As some of you might be aware, I have been learning to play piano for the past two months.
In my previous post, I mentioned how piano has brought happiness to my life. I love all types of piano music but find myself drawn towards classical piano. I really love the romantic era which gave us great music from composers such as Franz Liszt, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Frederic Chopin, Alexander Scriabin, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Not only have I been studying piano technique and music theory, I have also been studying the great composers such as Johannes Brahms, Johan Sébastien Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and others including the great Romantic era composers mentioned in the previous paragraph.
I think it’s time for me to start writing articles about these great composers whose music has brought such joy to my life.
I have always been fascinated by the piano. Ever since I was a little boy, I was in awe whenever I saw someone play piano. I always thought that it would be nice if I could also play. Somehow I just didn’t believe that I could ever learn to play because it all seemed so complex.
I wasted most of my life loving the piano while procrastinating that one day I will take lessons. I suffered a horrific hand injury during my high school years which messed up my mind for years to come. I realized that I could never learn to play piano due to the partial severing of a digit.
The pandemic has left me in isolation for most of the time. I have had a lot of time to take on new hobbies but the piano did not cross my mind. I started this blog among others, and some web projects. I focused on my career at work. Work kept my mind off the doom and gloom of isolation.
To cure the boredom, I finally subscribed to Netflix last year. I am pleased that they show many foreign films. I much prefer watching foreign movies over Hollywood. I love to watch Korean dramas and started watching one particular drama called Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol which is about a pianist as described below.
From Netflix:
A riches-to-rags pianist who loses everything but her smile is guided by twinkling little stars to a small town where she finds hope, home and love.
Naturally I am enjoying this drama. It is set in beautiful South Korea, which is my second home. Whenever I watch Korean movies and dramas, I long to return to my “home.” I hope to visit in 2022.
One particular Sunday, I received a call from a dear friend in Korea. While catching up with her (we keep in touch 1-2x per week), I told her about the drama. She did not know that I love piano and said that she too loves it. She suggested I listen to some of her favourite pianists.
After the call ended, I found myself listening to piano music for the next several hours before cooking dinner then settling in to watch Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol. I had dubbed that day, my Piano Day.
The following Tuesday, I decided to ask a colleague at work for some suggestions. I knew she was a pianist from back when we worked in the office. She suggested two amazing pianist from Japan. While chatting, she said that I should get myself a piano and learn to play.
After work, I started looking online for electronic keyboards since there is no way I could a) use a grand piano in my condo and b) afford a grand piano. The electronic ones are good because I can practice all night using headphones when it gets too late.
I spent several hours researching online and checking out different retailers. The following evening, I did the same. I finally set my mind on one and placed an order. The delivery arrived the next evening (Friday).
Friday evening after work, I set up my new piano and started playing around. I tested several teaching apps and lost track of the time.
I tested the Simply Piano application and was pleased with how quickly it got me playing a few notes and reading the score. Over the next two weeks, I tested several applications before settling on Yousician Premium+.
In addition to smartphone applications, I also enrolled in an online course via Udemy. I have since purchased several books on piano and music theory.
Since getting into piano, I have found that I feel much happier than I have in years. The isolation felt due to the pandemic is gone while I am playing the piano. Now that things are opening up and we can go out (with limits), I find that I am more interested in staying home playing piano.
I am looking forward to the return of live music to Toronto. I plan to attend piano recitals and performances at various venues throughout the city.
The piano truly has brought happiness to my life.
This post now lives on FanClassical, a site for classical music by yours truly.
No we are not. Some people are living alone in isolation. Others are living in isolation with nobody besides their immediate family.
Those who impose the restrictions seem to be able to work from home and enjoy their families who they live with. The restrictions have little impact on them. I am not anti-restrictions, but I say it should be done based on logic. Closing outdoor patios and playgrounds makes no sense. All it does it push people to irresponsibly gather indoors.
We are in the midst of another pandemic that nobody seems to be talking about. The toll on mental health will be far-reaching and its effects will be with us for years to come.
I have never in my life heard from so many friends and colleagues who are now suffering from depression. Both those alone in isolation and those who are with their immediate families. Human beings need to interact with others outside their homes.
My heart also goes out to the essential workers… grocery clerks, medical professionals, first responders, factory workers, and others who risk their lives daily so that the rest of us can remain safe at home. These are the unsung heroes who must not be forgotten once this is all over.
