going back to the keys
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Ah, yes. One of the most commonly-asked questions when we were all kids. I know for a fact that most kids tend to have phases where they keep changing that thing they want to grew up to be. I, myself, had phases. But the strange thing about me is that the phases started when I was in high school. At one point I said that I wanted to be an actress. And then a voice talent. And then an artist (a comic book colorist, to be specific). And then, when I was around 16, I said I wanted to be a web designer (which I am now). One thing that was constant was my desire to be a professional writer on the side.
But, what about when I was a kid, though?
I'm not sure if many people know about this, but, as far as I can remember up until I was in 5th grade, I had one clear ambition. I said that I wanted to be a piano extraordinaire. Seriously. I said "piano extraordinaire". When I was six years old. That had to be the first big word I learned. So I studied piano, and, eventually...
I covered my piano with a pretty-looking cloth, and didn't play again.
The reason behind that is long story for another day.
But, around two weeks ago, something happened that I didn't think would happen in a really long time.
I sat on my piano bench, put my fingers on the keys, and played. Read full post...
The catalyst was the Nodame Rhapsody. I so love the melody, and when I saw the music sheet, I just had to play it because I knew that I could. Yes, even with my current state of piano-playing.
I wondered if I should wear headphones (so I could keep my horrid sound of my rusty piano-playing all to myself), but decided not to. I hadn't even gotten to the 5th measure when my parents came down from their room. My dad goes, "Wow, it's been, what, 6 years since you played?"
Oh, sheesh, do I sound so bad that it's obvious?
As it turns out, though, my dad said that because he missed hearing me play. But, as touching and encouraging as that should be, I felt really, really conscious because of that, which further worsened my playing. Haha! And here I thought it wouldn't be possible.
The truth is: for the last several years, I played every once in a while but just for, like, a few minutes for a few days, and then I'd desert my piano again. But, for the past two weeks, I've been playing piano regularly, nearly every day, for about 15 minutes to an hour.
That's what my violin teacher told me once. He told me that "being busy is not an excuse to not hold your intrument".
Like, ouch.
He said that if I was insanely busy, I should still spare at least 15 minutes to practice at least my bowing. Well, when my violin was still okay, I really did that, and it helped my progress skyrocket. Sadly, it plummeted back to zero again when my violin strings snapped, and I couldn't find anyone who could successfully restring it. I tried, I swear, but...yeah. No such luck. My violin's just gathering up dust. Hmf.
So, anyway, I continued playing every day -- except weekends. I try to catch up on sleep and chores on weekends -- and I even unearthed my old pieces.
Surprisingly, my muscles remember a number of them. Totally muscle-memory. For some pieces, I couldn't remember the notes, but when I close my eyes and, using my ear to start on the right note, I found that I can let my fingers fly and play the whole thing. Sure, I hit more than one wrong note, but I eventually finish the song without looking at the music sheet, anyway. Heeheehee.
Among the music sheets I unearthed from the junk in my room is this book my brother gave me when I was 9 (I think). I Can Play That! Beethoven. A nice book, really simple arrangements. Yey, I can play Pathetiqué and Moonlight Sonata again! Wheeeee~
Going back to the piano is, like, monumentally significant for me. Sure, my piano playing's still not back to its old condition when I was still studying -- and even if it was, I'm not that good or anything...
But still, it's a start, right?
How about you? When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?
Ah, yes. One of the most commonly-asked questions when we were all kids. I know for a fact that most kids tend to have phases where they keep changing that thing they want to grew up to be. I, myself, had phases. But the strange thing about me is that the phases started when I was in high school. At one point I said that I wanted to be an actress. And then a voice talent. And then an artist (a comic book colorist, to be specific). And then, when I was around 16, I said I wanted to be a web designer (which I am now). One thing that was constant was my desire to be a professional writer on the side.
But, what about when I was a kid, though?
I'm not sure if many people know about this, but, as far as I can remember up until I was in 5th grade, I had one clear ambition. I said that I wanted to be a piano extraordinaire. Seriously. I said "piano extraordinaire". When I was six years old. That had to be the first big word I learned. So I studied piano, and, eventually...I covered my piano with a pretty-looking cloth, and didn't play again.
The reason behind that is long story for another day.
But, around two weeks ago, something happened that I didn't think would happen in a really long time.
I sat on my piano bench, put my fingers on the keys, and played. Read full post...
The catalyst was the Nodame Rhapsody. I so love the melody, and when I saw the music sheet, I just had to play it because I knew that I could. Yes, even with my current state of piano-playing.
I wondered if I should wear headphones (so I could keep my horrid sound of my rusty piano-playing all to myself), but decided not to. I hadn't even gotten to the 5th measure when my parents came down from their room. My dad goes, "Wow, it's been, what, 6 years since you played?"
Oh, sheesh, do I sound so bad that it's obvious?
As it turns out, though, my dad said that because he missed hearing me play. But, as touching and encouraging as that should be, I felt really, really conscious because of that, which further worsened my playing. Haha! And here I thought it wouldn't be possible.
The truth is: for the last several years, I played every once in a while but just for, like, a few minutes for a few days, and then I'd desert my piano again. But, for the past two weeks, I've been playing piano regularly, nearly every day, for about 15 minutes to an hour.
That's what my violin teacher told me once. He told me that "being busy is not an excuse to not hold your intrument".
Like, ouch.
He said that if I was insanely busy, I should still spare at least 15 minutes to practice at least my bowing. Well, when my violin was still okay, I really did that, and it helped my progress skyrocket. Sadly, it plummeted back to zero again when my violin strings snapped, and I couldn't find anyone who could successfully restring it. I tried, I swear, but...yeah. No such luck. My violin's just gathering up dust. Hmf.
So, anyway, I continued playing every day -- except weekends. I try to catch up on sleep and chores on weekends -- and I even unearthed my old pieces.
Surprisingly, my muscles remember a number of them. Totally muscle-memory. For some pieces, I couldn't remember the notes, but when I close my eyes and, using my ear to start on the right note, I found that I can let my fingers fly and play the whole thing. Sure, I hit more than one wrong note, but I eventually finish the song without looking at the music sheet, anyway. Heeheehee.Among the music sheets I unearthed from the junk in my room is this book my brother gave me when I was 9 (I think). I Can Play That! Beethoven. A nice book, really simple arrangements. Yey, I can play Pathetiqué and Moonlight Sonata again! Wheeeee~
Going back to the piano is, like, monumentally significant for me. Sure, my piano playing's still not back to its old condition when I was still studying -- and even if it was, I'm not that good or anything...
But still, it's a start, right?
How about you? When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?
Labels: music
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Blue. Stars. Sky. Jazz. Choklit. Pasta. Sashimi. Green tea Frapp. Aroma of coffee. Books. Movies. Fanfics. PC. Google. Mobile phone. Mp3 player. Sleep.
Cockroaches. Shopping. Humidity. Migraines.
at some point in my life i wanted to be an emergency doctor because i was watching E.R. at the time and i thought their life was exciting.
yesh. XD
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sara