FWIS3

After 25 years of procrastination I finally fulfilled a lifelong dream to start learning piano. I have wanted to play piano since I was a child. Unfortunately we could not afford such luxuries as pianos and piano lessons. Later as a teenager I managed to get myself a guitar and a bad attitude, but the piano remained elusive. As my "career" got going, I applied myself less and less to music and gradually it drifted away altogether. Constantly I would think and talk of my desire to learn the piano, and yet never would I do anything about it.

So a few months ago I finally bought an electronic piano. The kind that is a piece of furniture with pedals. It is not as good as a decent acoustic, but getting one of those into my flat would be a nightmare, and since I'm just starting it really doesn't matter that I don't have a Steinway grand. I get lessons every Wednesday from a very experienced teacher who has been playing and teaching longer than I have been alive. Because of my previous experience with music I can read and know some theory so that has helped jump start things. I have realistic expectations, so I do not find anything about it frustrating in the slightest and I am pleased with my progress thus far.

So there's my good news story: 25 years of dreaming and/or procrastination, followed by actually doing something, and it feels good.

Sweet, especially the 'not frustrating' part.

I am now halfway through the prelude of BWV 845 and loving it! Also have been doing a music theory course to fill in the blank spots. Spending quite a lot of time that I didn't think I had practicing, which goes to show that you make time for the things you really care about.

Yay!

So btw, I never asked, but why piano specifically?

I ask because my violin as chosen instrument was more through chance in many ways- the first instruments they taught at school were violin or cello (the woodwinds and brass were the year later) and my mom told me a cello was too heavy for me to carry and she wasn't going to carry it for me, so I became a violinist.

For as long as I can remember I wanted to play the piano. I have no idea why. I have been a huge fan of Baroque music since my teens and so it was also a good fit to pick an instrument that is capable of polyphony with a solo performer. I played guitar and drums in teens/early 20's but somehow they never captured my imagination like the piano did.

I like your story about the cello. I guess I got a cheap nylon string acoustic when I was young because it was a darned sight more affordable than a piano for my parents!

I recall taking ukulele lessons in middle school because that was what the school could afford for the music/choir classes that everyone was required to take in middle school. I might be able to still do "Hang your head Tom Dooley".

SciFiFisher wrote:I recall taking ukulele lessons in middle school because that was what the school could afford for the music/choir classes that everyone was required to take in middle school. I might be able to still do "Hang your head Tom Dooley".

I learned the Uke in 4th grade. It was probably about a 4 week timespan. It was my last time I've played anything you have to strum. I wish I could just pick up a guitar and play some chords. It's just not something I have time to do right now.

I played the piano for about 6-7 years, and the flute/saxophone for about 12 years. All jazz, baby.

I have a cheap acoustic guitar in my apartment on which I can play a few chords, just enough to sing a few songs at the drop of a hat. It amazes some people that I can play all of American Pie for example, but TBH I think it's more just embarrassing I can't do more after 15 years of violin.

squ1d, how wonderful that you are enjoying your lessons. there's a wonderful passage in 'the glass bead game' (das glasperlenspiel) by hesse in which the main character plays music for himself. alas, i no longer have the book.

Squid's playing the Piano cause he wants to be like Christian Grey

Who the hell is Christian Grey?

I can now play some JSB, the E maj prelude from WTC 1, stuff from Anna Magdalena notebook and now working on invention 1 in C.

Damn squ1d, the long response to Sigma reminds me of "Slap Fest" on "How I met your Mother". lol
Which was awesome btw.

vendic wrote:Damn squ1d, the long response to Sigma reminds me of "Slap Fest" on "How I met your Mother". lol
Which was awesome btw.

Wasn't it just?

squ1d wrote:Who the hell is Christian Grey?

I can now play some JSB, the E maj prelude from WTC 1, stuff from Anna Magdalena notebook and now working on invention 1 in C.

Or was it Richard Clayderman?

I'm still toiling away.

My upcoming exam pieces are:

Baroque: J.S. Bach - Menuet BWV 842
Classical: Clementi Sonatina Op 36, 1st and 2nd movements
Romantic: Burgmüller- Le Courant limpide
Modern: Ivan Sings - Aram Khatchaturian
Extra list: J.S Bach, Invention #1 BWV 772

Good job!

I'm always amazed by people with musical talent, because I have none.

geonuc wrote:I'm always amazed by people with musical talent, because I have none.

I am sure you and I have musical talent. Bad... but talented at it.

SciFiFisher wrote:

geonuc wrote:I'm always amazed by people with musical talent, because I have none.

I am sure you and I have musical talent. Bad... but talented at it.

I bet you both are very talented at playing Air Guitar. I know I am

Sigma_Orionis wrote:

SciFiFisher wrote:

geonuc wrote:I'm always amazed by people with musical talent, because I have none.

I am sure you and I have musical talent. Bad... but talented at it.

I bet you both are very talented at playing Air Guitar. I know I am

No, I suck at that, too. I'm good at sitting at a table in a club, nodding my head to the beat while I drink beer.

SciFiFisher wrote:

geonuc wrote:I'm always amazed by people with musical talent, because I have none.

I am sure you and I have musical talent. Bad... but talented at it.

You can't be as bad as my wife. She can't carry a tune in a bucket. I believe, what she calls singing, has been classified as a WMD by the Homeland Security.

Swift wrote:

SciFiFisher wrote:

geonuc wrote:I'm always amazed by people with musical talent, because I have none.

I am sure you and I have musical talent. Bad... but talented at it.

You can't be as bad as my wife. She can't carry a tune in a bucket. I believe, what she calls singing, has been classified as a WMD by the Homeland Security.

How's her poetry?

Vorlon's cringe.

vendic wrote:Vorlon's cringe.

Sounds like she would be a good companion to have in a dungeon quest.

Sigma_Orionis wrote:How's her poetry?

I really need to rewatch HGTTG again. BBC version, of course.