How Learning to Play the Piano Impacted My Life

By Michelle Edward

If you are like me, you often think how great it would be if you knew how to play the piano but you don't actually think it's something you could pick up. I thought that way for a long time, but then I came across some unbelievably simple lessons which have proven me wrong. I haven't stopped practicing the piano since I found this resource!

The first lesson that really opened my eyes to how accessible the piano actually is was a simple explanation of how the piano keys make a very important pattern. It turns out those white and black keys are separated into sections which makes it much easier to learn how to play them correctly. I never really thought about the piano in this manner before.

It all started with simple lessons in material I already had before me. I realized that it was quite fun to try out the new ideas presented in each lesson and later on even test myself to see how much I had improved. I learned to practice playing and writing notes, clapping rhythms, and eventually stringing together melodies. The more I practiced these things the more improvement I could hear.

I developed my own practice schedule, finding time between my work and daily chores. It was satisfying to accomplish so much so quickly. The slow pace of formal lessons may be good for children, but as an adult, I appreciated the ability to go at my own pace.

As I improved I had a craving to play music that was not presented in my lessons. I wanted to play something familiar and recognizable. That is when I followed suggestions in my lessons and purchased my first music books. I brought home an Easy Piano Book and a Fake Book.

My Easy Piano Book was filled with familiar Broadway show tunes that I had heard throughout my life, and after learning rather quickly to sight read I was able to actually play many of them quite well.

It was when I opened the Fake Book that I really had a challenge before me. I didn't know all of the chords used so would have to look the new ones up before I started a song, and since they were modern pop songs it was more difficult to get them down.

Yet, I was able to catch on quicker than I would have ever imagined and I started to actually play songs my friends and I loved to sing along with on the radio. It turned into something enjoyable for all of us as I played and they sang along these songs we all loved.

I am so glad that I took the time to learn the basics of piano playing. I am not a pro by any means. It does not matter to me. I never wanted to take the world by storm. I just wanted to learn something that would make me personally a little happier. And that is just what I did. - 32524

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