Studying Piano (WASMobiles, piano,)

[cindysphynx]

> Pippin wrote:

> > Do you still play piano? I took it up again after a long lapse 
and 
> was surprised to find it much more enjoyable than I remembered.<
> 


Tabouli responded:

> Not really.  I still have lingering aversions (though I've 
>occasionally contemplated learning some contemporary piano or jazz 
>instead).  The problem was, I think, that my parents wanted me to 
>play the piano for extrinsic, rather than intrinsic reasons.  It was 
>a chore I had to suffer through to make me Accomplished, so I could 
>Impress People.  Unfortunately, as I had my last lesson at 16, I no 
>longer play well enough to impress anyone, and have this major 
>mental block about trying.
> 
> Mind you, 12 years of piano lessons means I have a very solid 
>grounding in music theory, which comes in handy for other things.  
>And on occasion, I still do enjoy playing, so long as I'm not trying 
>to dig up my exam pieces.  I bought myself an electronic keyboard as 
>a present to myself for leaving work, but for songwriting rather 
>than a desire to rekindle those exam pieces o' mine.  It's nowhere 
>near the same of course - touch sensitive, but nothing like the real 
>thing, and shorter than a proper keyboard - all that Chopin and 
>Debussy I used to play falls off both ends!

Oh, I am so totally jealous!

I always wanted to learn to play the piano because I think it is just 
about the most totally cool skill one can have.  Two years ago, I 
started taking piano lessons as a ham-handed adult beginner.  I 
really admire people who have 12 years of experience under their 
belt.  I think something happens in the brains of kids who take piano 
lessons, because my kids pick up piano skills much more quickly than 
I do, even though I practice much harder.

I have a recital in a few weeks, and I'm going to play Chopin!  Waltz 
in A Minor (don't laugh!).  I'm the only adult beginner in the whole 
studio, so they don't really know what to do with me.  Recitals put 
me in the rather awkward position of playing after some 8-year old 
whippersnapper while a bunch of parents watch me struggle, but I 
guess I can't force my own kids to play recitals if I'm too chicken 
to do it.  

Oh, and guess what, Tabouli?  My kids want to quit piano, too.  Some 
things never change.

Cindy (who would practice more if she posted less)