Guest guest Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Im feeling so sad right now. It's amazing what can twigger things. Just amazing. I am a classial trained pianist, and just learning how to play jazz and pop as well. From the time I started lessons my dad was in to it. Every single recital, he would count my mistakes and point them out to me after I'd played. It didn't seem to have an effect until after one night in my senor year. I'd prepared the moonlight sonata first movement at the request of my nada. Felt really strongly about how I wanted to play it, how it should sound etc. But... when I did, all dad did was tell me it was too slow, the audience wouldn't like it because it went over the 3 min allowed, I didn't introduce it, and it was not the way the music should be. btw he isn't a musician. This totallally devastated me. I'd never been able to really get that spark back. I just passed my grade 8 piano with a a. But today at my lesson my teacher told me I need to stop thinking so much about what comes next, and what mistake I might make and let go. But I can't. He asked me to sing a song and I just couldn't do it. Broke down sobbing half way through, it's like I want to let the bird out of its cage but CAN't! Just need to vent. Steph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 ((())) I'm so sorry you're being haunted by the " tape " of your father's perfectionist voice. I admire your dedication to the piano; I wish I had your discipline. My only feedback for you is what has worked for me when I hear my mother or father's tapes start up in my own head telling me how fat I am or how I don't fit in with people with money, or that I can't or am not good enough: I do a LOT of self talk. I don't mean talking or yelling at myself out loud. I mean writing down ten times, every day, " I am good enough. " By the tenth time I'm writing it, I'm believing it. Not sure if you're in therapy, but I think that would help you a great deal, too. I feel so sad for what you're expressing b/c music should be a place for you to escape to, like a refuge. > > Im feeling so sad right now. It's amazing what can twigger > things. Just amazing. I am a classial trained pianist, and just > learning how to play jazz and pop as well. From the time I > started lessons my dad was in to it. Every single recital, he > would count my mistakes and point them out to me after I'd > played. It didn't seem to have an effect until after one night > in my senor year. I'd prepared the moonlight sonata first > movement at the request of my nada. Felt really strongly about > how I wanted to play it, how it should sound etc. But... when I > did, all dad did was tell me it was too slow, the audience > wouldn't like it because it went over the 3 min allowed, I didn't > introduce it, and it was not the way the music should be. btw he > isn't a musician. This totallally devastated me. I'd never been > able to really get that spark back. I just passed my grade 8 > piano with a a. But today at my lesson my teacher told me I need > to stop thinking so much about what comes next, and what mistake > I might make and let go. But I can't. He asked me to sing a > song and I just couldn't do it. Broke down sobbing half way > through, it's like I want to let the bird out of its cage but > CAN't! > Just need to vent. > Steph > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 sounds like both your parents are bpd, I envy you for being able to play the piano, I can't even do chopsticks. Just relax and enjoy, once something stops being fun for you its time to quit, and you've come too far for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 It is a escape in a way. That is how i started composing. It was the one place I could be myself. I'm sure I will get the passion back, I just have to get rid of that voice. Steph Re: i need to vent ((())) I'm so sorry you're being haunted by the " tape " of your father's perfectionist voice. I admire your dedication to the piano; I wish I had your discipline. My only feedback for you is what has worked for me when I hear my mother or father's tapes start up in my own head telling me how fat I am or how I don't fit in with people with money, or that I can't or am not good enough: I do a LOT of self talk. I don't mean talking or yelling at myself out loud. I mean writing down ten times, every day, " I am good enough. " By the tenth time I'm writing it, I'm believing it. Not sure if you're in therapy, but I think that would help you a great deal, too. I feel so sad for what you're expressing b/c music should be a place for you to escape to, like a refuge. Im feeling so sad right now. It's amazing what can twigger things. Just amazing. I am a classial trained pianist, and just learning how to play jazz and pop as well. From the time I started lessons my dad was in to it. Every single recital, he would count my mistakes and point them out to me after I'd played. It didn't seem to have an effect until after one night in my senor year. I'd prepared the moonlight sonata first movement at the request of my nada. Felt really strongly about how I wanted to play it, how it should sound etc. But... when I did, all dad did was tell me it was too slow, the audience wouldn't like it because it went over the 3 min allowed, I didn't introduce it, and it was not the way the music should be. btw he isn't a musician. This totallally devastated me. I'd never been able to really get that spark back. I just passed my grade 8 piano with a a. But today at my lesson my teacher told me I need to stop thinking so much about what comes next, and what mistake I might make and let go. But I can't. He asked me to sing a song and I just couldn't do it. Broke down sobbing half way through, it's like I want to let the bird out of its cage but CAN't! Just need to vent. Steph ------------------------------------ **This group is based on principles in Randi Kreger's new book The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder: New Tips and Tools to Stop Walking on Eggshells, available at www.BPDCentral.com.** Problems? Write @.... DO NOT RESPOND ON THE LIST. To unsub from this list, send a blank email to WTOAdultChildren1-unsubscribe . Recommended: " Toxic Parents, " " Surviving a Borderline Parent, " and " Understanding the Borderline Mother " (hard to find)Yahoo! Groups Links Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 ((((((((( Hi , ,))))))) BPD parents, and character disorders in general, do weird things in regard to their childrens' creativity. They manage to undermine it in ways that masquerade as support, IE. constructive criticism, by damning with faint praise, or conversely, too much praise, or really confusing gas-lighting behaviors, showing off artwork before it is ready to be presented, publicly presenting color studies, or figure studies, under-paintings etc., as finished works, etc.. mis-representing their creative children as being " highly imaginative and talented, but emotionally unstable, potentially drug or alcohol addicted, or lazy " sabotaging recitals by being late, or instigating conflict or discord just before events, implying marital instability, etc. In short, anything to throw you off your game, cause you to publicly falter, show you up, and so on. They say one thing, but behave in ways that create exactly the opposite effect. Have you ever turned off the sound on the TV, and watched the facial affect and body language of politicians, and then replayed the same clip with the sound on? The disparity in credibility is often quite astonishing. Sometimes it helps to do the same thing with BPD parents. write down what they actually did, then write down what they *claimed* their actions and their intents were. Big differences. They commit forms of spiritual theft, and murder disguised as care and support. They deeply damage others sense of self. These are spiritually criminal act perpetrated by people who say they love us, want what is best for us, want us to succeed. They are liars. They are motivated by jealousy, resentment, rage and contempt, not love, compassion and parental concern. Your father was a liar when he offered you " constructive criticism. " What he was actually doing, was spiritually cannibalizing you, and you were supposed to smile, say " thank you, Daddy, " and pass him the mustard. My own creative Muse got pissed and scared, and would show up in my dreams as a big, black, angry cat, glaring, howling, hissing, just out of reach under the car, attacking my legs from under bushes, or up on the garage roof, slapping and scratching me when I tried to get it down. It took forever to comes to terms with it, and I still get scratched, sometimes. Is your beloved Muse scared, grieving and or pissed? Give it voice! Give it instrument! You may need to shake your fist, before you can unfurl your fingers to the keyboard. You may need to open your heart to grieve and weep, before you can open your heart and throat to sing. Its ok. Tell your truth. This is *your* art,* your* medium. No-one else has the right to conscript it! Protect your gift! Fight for yourself, defend your muse! BPDs perceive EVERYTHING as a competition, or opportunity for power struggle of some sort. There will be casualties, no matter what you do, don't do, say, think, feel, wish for, wish on , wear, don't wear, smell, arrange your hair, the length of your skirt, or the newness of your underwear, tone of voice, facial affect, or the way you say hello when you answer the phone. Oh, by the way, what took you so long to pick the phone up? You sound put-out. No, you're not put out? *Really?* Call me back when you feel better! I just can't talk to you when your " in a mood' " . . . . . The only way to win, is to not play, and eventually, not to care. BPDs are creativity killers. Don't let them use your crayons, play in your backyard, visit your studio, meet your peers, or accompany you on tours. After the death of my father, I invited my Nada to accompany me on the artshow circuit, with the caveat she cease telling my peers and competitors embaressing childhood stories about me, and refrain from calling me by a detested childhood nickname. She told me she wasn't my mother, didn't love me, never wanted to hear from myself, spouse or her only grandchild, again, and dumped me 1000 miles from my home. I havent heard from her since. There is no way to compromise with a BPD, since they percieve compromises as challenges to be won, not boundaries to be respected. Forget winning your point, you can't even come out with a fair trade! I, and I know many, many, others of us, are in your corner, wishing you, genuinely, the protection and support you , and your Muse deserve! Best of Luck!!! Sunspot > ** > > > sounds like both your parents are bpd, I envy you for being able to play > the piano, I can't even do chopsticks. Just relax and enjoy, once > something stops being fun for you its time to quit, and you've come too far > for that. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 , Many of us have been through the same thing in one way or another. . . I wanted to be a pianist and so my nada slammed my hands in the lid of the piano. And my dad signed me up for classes in sewage treatment. You can do it. You can get rid of the voice in your head. Affirmations help. I've used photos, images etc. Maybe tape yourself playing and listen to it again and again and again. I heard the fat and ugly stuff too. So I photographed myself and looked at the photos. Not ugly. Not true. I think a T would help. But really, what I would do right now and today is tape yourself playing something you are proud of. Then listen to it again and again and again, while imagining someone else played it. PS who says your music teacher wasn't being a dick in that moment by the way. XOXO GS > ((((((((( Hi , ,))))))) > > BPD parents, and character disorders in general, do weird things in > regard to their childrens' creativity. > > They manage to undermine it in ways that masquerade as support, IE. > constructive criticism, by damning with faint praise, or conversely, too > much praise, or really confusing gas-lighting behaviors, showing off > artwork before it is ready to be presented, publicly presenting color > studies, or figure studies, under-paintings etc., as finished works, etc.. > mis-representing their creative children as being " highly imaginative and > talented, but emotionally unstable, potentially drug or alcohol addicted, > or lazy " sabotaging recitals by being late, or instigating conflict or > discord just before events, implying marital instability, etc. In short, > anything to throw you off your game, cause you to publicly falter, show > you up, and so on. > > They say one thing, but behave in ways that create exactly the opposite > effect. > > Have you ever turned off the sound on the TV, and watched the facial > affect and body language of politicians, and then replayed the same clip > with the sound on? The disparity in credibility is often quite astonishing. > Sometimes it helps to do the same thing with BPD parents. write down what > they actually did, then write down what they *claimed* their actions and > their intents were. Big differences. > > > They commit forms of spiritual theft, and murder disguised as care and > support. They deeply damage others sense of self. These are spiritually > criminal act perpetrated by people who say they love us, want what is best > for us, want us to succeed. They are liars. They are motivated by > jealousy, resentment, rage and contempt, not love, compassion and parental > concern. > > Your father was a liar when he offered you " constructive criticism. " > What he was actually doing, was spiritually cannibalizing you, and you were > supposed to smile, say " thank you, Daddy, " and pass him the mustard. > > My own creative Muse got pissed and scared, and would show up in my dreams > as a big, black, angry cat, glaring, howling, hissing, just out of reach > under the car, attacking my legs from under bushes, or up on the garage > roof, slapping and scratching me when I tried to get it down. It took > forever to comes to terms with it, and I still get scratched, sometimes. > > Is your beloved Muse scared, grieving and or pissed? Give it voice! Give > it instrument! You may need to shake your fist, before you can unfurl your > fingers to the keyboard. > > You may need to open your heart to grieve and weep, before you can open > your heart and throat to sing. Its ok. Tell your truth. > > This is *your* art,* your* medium. No-one else has the right to conscript > it! Protect your gift! Fight for yourself, defend your muse! > > BPDs perceive EVERYTHING as a competition, or opportunity for power > struggle of some sort. There will be casualties, no matter what you do, > don't do, say, think, feel, wish for, wish on , wear, don't wear, smell, > arrange your hair, the length of your skirt, or the newness of your > underwear, tone of voice, facial affect, or the way you say hello when you > answer the phone. Oh, by the way, what took you so long to pick the phone > up? You sound put-out. No, you're not put out? *Really?* Call me back when > you feel better! I just can't talk to you when your " in a mood' " . . . . . > > The only way to win, is to not play, and eventually, not to care. > > BPDs are creativity killers. > > Don't let them use your crayons, play in your backyard, visit your studio, > meet your peers, or accompany you on tours. > > After the death of my father, I invited my Nada to accompany me on the > artshow circuit, with the caveat she cease telling my peers and competitors > embaressing childhood stories about me, and refrain from calling me by a > detested childhood nickname. She told me she wasn't my mother, didn't love > me, never wanted to hear from myself, spouse or her only grandchild, again, > and dumped me 1000 miles from my home. I havent heard from her since. There > is no way to compromise with a BPD, since they percieve compromises as > challenges to be won, not boundaries to be respected. Forget winning your > point, you can't even come out with a fair trade! > > I, and I know many, many, others of us, are in your corner, wishing you, > genuinely, the protection and support you , and your Muse deserve! > > Best of Luck!!! Sunspot > > > > > ** > > > > > > sounds like both your parents are bpd, I envy you for being able to play > > the piano, I can't even do chopsticks. Just relax and enjoy, once > > something stops being fun for you its time to quit, and you've come too > far > > for that. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 wow. I really understand all of this. I am a musician too. I sing and play the viola. my nada was my orchestra teacher. she was not overly critical about my playing/singing but she criticized EVERYTHING else about my performances " you lost that competition because you talked too much to the judge " she also babied me by telling me what I could handle. I also had some aweful teachers who did what you are describing. they loved my doormat skills. I have a silly sugestion. when i was in college my teacher (I went to school in music) made me really upset right before a performance. I went home to change into a dress in tears, and my amazing roomate had a brilliant idea. the spitefull underwear. i used a sharpie and a pair of bright pink panties and unleashed my wrath on them. it was the least nervous I have ever felt at a performance. the snears that night were less potent becasue my underwear said nasty things. I also agree with the idea posted already find a recording you like of yourself and listen to it. I do that sometimes. it reminds me that in spite of everything I have talent. for me I have decided that I have unreasonable expectations in music I know my weaknesses well, and see them as a reason I am not a " real " musician I have to remind myself often that my limitations are not going away just because I have put so much of my life into it. I hate making mistakes too. in my mind I know they are normal, but part of me still wants to prove something. > > > > > ** > > > > > > > > > sounds like both your parents are bpd, I envy you for being able to play > > > the piano, I can't even do chopsticks. Just relax and enjoy, once > > > something stops being fun for you its time to quit, and you've come too > > far > > > for that. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 I went to music school too. but to study composition. Not piano, my first love, because with composition i could be ME! Steph Re: i need to vent wow. I really understand all of this. I am a musician too. I sing and play the viola. my nada was my orchestra teacher. she was not overly critical about my playing/singing but she criticized EVERYTHING else about my performances " you lost that competition because you talked too much to the judge " she also babied me by telling me what I could handle. I also had some aweful teachers who did what you are describing. they loved my doormat skills. I have a silly sugestion. when i was in college my teacher (I went to school in music) made me really upset right before a performance. I went home to change into a dress in tears, and my amazing roomate had a brilliant idea. the spitefull underwear. i used a sharpie and a pair of bright pink panties and unleashed my wrath on them. it was the least nervous I have ever felt at a performance. the snears that night were less potent becasue my underwear said nasty things. I also agree with the idea posted already find a recording you like of yourself and listen to it. I do that sometimes. it reminds me that in spite of everything I have talent. for me I have decided that I have unreasonable expectations in music I know my weaknesses well, and see them as a reason I am not a " real " musician I have to remind myself often that my limitations are not going away just because I have put so much of my life into it. I hate making mistakes too. in my mind I know they are normal, but part of me still wants to prove something. ** sounds like both your parents are bpd, I envy you for being able to play the piano, I can't even do chopsticks. Just relax and enjoy, once something stops being fun for you its time to quit, and you've come too far for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 Hi Steph, I have stood where you are in a really big way and I know how tortured it is to have a talent that wants to be used but has been paralyzed with fear over BPD/NPD trauma. It can be treated and you can get out on the other side. The kind of post traumatic stress/creative block I had was helped mightily by hypnotism which bypassed my logical mind and went straight to reprogramming the subconscious. It took nearly a year of treatment (I was really, really in a bad way) but It set me free. Traditional therapy and talk made me worse. My block was rooted in the subconscious which needed to be " talked to " in an untraditional way. I hope this helps. There is a key that can unlock your mind. You just have to find it. AFB > > Im feeling so sad right now. It's amazing what can twigger > things. Just amazing. I am a classial trained pianist, and just > learning how to play jazz and pop as well. From the time I > started lessons my dad was in to it. Every single recital, he > would count my mistakes and point them out to me after I'd > played. It didn't seem to have an effect until after one night > in my senor year. I'd prepared the moonlight sonata first > movement at the request of my nada. Felt really strongly about > how I wanted to play it, how it should sound etc. But... when I > did, all dad did was tell me it was too slow, the audience > wouldn't like it because it went over the 3 min allowed, I didn't > introduce it, and it was not the way the music should be. btw he > isn't a musician. This totallally devastated me. I'd never been > able to really get that spark back. I just passed my grade 8 > piano with a a. But today at my lesson my teacher told me I need > to stop thinking so much about what comes next, and what mistake > I might make and let go. But I can't. He asked me to sing a > song and I just couldn't do it. Broke down sobbing half way > through, it's like I want to let the bird out of its cage but > CAN't! > Just need to vent. > Steph > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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