I started piano lessons last night at Art City Music Academy in Springville. It's something that I've been meaning to do for years but have perpetually put off. I even bought a keyboard (actually it was a gift from Dad) several years ago with the intention of learning.It was kind of a terrifying experience to start something new like this. It seemed like such a good idea in my head as I imagined myself learning to play. But as I sat in the lobby waiting for my lesson to start, listening to kids not even one quarter of my age playing much better than I will probably ever be able to, I couldn't help but ask myself, "What the hell am I doing here?".
Fortunately, once my lesson started some of the fear melted away. My teacher, who is 7 years my junior, told me that I was learning much faster than most of the 5 year old kids that he normally teaches. Phew! What a relief :) Actually, once we got started it was kind of fun. We were largely covering notes and rhythm but I still had the opportunity to pound out a few short melodies as I was learning the keys.
I think that my biggest challenge is going to be whether or not I can get into a habit of practicing regularly. I have heard from several people that success in learning to play comes not from the lessons themselves but from the amount of practice that you get. So, as you all see me over the next couple of months make sure to ask me if I've been practicing lately.
4 comments:
Hi. Have you been practicing lately?
Congratulations! Sounds fun. I'm glad you finally did it.
As for practicing, you seem to have been pretty successful with your physical workout program schedule. Maybe you could tie your piano practice schedule in with that, somehow. (But don't over-plan. Better to plan a little and be consistant, than to plan too much and get discouraged and give up.)
The best advice I was given was to keep your instrument handy. Move your keyboard out of your computer room and onto the table in the living room. Thay way every now and then as you walk by you can take a few minutes and play for a bit. If it is not handy and not visible you will never play.
mfob: You didn't pay attention to the instructions. I said the next time that you see me to hassle me. Your hassling is premature :)
tk: I was kind of thinking the same thing. Being successful with my workout schedule is what gives me hope that I can be successful at scheduling time for practicing playing the piano. I don't know if I can really tie the two of them together like you suggest, but I hope to be able to find time to do both.
cs: That sounds like good advice. Considering that I didn't practice after I got home from my lesson last night, tonight will be my first practice session. As of right now my keyboard is packed away in my closet... which is certainly not conducive to encouraging practice :)
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