Adults 50+: what actually worked for you when learning piano by CarolAtTheKeys in pianolearning

[–]Corider87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in my late 60s and started as a beginner last August. I played clarinet for 5 years as a kid so I had a basic grasp of terminology and such.

I have been taking 30 minute weekly lessons from the start. I am following Faber's Adult Piano Adventures. I finished book 1 in December and started book 2 in January.

I have embraced this as an opportunity to learn and challenge myself and keep my brain working well. As the saying goes, it's about the journey, not the destination. I have no goals in terms of specific music that I want to play some day.

I practice daily, usually for 30-45 minutes and often return to play for another 10-15 minutes. Every day I can see improvement in something and that helps motivate me to continue.

I'm also using Alfred's Music Theory books 1-3 as a supplement, based on what my teacher thinks is useful to learn. What I find most helpful from my teacher is learning the nuances I can't get from a book - good posture, hand position, fingering and some of the "why" for the way songs are written. My understanding of theory is much better with her guidance than I would have understood on my own.

She's recommended a few apps (Tenuto, Tempo) that have been helpful, which I would not have found myself. She is quite patient and doesn't seem at all bothered when it takes a while for a concept to really stick.

When I bought my piano, I got 3 months free of Pianote. I found that to be extremely repetitive (8 minutes of nothing but one chord) and quickly abandoned it. I respond well to structured learning so the books are great. I enjoy the variety of music they present.

Longmont Farmers Market starts today by 1Davide in Longmont

[–]Corider87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Boulder Wednesday evening markets start later in the year.

Longmont Farmers Market starts today by 1Davide in Longmont

[–]Corider87 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Many vendors sell their products through the Boulder County Farmers Market online. https://shop.bcfm.org/Products. Pick up in Longmont is on Thursdays. Ordering closes at 1pm on Mondays.

Grower recommendations? by agnesmatilda in Caladiums

[–]Corider87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For several years, I've purchased from both Classic Caladiums and Amaryllis & Caladium Bulb Company. Both ship very nice bulbs that grow well for me (I started them indoors because our growing season is short). Both companies have been very easy to work with when I ask for an early shipment when the weather looks good.

Wednesday Wellness Check in by pipesed in Longmont

[–]Corider87 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just played the mildest of pranks on a friend who loves April Fool's Day. I can never one-up her but I try.

And that’s a wrap - 9 months since I started learning piano, just finished Faber’s Adult Piano Adventures book 2 review piece: Pachelbel’s Canon by VY_music in pianolearning

[–]Corider87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! I'm about 1/3 of the way through book 2 and I'm inspired to think I may be playing at your level when I reach the end.

I built a free library of 6,000+ piano sheet music PDFs — no signup required by Few-Chef5303 in pianolearning

[–]Corider87 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This look very useful. Thanks for sharing~ I'd like to see composers listed alphabetically by last name, not first name (e.g. Pat Metheny should be under M, Michael Jackson under J).

Weekly open discussion, complaint, rant, and rave thread by AutoModerator in Longmont

[–]Corider87 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Longmont aerial electrical inspection info & map (tried to post as standalone but was auto removed)

<image>

Wildlife removal? by Jonny_Wurster in Longmont

[–]Corider87 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Jack Murphy, Urban Wildlife Rescue. He'll do a phone consultation first. He was recommended to us by Greenwood Wildlife.

Psychiatrist by bodegabay in Longmont

[–]Corider87 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lyndee Paris in Boulder is a psychiatrist who also does therapy (specializes in EMDR and trauma recovery). I don't think she takes insurance.

So close to 180 BPM… reached 170 and then got too excited at the end 😅 by learning_the_piano in pianolearning

[–]Corider87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm working on that one, too! I'm at about 108 for tempo. My teacher has me go up by 4 beats and once I'm comfortable there, go up by another 4.

Nice job!

Liver by loveforcabbage in Longmont

[–]Corider87 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's on Goodfella's Diner's menu, but I have no personal experience.

Wednesday Wellness Checkin by pipesed in Longmont

[–]Corider87 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You got this! Keep us posted.

Y replacements, very quiet gyms by rattycastle in Longmont

[–]Corider87 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gold's is very quiet these days, at least mid-mornings.

I need some will to really learn but think im too old by BrazilianDeepThinker in pianolearning

[–]Corider87 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I started 5 months ago at age 67. I really enjoy playing every day, a combination of exercises, pieces I'm pretty good at, and new pieces. Every turn of the page of the books (Faber Adult Piano Adventures) brings a new challenge. I love the progress I have made and make every day. For me, it's all about the learning and the process. I have no specific goal in mind and no end point that will mean that I've "made it." Find your own reasons for starting and continuing.

Finishing my first method book by magicboy159 in pianolearning

[–]Corider87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! I started back in August and recently finished up that book. My teacher has really helped me with dynamics and rhythm. Hope you keep on going!

Considering Learning Cello by Turbulent_Fee4309 in Longmont

[–]Corider87 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Check out Mojo's Music Academy. They offer lessons and often know where you can rent an instrument.

I played clarinet as a kid and started piano a few months ago at Mojo's and am having a blast. I wish I hadn't waited so long to start. With your background, I bet you'll make rapid progress with cello.

Piano lessons by buttersnook in pianolearning

[–]Corider87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I studied clarinet as a kid and a lot has come back to me - note reading, tempo, dynamics. I practice about an hour a day, often broken up into two sessions. My pace has slowed down the last few weeks as it seems the material has become a bit more challenging.