Level 7 on Tonebase's scale.
I have played professionally in piano bars & other kinds of venues most of my life, including during the 40+ years I worked a day job as a tax lawyer. I play mostly pop tunes and standards. Such technique as I do have *lacks refinement*, perhaps because I spent many years simulating grand effects in noisy environments where people couldn't hear the details.
I discovered classical music in my later years of High School, & in college had the priceless opportunity to study intermittently with a world-class pianist named Miklos Schwalb. I've worked on classical repertoire ever since, mostly on my own. Presently obsessed with Rachmaninoff Preludes & the Well Tempered Clavier.
As of 2025, I'm officially semi-retired, working 2 days a week, and able to spend a lot more time with the piano.
