Long ago when I was only 5 years old my parents went to an auction for old school items. They came back with something I now have in my living room. It was a piano. I am told by my mom that it was from that moment that I began begging for piano lessons. I was always tinkering around and trying to play anything I could figure out. I don't remember most of that, but from the point I do remember was when I was 7. I remember regularly sitting down and trying to figure out how to read the notes and what they meant.
At some point in the spring that year I remember opening up our church hymn book and I found a song that I recognized, Because I Have Been Given Much. I remember sitting down and deciding I was going to learn how to play that song. I thought just because I can't take lessons doesn't mean I can't learn to play. So I began to work on it. I figured out how a few of the notes on the page matched the keys to play on the keyboard. I also figured out that as the notes went up on the staff they went up in pitch and on the keyboard. After figuring out how to read and play the melody I dove in to figure out the notes just under the melody. I remember asking my dad questions here and there about what things meant. At the point that I could read and play the entire right hand my parents figured out I wasn't going to quit and they were tired of my questions so I finally was able to start lessons. It was April 1990.
Since then I never have had to be told to practice. In fact, I drove my parents crazy and have many memories of being told to stop playing the piano. I even have video of me playing with a broken arm in 4th grade. I never just practiced the 30 required minutes a day it was usually more than an hour. The first few years I went back to my next lesson with everything memorized and I had moved on working on more songs. I wanted to play!
As the years progressed I wasn't always able to take lessons but I still always played. I was the accompanist for my choir both years in junior high and the last 2 years in high school. When I graduated high school and went to college I was a piano major and accompanied choirs there too. I have never quit. I frequently don't get to play as much as I want these days but I still sit down a few times a week. I just can't help it, I love to play! The piano very quickly became my passion. I even use it to figure out and get out my emotions. You can always tell when I'm calm, angry, or just feel good by the type of pieces I play and how i play them.
503 words
My grandmother had a piano in her home and she taught all of her children to play. Every time I would go over there she would be giving lessons to someone even, or her children. I used to love to sit and listen to them play. I would always try to play as if I knew what I was doing. She taught me a few songs.
ReplyDeleteI have always dreamed of having a piano in my home. I would love to learn and teach my children.
What wonderful memories you have during your childhood. It is amazing that you taught yourself to play. My son recently taught himself to play guitar and I am amazed how fast he has grown in such a short time. The piano is a beautiful instrument and I think it is so wonderful you have the piano in your home now.
I too remember my great grandmother's piano through out my childhood. When she passed away my mother inherited it, but there wasn't much room at our home so it always stayed at my grandmother's. I really wish i had more patience when it came to my mom giving me lessons-that is a big regret. I find the piano one of the most beautiful instruments.
ReplyDeleteI am taking piano lessons right now. I had many different teachers growing up but I never wanted to practice. My husband bought me a piano for my birthday so I decided I should try it once more.
ReplyDelete