Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum New member...introducing myself

Hi all,
As a long lime lurker of this forum I have decided it's time to introduce myself. I've been learning piano for over 4 years but still consider myself a beginner. I'm 66yrs old so you could say I was a late starter! Although I have spent most of my life listening to pop/rock/blues music, since learning piano I have become very interested in classical especially Chopin. I have a teacher but although I value her knowledge and opinions I would also like others who play piano to listen to me playing to critique and suggest ways to improve. I have started a blog www.harrisonsphotography.com.au/wp and have posted some video recordings there.
In return I am happy to pass on stuff I have learned along the way and give feedback to others if I feel qualified enough to do so.
Cheers, John H

Hello and Welcome, John. I posted my two cents on your site. Welcome to piano world. I always feel lifted up and inspired to see others become passionate about piano. It is wonderful!
By the way, I loved the look of your site.

Be well, play on!

Listened to Gymnopedie 1 and the Beethoven Sonatina in Gmaj. Really enjoyed both. I'm a fellow beginner so don't have a lot in the way of criticism and any advice I give may be ignorant, but #1) would it be more comfortable if you held your left wrist slightly higher??, #2) the scales in the sonatina sounded good but your fingers looked a little awkward. I think you, like me, might benefit from more practice on scales.

But, again, it was beautiful. Nice piano and video quality!

Cheers from Jackson, MS

Welcome to the forum neighbour, for like yourself I also reside in the Hunter.

It's hard to be critical of a fellow player for instinctively any shortcomings are only relative to the time spent playing and your place on the journey. I didn't hear or see anything in your videos to be concerned about though but I have only been taking lesson for three years so I am pretty green. I thought Morning Mood by Grieg was very well crafted, so well in fact that an average seven year old could never quite convey. I thought Gymnopedie No 1 needs more contrast in the dynamics but that's always open to taste.

For some more in depth critique you should definitely submit to our PW quarterly recitals. The November one is open now and taking submissions, since you already have a recording it would be a great opportunity to put your music out there.

I'm in the exact same boat as you. (I began playing 4 years ago at age 56.) I listened to your recordings and I think you're doing great!

There is a lot of musicianship in your play. You are focused on beat and tone and are trying to bring out the best in the music. I like the sensitivity of your playing.

You should consider joining the quarterly recitals in the Adult Beginner's Forum where intrepid beginners post their latest recordings and get feedback. There is a quarterly recital closing in the next 10 days and I think you'd enjoy listening to the contributions and then see how you could participate next time around.

Onward with the journey!

Welcome to PianoWorld, never2old!
Your nickname is great, btw

If you want to have some thoughts about your playing, I would invite you to join our ABF recital (next one: 15 November)
Check what ABF recitals is following this link: ABF recitals Index

I believe that format of your site could be taken as a model for all amateur players to designate their presence in the world. The format of this forum does not cover that. A personal yourtube channel may be good, but some added thoughts and description of one’s particular piano journey make the picture full. Once in a while, I would gladly visit such virtual corners of adult piano amateurs to see how things are going with them and share their joy of progress.

Thanks for all of you who have welcomed me to the forum and especially those that took the time to visit my blog and offer feedback on my playing. I appreciate the compliments and encouragement and value any criticism. I think most of us adult learners really need a bit of encouragement from different sources to keep us going...I know I do. Although now after over four years of major effort, I think I have 'turned the corner' to some degree, learning to play piano has been the most difficult skill I've ever tried to acquire and I know I still have such a long way to go, even though I'm enjoying the journey.

Hi Earlofmar, I was surprised to hear you are a neighbour in the Hunter Valley, maybe we'll get to meet some day to exchange notes! Thanks to you and the other forum members who suggested I should participate in the upcoming recital. I was a bit reluctant at first but I have plucked up courage and recorded a piece just in time for the deadline...lucky USA time is several hours behind Australia.