I started with a short quiz (to myself, by myself) of various keys.
Then I worked on the first verse for a bit… until a few times after I made no mistakes.
Then I started on the second verse, which had most of the notes of the first verse. It wasn’t too too hard.
The third verse tripped me up. The Gdim7? Really? And then all the minor 7ths? Luckily I’m starting with a modified version of chords and only using the two left-most notes (in general) so the 7ths (and what makes them 7ths) didn’t much affect me tonight. That Gdim7 though… sounds a lot wilder than the other notes.
OH, and the Ab and Eb I had problems with last night? PERFECT tonight. 1 day ago
Practiced for 40 minutes tonight.
Mostly worked on the 1st verse (of Vienna) and remembering where the chords were. Found it helped me to first go over the keys on the piano and quiz myself there…. since all chord names start with the left-most note. That made it easier to remember which keys to press. I kept forgeting where Ab and Eb were… Mostly got it towards the end of my session.
Gm Bb
F Ab
Eb Bb
C [C/D D] 2 days ago
It was called the Fundamentals of Musicianship: Piano.
The class itself focused heavily on theory and details and we had very little time actually playing.
I’ve always loved how beautiful the piano sounds.
In March (while on break) I picked a song (one that I knew I could stand to hear a hundred times). The song? Vienna by Billy Joel. Got the lyrics, chords, a keyboard chord chart, and a midi keyboard. I could play through the simplified version of the whole song. Once break was over I promptly ended my piano time and got right back into work.
Today I picked up the keyboard again. I found I had forgotten where all the chords were that I had been using a few months ago. The placement of the notes is starting to come to me from college (and middle school music class). I found it took a long time just to get one chorus down. Once I got there, I was fine. I think if I am going to ever learn the piano, it will just require lots of time spent REGULARLY on it. Maybe I’ll review my old music notes (from piano class) but probably not for a few weeks.
I plan to give this song another try in a few days… 5 days ago
Well, this goal is pretty self-explanatory. I have a keyboard, plenty of people to help me learn, time, and although it isn’t ideal, GarageBand which comes with a selection of midi-enabled piano lessons. I hope to spend time daily learning because although I’ve had plenty of resources throughout my life, I don’t remember ever having the real desire to learn like I do now.
Since I’ll be spending the summer in Tacoma, taking a relatively light course load, I feel like having a structured schedule both academically and in my own free time will be beneficial to my productivity.
Although I probably won’t really get to playing every day, the fact that the keyboard and the rest of the resources I need will be right in front of me, will be a fantastic incentive to keep at it. 1 week ago
Taking a half hour lesson once a week and practicing when I can. 2 weeks ago
Unable to complete piano part I due to a broken ankle and wrist, I signed up again this year. This year, the classes were too far apart, and I had no way to practice in between. I will take it up again when I move back west and can purchase a little keyboard for home practice. I would do it now, but I don’t want to have to move a keyboard too. Last weekend, I played Amazing Grace. That was cool. 2 months ago
