Learning Piano All Over Again

I've touched piano or organ keys since I was about 5 years old. My grandfather, who was a professional organ player, probably thought it was cute but I don't think I crossed a level of interest that caused him to try to teach me. He got me started, but he didn't really teach me the fundamentals. Things like reading sheet music, proper hand and sitting position, fingering, etc. Despite not having this training, I taught myself how to play pretty well. In high school, I took a music theory class and I remember what an awakening it was for me in terms of writing music and playing. I even had a brief stint in a band (didn't everyone?)

But I've been stuck at that spot since. For the past 22 years (omg I'm old), I've done nothing formal to improve my skills. To spur me to do so, I spent an unGodly amount of money on a new Disklavier upright piano last year. As much as many people spend for a car... a good car. But things took a turn downward for me financially right afterwards and I was unable to begin piano lessons as I'd planned. Today that changed. In addition to a refresher music theory class in college that begins next Tuesday, I've also hired a piano instructor. Judging from the wall in his studio and the personal recommendations of both my piano tuner and a friend, I've hired a *very* good piano player. My friend tells me that I'll learn more from him in 3 months than I'd learn in a year from any other teacher.

If you want to hear him playing, click here:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/klavierstucke-op-118-iii-ballade/id252688138?i=252688668

Tonight I began doing some of the exercises he assigned me and I can tell you that my sight-reading of the bass clef is notably better already! Over the next few months, I'm going to have to get ready to get my hands slapped with a ruler until I get the basics down but this is stuff I wished I asked for from my grandfather way back then when he was alive and could have taught me. I'm taking a big step backwards in the hopes that I can make leaps forwards later. I'm not stopping until I get good enough to sit down and start playing a piece directly from the sheet music. My goal is also to begin writing music and recording for my own enjoyment - ultimately combining my two hobbies (computers and piano) to create some nice orchestrations.

I'll close this post with a link to someone I want to sound like someday. Enjoy!



If you want to hear a portion of this song with orchestral background (amazing), click here:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-beginning/id274847281?i=274847400