How I did it: I started piano lessons when I was eight years old.  I continued taking them until I graduated from high school and went away to college, so ten years.  My piano teacher is one of the most wonderful people I know, and it helped having such a wonderful role model.  And I also practiced a lot.  My goal was to reach the point where I could sit down and sightread just about anything, and I can do that now!  I still play quite a bit in my spare time, even though I am not taking lessons anymore.

Lessons & tips: Practice even when you don't feel like it.  Continue taking lessons even when you want to quit.  I have met so many people who quit when they were children and deeply regret it now.  Find someone who will hold you accountable and won't let you quit even when you just want to give up.  And even if you stop taking lessons, don't stop playing.  Just sitting down and playing a song or two a day is better than nothing.

Resources: A fabulous teacher, and a mother who quit piano at a young age and didn't want the same thing to happen to me.

May 17, 10:08AM PDT | 0 comments | 2 cheers