Piano Dreams

When I was a youngster, I remember spending Sunday's at Grandma's place on special occasions with grand meals and great family conversation. While the meals were spectacular, the highlight was gathering around the piano after supper to listen to and sing along with my uncle Dave who was a very accomplished musician.

He was involved in musical theatre in his spare time and so we sang lots of the show tunes along with many standards that were popular at that time. Little did I know that those songs would survive the ages and are still as memorable now as they were back then.

There was magic in those 88 keys and if we were able to carry a tune we could join in and create those lifetime memories that never fade. I'd watch my uncle Dave's fingers move gracefully up and down that keyboard and I wanted to learn to play that thing. Mom and Dad had an old upright at home so I started to plunk away. It was a player piano as well with those paper roles full of little holes that made the music by passing air through them. And, just pumping pedals on that old gal I was able to make at least some kind of music. But it wasn't me making the music it was the hoses, and bellows and gears and chains of that old player piano that was making the music.

Oh I knew where middle C was and I could play a mean Chopsticks but that was about it. My sister was taking voice lessons at the time so I decided to take piano. I started with great enthusiasm that quickly waned when I found out I'd have to practice for hours while my buddies where outside, playing football or other sports and building tree houses. This wouldn't do, I wanted to play anything at anytime just like Gershwin, Brubeck, Peterson or any of the great piano masters from the 20s through the 60s.

Not only did I have to practice but the teacher was boring and the music was even more boring. I mean how many times could a guy play the skater's waltz?? I wanted to play Beatles tunes or at least some of the rock music that was all the rage or maybe even a little jazz. What now?

I tried but there were too many other things that I enjoyed and unfortunately the piano faded from memory. It would be many years before a musical instrument drew me in and captured my attention. It had strings alright but it was much more portable. I discovered the guitar!

It might also have been because I began following and hanging around with a great little band called the Sons of Adam. They had a great lead guitar player - Henry, a bassist - Doug, a helluva keyboard player Al, an outstanding singer from Wales -John and the wildest drummer you've ever met - Leonard. I mean he could play a 20 plus minute version of In a Godda Da Vida by Iron Butterfly- Watch Here! Ya, that drum solo! Oh and he's still gigging today out on the west coast and just had his 72nd birthday. Keep on Rockin' Lenny!

So, did I get to be a rock god. Uhm Nope!. Life got in the way and again music was relegated to my car stereo. I did however pick up an acoustic 12 string and have been putzing with that for 40 years and have since increased my guitar or stringed instrument count to about 7 now. I sort of play with most of them but still carry a torch for the piano. In fact I have a keyboard in the music room so maybe its time to see if I can re-learn what I forgot or gave up on.

I didn't want to have to go to classes every week and I didn't want to spend a fortune. I wanted to be able to study on my own time at a reasonable cost so I did a little searching and found this product that fit my criteria.

I'm going to have a look at this program, review it and see if I can at least play a tune or two whenever I want. Keep watching, I'll let you know. Cheers. Dave

Oh and if you want to check out what I'm doing, Click Here!