In January, I announced about my New Year resolution to fight the “too late” mentality by learning to play the piano.
The most wonderful thing that came out of it was that I have discovered many adults like me who are learning to play a musical instrument at a later stage in life. I was very happy to know I was not alone. It did not make it easier to learn and practice, but it helped me cope with my struggles.
Last time, after just two lessons, I knew it was going to be a challenge and it was!
- It was hard for me to find the time to sit and play, but when I thought about it, I realized it was an excuse. I promised I would play 5 minutes every day and I did not do that, but every time I did, I did it for half an hour, so I think I am not far from an average of 5 minutes a day.
- Whenever Eden played and practiced her piano lessons, I remembered to play mine too.
- I found out that as a visual person, I could read the notes very well, but I could not hear my mistakes. The music sounded good to me even when it was wrong, so I needed someone to be with me while I was practicing.
- I hoped that Noff, my 8-year-old, would be my main teacher, which meant she had to stay ahead of me, but I was too fast for her and she gave up on teaching me.
- Eden was very sweet and gave me a sticker for every song I managed to play. Every time I played well, she said, “Excellent, Mum, I can give you a sticker now”, and we both laughed.
Every time I played, I felt very proud of myself.
My younger sister, who plays the piano, was very happy and proud when I told her I was going to learn to play. Since I announced my intentions, she has called me once a week to ask about my concert.
“I want to see it with my own eyes”, she said.
One of my clients said she wanted to have a concert when she came for a session.
You see, I am learning at home, my kids are my teachers and I have no concert hall to show off my talent (I do not think I can call it a talent – it is more like showing that I do the things that are hard for me. Do not worry, I am aware of my talents and playing the piano is not one of them). Therefore, I decided I would have my own concert at home, in front of the camera, so my family on the other side of the world, and you, would be able to watch me play.
Gal and the kids were my loving, encouraging audience in the music room. It was sooooooo hard, which was amazing, because I can stand in front of hundreds of people and talk about a topic I am good at and I do not even blink, but when I was in front of the camera, it was so hard, I made mistakes.
I felt so anxious I realized that every time my kids performed in front of people, I had taken their confidence, focus and success for granted.
The kids said the second one will be much easier. I am sure it will.
So there you have it, me, “the one with no auditory bone”, playing my first concert on video. I hope you enjoy it.
Be happy,
Ronit
