I took piano lessons starting in grade 1 at the age of 5. However, I convinced my Mom that I already had enough on my plate with swimming, Brownies and gymnastics so we postponed piano until grade 3 (age 7). Mom wanted me to learn to play so it wasn't really an option but I didn't have to learn the Royal Conservatory way. I took lessons until the end of grade 9 at school and then stopped. I was never very good at it, but I enjoyed it. Although I was better at avoiding playing than actually playing piano, I still have a soft spot for one. A couple of years ago I set my eye on an electric baby grand at Costco and I was smitten for about 6 months. I had no idea what I would do with it, where it would live or why I wanted it but I did want it in my life. I eventually got a grip and went on with my boring old life but still the thought still lingered...
The idea has resurfaced again because:
A) it's Christmas and
B) My friend Gayleen just had the piano she learned to play on shipped from SK as a Christmas present from her parents
Part of me is DYING to go over there and plunk away at the ivory's on her piano. Another part of me is cowering in fear because I am really not a good piano player. I wish I could play like my maternal grandmother... she could sit down, play & sing for hours, all of these fantastic old songs from the 30's and 40's. But that's not me...
Piano is the only reason why my little hands have the finger spread they do--8" from tip of my thumb to tip of my pinkie finger (= an octave and 1 key--2 keys if I stretched them out some more). Even the House Spouse's mitts can't spread that far. I'm not sure what other purpose it could have but it is handy when measuring pants on a rack for size.
So I did get a few good things out of it. I could read music already when I started playing clarinet in junior high. I have a sense of timing and pitch but don't overwhelm me or I lose it really quick. In high school, I picked up tenor sax and percussion fairly easily as a result of the piano lessons. But I was never very good at any of it. Funny that I miss it all though - very strange indeed.
So, is there anything from your childhood that you miss for no good reason?
3 comments:
Of course you can come play my piano anytime (as long as you don't play Lara's Theme), but you'll probably enjoy it more if wait until after the tuning on the 19th.
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Cool!
Maybe we could have dinner sometime around then. I found of my sheet music the other day too! We could chat and delightfully plunk away. (ok, I'LL plunk, you actually...) Ryan (and you) might want earplugs as I haven't played in--Oh, 18 years? BTW-My last exam is on the morning of the 19th.(Yay!)
`kay. I'll meet you over in email and we'll figure out a good night for dinner.
I might be plunking a bit, too, since I've been so focused on writing that I haven't played much in awhile.
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