Any other piano lovers?

@rpegan (596)
United States
April 12, 2008 4:20pm CST
I'm assuming there are a few people here who play the piano. How long have you been playing? How old were you when you started learning? I was 17, and I actually started learning for a project at school (a very long project). I didn't think I'd like it as much as I do, but I really do love playing the piano. To me, it's very relaxing.
2 people like this
11 responses
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I tend to play the piano off and on. It isn't constant for me since it's definitely not my main instrument. I've been playing piano since I was 8. It was actually the first instrument I started learning. I find piano relaxing as well, and also very expressive. If I'm angry, I can take out my frustrations at my keyboard. If I'm happy, I'll play something upbeat. If I'm kind of sad, the piano takes me away from that. It's a fun instrument to be able to play.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
21 May 08
I've just started learning again I'm studying for grade 1 I had my first lesson last week and I've got my next on Friday. I have had lessons before but I've always had to stop for one reason or another but I'm really going to stick at it this time. I'm finding it harder than I did in the past but the more you practice the better you get so I'm sticking with it.
• United States
22 May 08
I started playing in 4th grade, I quit in 6th grade and started playing the trombone. I loved playing piano, never quit, and still do play. At that time, though, my teacher had me playing all of the hard Sonatina's, etc. and all the other kids were getting to play the fun stuff..like easy country, rock, or church songs. Years later, I found out from my teacher, that she had me playing all of those hard ones because I was the only student of hers at the time who could play them. (We used to have recitals and have to memorize everything...tickles me now to see them playing with the music.)I have an old upright that needs repairing now...I really miss playing it though. It is relaxing and fun.
• United States
21 Apr 08
I want to buy a piano for my house so bad. My grandma has one at her house and when I was a teenager my family lived with er while our house was being built. It was so fun to see what I could do. I have always wanted one and now that I have kids I want one even more. I keep looking but I am timid because I cant afford a new one and I dont really know how to maintain an old one. I hope to have one by the end of summer, if all goes as planned.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
28 Jun 08
If you can't get a piano, you should consider a keyboard. I can't fit a piano, so I have a nice digital keyboard that is almost more fun than a piano just because you can also create different sounds on it.
@dolfin (71)
• Australia
13 Apr 08
I enjoy playing the piano too, but for myself only... I'm too shy to play for others! I started when I was ten or so, and at that time I hated piano lessons because my teacher was a real dragon! Fortunately my love for the piano persevered and more than 25 years later I still play.
@rpegan (596)
• United States
21 Apr 08
I'm not in it for performance either. I have this weird situation. I can play in front of perfect strangers, but I get really nervous if I play around people that I know. Still, I just play for myself. It's incredibly relaxing to me.
• Philippines
21 Apr 08
I have an electric piano bought for me. I was actually forced to play the piano when I was just around 11 years old, I didn't like it back then and because of that I didn't really learn anything at all. Right now though... I kind of regret that I should have took those lessons more seriously, I become inspired from those beautiful melodies play by the piano on those drama series I've watch and also from those video game music. This week, I am planning on learning the basics of piano again with a teacher. This time I am really gonna be serious about it. Btw... how much does a real piano cost? Not those electric ones... the reason I even had an electric piano was only for practice.
@rpegan (596)
• United States
21 Apr 08
It depends on the quality and the type. You're not terribly likely to find a piano for under $1,000 (and that's at the cheap end) unless you buy it directly from a person. I had a strange sort of luck. I was looking at a GoodWill outlet for work shirts, and I found a 1920 Beckwith upright piano that was only $50. I just had to refinish it and have it tuned, and he sounds beautiful.
@eagle_f15 (1827)
• Malaysia
14 Apr 08
Yeah nothing beats the sound of original piano though I have a yamaha keyboard now. Used to have an upright piano but when move house the piano was sold off. Started learning the piano at the age of 3. Mum was very strict. When I was 7 years old it was 5 to 6 hours a day for piano practise. As a result all my practical grades got distinction but my theory just pass. Dislike theory. I completed grade 8 when I was 14 years old. Am now a music teacher. So the years of training paid off.!!! LOL
@rpegan (596)
• United States
21 Apr 08
I don't think I could be a teacher- even for something that I love. I think that the years of chorus helped me when I started learning to play the piano. I already had this idea of how things should sound and I knew how to read music.
@underdogtoo (9579)
• Philippines
10 Jun 08
I was also a late learner like you but I don't seem to have the gift for it the way that other people have. I do love the piano still and hope to buy a piano soon so I can enjoy it again.
• United States
28 Jun 08
I started playing when I was 5, and I took lessons until I was 23. I still play, but I've gotten much less serious about it now. It's really mostly for me now - a pastime or hobbie if you will. I got a degree in music, so I think I pretty much burned out on all the practicing and pressure of playing. Now I can put as little or as much time and effort into it and just ENJOY it!
@cmm2020 (63)
• United States
23 Apr 08
I have been playing the piano since I was 11yrs old...24yrs of playing now. I have not taken any lessons, but I can play just about anything I listen to. I usually elaborate on songs that I learn and make them into instrumental pieces. I have my website at www.88FingersOfWorship.com Thanks for the opportunity to share this with all of you.
@abruzzi10 (622)
• Latvia
29 Jun 08
I started playing piano at 7 years. Piano is my second instrument! First is violin :) I started to play violin at 4! Yes at 4 years :) I was little , funny boy , who liked music , when i was going tu music school , my mom said that - i think you will be great pianist, and said to me that i can pick a piano instrument (choose) . When i opened the teachers room and entered , i lost my mind and said that i will play violin! :D I never heard about violin (at 4 years) i don't know , how did i said that. :) But now i'am happy ;) Piano is my 2nd favourite music instrument :) i played - Forrest Gump theme , Bach(favourite - Bach-Marcello concerto) Grieg and other pieces :) The music will save the world! Viva la music :) Sorry for my bad english my friends . Good luck :)
• Canada
27 Oct 08
I was 7 when I started playing the piano. But it wasn't until I was 9 before I started to take the piano exams. I used to hate the piano and whined about going to lessons and practicing. But, as I got older, I enjoyed this ability to make music. Being able to play also helps me become a more knowledgeable music listener as well (ie. I can tell if a musician is really good or really bad). Unfortunately, I failed my final exam for my teacher's certificate and never got the chance to retake it. I'm too busy at school and I live at residence so I don't get to practice. But because I'm so close to completing the program, I have plans on taking it up again and getting my certificate.