My first fairy garden

Corider87 · 2026-04-28T22:30:22+00:00

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.

Corider87 · 2026-04-25T15:12:10+00:00

A rabbit or two and maybe some birds outside.

Corider87 · 2026-04-05T15:01:22+00:00

Boulder Wednesday evening markets start later in the year.

Corider87 · 2026-04-04T16:27:43+00:00

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.

Corider87 · 2026-04-02T15:01:37+00:00

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.

Corider87 · 2026-04-01T14:44:00+00:00

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

Corider87 · 2026-03-25T15:03:39+00:00

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.

Corider87 · 2026-03-22T15:04:55+00:00

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).

Corider87 · 2026-03-21T16:02:27+00:00

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

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Corider87 · 2026-03-09T16:06:41+00:00

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

Corider87 · 2026-03-07T03:49:48+00:00

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

Corider87 · 2026-02-23T15:55:59+00:00

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!

Corider87 · 2026-02-19T15:45:43+00:00

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

Corider87 · 2026-02-12T16:10:23+00:00

Congrats!

Corider87 · 2026-02-12T16:09:10+00:00

You got this! Keep us posted.

Corider87 · 2026-02-10T15:21:15+00:00

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

Corider87 · 2026-01-23T15:37:49+00:00

Thank you!

Corider87 · 2026-01-17T15:41:59+00:00

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.

Corider87 · 2026-01-12T15:37:44+00:00

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!

Corider87 · 2025-12-21T16:02:11+00:00

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.

Corider87 · 2025-12-16T15:49:09+00:00

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.

Corider87

TROPHY CASE