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I've been playing the piano since I was 10 years old, and I'm now 51.
I learned to play in the classical style, and although at age 10 I was
naturally able to improvise, pick out melodies and memorise music,
this habit was 'trained' out of me, and it was insisted upon that I
only play from music, and it had to be note-for-note perfect. I
continued in this way right through to taking my piano performance
diploma at the age of 26. When I was a child, I used to 'sneakily'
get my hands on sheet music of chart songs, and only played them when
I was alone in the house. I really just wanted to play like Elton
John.
By the time I took my diploma, all natural musicality had left me. I
was only able to reproduce scales, arpeggios and classical music, and
my ability to memorise had completely gone. Of course, at the time
that you take a diploma, memorising is a REQUIRED element of the
examination, so I had a much bigger mountain to climb when it came to
that - and I often made mistakes because I just couldn't hold all
those notes in my head at once. I was doing everything the hard way,
and found music just got harder and harder to enjoy. Over the years
since having my children, I haven't played much at all, and now, my
piano may as well be a coffee table if I don't have sheet music in
front of me, because I really can't play a note without music. Then I
discovered your course online, and thought 'well what do I have to
lose? Other than time and money...' I bought it, with a little
trepidation, expecting it to be not much use at all. I began watching
the lessons immediately on my laptop (I was nowhere near the piano at
the time...just watching...). That night, I was unable to sleep. All
I wanted to do was get to the piano and play. The next day, I set my
laptop on top of the piano and replayed the lessons, playing along. I
can't begin to tell you the delight I found at the keyboard that day,
discovering that all that music theory that had been drummed into me
(including keyboard harmony - which was like learning algebra to me!)
was unnecessary. That I had literally wasted YEARS saddens me
immensely, but there's nothing I can do about that (and realistically,
having knowledge of music theory shortens the time I need to spend in
the early stages of the pattern piano course anyway). Your course has
opened so many doors in my mind, and although my fingers are slower
these days, I'm sure with a little practice, my old technique will
return.
In summary, I would recommend Play Piano Today to a friend.
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