I think I am now able to play Brother John from memory.  It may be a very small feat, but it means a lot to me as I once though that I could never successfully play anything.  I wish I had a lot more time to practice; I am realizing that I enjoy absolutely everything about the piano! 

Niki

This week I practiced more on working on using both hands to play simultaneously. However, I do find it difficult sometimes still reading the music and remembering which key is which. Also I have realized my left hand is much weaker than the right. This is definitely something I need to work on.

I'm enjoying reading about everyone's experience in piano! Keep practicing and posting!

On Tuesday I started going through my workbook. I made it through about 20 pages, and the last song I played was "When the Saints Go Marching In." It was going pretty smoothly. I went to the bookstore to see about ordering a new book and they are trying to find one for me. Until then I will have to deal with the pen filled one!

Today I practiced for about an hour. I am now on page 103, trying to get good enough at Joy to the World to be able play the last few measures of it without pretending the page says “ritardando”…

—Nicholas

Tonight I worked on playing jingle bells, and I finally figured out that my left hand was in the wrong place! No wonder why everything had been sounding wrong! I'm glad I was able to get help and figure it out though so now I can continue to improve.

-Nina Dalessandro

Playing with both the left and right hand

I find it a bit challenging to play with both the left and right hand simultaneously.  Any tips on how to become more comfortable doing this?

This week I practiced a few times for around 20 minutes each. I am up to where I am learning cords in the level 1 book. Although it is getting more challenging, it is still not too difficult to understand. I am also learning how to play Jingle Bells now, which is rather exciting and is going well.

I've been pretty good about practicing around twenty minutes a day in the practice rooms this past week. I'm about three quarters of the way through the book, and I've been looking up tutorials on youtube so I can play along with some songs I have on my iPhone. I'm getting better with playing with two hands, and I know a few chords now, so playing is starting to get more challenging and fun.
I'm looking forward to next class!

-Antonio DelVecchio

Today I practiced for about three quarters of an hour. I am now up to page 90 ("Moving Up & Down the Keyboard in 6ths"). Thanks to the previous page, I now know where the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song comes from. More importantly I got practice playing at different beats on each hand. It's a little disorienting at first, but after some practice I can almost do it sometimes.

Hi everyone-

I only see one post from last week! Please make sure you are all posting regularly (at least once a week).

Thanks!
Laura

Today I practiced for a bit longer than an hour. I practiced up to page 60 in the level 1 book. I'm finding it difficult to play the D7 chord with my right hand in G position.

—Nicholas

Welcome to beginning piano! Please post at least once a week about your journey learning the piano.

Thanks!
Laura