My story starts with piano lessons when I was 8 years old and ends now when I have completely abandoned the music I loved to play.
No!!! The story is not over yet. My love of piano music has always remained strong and is something I think about constantly. A new story begins now...
Christmas is coming around the corner and that time of year is usually marked with me wishing I had gotten back into piano so I could play Christmas songs with my family. The dream is we are all around the piano singings songs with a fire warming us in the background.
My wife's favorite songs is "The Christmas Song." You may know it as "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire"
So my mission is to learn "The Christmas Song" by getting back into playing piano for my wife and family.
Setting The Table
First, I needed to set the table for success. I cleaned out my garage so I have a place to practice:
Before:
After:
Next I purchased a subscription to Piano Marvel
Piano Marvel allows me to connect my piano keyboard to my computer. I can then test my sight reading (just like a phonics assessment :)) and taking lessons with immediate feedback.
Third, I made a schedule of regular practice time. WAIT! My life does not allow for regular practice time. So, I made a schedule for irregular practice time. Irregular practice time means I can practice here and there and in between this and that. We will see how that goes :(
Baseline
According to the Standard Assessment of Sight Reading I have a raw score of 182. I will test every week to see any improvements
Also, I have no idea how to the play "The Christmas Song"......YET!
Plan
Each week I hope to provide progress data, audio clips of me playing and insights from trying to keep a passion alive in today's world of distraction and over working. Here goes nothing...
Aww. This is such a cute scene you have playing in your head. I love it! I think you have a good plan in place and a strong structure to show improvement. I used to play in concert band and I know the struggles of learning a new piece. We all can't wait to hear you play.
ReplyDeleteWhat song will you learn next once you have "The Christmas Song"?
I want to make a comment that I cannot see the pictures you posted of what I am assuming is your garage. I see all the other pictures (the cliche singing by the piano scene, piano marvel, and SASR).
Also it would be cool to make the images links so people can easily go to the websites if they want their own subscription or to take the SASR test.
DeleteThis sounds like so much fun! My favorite Christmas tune is also the, "Christmas Song."
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing about your plan to stay on track and the tools you're going to use to succeed. I had never heard of Piano Marvel but it such a great idea. Just another example of the power of technology!
I'm looking forward to hearing how your piano skills evolve over time. Maybe by the end we can all get together in class and sing the song together!
I always admire the people who can play happy tempo song whenever they want. I started to learn piano when I was ten years old. It seems like I hadn't given up learning because I still learning piano when I was a senior student in university. While 16 years passed by from the first class, I feel that I still can't play piano very well. >_< I regret I didn't spend even 2 hours a day to practice when I was young. 16 years is enough for cultivating a pianist. Honestly, keep practicing is hard especial with other things in mind. Anyway, look forward to your outcomes ; )))
ReplyDeleteI love playing piano! I'm really excited to hear your piano at the end of this semester and see how you will make progress day by day. I will keep my fingers crossed. I don't know why but I can't see photos of your garage. Please check it again.
ReplyDeleteI hope we get to hear you play. I never played the piano but I was forced to play the flute! Could not remember if they payed me, but it was fun. I wonder if your kids like to hear you try and play.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so fun! I love Christmas time. I like that you are not only doing this for yourself, but for your family as well. Have you told your wife, or is it going to be a surprise? I am excited for you to reignite your passion of playing the piano and that we get to take that journey with you.
ReplyDelete