No shortcuts in piano!

When I was a kid, I was actually forced to learn the piano during summer just to have something to do but as I learned more about it, I became more interested about it. Since then, piano as a hobby and a yearly summer vacation activity is something I look forward every year when I was younger.  I started learning pieces note by note, as in literally counting it one by one and it would take me weeks before I finish a piece. I also started with books like Michael Aaron, John Thompsons, to the First lessons of Bach and Czerny Op. 599. I remember myself, hating those books! But as time passed by, I enjoyed learning piano even more, and performing in a recital, because I can feel the happiness and fulfillment in every piece that I play. 

Studying piano and taking it as a major was not my goal back then, it was never easy for me to decide on this major due to everyone who were against this, especially some distant family members. They would always ask “Why music? You can't have a decent job in that field.”, But then I still pushed through and made it happen just like what I’ve dreamed of.

Learning piano is not just about playing the music beautifully. It also requires you to understand the analysis behind it to appreciate it more. In every piece we play, we could see and hear the bright and wonderful ideas of every composer we look up to. Our interpretation will be the voice to others who wish to listen and watch us perform. It is a process of learning, because we will have to learn from the basics like theories. Even by just listening, you could definitely learn a lot! For sure, it will be worth it once we have the courage to learn.  

Try listening to different pianists! Here is one that I subscribe and listen to: 
(28) Rachmaninov Etude-tableaux op 39 No 1 in C Minor I Anna Khomichko - YouTube

Everything started from nothing, even I started from nothing. Learning piano is not easy, definitely there were a lot of burnouts. Well in fact, nothing is really easy in this world. I don't really believe in the saying that late beginners can't learn piano well. With proper determination, motivation, discipline, and patience, you would really be learning piano very well and this is for all ages. Ask help when you needed to, because I wouldn’t be able to reach this point of my life without my family, friends, and my professors. I want to continue to grow as a better person and musician to inspire other people too. My journey is not yet done, I would always come back to where I came from.