I thought it would be fun to share with everyone my thoughts and progress after one entire week of owning and playing the piano. After a mere 7 days, I can actually play Silent Night using the chords C,F,G. It has amazed me how such a simple rudimentary tune can create such internal joy and excitement by being able to play it. Not play it well, mind you, but anyone hearing it would know what it was. I realized in one short week, my poor little stubby fingers have learned to do something they've never done in their 43 years on this planet. The only word I found to describe my experiences thus far to my wife was "giddy". Which I think is an accurate description of this first week

I have practiced an average of an hour a day and the time seemed to fly by. There were days I would have thought I was only practicing for 10-15 minutes and would see an entire hour had passed. I took an interest in piano as a stress reducer and it certainly has worked. Its wonderful to spend time focused on something completely new and unknown.

I've ordered and received last Friday the Sudnow material and look forward to working on that. I started with a book from Barnes and Noble "Play piano in 10 easy lessons" or something similar. That’s what I've been working on this week. I also purchased the Alfred Adult Beginner book 1. I'm hoping to use it in conjunction with the Sudnow method.

While searching the web for info on digital pianos I came across PW. I read many threads about the various keyboards, good and bad, and it really helped with my final decision to purchase a used Roland DP 600.

Then I found the Adult Beginner forum. I really don't know what to say other than its been a real blessing to have been welcomed in by such a supportive group. I believe fear of failure is the main reason most of us never get new things started. I've felt this way about piano for years, but after this first week, I know there is a great supportive group that will help me be successful in any way they can - THANK YOU!

Congratulations on week one, Mark. You're off to a wonderful start.

As you go along, you're going to bang into some walls. Everyone does...don't let that deter you. Enjoy the process...remind yourself that you used to not be able to play at all when you get over-anxious about not being able to play what you want quite yet. Sometimes it helps me, when working on a new skill that is slow-going, to pretend I'm painting. I paint in layers...you don't finish in one stroke. I try to think of learning a piece that way too. I learn the "background"...learn the "sketch" of what I'm doing...and try to sit back and take a look at the whole composition, like I would a painting, from time to time. That makes filling in the details more fun, less frustrating, because I can keep in mind what I want it to be when I can actually play the whole thing.

Again, congrats...keep it up. Have fun!

good job! as long as you keep trying, you'll sure find more happiness in piano playing! every step and every progress count.

Congratulations too! I am renting a piano and it arrived last week! Gives me time to decide which piano I want and if I have the talent for it.

I have also tried to practice 1 hour each day with since it has arrived. I hope to find a teacher to start with lessons sometime in January. The feel of a real piano is wonderful and it is also amazing to see how my fingers acquire "memory". As with my singing, I expect there to be highs and lows, but nevertheless, it is a new passion for me.

Good luck and all the best!

HOW COOL! And think..you just started. The road ahead has a lot of joy.

Yes, I feel the same way about life...filled with joy :-)