Hello everyone, I am Learning Piano In Early Middle Age. I have been LPIEMA since last July. I had a few lessons (from a tosser) to begin with, then spent a few months working things out for myself (disastrous move). I am due to restart lessons next week. My question is this - is there any one else out there LPIEMA (ie against the odds) and if so, how are you getting on?
PS My playing really took off after buying a piano...

Originally posted by LordSnooty

PS My playing really took off after buying a piano...


This usually helps as learning the piano by playing the spoons is ill advised and potentially dangerous!:|

You're dead right - I had a go at learning spoons in my pre-early middle age but had to give it up. Nothing sounded right. But then, I was using wooden spoons from me mum's outside lav...

Maybe I should have tried Welsh Lovespoons! See ad left...

Oh, it's gone. These adverts are lke those in that SF film with whatshisname in it where billboards whisper to you by name as you walk past. Er....so is anyone learning the pianoforte?

Why did she keep wooden spoons in her lav :confused: Some sort of see who can flick it the furthest competition.

When i was younger i had a piano teacher that cut all my finger nails off because she said they tapped on the keys and annoyed her!! i love the piano and at 26 can take it or leave it, i know im not middle aged yet but i cant see myself having lessons again. i learn by ear mostly, if you already know the tune i think it is easier, try soundtrack music or some simple classical.

Originally posted by leddi
i learn by ear mostly

Nah, it's definitely easier with the fingers.

You would think wouldn't you! lol

Originally posted by LordSnooty
Hello everyone, I am Learning Piano In Early Middle Age.

When's that then?

About 1132 AD by any chance.

:D

(sorry, I just couldn't resist)

Mother kept Welsh Lovespoons in the outside lav for decorational purposes, of course. Yes, I'd put Early Middle Age at AD 1132, or thereabouts. I've been trying to think where that quote came from, 'you're a big man etc...', is it Get Carter?
I can play things by ear (and hands, eyes, legs etc...) but would like to play things just by looking at a score (insert dosh gag here). So....is anyone trying to learn to read music?

PS As children we did use the lovespoons to throw Lovin' Spoonfuls of ****e at each other, so I guess you're right!

I can read music too, and strange as it may be i also have wooden welsh love spoons in my kitchen!!

How good are you? to start from scratch then go for the John W. Schaum Piano Course books and i can also recommend the Classics to Moderns range, a nice collection Handel, Schubert etc the one i have her is ISBN 0.86001.406.1

I only ever got my grade one, never again i was terrified.
I am currently teaching myself Sonata no.8 (pathetique) and yes quite frankly i am.

It is never too late to learn something new. At thirty-five, I couldn't speak a word of Spanish but am now qualified up to Institiute of Linguists level.

Originally posted by LordSnooty
I've been trying to think where that quote came from, 'you're a big man etc...', is it Get Carter?

Gold star, and straight to the top of the class, it is indeed "Get Carter".

:thumbsup:

Thanks Foo, I will go to the TOTC. Hello Leddi - thanks for the info. How good am I? I am crap, but have only been learning since last June or July. I had the option of learning childish versions of Elton John songs etc, but decided instead to learn from children's books - my first was a 'fifties classic - Jibbidy F and ACE. Lots of little exercises up and down the first few notes - 'Doggie D' was my favourite. From there I have progressed to being able to work out (from sheet music) 'Let's Go Away For A While' by Brian Wilson (Pet Sounds instrumental). It has taken me about a month and was a feat of endurance rather than ability, but I love playing it - keep the pedal down and it sounds fine. As far as sight reading goes, however, I am not much further than 'Doggie D'! I start lessons with a very highly recommended teacher next week and I think she uses one of the books you mentioned for those, like me, in their twilight years.

I was just being silly about the Welsh Love Spoons, by the way. I have no idea what they are, well, maybe some idea. They are spoons made in wales and are love tokens of some kind - analysis, Spock?

Hello, just found this thread..... I'm learning to play the piano too at "Early Middle Age".... my first teacher decided to go back to Ireland (was I really that bad????!!!! :huh: ) I had real trouble finding another teacher and when I did, lessons were disrupted as both of our mothers ended up in hospital!!!! :!: I tried to Carry On Regardless, but didn't exactly get very far.... I definitely need teaching!!!! How are you getting on???

FYI "Welsh Love Spoons" are carved from a single piece of wood and have all kinds of decoration in the carving, given by a guy to his girl......
I live in Wales and have never been given one....... :|

Lord Snooty has been temporarily dehabilitated out of the community........ to report to his legions of frenzied followers he has just passed his Grade 5 piano exam with the ABRSM. Apols for the delay in responding to your enquiry CarolW, I'm afraid I had no way of knowing it was there, as I do not use this (or any other forum), other than to state every two years that I do not use this (or any other) forum. Upon my return I noticed a private message from another user welcoming me back onto the forum - this was posted last April; I have no recollection of using the site, and am left to assume, somewhat forlornly and not a little worryingly, that I must have been tinkering with my laptop while profoundly drunk at the keyboard.

This also explains why I occasionally receive Phil Collins and Supertramp CD's from Amazon. I'll let you know when I reach Grade 8....

'til then

Cheerio from Snooty

OMG, Lord Snooty! :o

Only last week I mentioned you in a post about who was most missed on the Forum!

Do hang around, you've been missed round here, and it'd be great to have you back!

We need a bit more style, class and sophistication

StarSparkle

to report to his legions of frenzied followers he has just passed his Grade 5 piano exam with the ABRSM.

Congratulations!!!!!!

I'm playing around grade 2 / 3 at the moment - not planning on taking any exams though - some days, my fingers just won't do what they're supposed to!!!! Exam days would be one of those days.........