Ever have one of those days where you were so excited you couldn’t sleep?
That’s exactly what happened to me last night…and I’m sure my insomnia didn’t help either ~smile~
You see, I just couldn’t wait to write in my blog and tell you all about my holiday contest.
It all started a few weeks ago when Jay (my husband) asked me “Do you think people realize how easy and rewarding it is to play the piano?”
Quite honestly, I was a little surprised because it seemed like such a silly question…. ‘Of course they do.’ But after more thought…I realized that maybe he had a good point.
Of course I think it’s easy because I’ve taught thousands of students and get hundreds of emails every month from students thanking me for creating such simple lessons.
But, what about people who have never tried playing and think it’s too hard…or tried learning once, got frustrated and gave up? Or, people who think they must have a teacher instructing them every week and can’t afford it? What about them?
It’s these aspiring pianists I worry about because they’re missing out on one of life’s greatest joys- playing music. So, what better time to share the joy of piano than the holidays?
Playing the piano is meant to be shared and enjoyed with others.
So, in the spirit of the holiday I would love to hear from you and why piano is important to you and what might be holding you back from playing.
And to help encourage you to think about the positive impact piano playing can have on your life, the winner’s going to get:
-One entire year’s worth of lessons using my acclaimed World’s Favorite Online Piano Lessons with simple to follow instructions and amazing piano teacher support.
-A complimentary spot on my new 4 week teleseminar designed to kick-start your piano playing and get you playing your favorite songs in record time.
-A full ride 1 year scholarship to my new online piano academy program, PianoPlus with the SuperSupportSystem. This revolutionary training and support system is designed to give you all the support you need to accomplish your piano playing dreams.
So to have your chance at winning this nice holiday “piano playing surprise” you have to answer four questions and reply to this post here on my blog.
Ready for the four questions?
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
I’ll give you some clues to what the winning post will contain. The winning entry will show- as specifically as possible- What is holding you back from playing the piano right now…what it would be like to play your favorite songs and the benefits you will enjoy from playing the piano.
The person who understands most -the joy piano playing can bring to your life- will be the winner. And don’t worry you can still win even if you’ve never played ~smile~
Then we will turn that piano playing dream into reality.
Beginning this Wednesday, December 24 at 10:00 AM – I’ll announce the winner right here on my blog. Make sure you use your right email address so we can get in touch with you. ~smile~
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Christine says
Everyone is a winner because piano fans are the best.
Thanks to Lisa and all the others online and youtube who share free tips and free instructions online. They are all good people for doing that and helping one person is helping the world.
tiara hernandez says
i am really disappointed my only chance blew away. i really didn’t get anything for Christmas. my mom dosent have a job so this was what i was hoping for to win… o well. i guess i am the unluckyest person in the world because my parents got divorced on Monday and they left me and my sister in a foster home while they were ‘discussing’ their problems in courts. well i feel happy for everyone else that spent Christmas with their family.
R.D. 'Dick' Berry says
Congratulation to the three winners, may we all someday hear you play you favorites and enjoy with you.
Lisa is being very generous in offering her course at half off. I have purchase and feel confident I will learn.
Lisa would it be possible to be able to down load all of the videos. I know some can be while others cannot. I think this would help as there is a lot to digest.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
Dick Berry
Independence, MO
R.D. 'Dick' Berry says
Congratulation to the three winners, may we all someday hear you play you favorites and enjoy with you.
Dick Berry
Independence, MO
ron blake says
Hi Lisa:
i missed the deadlines on your recent giveaways, but they prompted me to think about your program and learning to play the piano again and more
i’ve also been inspired by learning about and listening to dulcimers, hammered dulcimers, and an old very well built toy called a plucked psaltry .. i received the psaltry as a child for Christmas over 50 years ago .. i loved it then and have loved plucking it now
the 15 strings of a psaltry are keyed to the white keys on the piano beginning with middle C and continuing for two octaves .. tomorrow as a Christmas present to a much older child, i will tune it to the piano that has been sitting idle here at my mother’s home .. this is my first step in learning to make a little music with my old plucked psaltry, my ukelele, and my grandmother’s old piano which is still in apparently excellent condition
i have been stymied in progressing on my path toward learning to play the piano and make music for well over a year now .. the principle stumbling point has been simply fear – fear of making a fool of myself, fear of failure, and the irrational fear all adults tend to have in learning something new that i *should* have learned in my childhood
for reasons i am not sure are real to anyone but me, that little plucked psaltry has allowed my inner child to experience the same joy in plucking out the tune to Auld Lang Syne, The First Noel, and Santa Lucia just as i did as a child .. i am now hearing music and eager to learn play along or even create it on my psaltry
my plan is to begin by first transposing guitar tabs to simple little cheat sheets i can easily slide under the psaltry’s strings .. the timing to songs i know well can easily, i hope, come naturally .. whether i can do this successfully or not, really doesn’t matter .. it is the childlike enthusiasm i have for the doing of it that makes me feel optimistic and most importantly not filled with fear and dread
for me, this feels like the unlocking of a door which has been locked for decades, almost as long as my grandmother’s piano has been silent .. i am further inspired by a line from a great Ray Wylie Hubbard song which is actually a reference to a Rilke poem .. Ray wrote the line about his own embarassment and fear of really learning to play the guitar well enough to perform solo with it – a struggle with himself for decades .. Ray and Rilke say, “Our fears are but dragons which guard our most sacred treasures”
today, it feels as if my dragons guarding the door to learning music have relaxed their grip and allowed me to enter the door behind which are sacred treasures yet untold
Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year to all
ron blake
liberty, texas
Brittiny Burt says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?……The main challenge for me is that I can’t get over the whole clumsy fingers thing but I’m still practicing on that…..just 10 minutes a day is all it takes right 🙂
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?…….Well being able to play the piano fluently has always been my dream since I was a little girl…I’m 18 now….but I’ve always thought that you had to be gifted in that area in order for you to learn how to play…….or is that the case ??…..But any who I also used to think that if I didn’t go to a fancy piano school then there was no way in the world I would learn how to play the piano but ever since I came across your website you have shown me different and I thank you for that.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?…….Well the main song that I really really really would absolutely love to learn how to play would be (CANON) because I think its so beautiful…and just to let you in on how much you’ve actually taught me from the basic lessons that you have on your website, I’ve learned how to play the first part in D chord !!…..So all the time that you’ve taken out for your students has not gone in vain 🙂 ~smile~
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?……..(1) I’ll be able to play for my family and friends on the holidays and when I’m at church……(2) Whenever I’m feeling down in my spirit and don’t wanna be bothered with anybody I can just go in my room and play all my favorite songs instead of reverting to my i-pod like I always do……(3) Throughout the years I’ve always wanted to be good at something because I’m not into any sports and I didn’t really do my best in grade school, so I feel like now that I have an opportunity to actually learn how to play the piano and potentially be GREAT at one day; it gives me hope !!………………I just wanted to let you know before I sent my response in on how much of a blessing you have been to me, and how dedicated I am to accomplishing this goal. About a week after my first visit on your website I went out and purchased my first keyboard and I haven’t stopped practicing on it ever since. I also wanted to personally thank you for all the emails of encouragement that you send to your students, because they have helped me when I wanted to give up……….I truly appreciate you Ms. Lisa 🙂
Brittiny Burt says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?……The main challenge for me is that I can’t get over the whole clumsy fingers thing but I’m still practicing on that…..just 10 minutes a day is all it takes right 🙂
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?…….Well being able to play the piano fluently has always been my dream since I was a little girl…I’m 18 now….but I’ve always thought that you had to be gifted in that area in order for you to learn how to play…….or is that the case ??…..But any who I also used to think that if I didn’t go to a fancy piano school then there was no way in the world I would learn how to play the piano but ever since I came across your website you have showed me different and I thank you for that.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?…….Well the main song that I really really really would absolutely love to learn how to play would be (CANON) because I think its so beautiful…and just to let you in on how much you’ve actually taught me from the basic lessons that you have on your website, I’ve learned how to play the first part in D chord !!…..So all the time that you’ve taken out for your students has not gone in vain 🙂 ~smile~
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?……..(1) I’ll be able to play for my family and friends on the holidays and when I’m at church……(2) Whenever I’m feeling down in my spirit and don’t wanna be bothered with anybody I can just go in my room and play all my favorite songs instead of reverting to my i-pod like I always do……(3) Throughout the years I’ve always wanted to be good at something because I’m not into any sports and I didn’t really do my best in grade school, so I feel like now that I have an opportunity to actually learn how to play the piano and potentially be GREAT at one day; it gives me hope !!………………I just wanted to let you know before I sent my response in on how much of a blessing you have been to me, and how dedicated I am to accomplishing this goal. About a week after my first visit on your website I went out and purchased my first keyboard and I haven’t stopped practicing on it ever since. I also wanted to personally thank you for all the emails of encouragement that you send to your students, because they have helped me when I wanted to give up……….I truly appreciate you Ms. Lisa 🙂
Greta says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I still can’t read the notes to music fast enough and play at the same time, that just seems hard for me for some reason.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
There seems to not be enough time in a day for me to practice playing. I love to pratice and could set there for hours, but other things come up.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Classical and hymns
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1. Being able to express my feelings in a way that other’s can enjoy as much as I do.
2. Being able to someday teach my own children to play the piano and a love of music.
3. Being able to read and play the music and actually have it sound something close to Bach or Handel.
richard rotondo says
1-Th main challenge is the amount of time that I ust put into learning to play…also the cost at this time.
2-well if I do something it must be perfect. It should flow almost like a geat artist who paints a master piece.
If I get involved in music and playing piano I must master the art.
3-my choice of music/songs would be a mixture of jazz /bues/pop/american standard classics.
4- a-I would be able to perform for my children and grand children and teach them to appreciate piano.
b-To play music that is enjoyed by young and old
c-To master a craft that I was not sure i could take on
and the rest of my life knowing i’m an accomplished musician
jane smith says
dear lisa – I have to agree with no 74… it is discipline and committement or more accurately lack of it. for the first question… working long hrs doesn’t help so that is my downfall. and answer to question 2 I feel sorry for anyine who has no piano or keyboard, but the rest are making excuses.
I have always want to play different styles but don’t have much sense of rhytum. would love to play jazz/folk and blues.answer to question 3
an old man once said to me you will never be lonely if you can read and play music and i found this to be true and find playing the clavinova has enriched my life.so in answer to no 4. the piano helps me overcome lonlines and gives relaxation and is good for exercising the brain…
jane
Julio Barreto says
Lisa I really enjoy your lessons but I can concentrate myself in it because economic problems don’t let me.
I use to play drums, they are set up in my room but I can’t, something inside me don’t let me do it. I like jazz and tropical music and both mixed. I promise I will begun with your classes as soon fix my problems. Thanks for be so nice ( beatifull teacher) smile. The music is nice to calm the brain and bring down the temper I really know but………..
Thanks again Lisa.
Julio Barreto.
Tim says
I posted this originally as a comment in what appears to be the wrong thread… please pardon the error…
I am writing in response to your questions, not in any anticipation of winning, but because I thoroughly enjoy your lessons and really thought the questions were deserving of answers. It was as though you could not read them without wanting to answer them.
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
* It would be easy to answer this with the standard too much work, the kids need attention, it is too extracurricular and is not on the top ten of things to do in the day, but for an honest answer, disappointment. I am disappointed when I play because it seems like I will never move beyond the basics. I want so very badly to play what seems like unconquerable staffs and clefs. How on earth can I expect to play Tchaikovsky, Bach, Gershwin or the rest if I am still hammering away with children’s classics I am not interested in? I am left scraping, scouring through resources to find materiel appealing to an adult taste that is also easy enough for a beginner to attempt to master. After reading that, it appears I’ve given two reasons, but I believe they are on an equal level with one another.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
* Passion. I think this may very well be a continuation of the last item in the above answer, but it is very hard to find passion for songs like “She’ll be comin’ ’round the mountain” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. Sure I want to be able to play these songs like all the rest, but to trudge through something you KNOW should be basic and elementary with difficulty, well it can be discouraging and it leaves me despising the piano at times.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
* My own. I want to be able to walk up to a piano and play improvisation. I want to play the classics, sure, but I also want to incorporate classics and include myself and what these classics mean to me into the feeling of their playing. I want to play my moods. I want to play what I see and hear.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
* Relief. The same relief and serenity that comes with telling something very personal to a very good friend.
* Confidence. The confidence to not worry about what comes next even though it is unfolding as I play.
* Satisfaction. Satisfaction in that I walked the road from beginner to player. To know I built something beautiful, had fun while doing it, and can enjoy it for a lifetime.
This is about as honest as I can come to answering your questions. Take them or leave them, I’m glad you asked them. The personal insight it afforded me in replying to them was very satisfying.
Thank you,
tim
Alexander Lobo says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
A) My Job and my family responsibilities. I always wanted to learn to play the Piano, but somehow or the other, priorities change and our passions are left behind.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
A) Lack of a good Piano. I don’t have enough budget to get a decent one.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
A) Religious and Film songs
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
A) Personal satisfaction, A sense of achievement and Inner peace.
Christie Chiomento says
1] The biggest challenge that stands in the way of my learning how to play the piano is self-confidence–I’ve wanted to learn since I was a very young girl, but each time I’d begin taking lessons over the years I’d lose heart quickly, and not continue–I need to realize that I truly can learn, that it’s not unattainable for me, even at my current age[[next year I’ll be 60!].
2] The second biggest challenge I’ll need to overcome, that many others also feel challenged by I’m sure, is not owning, or having access to, a full-sized piano, or keyboard–I’m having to practice on a teensie-tinsie child-sized battery-operated[since I somehow lost the adaptor, so now I have to use batteries!] keyboard–[especially since I purchased one of those roll-out/roll-up, rubber piano keyboards, but now I can’t remember exactly where I put it ‘for safe keeping’–until I find it, I’m stuck using the little battery-operated one!]–so, basically, my other large challenge is not having a proper instrument on which to learn.
3] I’m a Christmas ‘nut’, so I’d love to learn how to play the beautiful Christmas caroles I’ve sung most of my life–also, I have a book of Hymns of Praise which I’d love to learn how to play–after that, anything and everything but “Long, Long Ago”, which my late paternal grandmother used to make me practice playing each time I’d visit her as a child–that, and “Chopsticks”!:)
4] The greatest benefit I believe I will gain from finally learning how to play the piano is the gratification being able to fulfill both of my grandmothers’ desire for me to be able to cultivate what they considered one of my God-given talents–they both believed in me, even though my parents were divorced, and my mother couldn’t afford the piano lessons, or the ballet lessons I had wanted to take, [which both grandmothers truly tried to get my mother to let me take, even if they had to pay for them]–also, I’d just like the personal satisfaction of finally finding out if they were right:)–plus, learning how to play will give me the freedom to be able to pick up a song book, and sit down, and actually play the songs I’ve always loved to hear, and to sing along with–that will be such totally satisfying fun for me!
Merry Christmas,
Christie
Lisa says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Time, I’m a full time Caterpillar Diesel Technician, and supporting two college student’s at the same time. I work allot of hours, and after a long day, my hands actually hurt.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like youʼve always dreamed?
None actually, just what I listed above.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Country/Gospel, and Rat Pack stuff.
4) What are the three greatest benefits youʼll enjoy from playing the piano?
Personal Entertainment
Family enjoyment
And the #1 benefit is being able to play the music I enjoy singing, and not relying on anyone else to play it or make it on CD/tape
Happy Holidays
Daniel says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
– To be honest, time… I have a lot of work as webmaster of our now growing website.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
– The music reading.. I have always wanted to play without the tech part like I played the guitar for years.. Though by now I know it is pretty darn better to take it all in.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
– The Billy Joel, Eltohn John, Phil Collins kind of music…And those I will someday compose… I am pretty sure I can if a get the know-how.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Writing my own songs… When i was 7 years old my parents got me for my birthday a tow piano.. It was a small plastic toy with the sound of an organ… I got the present around 2 pm.. When they got back from work I already played several melodies i had figured out myself.. 1 of them was something i created .. This is always in me somehow but I never actually took the piano seriously. Now I am … I am 37 but think still not too late!
Tyler says
1: The main challenge holding me back is hand coordination. I can play with one hand, or moving both hands at the same time, but trying to do both hands differently is a great challenge to me
2: Time, between school and all the other demands of daily life, it’s a challenge just to find time in the day to practice
3: Faster concertos, other quicker pieces of music
4:
a: the benefit of seeing my family and friends enjoying the music i play
b: the ability to play one of the most beautiful instruments in the world
c: Knowing that I’ve overcome a great challenge in my life, and having the honor of being able to do something that not everyone can do
Stacy says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
The main challenge holding me back from playing the piano is I just don’t seem to have the time to learn it at the studio with a professional teachers nor doI have the money.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
The obstacles are me needing to crack down on myself and practice, practice,practice all the time.
And not giving up when i don’t feel like practicing.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I have always wanted to play Beethoven’s fur elise, I have wanted to play this song ever since I could remember and I just cant at times I actually feel like I could cry because I want to play it so badly and I have absolutely no clue as to where to begin or how to understand the notes.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano
Three of the greatest benefits just to name a few would be: to see the joy on my blind godfather’s face when he hears me playing like I have always wanted too; Being able to just go in a room whether full or people or not and play to my hearts content. It would also be a great relief to me at the end of a stressful day I could come and unwind at my piano, I cannot seem to stress enough how much I enjoy the gift of music. But I honestly, sincerely love it.
Jessica says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
It’s funny that you should mention insomnia in your blog entry, because I have such a vivid memory of being awake all night as a little girl after my parents told me I could begin taking piano lessons! My parents took out a bucket-full of loans to purchase a piano, and paid more than they could afford for private lessons, and for three years, I practiced my heart out. Reading music was incredibly difficult for me, and getting my hands to do two different things at once was a HUGE challenge, but I wanted it so badly I didn’t really care.
After my first two years of lessons, my little brother (three years younger, so he must have been nine), having taken no initiatives on the “hobby front” was told by my parents that if he didn’t pick some sort of club or sport, he’d have to take piano for a year. He did, and he HATED every moment of it. But. He. Was. GOOD. He rarely practiced for more than five minutes at a time, because that’s all it took him to master whatever new song or technique was given as “homework;” he picked up reading notes without batting an eye; and his musical instinct was so on target that after hearing it once, he sounded out a significant chunk of Rhapsody in Blue on his first try.
When I realized that in one year, he accomplished with little to no effort more than I had struggled through in three, I was so upset and discouraged that I quit right then and there. Generally, I don’t believe in having regrets, but if I had to pick one, that would certainly be it.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Over the years (nearly ten) since I quit, I’ve thought a lot about trying again; specifically since I started college. I had a roommate my freshman year that listened to Beethoven when she studied, and I got HOOKED. My interest in classical music (particularly piano concertos, as it happens) absolutely accelerated, and I’ve just had the STRONGEST desire to play them!!! My obstacles these last few years have been that I don’t have the time, can’t afford the lessons (college contributes to both of those pretty well!) and all sorts of trite excuses that really just mask the fact that I’m scared. I’m simply terrified of trying and failing again. Only in the past few weeks has my motivation to re-learn been enough for me to truly make more of an effort than simply sitting down at the bench and plunking out old recital songs by muscle memory. I only discovered your program a few days ago in a desperate search for help, and so far it seems wonderful. Whether I win this contest or not, I do appreciate what you’ve been doing to aid people like me in discovering (or re-discovering!) the piano, and I resolve that no matter what, my New Years resolution will be to practice and make progress, no matter how hard and scary I find the process to be.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
As I mentioned before, I’ve been a classical junkie for a few years now, but my ABSOLUTE favorite is Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata. It’s been a “comfort song” for me since the first time I heard it, and it’s the number one “most played” song on my itunes.
I work as a competitive public speaking and acting coach at my old high school, and not too long ago I was working with a student on a performance piece about music’s importance that included a poem about Beethoven’s universal impact. She couldn’t quite get the emotion right, so I stopped her and just sat there and spoke to her about how amazing it was that not only did this man write these incredible and complex works without being able to hear them, but they’ve stayed with us as a distinct part of our lives for hundreds of years! I turned on my computer and as I pressed play on Pathetique Sonata, I told her how prominent just this one tune is in my life. By the third note she looked me in the eye and said, “My mom plays that on our piano at home all the time.” She re-read the poem and couldn’t even get through the whole thing, we were both crying so hard. Just talking about that impact was so POWERFUL we were in pieces, and to me, the idea of being able to be a part of it – to sit down and play one of those priceless works is absolutely a dream that I’m willing to work for.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1 – I want to be able to say that I have the courage and patience to master something that terrifies me. I can’t imagine a more fulfilling personal accomplishment.
2 – I want to experience the freedom of expression that comes with the ability to sit down and reflect emotions in music. It’s so frustrating to want that outlet for whatever it is that I’m feeling and be limited by not having the skill set to use it.
3 – As I mentioned in question three, I want to be a part of something huge, beautiful, and amazing. I want to carry out the legacy of Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, and COUNTLESS others by learning to play their music. I want my home to echo with what was in the hearts of these composers, mirrored by what I find in my own.
Thanks so much for your consideration in this contest, and for the generosity of sharing your talents… Have a wonderful and safe Holiday!!!!!
Lito Balane says
1. What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Well, Id like to be of good influence on my two beloved daughters (9 and 16). You know I’m a music lover, I know how to sing, I even know how to play a guitar. This is my natural interest, and as my kids started to grow up, they followed my footsteps. When I bought a keyboard two years back, the only idea I thought would help me create a melody is to transformed a guitar chord into a piano chord ( played by a left hand ) while my right hand played the lead piano like a lead guitarist, and this process really make sense to me. The only thing I’m worried about is that, I’m not certain wether I’m doing the right thing, and this is the reason why I enrolled in your online piano to learn the fundamentals of it.
2.What are the obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
I have a full time job and have also some priorities in and out of the house that need to be attended.
3.What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I’d like the song composed by Cat Stevens “Morning has Broken” and by John Lennon’s “Imagine” and “Jealous Guy”.
4. What are the 3 greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
I could have the talent, the skills and the experince
Lito Balane says
1. What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Well, Id like to be of good influence on my two beloved daughters (9 and 16). You know I’m a music lover, I know how to sing, I even know how to play a guitar. This is my natural interest, and as my kids started to grow up, they followed my footsteps. When I bought a keyboard two years, the only idea I thought would help me create a melody is to transformed a guitar chord into a piano chord ( played by a left hand ) while my right hand played the lead piano like a lead guitarist, and this process really make sense to me. The only thing I’m worried about is that, I’m not certain wether I’m doing the right thing, and this is the reason why I enrolled in your online piano to learn the fundamentals of it.
2.What are the obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
I have a full time job and have also some priorities in and out of the house that need to be attended.
3.What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I’d like the song composed by Cat Stevens “Morning has Broken” and by John Lennon’s “Imagine” and “Jealous Guy”.
4. What are the 3 greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
I could have the talent, the skills and the experince
Alvaro says
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the opportunity and God bless you.
Thanks for the motivation and your free lessons. I am already playing and enjoying “Carol of the Bells” (just 2 days practice).
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
The thought that I cannot learn even though I have very good sense of rythm and good ear. It is a sort of “fear” or “shyness” to play. On my own I can play a little and it sounds very agreable.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
I get discouraged easily when I can not learn to play a song. This is due mainly because I began with too difficult songs. I should learn methodically and little by little. For me it is very difficult to read music.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Broadway songs: Kern, Gershwin, Porter, Sigman, Rogers… I just adore musical comedies.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
a) I´ll be happier. I´ll enjoy life more. I´ll feel “complete” and “accomplished”.
b) I´ll give an example to my children and motivate them.
c) It will enrich my own and my family´s life.
Thanks Lisa and have a beautiful Christmas !
Alvaro
sajiniprabhakar says
1. I want to become an easy player.
2. Voilin.
3. Melody Songs & Devotional Songs.
4. Love, Peace and Hapiness.
Tracy Barnett says
Thankyou for your free online lesson, when I can afford your course I will definitely buy it.
1. My 5 year old son, very demanding and on the go the whole time, can not concentrate. In the new year he is going to school.
2. Battle to remember the notes and to concentrate.
3. I would love to play Gospel music. (Hillsong, Don Moen and Michael W. Smith,ect.)
4. I will be able to honor God by worshiping Him. I will be doing what I have wanted to do for a very long time. I will be keeping my mind on something good.
God Bless
Rebecca Hyde says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
My main challange is not having the lessons any more to play.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Not having the money to be able to buy the lessons. I wanted to learn but my parents said this i some thing i would have to buy on my own.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I have always wanted to learn how to play christian songs.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
First it is fun. Second it is something i am good at. Third I will mabey one day I will be able to play to honner my god.
Cheri says
1) The main challenge: My friend says that he is a piano killer. I want to kill his saying by being a piano lover.
2) The other obstacles: Piano and motivation. I don’t have piano. So, I play keyboard as if I played piano. I have to keep my motivation to play it.
3) Song or type of music: Everytime (BritneySpears). Song that makes my ten fingers dance on tuts.
4) The three greatest benefits:
-My life sings. I always remember your word: ~smile~. Not only when I play music.
-I can influence music spirit to peoples around me.
-I can create my own song.
Dan Clark says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
The main challenge holding me back from playing the piano is that im a beginer. I just started playing the piano about 2 months ago.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Some other things that are keeping me from playing piano like I have always dreamed is time.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Gospel/ Christian
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1) One benefit is that when I play somthing right I feel a sense of self accomplishment.
2)Another benefit is the fact that I can get away and practice and reflect on the day.
3)The last benefit is that if I’m working on a song from choir and I’m at home i can play the notes and help me keep on the right notes.
Bobbie Patridge says
# 1 Do not know how to read music very good.#2Do not Know Which Teacher is best for me to learn by.#3Gospel.#4Being able to play paino Would add to my enjoyment of life and enable me to share my faith and joy in Jesus Christ in a way most people would respond well to, Who dosen’t love music!
Mike Sisto says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Sometimes I feel like I am to old to learn (51) but then it makes me more determined.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Time, time, time…Seems there is never enough of it.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I have always listened to progressive rock (Yes, Genesis, Elp etc) and there is one song from Yes called And You And I that has just a magnificent keyboard piece.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1. Happiness..There is no sadness when there is music.
2.Sharing the happiness and seeing smiles on their faces.
3. A sense of acomplishment… I CAN DO IT!!!
Juliette says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
The main challeng holding me back would be the costs. Though it is incredibly cheap, my parents can’t afford to pay for my tution fees. My parents wanted me to get a good education through private schools, but they are expensive so i am going to have some trouble paying off my piano lessons. I want to get a job, but I’m only 11 so there aren’t really any jobs for me at places like McDonalds or something.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
The other obstacles keeping me from playing piano as i have always dreamed would be the doubt. Out of everyone I know, only a bunch of people really believe in what I can do. I am so sick of other people getrting chosen for a solo performance in music class when I know i can do better. I guess the only reason I am playing piano now would be becaus I believe I can. If i didn’t belive in myself I would never of found this confidence in myself now. The music the piano has brought out of me has been amazing.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
There are no specific genres of music that i would like to play, just as long as the music is meaniful and spreads a message out to people. I would like to be a musician when I am an adult and I think one of the most important things in music is believing in yourself. If you can spread a deep and meaningful message in music you can do anything.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
The three greatest benifits would be being one step further to my dream (being a musician), being able to reach out to people with music and being able to prove to others that I’m not just a girl who’s always freakishly early to choir practice but I am something and I will do as much as i possibly can to fufill my dreams.
Shabri says
Hey lisa 🙂
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
– Age. Alot of people say its better to start young and that playing a new instrument gets harder as u age. im 19 this year and i dont know if i can play the piano well or learn it as well as those who started young.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
– my adjusting fingers. i find it hard to play with two hands at the same time and also changing chords.
– family laughing. I dont really have earphones for the keyboard i got so my siblings laugh when i make a mistake and that makes me want to stop playing.
– not being able to afford lessons, and even when i saved enough to pay for online lessons, my family doesn’t have a credit card 🙁 and i cant seem to get paypal working. ( im not from the US)
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
– classical / latest movie songs / popular pieces.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
– make my mom proud. (she has always wanted to play the piano as a child and was’nt able to cause her mom wouldnt let her.)
– relaxing myself. i find playing the piano very relaxing and playing it smoothly only makes it better.
– make the purchase of the keyboard i have worthy. My family isnt exactly well to do. so i had to save for awhile to get this keyboard. i hope that i get to practice alot on this keyboard and let my family hear the pieces i can play.
Singapore
tiara hernandez says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
sometimes i get frustrated that my fingers don’t flow with the chords and i get all mixed up so i quit for some days.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
i don’t have enough time in the day. since i am 14, i have to go to school and i have soccer practice right after, and ALL THAT HOMEWORK!! i love the piano but being a teenager, i am to busy to enjoy playing it.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
well to be honest, i love any kind of music that you could put in front of me. if you ask me to play it i will (or i’ll try)
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
well first i like seeing the expression of my mom’s face when she notices that i have achieved a goal. secondly i feel that when i play the piano i can sing better because my voice flows with the notes so i guess that can make me a better singer. and the last benefit is that i would like to also teach my little 4-year old sister that giggles and “la la’s” along when i play the piano.
Susan Nyongesa says
1) My main challenge is that I know the basics. My mother is a Piano Teacher also and she taught me when I was younger. But I play more by ear. My piano teacher in High School would get upset with me because I wanted to hear the music and he wanted me to read the notes. I know how to play the melody and chords. And figure out the tune by ear. But I can’t get any further than that. So now I am frustrated because I see no progress. I can read a little bit of music.
2) I think the best thing for me is to see the accomplishment I have already done and be glad with that and move on. I tend to compare my self with others and feel like I am not good enough because when I play it does not sound like them.
3) I always wanted to lead a Worship service. While people sing to the Lord. So I would say Worship Music
4) The 3 Benefits for me is:
a) I feel alive and full of life when I play
b) I can worship and sing to God in my own way
c) To share that with others
Tonya Worley says
1) Making time is the main thing holding me back from beginning to learn. I believe the time is there, I just need to stop and make it work.
2) The only other thing I can think of as another obstacle would be distractions/maintaining focus while attempting to practice – family questions, making mental lists of other tasks to be completed, etc…
3) Classical but I’m not sure why. I don’t listen to it. I believe it goes back to hearing my cousin play when I was a kid and wanting to be able to do the same.
4) The 3 greatest benefits for me will be the opportunity/ability to get completely lost in playing (be consumed/relaxed by it), finish something I began as a child and maybe someday be able to put my poetry to music.
Vivian Banks says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano? Practice Techniques, skills and knowledge of how to play.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed? Reading Music, Retaining Information, listen skills and being able to mulitask and accomplish several goals at one time. Such as count 1 & and playing reading all at one time.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play? Amazing Grace and praise and worship songs. Gospel Music.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Ministering unto God. Joy Playing Amazing Grace with passion, playing my favorite music.
Playing from memory and being able to pick out melodies by ear and creating music.
Becoming a Minister of Music play for many churches especailly my home church. Playing while i sing, Play with while other instrumnet are playing.. Ministering unto God and my mind in my alone time.
Vivian Banks
Melinda Sivells says
1. scheduling time to practice& discipline
2. motivation&discipline
3. to play hymns for church
4. being able to play for church, playing for family sing-a-long,and being able to play just for fun, enjoyment, and relaxation.
Emily Drop says
1) My main challenge that is holding me back is not having the money for the lessons them selves. I’ve done so well on the free lessons but moving past the free lessons is what is holding me back.
2) I have three children. Things get pretty hectic sometimes with constantly cleaning up the house and telling my three year old to play nicely. Another reason is that along with the household being hetic the days go by so fast sometimes I don’t even know what day it is.
3) Christian/ Gospel
4) My main reason for playing is to have some “me time” to have something that i can just lose myself in, where everything just lets away when I play. Number two benifit is that I will be great at something. I’m a jack of all trades master of none and the free lessons showed me I CAN play the piano and play it well. The third benifit is that i will be able to make other people happy. When the piano is played beautifully it melts my soul and I want others to feelt he same way I do.
James Thomas says
1) My main challenge was to have a piano to play, Last Christmas I got a table top keyboard, that’s where I first tried your website, but my 7 y/o grandson got a hold of my piano and started playing it like a natural, well like any other grampa he took my desktop piano home with him. But, alas, this year I’m getting a second chance, my Christmas present from me to me is a roll out keyboard, which will work much better for me in the limited space I have. So now (well, after Christmas) I’ll be ready to once again peruse your website for all the info I can on teaching myself to play, I have a (very) limited income but being able to play music will be a wonderful experience.
2) Obstacles – as always, money and sometimes my memory steps up and I seem to have to read and reread lessons to get them to stick somewhere up there in my grey matter.
3) My favorite music is like the wonderful songs that John Denver and James Taylor gave us. But my favorite song I’d like to learn is “Love Is Blue”. I listen on my cd’s and computer to Piano solos and dream of the day I can ‘play along’.
4)Benefits…well just the joy of re-creating the songs I love and maybe creating some of my own compositions , don’t laugh so hard…And I think the biggest kick I’d get is to surprise my grandson and play along with him and my “new/old keyboard” that he got.
Zulfiqar Ali R Meghani says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
The time of the day or the night when I can play piano freely. It’s just a few days before my child finishes education, so that I do not distract her.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
No obstacles. Period. I have overcome all of them one by one. They were like procrastination, etc.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
The first musics that I will learn and play will be the “Ras”, the “Garbas” and the “Ginans”. These are like country-music in our culture. (Either you can look up the meanings on the Internet or ask me, and I will explain!).
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1. The unexplainable and inexpressible bliss, as when coming back from a refreshing bath in the world of music, just like “born again”.
2. Heart-warming, soul-soothing, and mind-rejuvenating feelings in which one goes beyond time and space and feels heightened in all three areas of one’s life, i.e. body, mind and soul.
3. The feeling of swinging in a sea of weightlessness and winglessness, “no-effort flight” to the outer space and come back with the more power and greater insight into the world of possibilities and happiness beyond description.
brad owings says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Ill be honest my main problem is ive been in music for 10 years under bass so im not to great on reading treble clef but ive been in music so long im impatient. I can almost sight read my other instrument and learning a new instrument I need to remember I am not playing that and i need to learn this before moving on. Gotta stop trying to rush what i already know so I dont lose what new i need to know.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Lots of practice… To play like I wanna play will take alot of time, I want to play in bands professionally and be able to read music from artist like Chopin. So with my busy life schedule as starting out with life and still young I need to find time to work on it.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I want to play a mix of music. I like Chopin and the older classics, but I also want to play mainly newer rock and the scene music. I also want to train my ear to play songs that dont have piano, mix the guitar with the lyrics and play by ear.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Main one, stress relief. I have alot of stress just starting out on life out from my parents wings and playing the piano gets things off my mind. Im a music fanatic and relate songs to my life so playing and singing them make my life less hectic. And playing for people is my dream, never cared to get big or for fame just to play for a few would make me so happy. Ive been threw bass, trombone, guitar, and not piano, out of them all Piano is my favorite, you can do so much on it. And a last one of the top benefits is love… i know corny, but im super shy but love to sing, so get me behind a piano and let me play, ill forget they’re there and play and sing and turn a few heads… Hey thats a benefit =)
Ruth Renetha says
1.What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Learning to play the piano is a skill which most people would love to acquire but don’t seem to have the time, patience and guidance. These were the main challenges that I had to overcome before I settled down to learn the piano.
2.What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Learning to play an instrument can be expensive and difficult (or should I say challenging!!) as there are so many things that one has to concentrate on, like the co-ordination of the right hand & left hand, remembering the notes, the beats, getting the rhythm right, the sharps, the flats, the intervals….phew!!!!!!!!! . Don’t you think that’s a lot to grasp without the right kind of support and guidance.
Without a ‘Course’ like yours, which makes all this seem easy to learn and understand, these could be a bit too overwhelming to learn.
3.What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
To begin with, maybe I’d like to play songs like ‘Yankee Doodle’ and slowly progress to playing concert pieces like Fur Elise, Wedding March, Minuet or Auld Lang Syne.
4. What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Well, just the thrill and joy of knowing to play an instrument would be one.
We all know that ‘Music’ can be relaxing and can lift the spirits of any human being. So my second greatest benefit would be to play for others who would love to listen to ‘my music!!’
And last but not the least, to be able to pass on to those around me, the things that I have learnt from this program.
Francie says
What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I am afraid of learning a different rhythm with my left hand, and the notes for the left hand play use a different musical scale than I already know. (I think it is called the bass clef) They are not FACE and EGBDF. The notes on that scale make me nervous and scare me.
It is really odd about the left hand fear, because I can play chords and strum and finger pick on the guitar with ease. It is something about the different rhythm, or just a mental block that keeps me from proceeding with playing the piano.
I am also a potter, but now I just throw once a year when I teach each of my students how to throw a pot. If I can play chords on the guitar, and throw pots, I know I have dexterity. I can type too, so my long fingers must be capable of playing the piano. I just need to learn a new scale and practice and learn to play the piano. I have always wanted to learn, but it seemed so hard to have your left hand playing a different rhythm than the right hand.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
If I could memorize the notes on the keyboard and the notes on the “other” scale, I think I could try playing the piano. I wish there was some fun ways to learn the “new” scale for the left hand.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I would love to play and sing beautiful songs. I would get out my Carole King songbooks, my James Taylor songbooks, Bruce Springsteen. All the books I collected for playing the guitar.
I also really want to accompany my daughter on the flute. She is on level 3 in the Suzuki book, and I would love to accompany her pieces. She is a budding musical theater star (kid-version), and I would love to learn the piano, and get her hooked on playing the piano and singing. We love to sing, and I just introduced her this week to Jesus Christ Superstar. I would love to sing and play on the piano our favorite musicals: Nightmare Before Christmas, Annie, Sweeney Todd. It would be great to have our family sing the Christmas carols, now that she knows them so well from her flute playing. The list is endless on what we can do.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
I would love to be able to play in the dark, just making up my own music. It would be beautiful and soothing. I would love the confidence in playing the piano like I once had as a teenager playing my folk guitar and singing along with it for hours. I look at the piano as a wonderful way to relax, make up songs, improvise, and soothe the soul.
I have such a fantasy about playing the piano. The custodian where I work as a 5th grade teacher sold me a Baldwin upright piano. He had it because the woman who sold the house to him left it. It needed a little work on the legs, but we took care of that, had it delivered and tuned. Everything is ready to go EXCEPT for my fears. I really would love the opportunity for both myself and my daughter to learn to play the piano. I already pay for flute lessons for her, and now my husband wants her to have vocal lessons too. With our limited income, adding piano lessons for myself is out of the question.
My learning the piano would be wonderful for my growth, but it would especially help my daughter too. Because she loves musical theater and has an amazing voice, my husband really wants her to learn the piano besides the flute. But she has shown little interest. My enthusiasm in learning the piano would spread to my daughter, and we both could learn online with your help. Having my daughter want to learn because she sees me enjoying the piano and learning would be the best second benefit.
The third benefit is that I could give myself a present. Winning your contest would be an incredible gift to me! As a mother, and a teacher of 31 5th grade students, I am always giving to others. It is fine but paying for piano lessons for myself is beyond what I feel capable of doing right now. If I won the contest I would make the commitment to learn and practice. It would be a present for me!
Thanks for letting me fantasize about a Christmas present for myself. It has been a long time since I have considered and imagined a special gift for myself.
Coral Curry says
1.) The main challenge holding me back from playing the piano is the fact that I don’t have a good stategy for learning. I want to learn, and I am motivated and excited, but I need a way of learning that will let me get the most out of the lessons, and that aren’t too hard to understand. The piano lessons that I’ve found on other websites didn’t help me to read music or play the piano at all, but recently I found the free lessons on your website, and I loved them! I have never made that much piano progress, (especially reading music) and I was so excited, but I want long term practice.
2.) I am 16, and I want to learn to play the piano soon, so that I can reach my goal early in life-but I don’t have a lot of money, and neither do my parents. Good lessons are usually too expensive-that is another obstacle that keeps me from learning well. I would love to have long term lessons because I am serious about becoming a proffesional pianist. I’m not sure when I will achieve my goal, but I hope I will while I’m young.
3.) I have always dreamed of playing music by Beethoven and Vivaldi. I love classical music and intricate songs. Also, I want to play Christian music because I love listening to songs of worship on the piano.
4.) First, I will be able to play worship music, like “Amazing Grace” and Awesome God”; That would make me really happy. I will also be able to play beautiful music for people as entertainment, or for people who really need music, like people that are sick and hospitalized-to make them happier. I would love to
suprise my family and play hoiday music next Christmas! There are so many different ways that I would benefit from being able to play my piano. I will have reached a life goal that I’ve wanted since I was little, and that is really exciting!
Phuong Pham says
1) The main challenge that is holding me back from playing the piano is that I can’t afford the cost of expensive lessons, especially when my family isn’t that rich.
2) Other challenges are that all my family members don’t agree with me playing or learning about music- the thing that I not only would die if taken away from but also the thing that is most important in my life. Another reason is that without money and no one willing to take me to lessons, I can’t play the piano except for learning its music theory online. Although I get the lessons, I can’t possibly learn how to play it. It aches me to know that education is the only thing that I’m supposed to excel at. Without music and the sound of the piano in my life, there’s nothing left in me to offer for others.
3) I’ve always appreciated all types of music; therefore, I want to play every song there is to play. By just knowing how to play the songs on a piano is a joy that’ll brighten my day no matter what.
4) The passion and the beautiful sound of the piano coming together to form a song is a joy that I’ll always be attracted to. Also, I’ve always wanted to be able to play the piano and just share the emotions of the songs to people around me and brighten their day. After all, isn’t that what music is all about? Sharing the beautiful harmony of music to others who appreciate it or to anyone to just shine their day? The last reason is that I’ve always wanted to be able to sight read and sight sing music but I’ve never found the fortunate chance to do so. I hope you could make that become a reality for me. Thank You and Merry Christmas.
P.S. You and your grandma seem sweet together in the videos!
Aruba says
1)The main challenge holding me back from playing piano is that I’m studing medicine and after every 2 months I have my exmas, so due to this I cannot give piano much time as I plan. But I do play on weekends.
2)My parents does not want me to waste my time on something that cannot help me become a doctor (as they put it). Nothing else.
3) What I always wanted was that when I listen to any music, I could play it myself.
4) The three benefits I’ll enjoy are:
i) I would get peace of mind.(which I really need because of studing)
ii) I would be able to tell my friends that I’m just as good as they are.(they also play piano)
iii) I may be able to teach other people how to play piano and earn money as my monthly allowance is really low.
Aruba says
1)The main challenge holding me back from playing piano is that I’m studing medicine and after every 2 months I have my exmas, so due to this I cannot give piano much time as I plan. But I do play on weekends.
2)My parents does not want me to waste my time on something that cannot help me become a doctor (as they put it). Nothing else.
3) What I always wanted was that when I listen to any music, I could play it myself.
4) The three benefits I’ll enjoy are:
i) I would get peace of mind.(which I really need because of studing)
ii) I would be able to tell my friends that I’m just as good as they are.(they also play piano)
iii) I may be able to teach other people how to play piano and earn money as my monthly allowance is really low.
Jose Gomez says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I must say the lack of material.
I had so much fun going thru the free material you offer on your site. By the end of lesson 3, I was hooked but dissapointed to learn there was no more Free Lessons. Belive me had there been more material available, I would be happier today. Don’t misunderstand, I am busy, but I do make it a point to find time to practice. (Since I could not continue this, I picked up Guitarr cords online and that’s what I am practicing)
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Just like everyone else, I am also struggling with finances.
I cannot afford private (like the one you offered online: easy to follow, at ones own pace and schedule, easy to understand, etc.
I checked out a book “Piano for Idiots” The book is good, but I guess I was looking for a format similar to yours( easy to understand and to follow).
I will say Finances and lack of accesable material…
in the mean time, I am doing good with my Guitar (Cords, Harmonic Circles and now even singing church chorus in spanish such as:
“Yo tengo un Amigo que me Ama” etc.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I am considering myself as a person that was born with many gifts and abilities, I have a full time job in a parts whse. I also serve as a Youth Pastor in my local community church, I have a family (3 Boys 17, 14, & 12 a busy house!!!!.)Yes I am, as we say in church, “a blessed man”
I however, do wish I could play the piano with ease like Richard Cliderman (he is awsome)
I now know how to play Ode to Joy, thanks to you.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
The benefits will have to outweight the challenges by far, other wise, one will never put the time & effort to accomplish it.
What drove me into learning to play was a simple personal goal. “the enjoyment of playing and singing those songs I learned in Mexico while being rised in the Christian Orphanage in Morelia, Mich.” Our Care taker was a little old lady from New Zeland, she played the piano and all of us children sang along while she played an old piano in the dinning room area. Yes, that simple goal is driving me into what has been a very difficult road. It’s difficult simply because I am not musically talented and have to work, practice, and study 5X more than an avarage musician.
I find this contest encouraging. To all potential piano players, It’s difficult to master any instrument but not Imposible.
Practicing with my Guitarr has taught me that you can only go forward in my goals..
Miss. Lisa thank you for those Free Piano lessons on your site. (Give us More!!!)
God Bless you all.
Pastor Gomez
Donaji says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
One of the main challenges holding me back is the fact I know nothing about music, I don’t know how to read sheet music and everything related. The only thing that brings me here to try to learn is that passion and desire I’m always feeling whenever I hear music being played, I can feel so many different emotions that I can’t quite well express with words.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Another obstacle is that I’m already 18 years old and will be 19 soon. I’ve heard most people say that you better learn to play piano when you’re young, and not only piano, but plenty of other things, because your brain is still open to learn multiple abilities. I also heard from my teacher that the last “opportunity window” closes by the age of 18 years and after that period of time is pretty difficult to learn any new ability.
Well, I know that’s true, but that doesn’t mean it will be impossible for me to learn, and yeah, that’s an obstacle for me, but I’m sure I’m going to learn, I can feel it; I know I can learn without the need of someone physically teaching me. Self-Training is not a new thing for me, but I also have little experience in being my own teacher, so that makes things a little bit harder, but not impossible, and that’s a great challenge too.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
The first song I would like to play is “You are my love” and sing it while playing it, because it combines two of my greatest dreams; playing the piano and talking Japanese. I loved the song the first time I heard it, because it’s just too fluffy and cute!
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1. Prove myself that I can learn everything I want and like if I never give up on my wishes and dreams, because I’m sure those dreams I’m always having are the ones that keep alive that desire that pushes me on, until I’ll finally see them become true.
2. Being able to make people around me smile, make my mom proud of me once again, after all the trouble I’ve already caused her and all my family, I want to see their smile while I play, and not only my family, but also my friends and classmates, basically everyone who hears me play.
1. Being able to hear those beautiful melodies I’ve always cherished being played by myself, by my own fingers and hands. I’m also dying to play along with my brother.
Anita says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
When I was younger my grandmother gave me her piano because I wanted to take lessons. For a few years I did, but stopped because I wanted to embellish every song that I played and the piano teacher discouraged my ablitiy to play by ear. Now that I am older I don’t have a piano of my own, but dearly miss having a piano in my home so that I can play at my lesiure and for my enjoyment. Not having a piano in my home is a very big challenge for me at theis present time.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
I become inpatient because I can hear another melody running through my head and want to add it to what I am playing and sometimes not am to put to the keyboard what I am hearing in my head.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Christian music is my favorite, but I want to be able to play all styles.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1) For me playing the piano is a big stress reliever. I can become lost in the music and it can take to places that no one or anything can ever do for me.
2) My grandmother played piano. I always enjoyed listening to her when she played and always dreamed of playing like she did.
3) The best benefit of all is to play for others to listen to and for them to enjoy it.
Dolly Marston says
My desire to want to play piano for years has become a an obession. I finally afforded to buy a piano when I was 48 years. Now I am 54 years old I have a hard time reading notes and reading quickly I have to write numbers on the notes to play. I bought piano for my kids and they played for few years and quit. I get frustated when I cannot progress, I have lost my job and the piano helps me with the pain I have.
Thanks for consideration me in your contest. I hope I win. Thanks.
Dolly
Karel says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I think it is the coordination of my right and left hands; the right hand is fine, but it feels like I need another brain for the left one!
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
I would say the lack of talent and enough time to overcome that!
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I would love to be able to play all the music I like – and what I like is very eclectic – what I like comes from any type of music but it does not mean that I like everything. But being able to play Bach as well as jazz, blues as well as Chopin, or Tchaikovsky and Beethoven as well as tango would be just great.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Spending time at the keyboard takes me into another world! There are not many things that make me cry but music does that to me sometime – and I am not talking about crying about how badly I play. Music communicates at the level that reaches immortality, and the very nature of our existence. And I am just glad I can at least touch it…
Merry Christmas
and
a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2009!
Karel
Neenah says
) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
My desire of wanting to learn to play the piano began when I was nine years old. My parents sold our home in Colorado in 1963 and moved back east because that’s where they were from originally and they missed home. I remember a gift that had been sent to me when I was probably five.. A little piano that played bells. I loved it!! I still remember the joy it brought me just to hear each note and the excitement I got from discovering I could make “music”.
The following summer I invited a little girl from across the street to play and a couple days later, I noticed my bells were missing. Long story short we discovered she had stolen them and her mother backed her up saying they were hers. They were not “good ” people.
Needless to say , I felt a great loss but just having the chance to play those bells awoke something inside me; a desire that I never lost.
My parents bought a run down house that needed a lot of work but inside that house was an old piano and I was so excited that I would have a PIANO and be able to learn to play real songs. I teased my parents to give me lessons but they didn’t have the money to spend with a family of five and my dad being the only bread winner. So I had to be happy just playing songs that I could figure out on my own.. I enjoyed that as much as anything until came the day my dad announced that the piano was taking up most of the room we had and it had to go. I watched tearfully as he chopped it up and dragged the pieces out to the barn. My hopes and dreams for ever learning to play or even have a piano were dashed in as many pieces as the piano now was.
Years later I got married and had a family and never could afford to get a piano and so the dream laid not dead, but like low glowing embers in my sole ever hoping for the wood that would bring it to life just like me.
Well I am in my 50’s now and this past August was my birthday. I happen to be checking on a used site called Craigs list to see if there was anything of interest and low and behold someone was offering a piano!!! I didn’t even dare to get my hopes up but I wrote and stated I was interested.
The lady who had it said she had already had lots of interest in it and so I gave her my number and thought “Oh it would be a miracle if it wasn’t given away by the end of that day” but low and behold I got a call saying I could come and see it.. Oh my how excited I got but then I remembered I hadn’t even mentioned any of this to my husband because I was sure it wouldn’t even be still available.
Oh this was going to be a challenge as my husband is the type of guy who works very hard in the construction business doing hard manual labor and the one thing he wants to do on the weekends is relax. Oh well, I thought, if he asks me what I want for my birthday, I’ll say a piano and explain where he would be able to get me one for free!! Clever plan…
He did ask and I told him just what was my hearts desire. To my amazement he agreed to go see it with me. The lady agreed to save it for a day so we could get help to move it and now it’s new home is in my house. It needed tuning and I spent all them money I had getting it tuned.
I asked the piano tuner how much lessons cost and once again my hopes were dashed because they are way too much for us to afford so I looked on line and found Miss Lisa’s web site doing a search and she gave me new hope and inspired me with all the information she made available to learn with so I started in learning on my own.
I’m frustrated thought because I can’t see to get past some of the humps I lack in understanding some of the concepts and feel that there are gaps in my learning process that arent’ getting filled in.
I love to play music that reflects my mood or sometimes changes my mood or just is an expression of the music that comes from my very sole. But I get frustrated in doing that as I am untrained and struggle to bring the notes in the cord and the melody all together the way I want it to sound.
My family is all grown up now and I find myself wanting to spend time developing my piano skills…The piano fills in an emptiness in me that nothing else on this earth ever did and if I could play my piano without feeling so frustrated that it doesn’t sound like I hear it in my spirit it would be the greatest gift of a lifetime.
Thanks for all your help Miss Lisa in creating your piano learning web site and helping me get to the understanding I now have of creating music !! Even at this level, it is a joy.
Thanks for considering me for your contest (: smile
Neenah R.
Tanja says
Hey Lisa, tx for asking us there four questions- I think the questions-although simple, are kinda important and helpful for every person tryin to achive ”piano success”, because once they’re honestly replied, they may clear your head and bring you closer to your piano goals and add to better and more enjoyable practice.Here are my answers:
1. The main challenge from holding me back from playing the piano doesn’t really exist. I believe that if you really really really want to play the piano, and you wish for it with all your heart, then nothing can stop you. Your positive mind, practice and a good teacher you can relate to will get you through every obstacle there is. When I have a bad piano day and my fingers are on strike (which probably happens to all piano players) I try not to panic or put myself down. I simply lower the tempo,and play whatever I’m playing really really slowly. Then I oversleep it and the next day I play it a bit faster and faster.The fingers become cooperative. It really works.
2. My greatest obstacle is me being constantly ill. Many years ago I had a bad horseriding accident which crushed my left arm in the elbow area. The accident also damaged my neck, pelvis and left leg. My body hasn’t totally recovered yet. Despite the injuries I finished university, became a professor, and am currently having 2 jobs (and am doin almost everything everybody does every day). All this leaves me pretty tired sometimes, because I also have to exercise a lot ,so I dedicate 1 hour to the piano per day (or every second day). My dream has always been to become a good musician, so my health issues are sometimes preventing me from sittin at the piano a little bit more.So sometimes I start my piano practice a bit tired and then my practice isn’t as good as I’d want it to be. But I always try to do my best.
3. Every since I was little I was drawn to music and records. In my teens I spent every dime on cds (and not on clothes lol) and as a grown up person I can’t live without sound. Basically, I’m a rock’n’roll type of girl-at least other people say so-but I admire every single style of music as long as its honest, good and unpretentious. I love rock’n’roll, rock, country, r’nb, classical etc and etc. I admire a lot of musicians, but there are two performers I admire most of all: Elvis Presley and Dean Martin . I love good old classics.
4. Hmm..the benefits.Learning piano has improved my memory, my singing ability, my concentration and my imagination. I’d be a liar if I said that it leaves me happy every single day.On the contrary, there are days when some song which I find difficult, leaves me completely furious and sometimes I struggle with it for days. One simple song left me struggling for 3 weeks!The greatest benefit is, of course, playin the piano almost every day. I enjoy the sound of it, even if I don’t always get everything right.The sound itself usually makes me happy, excited, cures a headache or leaves me creative in other areas of my life. So, in my case, the road to becoming a good piano player is almost as exciting as the final result.( I know it sounds cheesy but it’s true lol) Even if I never become this great great piano player, I’ll always enjoy the piano and always play it or have it around as my friend.
Happy Holidays and a Happy and Successful 09 to you Lisa and to all the piano students!!
Karen says
My answers are kind of a “two-for-one” because my main concern right now is to learn to play the piano well enough so I can teach my children how to play. I only took lessons for one year as a child and was unable to continue for various reasons, but my husband thinks because I can play a little, I’m qualified to teach my children. I don’t think he understands that there’s more to it than that. :o(
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
It’s probably the time. We only have 6 of our 10 children left at home and I’m responsible for their education – so that takes a lot of time – but this is important enough to me that I want to make the time for piano before they’ve all grown up and moved out. Some of my older children who wanted to play turned to other instruments because I just couldn’t find the time with all 10 at home, and because I didn’t feel qualified to teach them how to play the piano. I didn’t want to teach them at all rather than teach them incorrectly.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Probably the next biggest obstacles are thinking that I’ve gotten too old and my fingers aren’t limber enough to play. Also, while we’ve always wanted our children to learn to play, we’ve never been able to afford lessons for them (or for me so I could teach them when I got home from a lesson).
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I love to piddle around with classical music. I think, though, that most of all I’d love to play the old hymns and newer contemporary Christian praise/worship songs with all of the embellishments! A few months ago I was visiting in a small country church. The pastor stood up and asked if anyone could play the piano because their pianist was out that day. I wanted to be able to raise my hand so badly! My kids love singing and it would be neat to be able to accompany them and have a “family sing” like my family did when I was growing up.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
-relaxation for me
-being able to share time with family and friends around the piano (especially if I get to work with my kids teaching them to play or learning side-by-side)
-using music as a way to minister to others
Virginia says
Hi Lisa…here are my answers:
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I want to say TIME like many others but that really is not true because how do I have time to watch tv or to read magazines or whatever else? right? I think, for me it is frustration because I don’t get it, I feel like I practice and practice and practice and the next day it’s like it’s my first time touching the keys so it’s kind of frustrating. I have tried several times and I just give up and put the keyboard aside and just forget about it.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
other obstacles? could be my age ( I am 48) even though I don’t feel old but to play/learn the piano, yes. I do feel tired and old to do it.
like I’ve always dreamed? yes, I have dreamed to play the piano like a pro. I have even said that I don’t want to die before learning to play the piano, it’s one of my biggest challenge in life, really. sometimes I feel like I NEED to do it, I feel the need in my heart.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I would love to play hymns to praise and worship my all almighty God! 🙂 I would also love to play songs for little kids to play it for my grandsons. (I have 3)
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
I think it would lower my blood pressure.
will give me peace and joy
will exercise my brain and heart and give me LIFE.
there are lot more benefits, not just three.
on this world of stress we live, God knows we need to learn to feel more love among us humans and I think playing the piano it’s one way to do it.
I don’t think anybody who plays the piano can have bad feelings. I don’t know, I might be wrong but that’s what I think. I do associate playing the piano with good stuff!
thank you for all the effort you put on all these lessons!
I know you have a lot of rewarding. just keep on doing it.
Emmanuel Dickson says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano? 1. Laziness and lack of teaching methods that go right to the learning technics without the old bored music tutorials.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed? Money and Most of the good piano courses are expensive and time consuming.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play? Gospel or Jazz
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano? To be able to play for a Church. Share the joy of the world through music with others and develop a life long rewarding hobby.
Gloria Brown says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I had a pretty bad piano lesson experience as a child. My Grandmother played piano and organ for our church, but she was not a teacher.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
I don’t think I’m coordinated enough. Two hands doing different things at the same time. ( but I do knit and that doesn’t scare me?)
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Church hymns, offertories, etc.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
I can show my daughter that it is possible. We just bought her a keyboard and I’d love to be able to help her.
I could give our church pianist a break!
Accomplishing something new and stretching, you can’t quit learning.
Gloria Brown
Judy Land says
1. What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I get bored with the practice music and don’t see it as stimulating. It does not “reach” me.
2. What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
The cost of years of piano lessons.
3. What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
“Catchy” tunes that people can sing along to — happy music. For example, “I Love a Piano” is a good tune. However, the more moody minor-key songs are also very attractive.
4. What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from learning to play the piano?
(1) A stimulating, inviting hobby that can absorb my desire to accomplish things in life.
(2) Mental stimulation — it is an intellectual pursuit with many facets.
(3) Contact with others who may “gather ’round” as I play songs they recognize and can sing along with.
Hans says
Hello Lisa,
First I like to say, thanks for your free piano lessons and they are very helpfull.
1) What holding my back from playing the piano? I had a teacher, on the secound lessons she was not home, and after time no any answer. So I am a little afraid for this kind of teachers, and to go on to learn on a piano again.
2) To buy a real piano, my parents had no money for it, and there was also no place to put on. And I had 5 brothers and a sister, so it was not easy time.
3) Classic or traditional music, and blues, but today special for children.
4) I love music, to express myself special when I play I get the feelings to fly away in a nice music dream. I like to work with children, and they love music, it’s very nice to express music with them. Special children music, books like: the Library of Children’s Song Classics, Cedarmont Kids and Kididdles, that’s what I like to learn on the piano. The piano have very nice low and hght tones, it’s beautifull to hear and to use by myself. Greetings Hans van Veelen.
DEBBY JO HENSON says
Hello Lisa, and Thank YOU for this opportunity!
To begin to help you understand, my main Challenge towards learning how to
lovingly touch the fingers of my hands to my pride and joy, my beautifully tuned 100 year old, ‘Vose & Sons”, (Boston) piano, I must honestly say the challenge for myself is Myself…Fear of Failure. You see Lisa, just like many of our wonderful Composers, Poets, and Artist, I am also a BiPolar person. Here at my house alone day after day, I listen over and over and over to CD’s of “Handel’s Messiah’ by The London Symphony Orchestra, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No.3 ‘Eroica’, or others such as my CD “Piano Classicals” and Joseph Haydn’s Symphonies, “Oxford”, “Surprise” and “Miracle”. And while listening to these heart and soul rending sounds of notes being played my mere humans, I myself am so AFRAID, that it would take a Miracle in itself before mere me, Debby, could ever make music soar and sweep the air, in any manner, even coming close to something of what my heart hears. But oh Lisa, how I do long just that, to run my fingers over her ivory’s and bring forth notes that will run together in such beauty as a “true pianist”. Something, Anything…
I come from a very musically inclined family, in their musical world I am the ‘dunce’. And I know it and feel it in my very bone marrow. FEAR of myself that is my main challenge.
So my main challenge is also my main obstacle, ha not to count, enough money to afford even a beginners book at this time. But these challenges, obstacles, and even the lack of money, does not keep me from sitting and staring at my piano’s keys with such a longing, that once in a great while, I will still down at her bench and touch her ivory’s to hear her sing a note or two. I smile while doing this, then I will hit an off key that did not go with the others I touched and I will flinch, and come back down to my reality of, I CAN NOT PLAY.
Lisa, if you only knew, I so wished to play music to my God, just as Beethoven composed and sent music up to the Heavens on Angels wings to lay at the feet of God. See Lisa, I would never be what you would call, a “normal student”. I see and hear music as a living breathing being, that can make a human laugh or smile and in the next moments rip at the very core of that human’s soul and have tears streaming down their faces. So I would wish to play Classically, Gospel songs, and on happy chipper days, Rag Tunes. Perhaps IF I lose the Fear, compose my very own music, just for my own benefit or for my husband, who is partially deaf.
So Lisa, in reality to me this is not simply a contest. This is Life and myself bearing my heart to you and others in public. Telling you, a person whom can play, why I can not seem to accomplish a life long goal.
IF I ever overcome the fear in myself of myself; attempting to learn or teach myself to play my piano…well I sit here and smile just thinking of it.
God Bless YOU and YOURs, this was very good for me to be able to finally put into words and come to realize I am the only one holding me back.
Thank you for that opportunity to see reality…
Devorah Jo Henson
Lisa Vance says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Time.. I’ve been swamped with work , moreso than I expected since I bought my first piano.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed? i have rheumatoid arthritis and it’s in my hands and now in my back so often I have days I just can’t sit or move my hands.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play? I want to play popular music – and Christmas music –> it is that time of the year. 🙂
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano? I’ve wanted to play since I was a child. I’m 40 now, it’s a life long dream.
Siceliwe says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I don’t have much time to practise. I am balancing between work, motherhood, house chores. By end of day (sometimes even start of day) I will be tired. I have very little ‘me’ time.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
lack of a step by step guide. I have been using your free lessons and have been helpful. I can now play some of the songs taught.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I want to be able to be able to praise and worship God by playing songs on the piano in church or by myself and even compose songs.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
I. an achievement for me as I have tried for many years
2. I think it will give me confidence to tackle anything else in life
3. the sheer joy of making music
Christina says
1) The main challenge holding me back from playing the piano is reading the notes. i love how in the first few lessons you number certain keys and then letter the keys and that has helped me sooo much in learning my favorite songs. i wish all songs were written in that form.i feel that the musical notes are a little confusing to me because of the diffrent symbols and how they are put on the staff .
2) Another obstacle keeping me from playing like i always dreamed is time .ofcourse during the week i have to be in school and when i get home which is at 2:30 i have to do my homework,do the dishes,clean the kitchen ,visit my grandfather if he is in the hospital again and by the time i realize it, it’s 9:30p.m. ! half an hour pass the time i go to bed. and on the weekends my mom goes out looking for garage sales and she wont let me stay home and when i am home i can hardly get on the computer to see your lessons b/c my mom is always on it.
3) I’ve ALWAYS wanted to play Fur Elise. oh my god ,that is the most soothing and beautiful song i have EVER heard in my LIFE. when i learn to play that song my whole life will be complete. 🙂
4) The 3 greatest benefits i will enjoy from playing the piano is (1) playing beautiful music for my family and watching their faces light up with joy and peace when they hear me play. (2) Just being able to play the piano all together,the piano is my favorite instrument and if i had the time i would play with my keyboard every chance i get! 🙂 (3) I will benefit from knowing i have accomplished something i have been wanting to accomplish since i was 12. (that’s 3 yrs.)
Hidayah says
Hi Lisa. Here are my answers.
1) The main challenges that holding me back from playing the piano is that I do not have a supportive family and none of them enjoy or encouraged me playing the piano. Secondly, due to my financial difficulties, I am not able to play the real piano, instead with just an ordinary keyboard. I really loved piano since I was 5, and was extremely encouraged when i heard my music teacher played the piano. However I was only able to start playing piano seriously at the age of 17, where I was finally given the opportunity of playing with a keyboard .Even though it is just a keyboard, I want to achieve my dream of excelling in piano no matter what the obstacles are. I am definitely getting a real piano for myself! =)
2) The other obstacles that kept me away was definitely learning the piano all by myself! =) I do not have any lessons or tutors. Instead, I’ve bought myself a book guide which i was holding on for months. Truthfully, it was really hard learning everything yourself, especially when practicing hand movements, chords, reading notes and the most difficult of all, playing the piano with two hands beautifully.Other than that help, I’ll get online helpline such as yourself and it does really helped a bit. Again, due to the financial background which i have, i was not able to pay high for lessons.
3) When I was young, I remembered that classical music was the first to catch my attention and from there it grows into a genre which i really loved.
The first piece that i really loved to play was Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven(1st and 3rd movement). This music really captured my heart and steal me away from the world. Other pieces which I longed was – Titanic My Heart Will Go On, Forrest Grump and Canon in C.
Classical music never makes me bored and definitely mesmerizing.
4) The Three Benefits that I enjoyed from playing the piano;
Firstly, the tune of piano instantly creates a wall from the world and generate a place where you can really stay in peace. It really does makes me relax.
Secondly, I will definitely felt a sense of joy. Especially if my music can be appreciated by people and able to carry on with my passion.
Thirdly, a sense of accomplishment. Nothing beats me other than being able to really play a piano beautifully. I will definitely strive on!
More importantly, I am grateful for the presence of such opportunity. Winning or losing is never the matter.What matter the most is passion.
Happy holidays Lisa!
Tash says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
My main challenge is learning to read music. Especially bass cleff. After learning how to read treble cleff i now find it almost impossible to get bass cleff into my brain!
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Some other obstacles that are keeping me from playing piano include not ever learning to complete a song and play it all the way through,
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I have always wanted to be able to play The Flight of The Bumblebee. But it just seems so far out of my reach.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Greatest benefits.
1. Having something to focus and occupy my mind from all life’s other problems.
2. The confidence being able to play a recognizable tune to friends ( in other words to show off!).
3. Having something to look forward to at the end of the day!
Moses says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I have been held back because I do not know how to read music sheet
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
I do not have a piano at home so that I can do my practices daily. Time is not an issue here coz I always have extra hours in which i can do this. Sometimes I do not have the motivation especially when trying to get to play some cords but it’s not coming out well and would want to have someone present at the time to help out.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I would want to play mainly gospel music and salsa although I would be very happy if I can play every kind of music, being able to listen and figure out the keys and play it on the piano.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
#1 Being able to construct my own cords for the songs that I write
#2 Being able to play in church service more effectively. I do that right now but want to improve on my skill.
#3 It will be a life long dream accomplished coz this has been the desire of my heart from my childhood. Making music and making people enjoy music.
Mike Curbelo says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Not enough time. I work nights and my wife works days, so we try to spend any time at home together. She is great about my wanting to learn and encourages me to practice longer. She even purchased headphone so that I can practice in our room while she watches T.V.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
I guess I would say my basic want to play better quicker. I need to program myself to spend more time on the easier lessons and master them before trying to move on to the harder ones. Also the inability at this time to really coordinate my right and left hands. It is amazing how much I rely on my right hand, but figure with enough practice I can train that left hand.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I would like to play sing-along type music. We currently have a Karaoke machine that gets tons of use at our parties and family gatherings, and I would love to be able to pull out the keyboard and play some fun tunes and have everyone sing along. I also have very varied musical taste, and would love to be able to play some rock tunes, jazz, and really some ragtime and boogie oogie. Even though ballads would probably be my favorite.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1. I beleive that my family will get a lot of enjoyment out of this beause we are a very musical family who enjoys doing things together, plus my kids play drums and bass, and would be able to jam with them.
2. Peace – just sitting there playing a nice soft ballad, and listening to the sound flow from within my hands, WOW what a feeling of peacefullness.
3. Personal Achievement – The fact that I was able, at the age of 41 to finally learn to play a musical instrument that sounds as beautiful as a well played song should sound on a piano. See you can teach an old dog new tricks.
ALPHONSO says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Ans: My age (I am 60 years by age) and monetary problem as I am a retired man.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Ans: Hesitation to play along with the young church choir members.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Ans: Gospel music on piano in the church.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Ans:
a> Achieving my goal to learn piano (this was my ambition for many years and which I could not fulfill).
b> Be active, reduce stress level to zero and increase brain power.
c> Be an asset to the society & church.
Gina says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Age. It seems the older you get the harder it is to learn such things. I started with your lessons last March and although I made considerable process at first, I don’t seem to have got beyond a certain point.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Time, ability, and ability to read music. I have a very busy job and although my children are old enough to look after themselves, I am exhausted when I come home from work. The weekends fly so quickly that I only get a small amount of time to spend on playing. Learning from books or the computer is fine to a point, but I need someone there who can show me how to do it, when I have the time and inclination to do it.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I like all sorts of music including classical, popular, jazz, rock and roll, and blues. I would be happy being able to play anything, particularly happy songs. Perhaps blues and jazz would be some of my favourites.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Being able to play music is something that I thought I would never be able to achieve. I am a small way there in being able to read some music and play mainly the melody, but being able to play beautiful music would reach my soul, it would be something wonderful that I could share with friends and family and move me away from everyday life to another plane.
Jeslynn says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Nothing. I just like to learn, cause music is a good cure for stress.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
I don’t have a piano and my father didn’t let me learn piano,it makes me feel bad.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Beethoven 5th, Hark The Herald Angel Sing, Popular music and lot’s more…….
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Let me to put down all the stress from school, Let my live more enjoying, I can play lots of song.
I really love playing the piano, but all i do is online learning piano and install some piano software to learn piano properly. Now i only know this few musics: O Christmas tree , Hark The Herald Angel Sing, Twinkle twinkle little star……
By the way, wish all of you HAVE A GOOD DAY!
Love playing piano……..
Jeslynn Kwak says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Nothing. I just like to learn, cause music is a good “exercise”.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
I don’t have a piano and my father didn’t let me learn piano,it makes me feel bad.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Beethoven 5th, Hark The Herald Angel Sing, Popular music and lot’s more…….
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Let me to put down all the stress from school, Let my live more enjoying, I can play lots of song.
I really love playing the piano, but all i do is online learning piano and install some piano software to learn piano properly. Now i only know this few musics: O Christmas tree , Hark The Herald Angel Sing, Twinkle twinkle little star……
By the way, wish all of you HAVE A GOOD DAY!
Love playing piano……..
Olga says
These are the answers to your contest:
1. Time – i don’t have time to play because when you say 10 minutes/day is not real with me, when i play i forget about the time and i end up playing for a hour at lest.
2. Sometimes I have questions and I can’t afford a piano teacher …. and i get stuck.
3. I like classical music but i would love to be able to read and play any music.
4. a. my own happines (makeing a childhood dream come true) and for the feeling i have when i play piano.
b. for my family and friends joy
c. being able to introduce my own children into the world of music.
d. making special moments …realy special.
Karla Baker says
Hi Lisa, Well, I’m not sure I have all the questions, but here goes:
1) The main challenge currently is my computer is downstairs and the keyboard is upstairs. My son had a spare electric piano and gave me the one he doesn’t use. Prior challenge was a cut finger with stitches preventing me from trying to play the piano. I’m planning of printing off the instructions so I can take them upstairs with me and do my practicing.
2) Other challenges are difficulty in reading the music. I know a basic knowledge of the “every good boy does fine” and face. I understand some of the other signs, too. ie: the double dots and the open or solid circles.
3) Mostly I’m interested in country gospel music. My husband writes and sings songs but we do it all by ear. I’d like to be able to make a sheet of music so other’s could play our music. I play an electric bass and can pick out a song on it, but want to be able to write the music notes (at least a melody line) so someone can sing with it.
4) The benefits, besides what I listed above, would be self confidence; accomplishment of finishing something I started and being able to play another instrument. Until the kids grew up and moved away with their families, we had a family band and now we need a lead instrument (and the piano is perfect for that).
Thank you for the opportunity to learn a new skil, Lisa. Have a great day and good luck to everyone.
Diana Hickman says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
The biggest challenge that holds me back from playing the piano is not having room for a real piano. All I have is a 32 key keyboard that is only big enough to play with one hand. I live in an apartment so it’s hard for me to find room to do the things that I enjoy.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
The other thing that is holding me back is finding the time to play while I’m working on my thesis. I know that if I had a bigger piano/keyboard I would be able to unwind when I get stressed out by playing again.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I have always wanted to play the classical pieces. They are so beautiful. When I play them I feel as if the worlds troubles have been lifted away and I can “breathe” again. Because the keyboard only allows me to play them one-handed, I don’t get to play them as they should be played. Either way, it still comes out beautiful and a piece of my heart in each compilation.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
I took a music course as a fourth year elective. I failed the course because I couldn’t get a handle on reading music, but through the course I learned how to play a little keyboard. It turned out to be relaxing for me. Not the learning how to read music part, but the playing part. My dad had another heart attack and music is what brought me through that time. I played in the chapel to calm myself as my dad was getting his stints put in his heart. Then later when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, the only thing that kept me sane was music. I listened to the classical works of Chaucer and Bach and felt calm again. I even tried my hand at playing their movements. The only thing that kept me sane was this through all the feelings of helplessness that I felt, I found comfort from these men who created such beautiful works of art. I could put all the passion and stress that I was feeling into playing music. I felt that I could beat my cancer and that I would be okay. I haven’t been able to play for months now becuase my Keyboard broke, but during the time that I was playing the keyboard, even though I could only play one-handed, I found comfort and hope in the music that I was learning.
Thank you.
Di
Dennis says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Time. I just purchased my first home only weeks after I purchased my first keyboard. Remodeling my home has taken up all of my time. Now that the time excuse is out of the way, the other is it is very difficult and discouraging to start from the beginning. Everyone wants to be able to play something that doesn’t sound like a child’s song. Getting to that point takes practice and dedication; something that as an adult, is harder to do than it is to say.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Now that the time excuse is out of the way, the other is it is very difficult and discouraging to start from the beginning. Everyone wants to be able to play something that doesn’t sound like a child’s song. Getting to that point takes practice and dedication; something that as an adult, is harder to do than it is to say.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I want to play popular music. I want to have the ability to listen to a song and figure out how to play it on the piano. I want to take those songs I learn and alter them in ways that I think they should be. I would like to play music that is emotional… so when you hear it, you feel something.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Acomplishment. Joy. Passion. I want to sit down at the piano in the lobby of a hotel and play a song that nobody has heard before when people least expect it… yet they are drawn to it… enjoy it….
Melissa Bedwell says
?#1: The main reason for holding me back is really not knowing where to start and when I sit down to begin it is alittle overwhelming.
?#2: I have several medical problems that sometimes I do not feel up to the challenge and I also have a son that keeps me on my toes.
?#3: I am not a person of the type of music, I believe each style sends a different message.
?#4: I believe the greatest benefits would be to learn a beautiful craft and even thou I do not know how to play, just sitting in front of my keyboard and “thumbing” around I am at peace. Now days peace is not a word that most people do not know enough about.
In not so many words, I am what some consider not that old and with medical conditions and also a young child, it is sometimes hard to hold on to the good things in life. When I attemp to play it is my hope, like i said before it is when I am at peace. For me, to actually be able to play and one day to be good gives me hope and also something for my son to look at and learn from. He asked Santa to bring him a guitar for Christmas and he told me that one day he will be able to play the guitar and I will be able to play the keyboard and we can start our own band. We will be the real live Partiridge Family. : ) God Bless and Merry Christmas
John Philips Nufable says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Answers:
1) My studies and my little free time. On weekdays, when I have classes (but now I don’t have any), I only practice on my piano/keyboard at about 15-30 minutes a day, practicing on all of the 12 major, minor, dominant 7, minor 7, major 7, majorminor 7 and all of its 3 inversions. Just shifting from one chord to another until I shift to all of them with ease.
2) House chores, sudden interuptions and not a lot of free time. (I divide my time on studying, watching T.V./resting, playing the guitar (I’m still learning on how to play good on the guitar while watching tv), playing the piano, and writing songs. and of course, eating, bathing, etc.)\
3) I really want to play the classical pieces or the kind of music you hear on the band Muse (example, the piano part on Butterflies and Hurricanes, Space Dementia, Ruled By Secrecy and others), and some progressive genres like the piano pieces from Japan, like the band Eufonius (listen and watch from youtube, a Eufonius piano cover True Tears – Reflectia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJlcX3zs05c) some blues and styles which you can apply on organ playing.
4) I can compose a lot of songs. (I’ve written a lot of songs but I constantly forgot the melody of it as it is just lyrics only without music)
I can use this to impress my friends as I could be playing the piano while singing.
Lastly, I can play songs from my idols like Rachimanoff, Debussy, Eufonius, Matthew Bellamy, Jack White and so much more.
Marc Miller says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I would have to say it’s the fact that I have never played an instrument or read a note of music in my life. The fear of failure is definitely holding me back somewhat as well.
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano? I work 2 jobs so my wife can be a stay at home Mom. One of my jobs involves rotating shifts so my practice time is limited to odd hours. Sometimes I will practice for hours during the overnight and other times I may get an hour in during the day or early morning. I have just purchased a full size digital piano that has a headphone jack so I can practice without disturbing anyone in my home. The odd hours definitely hinder my concentration though.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I always wanted to play patriotic music but I am interested in all types of Piano Pieces. I lost my Mom to Cancer about 9 years ago and at her wake we had a musician play “You are the wind beneath my wings” on the piano. I promised myself that I would find a way to first get a piano and then teach myself that song as a lifelong tribute to my Mother.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
A) After losing my Mom I bought an inexpensive keyboard and just began playing notes. No pattern or rhythm just playing around. It was the most peaceful thing I could do at the time. It relieved much of the stress and sorrow I was feeling.
B) All 3 of my children are musically inclined and it gives me something I can do with them that doesn’t cost a fortune and we all can enjoy.
C) and Without a doubt the greatest benefit to me once I learn how to play will be the feeling of accomplishment of having tackled a great fear and having overcome all the obstacles listed above when I am able to sit down and play the piano. The stress of work and raising 3 kids will be greatly diminished.
Ron Yarosh says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
The main challenge for me is the idea of playing piano with both hands while reading two staffs of musical notes at the same time. That seems so overwhelming to me.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
White keys, black keys, major chords, minor chords, sharps flats, thirds, fourths, fifths, sevenths, rhythm, coordination, and all that music theory? You’ve got to be kidding. I thought playing golf was hard. Piano seems totally out of reach.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
When I was a teenager, my friend, Johnny could play piano. He played Ave Maria and it amazed me. I’ve always wanted to play that song on the piano, but I can’t. I also love classical music, and Broadway show songs.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1. I’m in my sixties, I believe learning, and playing piano will help stimulate my brain and keep it functioning at peak levels for a longer time.
2. I read somewhere that soothing music has a healing effect on people. With high blood pressure and a heart condition, I’m hoping it will help me. But enough of me, I also want to be able to play for others (perhaps in a Hospice, Nursing Home or Hospital situation) so that people (especially children and the elderly) can enjoy the benefits of listening to live piano music.
3. I also want my piano playing to benefit our church, by enhancing our worship services, with piano music.
Brunilda Davila says
Dear Lisa:
One of my greatest Obstacles in Playing Piano
is the coordinate the left hand and Right Hand
together :
2) The Scales
3) The Fingering
4) The Staff
5) The Bass Cleft
6) Coordinate the Rhythm and the melody.
7) Cross over the Thumb.
8) Understanding the staff lines & Space.
2) What song I always want to play The Minute Waltz
The challenge is this particular piece the composer
is Frederick chopin is the fingering Because this
Piece you have to playing using the Black Keys.
Now I am trying to do I know I will reach that goal.
This one of my goal Play this piece smoothly and
steady.
4) What are three greatest benefits you will enjoy
to play a Piano
1) When you learn How to play piano many doors
and opportunities will .be opening to you.
2) Its relaxing skills.
3) Is the good way to worship the Lord
4) Bring joy to your life and the others who are around
you.
Brunilda Davila
Elaine Lewis says
The main obstacle for me is owning a piano, had a small keyboard until recently when it quit, now don’t have anything to play on.
Other obstacles for me involve not being able to play well with my left hand, do okay with my right, even harmonically, but the left hand and proper fingering are not something I have been able to pick up well, I do already play the piano in addition to five other instruments, but only play by ear and can only play well with one hand, also do not know all the chord sequences when changing keys to apply the left hand, and don’t know how to bring the left hand’s technique out to correspond with what I “hear” in my head how I want the song to sound. Therefore, I refuse offers to play in public because I have no confidence in my ability since I feel like I can’t play well since I don’t use both hands well.
I enjoy and write southern gospel, and play all kinds of other fun stuff, ragtime, folk, classic country, holiday, among others, but again, only the right hand is the one doing all the work so the only way I sound good is by using an electronic keyboard with all the stuff on it that makes me sound like I know what I’m doing, would like to feel confident enough with my playing with both hands to sit down in public and play an actual piano, not having to need all the stuff to sound good, but using it only if I want to, not because I need to.
I find the greatest benefit to playing the piano is reallly two fold for me. One, I have fibromyalgia and playing, when I had something to play on, helped with the pain by exercising the upper body, relaxing me mentally and physically, thereby aiding in sleep, and two, just the overall emotional lift that comes from doing something you enjoy, want to use that gift to create demos of my southern gospel songs to submit for possible publication.
Luis says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
The main challenge holding me back in playing in piano is the training site that I am required to be in where the army has sent me. Another challenge holding me back is the fact that I miss my family so much that I have so litte inspiration in these past days
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Other obstacles is not having a piano with me at this moment. I often find myself just listening to gospel music on my Ipod and fingering the keys reminding myself how good it feels to play piano!…Every note just mesmerizes me.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play? I’ve always wanted to play gospel music. I’ve played music in church before but never gospel. Gospel really lets you really be free to worship on the piano and it feels great to just let your emotions loose through the keys.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1. Sense of mind. The piano just gives me a sense of calmness. I forget about the army and all of my problems and just focus on the music.
2. A great hobby that I will always have. I want to be able to teach my children and grandchilldren this wonderful instrument. I also want to accompany all these wonderful singers that I know from my church. Since I joined the army I have lost the touch to play piano and I am so anxious to learn again.
3. It will give great joy being as I would like to play for the Lord. This is the only way I really know how to and I would love it if someone could teach me to play the right way. God Bless!
Fatinah says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
– Sometimes when its hard play the song that I like, I feel like >:( i’m not happy and mad! So i cant smile during practice
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
-very hard to keep my finger at the right place! example:right thumb at middle C
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
-Pachelbel Canon =3
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
-I feel happy!
-I can discipline myself to be more patience.
-I love myself more because I can play the piano! =)
Ken says
Hi Lisa….great questions and I am really excited about this. I really wish I was more part of your program, rather than a silent bystander (though I do read and listen with much interest!!). Thank you for this opportunity…my answers are:
1. The main challenge, as I am sure most people would admit, is time. But that is also why I frustrate myelf with not doing it, because it really is one of those things I have “always wanted to do, and promised myself I would do”. I pick up the keyboard and I teach myself things and I run it through my mind so often too, but I never dedicate the time like I really do want to. So maybe it isn’t lack of time, but lack of making time. I even took a class at the college downtown just to get myself primed. I have priced electric pianos and I have a place all picked out for it, yet I haven’t ‘made the plunge’. Desire is certainly NOT the reason I haven’t proceeded, but lately I have told myself I WILL do it, and I am now ready to commit myself to a program.
2. The key to this question is “…like you’ve always dreamed.” You see, I am not completely content with playing Christmas songs or When the Saints Come Marching In while I peck away at the keys. =) I know I could learn a lot of that with what I have picked up over the years. I really want to play well, and so far I admit that the things I want to really learn and play well are so far beyond me. Yet I try them and I dream of playing them. I have it in my head that it is impossible to play with two hands doing their own thing at one time, but I listen to the great classics and always in amazement. I so do want to get that paradigm and that phobia out of my head, and though part of me says it is impossible, another part says no…practice and that will make perfect. I do want to play the Christmas songs and the simple things, but what I dream of….is in the next answer.
3. Without any doubt, what I have always wanted to play is….Mozart. I really don’t feel embarrassed to say that even though it may sound silly to say it, but that is what I want. Here I am, printing out sheet music for Mozart’s most recognizable pieces and I try on my own to learn parts of them. And yes, I get frustrated when I soon learn that I need LOTS of practice, and training, to actually do it right or at all. I play classical CDs in my car even though I am a pop music lover, and I picture myself playing them on my own. I watch videos on the internet of children playing these and I say “wow, why didn;t I ever take this up”. It’s a great feeling to see that! Then I am back to reality in knowing that I am no where near there yet. But if I can do that, I can do anything. And I would LOVE to just sit down at a piano alone or with friends and immediately amaze myself, and them, with such a talent. It is on my ‘bucket list’ as I tell everyone. Some day I will really do it, and now is the time to start.
4. I had no problem coming up with 3 benefits, and if I was already not writing so much I could give you so much more. First, I want to fully appreciate the art of music. I know that this would be compounded 100 times by PLAYING and not simply LISTENING. To be able to break it down and have it come from my own self is just a very exciting feeling for me. Second, learning piano would give me a sense of accomplishment that is actually removed from simply being able to play. It is the accomplishment of realizing a life long dream I have had and saying “I did it”. I have longed for it, yet I haven’t done it. To finally “just do it” would really mean so much in the big picture of my life. Third, and not last, I want to pass this on to my children. My girls are 8 and 5, and I got them exicted about playing too. My oldest sat with me while we did your live internet class and she and her sister both would LOVE to make this part of their lives. I still take pride in knowing that I taught them a year or so ago where middle C is and they STILL remember! But…I don’t want them in the same trap I have been where it was a great idea left on the road along the way. I have looked around the internet, and I always come back to your program.
Lisa, you make the impossible seem attainable, and I promise you I will dedicate myself to attaining this goal of mine should you select me as your contest winner. Thank you. Thank you very much for this opportunity.
Kim Heibner says
1. With all the other necessary responsibilities, it seems I don’t have enough time. What time I have, I don’t make practicing a priority.
2. My left hand refuses to play the music the way I hear it in my head. Speaking of hearing, I think I’m tone deaf. (smile)
3. Church hymns/Christmas music
4. First, I would be able to contribute to my family’s music playing at get-togethers (which is frequent). Second, it would allow me the opportunity to pass a talent to my children. And finally, the overall health benefits of mind and body involved in piano playing’s challenges and joys.
Ruth Mavy says
1. My main challenge is finding the time to practice. I am a mother of five, with one on the way and I am very involved with Church responsibilities and school.
2. Some other obstacles for me are timing and reading music.
3. I would love to be able to play classical pieces. (any type)
4. The 3 greatest benefits for me that would come from playing the piano would be: 1) bringing more music into my home. 2) My family loves music and I would love to be the one to give them that gift. 3) I would be able to play for my church.
Thank-you so much for giving so many the opportunity to learn such a wonderful talent!
Deanne says
Hi Lisa;
The main challenge that I have is understanding all of the music language. I know egbdf, face; etc. however following that and reading it fluently and doing that while finding the keys with my fingers all at the same time is challenging. (Multitasking)
Other obstacles include overall knowledge of music concepts. Every instrument is different but basic theory is important.
Also, I know in order to play well you need to practise all the time. I share my time with 4 children and a husband so it is challenging to find quality time to practise. My 18 month old climbs up and punches the keys while I’m playing and the others ask questions or fight with eachother making it very difficult to concentrate.
I would love to some day play Elton John and Billy Joel songs. I like anything with a fast paced beat and some fun. It feels good though when you accomplish any piece of music. Recently I came across the song “Lean On Me” which I found fun to try and play. Even though I could only play a bit of it. Familiar music is always great when you can recognize what you are playing.
I think music is an emotional outlet. Especially when you can play it or sing. It is food for the soul. It also can really give you great self-esteem. It feels like a great accomplishment when you learn something like how to play piano. Lastly I will really enjoy playing for my family. I can imagine us all gathering and singing together. I would enjoy playing for others enjoyment a lot. Children especially since I am an ECE.
Thanks for getting me started on this journey Lisa!
Brunilda Davila says
Dear Lisa:
I Play piano for many years by ear, When I move
to orlando and I had the desire on my heart to found
somebody to help me in my journey in music. My
family and I together we begin to visit a church.
One we decide at the family be a part to the church
I wanted to get involve. I begin to involve in the choir
where I sing for 15 years and Later I begin to play
a Piano in the Church, with the whole orquestra and
Today I am Play the Piano in the church and leading
the worship team.. Nothing is impossible .
If I do it, You can do it, too . I just came from Israel
and I Play the Piano In Jerusalem. I have been
receiving a lot of Invitations. Dont let anybody to hold
back your dream.
Brunilda Davila.
Brunilda Davila says
Dear Lisa:
I Play piano for many years by ear, When I move
to orlando and I had the desire on my heart to found
somebody to help me in my journey in music. My
family and I together we begin to visit a church.
One we decide at the family be a part to the church
I wanted to get involve. I begin to involve in the choir
where I sing for 15 years and Later I begin to play
a Piano in the Church, with the whole orquestra and
Today I am Play the Piano in the church and leading
the worship team.. Nothing is impossible .
If I do it, You can do it, too . I just came from Israel
and I Play the Piano In Jerusalem. I have been
receiving a lot of Invitations. Dont let anybody to hold
back your dream.
Brunilda Davila
Casey says
1) The main challenge holding me back from playing the piano is that I don’t have a piano at home but my mom has one at work so I practice when I come to work with her (which is pretty much all the time).
2) I’ve always wanted to learn the piano. I’ve wanted to learn since I was little. It’s my favorite instrument. The music that comes out of it is the most amazing, most graceful, most pure music I’ve ever heard. My family is a very musical family so I’ve heard A LOT of music.
3) The songs that I would love to play are Beethoven’s 5th and Bella’s Lullaby from the new movie Twilight. As soon as I heard it I was like oh my god! I have to learn that on the piano!
4) The greatest benefits of learning to play the piano is the pure satisfaction of knowing that I can play the most beautiful instrument in the world. I would love to be able to jump on a piano and play in front of my friends. I would love to just sit at a piano and shut out the world and just play.
Mary Curtis says
1. The biggest challenge would be time & self-confidence. When I was much younger I has lessons for about a year, but I hated the music my teacher made me play. In other words, I didn’t learn much except to read a little music.
2. Other challenges would be the determination to stick with it and scheduling practice time as a priority.
3. I would love to play hymns and ballads. Old hymns are such a comfort to me, and bring peace on stressful days.
4. It would bring me such joy to be able to play the music I love. I also would like to play because my sister does(by ear) and I so enjoy hearing her play. Lastly it would give me a wonderful sense of accomplishment at this stage of life. I think although I’m in my late 50’s, I should strive to learn something I love.
Michelle Barshinger says
1.) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I could blame it on lack of time, lack of convenience, too busy of a schedule, or lack of finances to purchase lessons. But to be completely honest, those would just be my excuses. The truth is that I don’t MAKE the time. I don’t make learning the piano a priority in my day. That’s my main challenge.
2.) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
If I made the time and made practice a priority, then I suppose my other obstacles would be my busy schedule, my piano not being easily accessible, and not having the finances to pay for lessons.
3.) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I’ve always wanted to play praise and worship music. I want to worship my Creator, and lead others to worship God.
4.) What are the 3 greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
The first benefit will be the ability to praise and worship God with music. There is something about music that moves a person’s soul – it touches you and it can bring you into that intimate place with the Lord. The second benefit will be that it will add an instrument to our Worship Team at church. Right now we have 3 singers and no instruments. Adding piano music to the team would greatly enhance our worship time. And the third benefit is that it would help my husband and I to be able to write music together. We have a dream to be able to compose music together, and I believe being able to play the piano would help us accomplish that dream.
Monty says
1) The biggest challenge is probably a lack of confidence that I will be able to learn at this late an age (34) with a limited schedule.
2)Working full time and being a newly wed takes up a lot of my time. My wife plays and tells horror stories of her hours of practice per day as a child. I have always wanted to play but hours per day I just don’t have. I have a lot of stress in my daily routine and I would like learning to be a reliever rather than a causer of stress.
3) I love all kinds of music and would really like to play anything. I enjoy all kinds of music but have always thought it would be a lot of fun to be able to “jazz up” anything I am playing. I love anything on the piano including classical, p&w, old gospel, show tunes, Disney tunes and anything that will help me and those around me relax and enjoy themselves.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano? First the sense of accomplishment. This is something I have always wanted to do and have never found the time or resources to accomplish it. My wife and I teach englilsh to adults from other countries. I have been asking myself recently how I could ask them to dive into something new if I can’t on my own. Second, enjoyment – I am the entertainer in my family and amongst my friends. I love seeing people laugh together, sing together, and enjoy their time together. Music is always able to bring people together.
Finally, a promise. We inherited our piano from my wife’s grandmother who made me promise that I would learn to play. There is nothing more important than a promise kept. Thanks for your consideration.
Walter Romero says
1)What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano? I don’t have the patience to sit down for long periods of time
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed? I am 46 years old my left/right hand coordination is way offfff !!
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play? the year of the cat
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano? I could play at church, and at different events with friends and family, I know it will help my brain/memory
Becky McCaslin says
I am so excited about this contest! Thank you for a chance to win such a wonderful prize! This contest is an answered prayer.
Here are my answers:
1. The main challenge holding me back from playing the piano is the money. I have been looking at your system for over a year, and it is not that expensive. However, it is currently out of my reach. I have checked on local lessons for my girls that are 4 and 6 yrs old, and decided that it would be more afordable( and more fun as a family) to purchase your children’s program. I waited for my Christmas bonus with anticipation because I just knew I was going to place my order, but due to a bad economic year my bonus was cut, and there were doctor bills that had to be paid first. That left no money for piano lessons. I am sorry.
2. If money was not a problem, then the only other obstacle holding me back from learning is proper instruction. As a child I had a horrible two month experience taking lessons from the preacher’s wife. It ended one day when my instructor stepped away to answer the phone, and her daughter plopped down beside me, looked at my hands and said, “Your fingers are too fat and short. You will never be able to play the piano.” As an eight year old I was deviated. As an adult I have been unable to afford lessons(always putting others first), I have tried to teach myself. The most I have ever learned was from the Learn To Play Piano Online’s free lessons. They are awesome! I get to reading sheet music and I struggle with the notes (but I did just notice your tips from an earlier blog and I cannot wait to try it). I know with your lessons I will be playing in no time!
3. I love all music! It really depends upon my mood. I take a particular interest in slow ballads. I would love to learn to play My Immortal by Even Essence, and there are several Casting Crowns songs I would love to learn as well. Also, I have recently been attracted to jazz/show tunes. I am not sure what you would call it, but peppy, happy fast music. Music played as though your fingers are going to dance right off the keyboard! Thinking about it just gave me chills.
4. Wow there have to be more than just three benefits I or anyone will get or have gotten from playing the piano. But if I have to choose I would first pick expression. The ability to just sit down and play whatever is in my heart and to get lost in the music by becoming one with my instrument and speaking through the notes until my mind is clear of what I had to say. The second benefit would have to be sharing. I want to share my gift with my children until it becomes theirs. I want to sit around for hours sharing time with my girls and playing songs (we sort of do this now, just none of know what we are doing). Thirdly, another benefit would be fellowship by bringing people together through music. My family has started a new tradition of playing the guitar and singing at Christmas. We get caught up for hours. I would love to share in that moment by playing the piano for them and accompany my brother-in-law while he rocks out on his Ibanez.
Whoever wins, thank you so much! Thank you for truly showing the Christmas spirit of love by giving someone you don’t even know their lifetime dream. Good luck everyone, and Merry Christmas!
Litz G. says
Dear Lisa,
Here are my answers to the four questions:
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
It seems too overwhelming and intimidating just to think of the many rudiments of music (piano) learning. The desire is in my heart, but the mind keeps telling me there’s too much to learn and it’ll take a lot of time to learn and be able to play beautiful and uplifting music.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Obstacles: Money – I don’t have a job to pay for expensive lessons; Discipline and Consistency – the need to focus and have my mind and heart to what I want to achieve.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play? Praise & Worship songs! Inspirational type.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
(1) Gift-giving: Knowing that the gift hidden inside me will be opened, will grow and will be used for the benefit of others.
(2) Fulfillment: The joy of accomplishing something that is seemingly impossible.
(3) Communication: Playing piano, particularly, expresses what’s in the deepest recesses of one’s heart and communicates it through the universal language of music… touching lives, changing hearts.
Tom Izbicki says
1)What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
1. Well I would have to say that the greatest challenge is my lack of time and my over eagerness. I don’t have a lot of time to practice the piano, but in the time i do play i try to learn too many songs at one time. So i learn a few notes of one song then i skip to another song and another and so on. I never get to learn a full song!
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
2) As above im too eager so i never get to learn a full song. And i also am satisfied with small steps that i make in regards to the music i am trying to learn.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
3) This may sound stupid to some people but i always wanted to learn to play soundtracks to famous movies and games, especially the final fantasy series. The soundtracks to that game is always wonderful to listen to and i know that a lot of people want to learn it.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
4) I can’t think of three right now but i can tell you the greatest one. To be able to play my favorite tunes. I don’t care if people recognize me for it but ill know that i can play it. Plus ill be able to play to cheer myself up when im sad. I usually eat ice cream when im sad but if i learn the piano i can play it instead.
Elysia Mosteller says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
The main challenge holding me back from playing piano is not having the money to tune the 75 year old piano that we were given recently. I am hoping my husband will do that for my birthday .
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed.
Another obstacle that keeps me from progressing in playing instruments is my lack of patience with myself and perfectionism. I want to be able to play like my favorite artists right now. I want to experience the freedom of not having to think about what my fingers are doing so much and the thrill of just being able to play. I need to remember that the journey should be just as enjoyable (or more) as the destination.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I would love to be able to play music by Fernando Ortega. He is an amazing artist. The way he plays and sings compliments the message of his music perfectly. I have never been more moved by music.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1. Joy. There is nothing like making music. Anxious thoughts and feelings seem to melt away when I get “outside of my head” and music helps me do that.
2. The songs that I’d like to learn contain life-giving messages. I love to sing about the Gospel and about the Lord. Perhaps I may be able to minister to others with the piano.
3. Enjoying the bond with others that music brings. Also, if the Lord blesses me with children, I would love to be able to teach them.
Joshour says
1. I always think i cannot be a better pianist.
2. Self limitation. When i hear someone playing better than i do, i feel i cannot make it.
3. Awesome God by Michael W. Smith.
4. Playing piano is one of the things I have ever wanted to achieve in life.
Cristi says
I wanted to play the piano from the primary school, when I was listening to my music teacher playing, and I was impressed, but I never had the chance to learn. It was just a hobby, of course, as a profession I’m with computer science, playing another kind of keyboards all day (and night).. but their sound is really not nice, you know. I am truly passioned about what I do, but I did not forgot the dream to learn piano event after graduating and getting a job. So, a few months before I’ve stumbled upon this site (and a few others, but I quit them very fast, because they had nothing interesting to teach me). I got and printed the free lessons, beginning to get used step-by-step with the new kind of keyboard, that has both white and black keys (idea: mix keys from a white and a black computer keyboard into one to get used with the feeling ~smile). And now, the answers:
1. the biggest challenge is that, like all others, I hoped that after a few weeks I will be able to play Fur Elise or Conquest of paradise like Vangelis himself! But obviously that’s not the case and I tend to get tired and loose will to continue, although your lessons are really clear and nice written. What to do? Sometimes I let a few days pass and, even looking at the keyboard (one of the piano) I feel tired of practicing. Maybe I’m too lazy.. maybe there’s a way to keep myself motivated?
2. It seems that nothing is as easy as it looks. When I saw your videos, it looked like the only thing to do is watch your hands and do the same.. maybe it’s true, but definitely is nooot so simple! I dreamed that I will press keys with the same elegance as you after just a few days, and I feel very slow progress.
3. Something like Clayderman, that’s my favourite kind of music, and I hope one day I will be able to sing Ballade for Adelina like he does it. Wonderful thing your Instant play songs, it would be great if you had this song translated into that simple notation to be able to learn it faster. All that begin learning want to advance fast, you know.. Yeah, if a newbie came to me saying he wants to master computers like I do, I will tell him the same thing: it took me more that 10 years, you simply cannot become great over night, but you can learn if that’s really what you want. And you will feel rewarded after.
4. Playing the piano is expressing my feelings to the one I love, is something really beyond words.. I have music in my heart, but I’m like a painter with no hands, I hear but I cannot sing what I have inside.. it’s a little bit frustrating, you know? I also like folk guitar music, but piano sounds much richer.. listening to Chopin’s Nocturnes you feel a warm satisfaction deep in your soul, you feel that’s true serenity.. but, to be able to do more than listen, to play yourself, I think a lot of work and, more important, patience and continuous practice are needed. Any way, great job with the free lessons!
Old Boy says
Dear Lisa:
Please see below for my answers to your questions:
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Age is one of the main challenge. I always feel embrassed due to my age and because of this, I never really picked up althought I would love to.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Time and patience. I always have a feeling that learning how to play piano is a long learning curve and I definitely wouldnt have the time and patience to master it…
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Ballad Song and Pop Song are my favourites. I always admire how these people are able to play a beautiful piece of music on the piano. How I wish I can be like one of them..
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Satisfaction…To be able to play a piece of music will give me a great sense of satisfaction!
Accomplishment…Being able to play on the piano definitely stands up as one of the high accomplishment list.
Happy.. I always feel happy and tend to release me whenever I hear the music being played on the piano. It kind of soothe your feelings and make it relax. It’s just like a kind of magical healing! There’s a saying I remember…”Love is just like playing the piano. First you play by the rules, then you forget the rules and play by your heart!”
Happy Holidays!
Kathy Piercy says
1. I feel I am to old
2. I think people would think I’m to old to learn
3.hylms
4.So my grandchildren can see grandma play
playing hylms in church
and just knowing I can play and it souonds good and feel’s good
Joseph John Soreng says
Your lessons are funtastic. I definitely pick them up fast and easy to learn. I will do my best and disturb you for more lessons in order to learn the piano fast. I just envy others playing the piano.
Joseph John Soreng says
Answers:
1. I do not have a piano, but I borrow a keyboard from a friend in order to practice.
2. I obstacles are to borrow the piano everyday to practice.
3. Nursery rhymes and church hymns.
4. I love to hear someone play the piano but I myself want to learn like them.
Casey says
1) I don’t have a piano at my house. I play when I go to my mom’s work with her. That is the only thing holding me back.
2) I’ve always wanted to play the piano. Ever since I heard it when I was little I thought it was the most amazing thing in the world. The sound that comes out of it is the purest, most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. My family is a very musical family. My parents are singers.
3) I really want to learn Beethoven’s 5th and Bella’s Lullaby. Bella’s Lullaby is from the new movie Twilight and I love the song. It’s so beautiful and graceful.
4) The greatest benefits I will enjoy from playing the piano is the pure joy of knowing the greatest instrument in the world.
I hope I get chosen for this amazing opportunity!!!
Aruna says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Finding/ taking the T I M E by being a mom, wife, house caretaker, teaching english in kindergarden and serving the Bahai Faith in different areas…
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
having to do it regular (I was never great in practising – I played the C and F recorder as a kid)
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I love classic, for Elise 🙂 …
but what I would love to play even more is music which is inside of me – find a way to express it – accompaning to my singing
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
listening to me making music
exercising my fingers ( and so my brain :))
seeing that I can do it!!!
Troy King says
Hi lisa,1. the main thing holding me back from learning piano is i dont have one yet but hopfully will have found the right one in the next few weeks.2.Nothing is stopping me, thats why i want so much to start, it’s never too late.3.I’d love to play some Elton john, cold play, that sort of style but my mind is open for all sounds, and question 4, the most important, to be able to play to my three little girls, 5 ,2 and 5 months, so i can show them anything is possible and hope that their love of music can grow and grow. The smiles on their faces would be enough. thankyou for listning, ill get theirin the end, sooner rather than later. Regards Troy
Deborah Oricha says
1. none
2. I just started, so I need to follow instructions to the end.
3. Worship songs to my God
4. – Deep praise and worship to my God
– God will be satisfy and happy with my worship to him
– It will help me compose special songs to God that really expresses my love for him
Danny Vitug says
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Do not know how to read musical note. I am a retired accountant dependent on a meager social security pension
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
In my younger years.. we do not have any musical instrument… later in life we’ve got a yamaha portable but I am now retired from work and cannot afford an extra expense beyond the basic needs.. our kids have their own lives to take care on their own..
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Ballads… classical… pops
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
I love music which I passed on to our kids who sings well (not professional though) .. although they oftentimes invited to sing in parties like debut, wedding, family reunion of other friends, even graduation and birthday events..
1) It’s one way of having a grand bonding moments with your love ones, relatives and friends.
2) It’s relaxing and lifts your mood while giving renditions to songs or music you wanted to hear and play yourself anytime even without those high tech musical equipments
3) It harnesses your innate talent in the art of music which you maybe unaware of thus enhance your personality, and you may even compose your own musical piece… who knows where piano learning will bring you… another Beethoven ? Burt Bacharach ? Learning is a never ending task and greatly enjoyable.