--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am surprising myself [at] each show…" description: "\"I am surprising myself [at] each show, and the delivered piano often surprises me. Sometimes the piano is so old that I don't have to prepare it, and s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/volker-bertelmann-21848_concerts_i-am-surprising-myself-at-each-show-and_1913371.jpg" --- # I am surprising myself \[at\] each show, and the delivered… ![“I am surprising myself [at] each show, and the delivered piano often surprises me. Sometimes the piano is so old that I don't have to prepare it, and sometimes I have a concert grand!” quote by Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/volker-bertelmann-21848_concerts_i-am-surprising-myself-at-each-show-and_1913371.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/volker-bertelmann-21848_concerts_i-am-surprising-myself-at-each-show-and_1913371.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03a/volker-bertelmann-21848_concerts_i-am-surprising-myself-at-each-show-and_1913371.jpg) > “I am surprising myself \[at\] each show, and the delivered piano often surprises me. Sometimes the piano is so old that I don't have to prepare it, and sometimes I have a concert grand!” [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The musician expresses surprise at his own performances, noting that the instrument’s condition can dictate preparation level, leading to spontaneous creativity. **In simple terms:** He’s amazed by his own playing, especially with old pianos. Key Takeaway Embrace unpredictability in performance. Themes creativity music surprise instrument improvisation Mood inspirational thoughtful Type artistic reflective When to use this quote - concert preparation - studio recording - live improvisation - teaching music Key Concepts flow mindfulness artistic spontaneity Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance preparation with spontaneity? - What does the instrument teach you about adaptability? A Different Perspective Relying on surprise may cause inconsistency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Concerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerts/) [Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piano/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) ## Related quotes > [At 13 I taught myself piano from an old song book, and Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now' was the first song I learned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/at-13-i-taught-myself-piano-from-an-old-song-book-and-joni-mitchell-s/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I also like the banging piano - that old good-time piano.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/little-richard/i-also-like-the-banging-piano-that-old-good-time-piano/) [Little Richard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/little-richard/) > [ I can't say that electronic gear is restrictive. I think it is a challenge to play with electronic gear, and I regularly \[perform\] concerts… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-can-t-say-that-electronic-gear-is-restrictive-i-think-it-is-a/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [There are no rules when it comes to love. I just try to let love surprise me because you never know who you’re going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/there-are-no-rules-when-it-comes-to-love-i-just-try-to-let-love-2/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [A lot interests me - but nothing surprises me particularly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/a-lot-interests-me-but-nothing-surprises-me-particularly/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [I don't think the government is out to get me or help someone else get me but it wouldn't surprise me if they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-rooney/i-don-t-think-the-government-is-out-to-get-me-or-help-someone-else/) [Andy Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-rooney/) > [If I've learned anything in twenty-nine years, it's that every human being you see in the course of a day has a problem that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/if-i-ve-learned-anything-in-twenty-nine-years-it-s-that-every-human/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [It surprises me how often we hold ourselves back until we have no choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/po-bronson/it-surprises-me-how-often-we-hold-ourselves-back-until-we-have-no/) [Po Bronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/po-bronson/) > [I find no change of consequence in grown people, I do not miss the dead. It does not surprise me to hear that this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-find-no-change-of-consequence-in-grown-people-i-do-not-miss-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [There are no rules when it comes to love. I just try to let love surprise me because you never know who you’re going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/there-are-no-rules-when-it-comes-to-love-i-just-try-to-let-love/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [I love the sea's sounds and the way it reflects the sky. The colours that shimmer across its surface are unbelievable. This, combined with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer/i-love-the-sea-s-sounds-and-the-way-it-reflects-the-sky-the-colours/) [John Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer/) > [What surprises me is when people give me their mobile number. The other day, someone on a bus asked if I swear. I said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-parker/what-surprises-me-is-when-people-give-me-their-mobile-number-the/) [Christopher Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-parker/) > [What surprises me most in architecture, as in other techniques, is that a project has one life in its built state but another in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldo-rossi/what-surprises-me-most-in-architecture-as-in-other-techniques-is-that/) Aldo Rossi > [GOOD AS NEW was born out of the idea of writing a play where the stakes were high and the collisions were of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hedges/good-as-new-was-born-out-of-the-idea-of-writing-a-play-where-the/) [Peter Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hedges/) > [People are in denial all the time, hiding things. If I tell you a racist or dirty joke and you laugh, you're telling me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-landau/people-are-in-denial-all-the-time-hiding-things-if-i-tell-you-a/) [Martin Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-landau/) ## More by Volker Bertelmann > [Even films without music are inspiring, as I think a good story is full of changes, different paces, and ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/even-films-without-music-are-inspiring-as-i-think-a-good-story-is/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [I also remember riding home from a wonderful day with only my bathing shorts, losing the chain of my bicycle, having no hand breaks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-also-remember-riding-home-from-a-wonderful-day-with-only-my-bathing/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [I always liked stories that carry on and have a different format from the normal music video.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-always-liked-stories-that-carry-on-and-have-a-different-format-from/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [I was always interested in finding the elegance of each style and understanding why it influences so many people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-was-always-interested-in-finding-the-elegance-of-each-style-and/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [I like the influence of pictures on music and the other way around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-like-the-influence-of-pictures-on-music-and-the-other-way-around/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [I still visit my village quite often, as my parents and one of my sisters live there, but also I feel the village is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-still-visit-my-village-quite-often-as-my-parents-and-one-of-my/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [ I can't say that electronic gear is restrictive. I think it is a challenge to play with electronic gear, and I regularly \[perform\] concerts… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-can-t-say-that-electronic-gear-is-restrictive-i-think-it-is-a/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [In a way, I pick out the films that have a same attitude as music that I like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/in-a-way-i-pick-out-the-films-that-have-a-same-attitude-as-music-that/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [I was bored to death and thinking more about the minibar and the after-show party than the performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-was-bored-to-death-and-thinking-more-about-the-minibar-and-the/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [I think there is a big question in how much music a film needs - a lot of films are overloaded for my taste,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-think-there-is-a-big-question-in-how-much-music-a-film-needs-a-lot/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [My music is also one part of my inner process, and people also seem to connect with me on that - especially the ones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/my-music-is-also-one-part-of-my-inner-process-and-people-also-seem-to/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [I am a big fan of the Coen Brothers; I like their kind of absurd, dark approach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-am-a-big-fan-of-the-coen-brothers-i-like-their-kind-of-absurd-dark/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [ I am still happy to be close to the city, \[to be\] connected to the intellectual source in Ferndorf. In this area, \[I feel\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/i-am-still-happy-to-be-close-to-the-city-to-be-connected-to-the/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [When I read a script, I am already in the movie with my music, and I can dive into a world that I haven't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/when-i-read-a-script-i-am-already-in-the-movie-with-my-music-and-i/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) > [The opportunity to use a computer is great when it is used as one component, or when someone is working on his or her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-bertelmann/the-opportunity-to-use-a-computer-is-great-when-it-is-used-as-one/) [Volker Bertelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) [Explore all 28 Volker Bertelmann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-bertelmann/) ## More Concerts quotes > [The live concert industry has become corporate-ized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perry-farrell/the-live-concert-industry-has-become-corporate-ized/) [Perry Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perry-farrell/) > [I still get nervous about singing. I drink tea with honey and lemon before every concert. And I need to have scented candles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/i-still-get-nervous-about-singing-i-drink-tea-with-honey-and-lemon/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [In fact, when Jaan wanted to be a part of some of my live concerts, I let him join me for a few.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumar-sanu/in-fact-when-jaan-wanted-to-be-a-part-of-some-of-my-live-concerts-i/) [Kumar Sanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumar-sanu/) > [Well, a lot of our concerts do okay, and I know we still get royalty checks which still isn't that important, but again, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-johnston/well-a-lot-of-our-concerts-do-okay-and-i-know-we-still-get-royalty/) [Bruce Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-johnston/) > [Britain has the IRA and no one cancels concerts there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-osbourne/britain-has-the-ira-and-no-one-cancels-concerts-there/) [Sharon Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-osbourne/) > [Congratulations to each and every one of you for the concert last night in New York and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-ormandy/congratulations-to-each-and-every-one-of-you-for-the-concert-last/) [Eugene Ormandy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-ormandy/) > [My favourite song of Elton's is... it's a tricky one for me. I'm a proper fan and I've probably seen him in concert about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-lucas/my-favourite-song-of-elton-s-is-it-s-a-tricky-one-for-me-i-m-a-proper/) [Matt Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-lucas/) > [I've always said about 50% of what happens at a concert has to do with the audience. If you play for a dead audience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-ve-always-said-about-50-of-what-happens-at-a-concert-has-to-do-with/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [My first concert isn't that cool or ironic. I wish it had been like, "My first concert was the Backstreet Boys," but the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-kroll/my-first-concert-isn-t-that-cool-or-ironic-i-wish-it-had-been-like-my/) [Nick Kroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-kroll/) > [Since it is impossible for the people spontaneously and universally, to move in concert towards their object; and it is therefore essential, that such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/since-it-is-impossible-for-the-people-spontaneously-and-universally/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Of course we're still having the concert. Don't let a little rain ruin your night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-dee-messina/of-course-we-re-still-having-the-concert-don-t-let-a-little-rain-ruin/) [Jo Dee Messina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-dee-messina/) > [I like to go to concerts because I love to see my favorite band through the phone of the asshole who's standing in front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/i-like-to-go-to-concerts-because-i-love-to-see-my-favorite-band/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [The reader's impression is one of a dream - the only thing that's left upon waking is the memory of a melody at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dumitru-tepeneag/the-reader-s-impression-is-one-of-a-dream-the-only-thing-that-s-left/) [Dumitru Tepeneag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dumitru-tepeneag/) > [My ex-wife was trying to be nice once, so she took me to a concert in Los Angeles. I went with her to Symphony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-b-king/my-ex-wife-was-trying-to-be-nice-once-so-she-took-me-to-a-concert-in/) [B. B. King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-b-king/) > [Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hudson-taylor/do-not-have-your-concert-first-and-then-tune-your-instrument/) [Hudson Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hudson-taylor/) [Browse all 988 Concerts quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerts/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am surprising myself [at] each show, and the delivered piano often surprises me. 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