The Major Lift & The Minor Fall

Piano has always been a part of my life since I was just a little kid. Just banging on a keyboard thinking it sounded like music to my ears brought amusement and pleasure. But, the next thing you know, you're stuck in piano lessons. Typical of a Filipino household to put all three children in piano? I think so. I think parents try to make their children "well-rounded" so-to-speak and piano lessons always seem the case to fill the music void. So I took the lessons, never really knowing where I was going with it, mainly did it for fun I suppose. It was interesting to learn how to play C Major Scale and it was tricky playing with both right and left hand at first, but after awhile, it came naturally. Next thing I know, I find myself taking Royal Conservatory Exams. The fear and nervousness that fills my body playing memorized pieces alone in a room with an adjudicator is quite nerve-racking. But, I must admit the only up-side to it is that you get the opportunity to play on a grand piano! Anyways, I just received my Grade 6 certificate in the mail last week and it was definitely an accomplishment. But at the same time, it was just a piece of paper. I guess I just want to have fun on the piano, play for myself, play for pleasure, play for fun. I wanna write my own songs or just play the classics that I can sing to and enjoy. For some odd reason I've noticed that people who play by ear find more enjoyment to what they are playing as opposed to someone who plays classical or struggles at playing by ear. I fall into the second category, mainly I guess cause I actually like the theory part of music - how notes aren't just chosen together because of how they sound, but rather that they fit a certain type of chord that is in-harmonic to another note. And also because, I suck at ear stuff. I don't know, I guess those who play by ear, those who hear it once and can play the whole song are born with that music gene and just have it in them. I know, I'll never be like that cause I wasn't born with it, but that doesn't mean I can't improve. So I'm left with early morning Sunday lessons, right before kpractice, practicing for the Grade 7 Exam which I'll probably end up taking next year. Don't get me wrong - I actually do like some classical songs and I feel like I accomplished something. But I don't know, I just want to play. I wanna play with no book, no rules, no counts, no fingertips, no posture, no analytical response. I wanna play as if I'll drift away to somewhere else, play as if it caused my smiles to spark, play as if it is the one thing that makes me me, play as if I have all my passion is to be poured out from inside of me to my fingers. I just wanna play. I guess I should be off to musicnotes.com or even Tom Lee Music right now? I will, someday soon I assure you.

So what sparked my thoughts about a post on playing the piano? Well.. it was watching this guy playing, making me realize I want to play with such passion and love like that someday.Enjoy! =D

And if you have more time, check this song out..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NiGvcPXBw0