Learning Music!
@Butchcass4 (5895)
United States
November 6, 2017 11:04am CST
I have been trying to learn how to read music and play the piano, well I have a keyboard which is quite different from a piano as it doesn't have as many keys and it doesn't sound the same. Atleast I can't get it to sound like a real piano, which throws me off. I had my first real piano lesson Friday before last. So my friend is teaching me chords. I'm learning how to play one of my favorite songs. It's a worship song called "Take My Life". It's a Christian song. I love to worship the Lord and I'm beginning to learn how to do it while playing the keyboard.
I was supposed to go for my second lesson last Friday but decided I needed more practice time. I didn't feel ready for lesson 2. It's using both hands at the same time that's difficult for me anyways.
I have been working on learning music for the last few months. I've watched and learned a lot by hoffmanpiano.com. He has 52 lessons available. I had to stop at one point and a friend gave me an elementary book on learning music notes and other important elements of learning to read music.
So I couldn't afford to pay for music lessons and was trying to learn on my own. I got to one point and couldn't go any further. I was frustrated and stopped practicing. Well, lo and behold one of my friends I've known for many years who is a piano teacher said she would teach me for free. I was like no that's no fair to you and she said; "God will bless me"! I can't argue with her on that.
Are any of you musically inclined? Do you play an instrument? Do you know how to read music? If you've learned how to play piano how long did you practice? Did you practice every day? Thanks for your tips!
Picture by bing.com
9 people like this
10 responses
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
6 Nov 17
My Mom made me take piano lessons @Butchcass4 . But instead of 'reading' notes, I played by ear and the piano teacher would whack me on my fingers with a ruler. Then I was told to learn to play the flute. I didn't like that either. My Mom was a guitarist and played for military veterans at hospitals. When I was about 53, I learned to play the guitar....by ear.
2 people like this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
6 Nov 17
@nanette64 It's a shame you were forced to do something you didn't want to do, or you weren't allowed to do it the best way for you. I'm truly sorry as that must have been hard for you. Did you actually learn the notes? It's impressive that at 53 you learned to play the guitar by ear! Good for you and I am proud of you.Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior?
1 person likes this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
10 Nov 17
@nanette64 Wow 5 brothers and sisters, you had your hands full. I helped with 2 younger siblings when I was growing up. I was about 8 when they came along. The diaper changes are still sharp in my memory lol! I'm just learning how to have hobbies and learning to play music, which is a challenge. I am 54 will soon be 55 but it's never too late to learn something new. God is helping me and He is such a good good Father! It's nice to meet you my sister in Christ!
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
7 Nov 17
@Butchcass4 I was into sports: track & basketball, but because I had to take care of 5 brothers & sisters, I couldn't participate even though both coaches wanted me on their teams. I did learn the notes. And yes, I do know the Almighty.
1 person likes this
@DesirousDreamer (34783)
• Peoria, Arizona
6 Nov 17
That is so neat
I used to play the Clarinet and some of the keyboard. I learned how to read music pretty fast and I picked up the clarinet fairly fast as well. I haven't played it in ages though, but I still know how to read music.
2 people like this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
6 Nov 17
@DesirousDreamer That's awesome that you played those instruments. I pray to God to help me to learn how to play and read music as I have songs He's given me over the years that need music put to them. I hear the melody in my head, so once I get the notes and keyboard down I will be able to write the music to the songs the Lord gave me. Do you believe in Jesus?
@DesirousDreamer (34783)
• Peoria, Arizona
8 Nov 17
@Butchcass4 No I do not. Music is just a talent we can learn because of the receptors in your brain. It is all about memory. You can play music for God, but pretty sure God has a lot more to do than just help to learn to play. He gave you the ability to learn to play, not asking him to let you learn to play over night, that isn't possible.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73407)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Nov 17
I learned to play the piano ages ago. | can read the notes but no longer play. Will have to sell the piano. Just have no heart to sit and play again. I always remember that I was told to forget about the ABC but to remember that with the piano it is CDEFGABC plus all of the sharps and flats. Hey take a look at this link perhaps it can help you with practice between lessons.
Powerful piano lessons to help you learn how to play piano. You can start learning to play piano for free today!
1 person likes this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
6 Nov 17
@RasmaSandra I appreciate the link you sent. When I get a chance I'll take a look at it. Right now I have my hands full. I have stuff from two different piano teachers but I really appreciate you taking the time to find that link, bless your heart~ you are very kind! If you don't mind me asking how old are you? I'm 54 will be 55 April 22,2018 ugh! Do you have hobbies? Do you have friends? I go to counseling every other week to a lady her name is Ruth and shes a Christian and she helps me a lot. I also have another young lady who comes to my house twice a week she's called a CPS (Certified Peer Specialist) She helps me work on coping skills, dealing with stress and she plays Scrabble with me lol! We also do a devotional and have prayer time too. I'm sure she must get tired of playing with me. My sister will play with me once in awhile, but she works a full time job and a part time job and she has two grandchildren she's very involved with.
1 person likes this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
10 Nov 17
@RasmaSandra My condolences at the loss of your husband. I'm so sorry. I pray the Lord helps you get back to your homeland. Where at in the U.S. are you looking to go? I live in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I did get your other comment about my friend and I responded to you. God bless you sweetheart!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73407)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Nov 17
@Butchcass4 I am 60. Looking to change my life completely around since my husband passed aways in August. You are lucky you are not alone and you have someone to be there for you. For now I am managing and starting to project my huge undertaking returning to my homeland the U.S. I wrote you more information concerning me on your other post about your friend.
1 person likes this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
6 Nov 17
@nela13 Can you afford a keyboard? I got mine for $10.00 which was just in my budget. God provided and now I'm being blessed with free lessons which just blows my mind to be honest with you. If you can afford a keyboard there are all kinds of free lessons online. Hoffmanpiano.com gives you 52 free lessons. I've taken like 23 so far and they are great. Just want to encourage you to go for your dream. Do you know Jesus as your Savior?
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55698)
• Portugal
6 Nov 17
@Butchcass4 I have an old wood piano that my parents bought in a Frankfurt market. It is a piano from the 19th century with Wagner's image, I just need to repair somethings there. Thank you for the site, it motivates me to start.
1 person likes this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
10 Nov 17
@nela13 Wow that sounds like a very special piano! I hope you get it fixed and play it. Do you know how to play? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? He sure knows you and loves you so much!
1 person likes this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
6 Nov 17
@Kandae11 I would encourage you to learn to play asap as we don't know what tomorrow will hold and if it's a desire of your heart that God gave you why not learn now? Do you know Jesus?
1 person likes this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
8 Nov 17
@Kandae11 Oh that's awesome you know Jesus. He's amazing! I wouldn't know what to do without Him. I got saved March 1986. When did you get saved? I was baptized in a YMCA pool in Pennsylvania shortly after I gave my life to Jesus. So nice to meet a fellow believer. I'm finding there are many of us here. I get so excited when I run into Believers. God bless you!
@Scrapper88 (5957)
• United States
6 Nov 17
I do not play an instrument. If i was going to learn to play an instrument; it would be the Banjo.
2 people like this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
6 Nov 17
@Scrapper88 Well then why not learn to play Banjo? It's never too late and it sounds like a hearts desire. Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior?
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Nov 17
This is what I want to do for my kids, but we haven't gotten around to it. There's no way a piano is going to fit in our house, but I do have a decent sized keyboard - need to get it out.
I played the piano starting at age 4 to high school. I was actually not great at it . . . I didn't like it then, though I appreciate that I can read music and can still play a bit (if I practiced). As it was something my parents made me do, I wasn't into it - and honestly I was quite lazy - I didn't practice as much as I should have. I found out later in life that I "interpret" music better than playing an instrument - so I got into dance and figure skating 
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@velvet53 (22528)
• Palisade, Colorado
6 Nov 17
That is great that you are learning to play the piano. It will help you in many ways. I used to play different instruments when I was growing up. I don't play anything now. Good luck to you and keep us posted as to how things are going.
1 person likes this
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
6 Nov 17
@velvet53 It's something I should have done long ago but I couldn't afford the lessons and to be completely honest with you I just had to many mental and emotional things going on. Do you believe in Jesus?
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
7 Nov 17
When I was an elementary student, I really wanted to play the piano but my mother didn't allow me to go to a music school to learn it. And we didn't have a piano at home. None in my family were really into musical instruments.
@rubyriaz007 (4188)
• India
7 Nov 17
I do not play any instruments, but my sister plays the keyboard. She had gone for keyboard classes. She really plays well.
