I played the piano from when I was six until I was eighteen. I had – I seem to remember – the equivalent of a grade seven education in it.
My theory was lousy, but I don’t think I’m alone in not loving it.
I hated practicing, but I loved playing by ear. Unfortunately, my ear only worked well in uncomplicated keys…like, er – ‘C’. Nonetheless, even after I stopped taking lessons way back when, I could still sit down and muddle through a pop song.
I’m thinking it would be good to go back and get myself up to speed.
First step: buy a keyboard (after I can sell a few paintings). Then, after a lot of practicing, take some lessons to fine-tune it. I can’t help but think it’s a shame to let all that past work go to waste. Besides – sometimes you just need to play what can’t be said or painted.
After all this, if I’m still with it and wanting to do more, maybe compose some music. That could be fun. 4 months ago
I’m teaching myself to play Peter Gabriel’s “Here Comes the Flood” by ear. 6 months ago
I splurged a little and got a 61-key unit that comes with a stand. It should be here in less than two weeks. 7 months ago
In January I had an ear injury which took me off of the piano for about four months. Once I got back I had to go slowly because my ears would get tired. I had to wear ear plugs. Someone suggested putting a blanket over the piano. That helped. Now I no longer need to wear ear plugs. I’m back at it, not at the two hour a day level, but I can do an hour or so. Wish me luck. 7 months ago
I took lessons for years, but gave it up. One day when I have a bigger house, I will buy a piano. 7 months ago
When I recently returned to the piano after a long break, I started using the Don’t Break the Chain technique. In a nutshell, you mark off days that you’ve practiced on a calendar and once you see a lot of X’s in a row, you don’t want to skip a day because it breaks the chain.
So I decided that I wanted to practice for at least 15 minutes a day (but I do more some days) and Don’t Break the Chain has really been working well for me. Sometimes when I don’t really feel like practicing, I’ll do it anyway just so I can cross off that day on the calendar.
I haven’t been perfect, but since I restarted the piano at the end of April, I’ve practiced 44 out of the last 52 days! 7 months ago
