Learning to play - from the inside

[zatoichi]

So - I've my new keyboard for a week now, and I love it. I play it for at least a few minutes every day, but usually I spend an hour or more with it. I have a method for adults, and I work the exercises in it; fortunately, I understand the importance of physically training the fingers & hands & developing new neuromuscular patterns (makes it much easier to master impatience!) I also play with the various sounds, and I just explore the keys - trying things, and listening to the result.

 

Overall, I learn things by watching & doing; I don't see that watching a piano player / keyboardist can be of much benefit for me until I can understand what I'm seeing, but playing is doing, so I practice and I play. And I listen.

 

What has it been like for others, learning to play? Is it mental for you? Emotional? Visual? Do you love the movement, the feeling, as much as the sound? What was the key for you - the trick, the realisation, the experience that opened the keyboard up to you and allowed you to really speak through it?

[alcohol]

Originally posted by zatoichi:

What has it been like for others, learning to play? Is it mental for you? Emotional? Visual? Do you love the movement, the feeling, as much as the sound? What was the key for you - the trick, the realisation, the experience that opened the keyboard up to you and allowed you to really speak through it?

It's all those things. For me, one day, I felt I could play after a couple of years of lessons. I think you got the right attitude.

 

Learning any skill requires application and practice. I learned how to snowboard at 46. I think it's similar. You just keep trying, knowing it will come.

 

The thing about music playing is there is no end, you can always get better; except, no matter what level you play at, if you love to play, it's valid.

[Slowly]

To me, keys are just fun! Kcbass