Wish me luck!

Gertrude - my piano

​Many, many moons ago, I set myself the challenge of learning to play the piano. I had enquired about attending regular weekly lessons with several music teachers but nothing ever came of it, so I set about teaching myself. I could read the basic notes on a treble stave as I’d been taught at middle school - thank you, Mrs Brown, our music teacher.

My first lesson was to ask the internet ‘where is middle ‘c’ on the piano?’ Google answered without much fuss so I set about matching my knowledge of notes with the corresponding piano keys. A slow job to even play three blind mice but progress is progress, regardless of how slowly it occurs. What mattered was that in just twenty minutes sessions - I was learning to play the piano!
 
I chose a single piece on which to work. It wasn’t a beginner’s piece but I stuck with it plink-plonking my way through each session. Notably, right hand only because my brain could not and would not accommodate the idea of introducing the left hand. At the time, I was amazed how anyone is able to play two-handed, read the music and keep time! But I’m not one to give up, so I continued to practise, session by session.
 
When I had a question – I asked Mr Google. When I needed a demonstration, I asked Mrs YouTube and so it went on week after week, month after month. I’ll even admit … year after year because it has taken me a while. A friend advised me to buy a children's piano book which would assist my understanding and I was delighted when I completed each study book to find a certificate on the final page!

'Again' and 'repeat' are uttered and muttered during each practise session to the point of making myself laugh out loud at how strict I am with myself!
 
My daily sessions with Gertrude (my piano now has a name) have continued culminating in this our most important week, for I will attempt to play my three chosen pieces, numerous scales, arpeggios, sight reading and aural tests to sit my ABRSM grade one piano exam! 
 
I did have an hour-long piano lesson early in January 2024, mainly to ask the piano teacher if I was wasting my time. Thankfully, he said I wasn’t, so I booked and paid for my exam slot. I’m not aiming to achieve the world’s best grade, in fact if the truth be known simply attending, playing to the best of my ability and leaving the venue a happy bunny will be enough for me. Any grade is going to be a bonus for me, Gertrude, Mr Google and Mrs YouTube! 
 
I have no idea how long I need to wait for the actual result but I’ll be honest and share when it comes through. Wish me luck!

UPDATE: my exam was this morning. I played a blinder on two pieces but stumbled to a halt in the middle of one - ironically, the piece I've been playing the longest! How does that happen? Anyway, I restarted from the middle and finished it. What's done is done and there's no changing it so now, I'll wait for the result. Fair play to all those little ones who bound in eager and yet fearless!

UPDATE: 26th March - I secured a pass grade, or so my website log-in states. I'll take that! 

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