In 2020, I started learning to play the piano for the first time.
Although I love music, I have never played an instrument. Playing the piano seemed impossibly difficult to me. How are people able to read music, find the keys and play with both hands? I had convinced myself in middle age, it was too late to start.
18 month later, I can open a book of music and play a simple piece from the page to my fingers.
You can learn to do just about anything.
OK, so you might never become an expert but you can get to the stage where you can surprise yourself with your own ability.
Here are some lessons I have learned.
Find a teacher.
I am very lucky to have found a great teacher. Someone who is already an experienced piano player and can help me go beyond the lesson books.
Break it down.
In learning to read music and play along, I had to break things down into smaller chunks. One line of music, one hand at a time, to create the blocks for assembly into the whole.
Learn your way.
I believe in creating your own tools. I’ve made my own flashcards to learn musical notation and come up with ideas to solve problems from my own experience.
Learning the piano has changed my perspective on learning. I’ve been reminded that it’s lifelong, to be savoured as a means not an end.