Hi from a not so Baby, Baby Pianist

[maguire79]

Hello,
Just a quick post to introduce myself. I'm a very, very new pianist who started lessons last November after basically a lifetime of thinking 'I'd love to play the piano, I wish I played the piano'. Thought I was too old and that I lacked any innate musical ability, that I was destined to forever be the one at social gatherings who was jealous of all the musicians. But then I had a bit of an epiphany where I realised that the people I admired were only good because they'd put the work in, and that sitting moaning that I couldn't do it was never going to get me anywhere!

So I'm a complete beginner. I couldn't read a note, had never played any instrument, and I couldn't point to a key on the piano. Two months in, there are things that are much harder than I thought they would be and things that are far easier. It taxes my brain so much, but the satisfaction when I manage to play even just the little 12 bar pieces is fantastic. In the short to medium term I just want to get a good basic grounding in playing and theory. I'd hope that in a year's time I'm more sure of exactly where I want to focus and what type of music I'd like to play. The piano music that I listen to is likely to remain out of my reach for a very, very long time, ha, so currently listening to a lot of bits and pieces to see what's more achievable for me.

I've had a look around and I think that even though this is the beginner's section, most folks on here are far more advanced than me, but I'm hoping to pick up a lot of knowledge and it would be nice to speak to other adult beginners. Look forwards to speaking to you.

[outin]

I've had a look around and I think that even though this is the beginner's section, most folks on here are far more advanced than me, but I'm hoping to pick up a lot of knowledge and it would be nice to speak to other adult beginners. Look forwards to speaking to you.

Welcome! Many of us have started or restarted as adults. You are quite right about some things being much harder than one could imagine...and quite a lot or work is required, but it will be worth it in the end!

It is true that many who post on this forum are quite advanced. When it comes to piano being a student does not mean you are a beginner, many piano students have played for 10 years or more

[kopower]

Keep up the good work!

[pianoplayer51]

May I ask how old you are?  I was in your shoes when I started at the age of 42.   Now I am an intermediate pianist (according to my teacher).   I have passed some exams and never thought I would get to where I am now.     Time will go fast and you wont even have time to think about what you  want to do because you are so busy learning everything.   I have to be honest and say I HATED my beginning because I was put on a baby book playing nothing but things like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and things like that.    Now I look back, it was essential for my development because I knew nothing and had to start somewhere.  I felt it was degrading for an adult to play such stuff and desperately wanted to play proper pieces but I was by no means ready, so I had to be patient and whilst I am not able to play concertos, I can at least play some rather nice pieces of classical music for intermediate level.    My aim now is to progress to the point where I rarely have to question what I am doing and ask for guidance. 

I was elated when my teacher started teaching me to use the sustain pedal as that meant I had progressed because she said she could not teach me how to pedal until I could play to a reasonable level with the keys using proper dynamics and fingering.   My only drawback is that I sometimes have trouble playing ornaments (or trills) but with enough practice, they get better.

Good luck and keep us informed how you get on.

[momopi]

Hi! I'm also a baby pianist and I love baby books with Twinkle, Twinkle... 

[maguire79]

It is true that many who post on this forum are quite advanced. When it comes to piano being a student does not mean you are a beginner, many piano students have played for 10 years or more

Ha, yes, I absolutely get that - I'm a horse rider, have been all my life and some of my friends still look at me in a very confused way when I tell them I have a riding lesson - surely I should be able to ride by now? Quickly realising that piano is exactly the same!

May I ask how old you are? 
Good luck and keep us informed how you get on.

Thanks for the welcome! I'm 34. I do know what you mean, but I think I accepted straight away that I'd be starting with the real easy, kiddie stuff. I've seen people post videos of themselves playing Moonlight Sonata after a week, obviously they are musically inclined, but I don't feel the need to do that, I'm fine with taking it slowly and working through my adult beginners book!