I was one of those people who always dreamed of playing the piano but never thought I could. At least I was until I came across some short, simple lessons on the basics of piano playing. I decided to give it a try, and I have been practicing ever since.
Right from my very first lesson, the way I viewed the piano changed. I realized suddenly that the keys on the piano make a pattern and that pattern allows the keys to be separated into sections. When you break the piano down in such a manner it suddenly doesn't seem so daunting or confusing. I never realized that the keys could be looked at individually rather than as a collective group.
I began with the lessons that were in the material I had. After each section, I had to try out the concepts I had found out about. I had to try to play the notes, write the notes, clap the rhythms, or play lines of melody. In awhile, I began to test myself. I went back over the lessons and tried each concept. I did this several times, always getting better and better.
I developed my own practice schedule, finding time between my work and daily chores. It was satisfying to accomplish so much so quickly. The slow pace of formal lessons may be good for children, but as an adult, I appreciated the ability to go at my own pace.
There came a time when I wanted to play music that was easy for me - music that I recognized rather than what I was writing out in my exercises. So, I went to the music store and bought two books. I chose an Easy Piano Book and a Fake Book, just as the lessons had suggested.
I recognized many of the songs in my Easy Piano Book because they were familiar Broadway musical songs, and I was completely ecstatic to hear myself playing them rather easily. I had to start with sight reading from the Easy Book, but to my astonishment I found that rather easy to catch onto.
It was when I opened the Fake Book that I really had a challenge before me. I didn't know all of the chords used so would have to look the new ones up before I started a song, and since they were modern pop songs it was more difficult to get them down.
Yet, I was able to catch on quicker than I would have ever imagined and I started to actually play songs my friends and I loved to sing along with on the radio. It turned into something enjoyable for all of us as I played and they sang along these songs we all loved.
I am so glad that I took the time to learn the basics of piano playing. I am not a pro by any means. It does not matter to me. I never wanted to take the world by storm. I just wanted to learn something that would make me personally a little happier. And that is just what I did.
Learn more about piano lessons for children. Stop by Michelle Edward's site where you can find out all about how to play piano and what it can do for you.
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