I had my first piano lesson in probably over 50 years, today! I was so nervous! I don't even know what I was nervous about, but, I was a bundle of nerves and made the silliest mistakes because of it! LOL. But, S was very patient and kind. She took me from the very beginning, which I much appreciated, because I needed that refresher course.
Then, she had me play from the book and I admitted to her that I had played the first few pages at home. She was happy and had me play on until I got to a point where I stumbled a little, getting my fingers all mixed up! So, my "homework" is to practice that piece until I am able to play it without stumbling and to go over the previous pieces, as well.
As part of our conversation, I mentioned to her that I play a few songs by ear, but would like to learn better left hand accompaniments for them. She wanted me to play one of the songs I play by ear for her and I played Whispering Hope. It's a song I've played so often that I could play it with my eyes closed. Except, today, I was so nervous, I almost forgot the melody! I was so mortified! But, S assured me that I did fine and she is going to teach me some arpeggios for the left hand.
I had a restful afternoon, after I came home from the piano lesson. After brunch, I worked on the jigsaw puzzled for a bit, did just a little bit more tidying, and went online for some time.
In the evening, the piano tuner arrived and tuned the piano. He said that, not only did he have to tune it, he had to raise the pitch a little, because it was so out of tune! He thinks it is because of all the rain we've had, which has raised our humidity levels. I said maybe I'll schedule the tuning every 6 months, instead of waiting for over one year!
Later, I called aunt T to wish her for her birthday and video chatted with daughter.
Today, I am grateful for:
- A good first piano lesson
- A well-tuned piano
- A relaxed afternoon and evening
- A working heater on a cold evening
- Warm wool sweaters
Today's joyful activity was starting piano lessons (as nerve wracking as it might have been!) and doing my jigsaw puzzle.
Plans for tomorrow includes running a couple of errands. I need to start and drive the car, since it has not been driven all week, do a bit of grocery shopping, and buy cat food.
How was your Thursday? What are your plans for Friday?
I have never had a piano lesson. I wish I could play an instrument, but I've no sense of rhythm, and can't hold a tune when singing. I just appreciate other people's musical gifts. I do hope you enjoy your music, and that it brings you great pleasure!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. I am looking forward to being able to play a little better than I play now! :)
DeleteWow, that is so cool! I am thinking maybe my son would like to play some instrument in the future, cos he likes music so much now. Have a lovely weekend ☺
ReplyDeleteThank you, Natalia. I am sure your son would love to be able to play an instrument. Do you play an instrument?
DeleteSo fun. Many hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Regine. :)
DeleteNerves can get in the way of everything, can't they? However, now that your first lesson over, I think that you will be over them soon and just concentrate on the playing.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know why I was so nervous, but, as you say, hopefully, now that the first lesson is over, I won't be bothered by them, any more! :)
DeleteThat's wonderful. I have always wanted to learn to play the piano, too. Thursday was taken up be a lovely drive from the Bay Area back home. Today I am sending off an Etsy soap order, and researching an order for size fifteen crocheted slippers.
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be a bit of exercise for the old grey matter, I think, coordinating fingers to notes I am seeing on the book, but, that is partly why I wanted to start the lessons. I wanted to do something that will keep me mentally active!
DeleteThat's a long drive to make, isn't it? Glad you had a safe trip up and back.
Sounds like you are busy with your Etsy orders. I'm happy for you. :)
Lovely for the piano lesson!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd now you can calm down, and simply enjoy this project. -smile- The nerves will be banished. Because, why do it, if it is going to make you unhappy? You do it, because it fulfills a wish.
Enjoy!!!!!
How is that, for my *Coaching Pep Talk*???? -smile-
🔥💛🔥
Thank you, Wisps of Words. The pep talk is much appreciated! :) Yes, it fulfills a wish! I also want to exercise my brain and continue to keep learning. :)
DeleteI am going to start piano lessons again (about 50 years since my last one here too) plus I got a uke for Christmas and am starting lessons via Youtube for it. Next I would love to try a cello or upright bass.
ReplyDeleteI love that you will be taking lessons, too, Anne! And, I've just discovered the wealth of tutorials on Youtube! I hadn't realized quite how much information was available, out there!
DeleteI think you won’t be nervous next time. It’s great you are taking piano lessons.
ReplyDeleteI have an electronic keyboard, and started learning to play, but it didn’t last. One of these days I will start again.
On Thursday and Friday I had lots of meetings! School starts again on Monday. 🙂
I hope so, Nil. I'd better practice well and go, just to be on the safe side! :) My daughter has my electronic keyboard - I hope you can resume your lessons, one day.
DeleteHope you have a lovely weekend before school starts. Get plenty of rest and do something fun, too. Hope your cold is better, now?
Really well done. It sounds as though you enjoyed your lesson and you have a wonderful teacher. Hopefully you will feel a little more relaxed next time. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. I did enjoy it, even though I was nervous! I expect I'll feel better, next week. :)
DeleteNow you are all set on your piano playing future. Having lessons is such a good idea as it compels you to keep at it! Of course you won't be nervous next time, you will just be excited to have another lesson on the way to becoming an accomplished pianist!
ReplyDeleteThe tree finally went out, but I still have other things to put away, and I have to catch up on writing to the people I never sent cards to. We had breakfast with friends today and they also confessed to not finishing their card list before Christmas. We all used to achieve so much when we were younger, now it seems we've slowed down!
Thank you for the encouragement, Bushlady. :) S told me to slow down my playing; that should help me with my accuracy and fingering, etc.
DeleteThere's always so much to put away after the decorations are taken down, isn't there? I almost always find some forgotten ornament, somewhere, after the tree is taken down and the majority of stuff is put away! Sigh...I didn't send out any cards this year, either! I'm so bad with sending cards!
Wow that sounds great! I took extended music classes in school but I was never very good at it. We were a small group - only five of us - so I found it very enjoyable. The most musical I am is singing along (badly) in the car with the radio as I drive along. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. I love to sing, but, my daughter informs me that I am very off-key! :D
DeleteI have spent some time reading back through your blog from the beginning to the present. You have a way of putting the reader there with you! I chuckled at Dancer, (I have 2 cats that look a lot like him.) and was inspired by your courage. It was confusing keeping your aunts, cousins and friends straight sometimes! Your daughter, like mine, is your ray of sunshine.💖 I play the keyboard using the EZPlay method that I taught myself when my first husband was ill with cancer. It was very therapeutic! Enjoy!💖 I also like all your lists and think I will start listing my blessings and joys on my blog.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, Susan! All the way from the beginning? Thank you! You deserve a medal! :D Yes, my friends and family are confusing, even when I don't refer to them by initial! I have a cousin and a family friend who both have the same name, for example. When my other cousin refers to them, I have to ask her, your sister R or your sister-in-law R? LOL. But, you are right - my daughter is my ray of sunshine! I think you will find that listing your blessings and joys will be uplifting. Thank you, once again, Susan, for taking the time to read my blog from the beginning. :)
DeleteWith my teaching hat on, I'm not surprised you were nervous in your lessons and over the years I've found it to be very common, especially in adults. It's in part due to being aware that someone is listening to your ability/achievement critically and it's common to hear pupils say that they can play without errors at home but make silly mistakes in the lesson. S will be aware of this. Her comment that you should slow down is a good way forward ... aim for accuracy at a slower tempo and once accuracy is achieved you will either naturally speed up or can start increasing the speed yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like great fun and I hope you enjoy your learning journey.
Thank you, Eileen. I am hoping to continue to improve! My brain cells are telling me they are getting a workout! LOL!
DeleteI think it's wonderful when someone can play the piano and I'm happy for you that you are pursuing a course that will improve your skills.
ReplyDeleteAnd how convenient. You just have to walk across the street :)
Thank you, Debra. Yes, it is very convenient to be able to just walk across the street! No travel time to take into consideration! :)
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