Thank you for this. I am counting the months until I can retire and can play every day. The woodshedding is one of my favorite parts. Running through slowly, gradually picking up speed until you’ve mastered that measure and then onto the rest. Me and my little fingers thank you!
As an amateur pianist myself, I completely identified with your process of untangling a difficult passage. I love that feeling of accomplishment. It's so satisfying, and keeps me coming back to practicing every day.
My mother always wanted me to play the piano, but the reality was my parents could not afford even a used piano. But she marched me off to musical tryouts once I got to Jr High. My instrument of choice was the flute. But it was not to be - I could not get a single note out of it no matter how I blew or repositioned my lips. Nothing. I ended up with a clarinet. 😐 OK.
What leaped out at me in your piece was “Some days I don’t feel like it. But that’s part of the ritual too.” completely defines my retirement proverb that I live by. Love it. 😍
I understand the pleasant ritual of doing something you love. My retirement awakened me to not having to do half of what I adhered to during my working years. I love the “I don’t feel like it” part the best.
I try to practice a minimum of an hour, but some days get away from me. Some days I practice more than that. Ideally I would put in two hours a day total. Doesn’t always happen. And no, I don’t sing at all. Can’t live up to my own standards.
Your post today came at a perfect time. I have been needing a push to get back to practicing regularly. After retiring from teaching piano, I think I’ve needed a break as well as time to find my way back to playing and practicing for me.
Your method of all your working pieces in a pile in order reminded me of my practice from long ago. I didn’t neatly place my finished work on the other side of the piano, I dropped the books on the floor and when all the books were in the floor, I was finished with my practice! Also, my piano posture was excellent as I only sat on the very front of the bench because my toy poodle would stretch out like a cat across the back of the bench while I practiced.
I admire your discipline. Much like an Olympian. But then you are doing something you love. Unlike the Australian tennis player who publicly resigned in an online rant, saying she’s hated tennis her whole life! How very sad.
I love reading about your practice. I began playing piano before I could read a real book and kept it up until my teen years got in the way. I've been wanting to get back to it for twenty years and these posts make my fingers itch for the keys.
I love reading about your piano practicing. I sadly cannot play anymore due to the arthritis in my hands and wrists but ai can experience it vicariously through you! And that picture of Auggie wanting pets as you pass by… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
As I was enjoying myself, reading this, I realized that playing the piano, is very much like meditating. Both of which, I’m not able to do. I deeply appreciate your tenacity and efforts. I hope you have a lovely start to your week. Your writing is such a pleasure. Thank you.
This spoke to me as a delightful lesson in love and a little window into your musical life. I am especially fond of the analysis of your process and find it translates into many other areas of life. The routine, the planning, the ebb and flow of failure and success, as well as the delight, are a good roadmap for persistence, in spite of disappointment, in things we hold dear.
I will think on this with my love of gardening (hard work requiring much patience)as well as with our collective efforts to reignite democracy in our country. It will help me manage my expectations and understand the nature of the steps and the struggle at hand.
Your post reminds me how things we love, people we love, a nation we love, all require a certain practice, a patience, a flexibility, plus a bit of joy, to continue.
So with that, let there be music, laughter, soft rain, and a margarita or two, for the road ahead.
More piano pictures, please!
That's a nice picture of Auggie AND yes, I would also give him a pet every time! 😊🐾😎
And I'd give him a kiss, too.
Thank you for this. I am counting the months until I can retire and can play every day. The woodshedding is one of my favorite parts. Running through slowly, gradually picking up speed until you’ve mastered that measure and then onto the rest. Me and my little fingers thank you!
As an amateur pianist myself, I completely identified with your process of untangling a difficult passage. I love that feeling of accomplishment. It's so satisfying, and keeps me coming back to practicing every day.
Love to those biggies, (amazing ears)
My mother always wanted me to play the piano, but the reality was my parents could not afford even a used piano. But she marched me off to musical tryouts once I got to Jr High. My instrument of choice was the flute. But it was not to be - I could not get a single note out of it no matter how I blew or repositioned my lips. Nothing. I ended up with a clarinet. 😐 OK.
What leaped out at me in your piece was “Some days I don’t feel like it. But that’s part of the ritual too.” completely defines my retirement proverb that I live by. Love it. 😍
Except I do it anyway. 😎
I understand the pleasant ritual of doing something you love. My retirement awakened me to not having to do half of what I adhered to during my working years. I love the “I don’t feel like it” part the best.
J.F., if you don't mind me asking, how many hours do you practice a day? Do you still sing? For yourself or for Charlie?
I try to practice a minimum of an hour, but some days get away from me. Some days I practice more than that. Ideally I would put in two hours a day total. Doesn’t always happen. And no, I don’t sing at all. Can’t live up to my own standards.
Would it throw you off if you wore sun glasses (when the sun is in your eyes) while playing the piano?
It’s directly in my eyes. Obviously, just for this moment in the season.
Good grief! Is every part of your life as well organized as your music? If so…I’m impressed.
Nope!
Your post today came at a perfect time. I have been needing a push to get back to practicing regularly. After retiring from teaching piano, I think I’ve needed a break as well as time to find my way back to playing and practicing for me.
Your method of all your working pieces in a pile in order reminded me of my practice from long ago. I didn’t neatly place my finished work on the other side of the piano, I dropped the books on the floor and when all the books were in the floor, I was finished with my practice! Also, my piano posture was excellent as I only sat on the very front of the bench because my toy poodle would stretch out like a cat across the back of the bench while I practiced.
I admire your discipline. Much like an Olympian. But then you are doing something you love. Unlike the Australian tennis player who publicly resigned in an online rant, saying she’s hated tennis her whole life! How very sad.
And good luck with the plot tangle!
I love reading about your practice. I began playing piano before I could read a real book and kept it up until my teen years got in the way. I've been wanting to get back to it for twenty years and these posts make my fingers itch for the keys.
I went back to it in my 30s and progressed fast- try it!
The biggest barrier is obviously needing the instrument itself and it being fairly expensive and large. Do you have any tips there?
An awful lot of people are trying to give away pianos. Look on your local lists. You may find a gem.
Amazingly true.
I am just re-starting myself. It’s not too late!
I love reading your explication of how you play. The degree of discipline made me think of the Olympians.
I’m not that disciplined!
I love reading about your piano practicing. I sadly cannot play anymore due to the arthritis in my hands and wrists but ai can experience it vicariously through you! And that picture of Auggie wanting pets as you pass by… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
As I was enjoying myself, reading this, I realized that playing the piano, is very much like meditating. Both of which, I’m not able to do. I deeply appreciate your tenacity and efforts. I hope you have a lovely start to your week. Your writing is such a pleasure. Thank you.
It’s very much like meditating..
This spoke to me as a delightful lesson in love and a little window into your musical life. I am especially fond of the analysis of your process and find it translates into many other areas of life. The routine, the planning, the ebb and flow of failure and success, as well as the delight, are a good roadmap for persistence, in spite of disappointment, in things we hold dear.
I will think on this with my love of gardening (hard work requiring much patience)as well as with our collective efforts to reignite democracy in our country. It will help me manage my expectations and understand the nature of the steps and the struggle at hand.
Your post reminds me how things we love, people we love, a nation we love, all require a certain practice, a patience, a flexibility, plus a bit of joy, to continue.
So with that, let there be music, laughter, soft rain, and a margarita or two, for the road ahead.