The Mysterious "Piano Man" is Really the "One-Note-Playing, German Suicidal Man"

[Batman Jr.]

'Piano Man' revealed as German (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/08/22/uk.pianoman/index.html)

I'm putting this in the General Skepticism section because I thought it was so pertinent to the issue of the fallibility of anecdotal testimony. It's now being said that not only was this man's mental illness a sham—he's arguably disturbed in other ways, but he's not a mute—but his proficiency at the piano is pretty much nil, his capabilities only extending to repeatedly playing one note. It's almost unimaginable how playing a single note can be exaggerated into what was being described by some news sources as a four-hour virtuoso recital! :D

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Originally posted by Batman Jr.
'Piano Man' revealed as German (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/08/22/uk.pianoman/index.html)

I'm putting this in the General Skepticism section because I thought it was so pertinent to the issue of the fallibility of anecdotal testimony. It's now being said that not only was this man's mental illness a sham—he's arguably disturbed in other ways, but he's not a mute—but his proficiency at the piano is pretty much nil, his capabilities only extending to repeatedly playing one note. It's almost unimaginable how playing a single note can be exaggerated into what was being described by some news sources as a four-hour virtuoso recital! :D

See also: David Helfgott

[CFLarsen]

He played "One Note Samba"......

[chillzero]

Originally posted by Batman Jr.
'Piano Man' revealed as German (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/08/22/uk.pianoman/index.html)

I'm putting this in the General Skepticism section because I thought it was so pertinent to the issue of the fallibility of anecdotal testimony. It's now being said that not only was this man's mental illness a sham—he's arguably disturbed in other ways, but he's not a mute—but his proficiency at the piano is pretty much nil, his capabilities only extending to repeatedly playing one note. It's almost unimaginable how playing a single note can be exaggerated into what was being described by some news sources as a four-hour virtuoso recital! :D

I don't find The Mirror to be the most reliable of sources.

I think I'll withhold judgement on this case until the actual staff quotes can be differentiated from the media blowups.

The pertinent information is that his identification proved highly problematic despite extensive global coverage. He may or may not have played well - my understanding was that staff were impressed, but then medical staff may not be the most appropriate judges of musical skill.

I find the mention of playing only 1 note highly questionable, and it doesn't cover the fact that yes, he may have done this first (in a state of conusion), but perhaps he went on to play something else.

Perhaps he is a fraud.
Perhaps he is a virtuoso.
Perhaps a bitter journalist missed the scoop they wanted.

who knows?

[geni]

Originally posted by Batman Jr.
but his proficiency at the piano is pretty much nil, his capabilities only extending to repeatedly playing one note.

The hospital has denyed this

[Batman Jr.]

Originally posted by cabby
I don't find The Mirror to be the most reliable of sources.

I think I'll withhold judgement on this case until the actual staff quotes can be differentiated from the media blowups.

The pertinent information is that his identification proved highly problematic despite extensive global coverage. He may or may not have played well - my understanding was that staff were impressed, but then medical staff may not be the most appropriate judges of musical skill.

I find the mention of playing only 1 note highly questionable, and it doesn't cover the fact that yes, he may have done this first (in a state of conusion), but perhaps he went on to play something else.

Perhaps he is a fraud.
Perhaps he is a virtuoso.
Perhaps a bitter journalist missed the scoop they wanted.

who knows?
Yes, these are all good observations to make, and reports that he can only play one note could be exaggerations in the other direction. The vast difference in accounts though, no matter what sources they come from, still highlights the importance of not believing everything you hear.

[Jon.]

Originally posted by Batman Jr.
'Piano Man' revealed as German (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/08/22/uk.pianoman/index.html)

I'm putting this in the General Skepticism section because I thought it was so pertinent to the issue of the fallibility of anecdotal testimony. It's now being said that not only was this man's mental illness a sham—he's arguably disturbed in other ways, but he's not a mute—but his proficiency at the piano is pretty much nil, his capabilities only extending to repeatedly playing one note. It's almost unimaginable how playing a single note can be exaggerated into what was being described by some news sources as a four-hour virtuoso recital! :D

What does it mean to be only able to play one note on a piano? Surely anyone with fingers can play 88 different notes, in all sorts of different combinations and permutations! That claim doesn't ring true to me. He may or may not have been a virtuoso pianist, but you don't describe someone with little or no skill at the piano as being "able to play only one note".

ETA: Having looked at the CNN article in the OP, it actually says he "could hardly play a note." Quite a different thing, and a description I could see someone using.

[Dredred]

From the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1554420,00.html):
It was said he played themes from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and wrote and performed his own compositions, but according to a member of staff at the hospital, he could barely play a note and often tapped one key continuously.
Unlike the Sun, The Guardian is a quality British newspaper.