Archive for the 'Play Piano & Music' Category

Recently my piano teacher informed me that she may ask me and my daughter to play something during their school concert.

“OMG! Pengsan. Pengsan.” I told her. ”No, not pengsan at all” she replied. After she told me that, I was so nervous, I played lousily during my lesson just thinking about it. Hahaha.

I had always dreamed of playing the piano and finally had a chance to learn a little over a year ago. My daughter has been learning for about a month.

 I think this will be good exposure for my girl. And so, though I’m shivering right to my very bones, especially the finger bones, I shall do it if given the chance. All for the sake of my girl. Oh, the things we parents do for our little ones.

I shall have to practise and practise and annoy the neighbours and practise and practise some more till I can play with my eyes closed, otherwise, I shall be so nervous, my fingers will freeze and tangle up!

The only other time I’ve “performed” a musical instrument was playing the organ in a shopping mall when I was young. Oh yes, and there was this other time when I had to sing in front of some judges during a test at the end of my Singing Classes. Boy oh boy, how my voice shivered and shook made worse by the fact that my teacher had asked me to sing “On my Own” from “Les Miserables.” (Video below as sung by Lea Salonga so beautiful). I have always been in a school choir and I enjoy singing in a choir but singing alone is a different ball game altogether. Playing the piano with my girl playing the accompaniment is just as scary but I shall have to put up a brave front for my girl. Ooooh shiver shiver.

Time flies. Its almost a year now since I started taking my adult pop piano classes. “How come  you’re still not playing any pop songs?” asks my husband. 

Well, I’m trying to learn Mariah Carey’s Hero now so he should recognise that one. I am happy to be able to play Beethoven’s Fur Elise and Baby Elephant Walk now.

My playing is not fantastic. Its offbeat, and does not have enough “feel” (I’m just playing notes and it doesn’t sound melodious or like a song.) Still to be able to play is an achievement enough for me. I’ll work on the “feel” slowly.

And sometimes, I’m lazy. I’d try to guess the notes instead of looking at them properly and I play on my own beat. My teacher would laugh at me. “You ar… just simply play.” she would say.

Its wonderful to be able to realise a dream. Simply wonderful. You are never too old to start learning anything. I wonder what I should learn next. Yes, yes, I’d love to be able to bake but then I don’t have an oven nor the space for one.

This is an example of what usually happens when I am practising songs on my piano.

*tinkle tinkle tinkle*

The boy: Mummy, I want to umm mmm (poo)

*tinkle tinkle tinkle*

The girl: Mummy, can I sit here? (points to the piano chair)

*tinkle tinkle tinkle*

The boy: One more song only ok, mummy? (with a rather sad look on his face)

*tinkle tinkle tinkle*

The girl: Where are you playing now? (Points to the page on the piano songbook)

*tinkle tinkle tinkle* 

The boy: Mummy, why so long?

*tinkle tinkle tinkle*

The girl & The boy: *puff puff* (blowing air and saliva all over the piano keys)

MG: What are you all doing?!?

The girl & The boy: We’re helping you to clean the dust from the piano, mummy.

*no more tinkle* *pulls hair* instead!

Don’t know why everytime I try to practise songs on the piano, or trying to exercise etc, they suddenly want to go to the toilet, feel more thirsty then ever etc. AAAAARRRGGH! *Thumps chest*

 

YOU MUST WATCH THIS! ITS REALLY FASCINATING!

Someone sent Mr MG an email link to this amazing hand puppet song by Ray Crowe. I’m sure everyone has heard of that song “What a Wonderful World”. The accompanying hand puppet show is simply amazing and befitting the song. I found it too delightful not to share on my blog.

My kids love playing with torchlights in the dark and making shadow puppets with their hands. They loved it. I loved it. I hope you do too. Have a Wonderful Day you all.

Piano Lessons Update. My piano lessons have been going well. Teacher praises me occassionally. She says my sight reading is good, I learn fast and I’ve got a good feeling for music. Ahem! During my half hour lesson, hubby takes the kids to the park after dropping me at piano school. So they all enjoy themselves too.

I am diligent in my practise because I love it. However, even though I practise hard and sound ok at home, when I get to the class, my fingers stiffen and I make mistakes. I am suffering from Performance Anxiety.

Silly isn’t it? Despite my practise, despite teacher’s praises, despite it being an individual class with no one else around, I still feel nervous when playing for the teacher. I don’t feel nervous when playing for myself. In fact, I play with much more feeling too but in class, the feeling disappears in place for a nervous or performance anxiety feeling. Bleargh!