If you noticed, I do a lot of my thinking at night, which means, I don’t sleep much!
I get a lot of emails from students who would like to share their thoughts with others, so I thought I would make a new category here on my blog to let my students post to each other! ~smile~
Some of you don’t know how to use a blog and so here is how. Go to the top of this article, and you will see a little link called comments… go there and post a comment. Yep! It’s that easy.
It will be fun to see what students have to say to each other!
Talk to you soon!
Lisa
28 Responses
Does this ever happen to you?
You get so inspired and sign up for _________ (fill in the blank), only to find you have so much going on that you can’t do it right away.
You even go out and get all the equipment.
If it’s a gym membership, you go and get some hot outfit that you are sure will inspire you to go workout. If it’s a weight-loss program, maybe you got the scale to weigh your food, all the cookbooks, and the handy-dandy-electronic-pointsfinder.
Or maybe you wanted to learn piano, and even bought an electronic keyboard, a real piano, and a fantastic, couldn’t-be-simpler, piano course from Lisa, who doesn’t want to take your money – she actually wants you to succeed!!
To encourage us further, she totally redesigned her website to help us build a community where we can share tips, our struggles, ideas, and support each other in our quest for success.
But then it happens.
That four letter word called L-I-F-E. And then all the inspiration we had in the beginning is still there, but it’s in conflict with guilt and remorse for not practicing. And every time we get an encouraging email, we think, guilt-guilt-guilt.
That’s what happened to me. And when I went to do the simple 3 step request she sent out recently, I got to the “record the piece you’re working on” step, and that four letter word popped up (L-I-F-E). And then guilt-guilt-guilt.
But since Lisa is so giving, I said, what can I offer, if not a simple practice piece?
Then I looked at this request as an opportunity to really think about what’s stopping me.
I realized that mostly it’s the demons of guilt, which is nothing more than a voice inside my head telling me, “There he goes again, signing up and not following through.”
So I wondered how I can overcome that, and run those voices out of town.
I came up with 3 simple ways to lighten the guiltmonster.
The first answer came in a flash.
Since this is the season for giving, then I must start by forgiving myself. In practical terms, that means I give myself permission to get excited again about having this beautiful 70 year old player piano I bought (with a ton of scrolls!), feel totally grateful I found a wonderful course with a never-ending supply of other learners, and just imagine how fun it will be to play!
Is that all there is to demon?
Then let’s keep dancing!
So, number one, stay excited.
Two and three came just as quickly.
2. Stay connected, which is so easy with Lisa’s new website!
And 3, ask for help, which is natural if you’re doing number 2.
Maybe there’s more to it, but for now, that’s enough!
I hope that helps somebody who is struggling. Stay excited. Stay connected. Ask for help.
Please add your input!
Happy Holidays!
1. I want to become an easy player.
2. Voilin.
3. Melody Songs & Devotional Songs.
4. Love, Peace and Hapiness
Dear Lisa:
I do a lot of thinking at night too Like You. You
are so smart in create this session. Good Idea;
Its was excited talk to you during the webcast..
You were hearing my voice to the first time. That
was a good feeling for me. I want invite you to
make plans someday to come to orlando I want
to have a piano session with you in my home. It will
be fun. Students to Student session is a great
opportunity to meet others student share experiences
share our feelings. Many of times we need somebody
that lift our hands. Is the great opportunity to make
new friends. I am so happy with this new session.
Thank You Lisa
I Love You
Brunilda Davila
Hello Lisa,
Since the day I begun learning piano online, I could not imagine how many times I woke up in the middle of the night just to try what I have thought would give me some idea on how I could be able to learn as fast as I could. Most of the time, I used to listen to some of my favourite music in which piano is the most dominating musical intrument. I just listen very carefully how the piano is being played and do it on my own afterwards and see how well I could manage to play it without being dictated. There are times that I can get it, but most of the time, I could not. Till I realized the importance of chord reading perhaps. I think I must go further than this…but definitely I could’nt do it without your teaching. I supposed I need to wait till we approched the next level.
Thank you very much Lisa and Happy Holiday to you and your family
Lito Balane
Dear lisa
12/21/08
I’m so happy that i found your piano teaching site before i signed up for piano lessons on here i didnt have a clue and now i can play very fluintly and you dont even know the best part its free i would not be able to find any piano lessons free anywhere else but here it’s so easy!!!!!!!!!
Hi Lisa, I’m not sure what we’re posting here so just will say Merry Christmas to you and your family. God Bless you all and have a safe, happy new year to come.
Even that english is not my mother tongue, I like your website and videos (very, very helpful); Here are my answers the questions:
1) Basically time, and now I don´t have a keyboard due it was my ex-w´s keyboard (I´ll get one soon to continue the lessons)
2) Practice; thou I learned myself only with a book with chords and a borrowed keyboard being 40 years old coming out from depression, I don´t have enough practice and flexibility in my hands; when I play the melody sometimes sounds like it has gaps.
3) I would like to play song from great composers like Chopin, Bach and Brahms; also some opera.
4) I feel free, helps my spirit to give worship to the Lord, and it´s a personal challenge having learned myself to look a chord and take the song out of it with a melody.
Happy Holidays, Lisa.
Juan Maestre – Bogota, Colombia, South America
Lisa you are a treasure. With some bad luck that has happened to us lately it is lovely being able to try and play the piano with your instant play. Thanks again
Teacher Lisa,
Thanks for your advices!
Now I just want to learn how to read and play piano pieces.
I don’t get it when it comes to curve lines above the notes and also how to use a pedal.
Can you teach me how to read piano pieces?
Thanks!
Hi Lisa, I just looked at all the videos of you teaching your grandma and had a blast listening to the session. I played along with you on my desk top since my electric piano is upstairs. I printed off the lessons and will take them upstairs and practice on the real thing. 🙂
I had already answered the four questions so do we need to answer those again for this 2nd part of the contest?
Again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Watching you and your grandma was a real treasure. My mother is 83 (will be 84 in January) and has always wanted to learn to play piano. I’m going to share the 5 free lessons with her and see if she wants to learn. She doesn’t have a computer, so we’ll see how that goes.
Thanks again.
I’m back. It looks like we’re suppose to answer the questions again on the blog, so here goes.
1) The main challenge hlding me back is nothing. I just need to go upstairs and take the printed out sample lessons with me and practice.
2) Other obstacles are probably lack of coordination between left and right hand; however, with practice, that should improve.
3) I like country/country gospel; OLD R&R (which in today’s radio is called country); old country and some blues.
4) Three benefits are: self-confidence; a sense of accomplishment; doing something I thought was impossible for me to learn and doing it well.
Some of the other things you asked about are if I’m willing to change and if I’m willing to dedicate a minimum of 10 minutes a day to practice and the anser is Yes to both questions. This is something I want to learn to do and see no reason I can’t do it.
Thank you for this opportunity and after watching you teach your grandma (which I loved), feel I can learn, too. Not quite as old as your grandma, but my mom is not far behind at 84 in January coming up. (:-) and mom is 20 years and a month older than I am)
Have a great night!
Dear Lisa,
Here are the reasons in brief:
1/ Nowadays the greatest challenge is time. I usually get home late and tired. The best time left is usually Saturdays. I’ll keep on trying especially during this holiday season.
2/ The other challenges include other obligations. I usually say I work 3 jobs viz. my normal 8 (not 9) to 5 job, my online business, my church and community responsibilities. I normally do the last two in the evenings.
3/ I really desire playing hymns especially worship songs.
4/ It will improve our family devotions as I play the keyboard. Secondly, we only have one keyboard player in our small church. I’ll therefore be able to play when he’s not able to come.
Blessings,
Paul, Nairobi, KENYA
Hey Lisa,
Thanks again for letting me test your lessons. I’m the “critical guy”, if you remember me 😉
Anyways so far it’s been quite hard to find anything to be critical about, and this contest doesn’t really help, haha. Well here you go:
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Nothing really, but when it comes to reading notes, I tend to be quite lazy. I want to play right away. So far I’ve been searching for videos of people playing a certain song and just imitate what they’re doing. It workds, but reading notes might be easier in the end.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
The time it consumes mainly,
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
I love a beautiful classical piece for the piano, but pop does the trick as well. Thing is, the piano has a great, classical sound, but recently I found that playing with others is so much, much more fun than playing alone. So any kind of music is fine with me, the joy of playing together with friends is enough. The song that got me started was “To Zanarkand”. I stumbled across it on youtube, and I was like, I GOTTA learn to play the piano. So I started. I wasn’t an easy song to start with, and it took ages, but I did it.
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
The thing I enjoyed most so far, is that making music is completely different than anything else. It’s not like playing a game, sports or whatever. This was something new to me. Another thing is the social aspect. I got to get to know a lot of people thanks to the piano. Last but not least, the music itself. It’s great fun to play music you like.
Thanks again Lisa!
Max
Dear Lisa:
I always sharing with you my good times moments
I never sharing what happening to me Now. My
mayor struggle is feel the rejection of my own family
Never receive support in any area in my life is
very hard to handle. They bought me a piano and
and is not available to me. I am using my keyboard
only.
Brunilda Davila
Dear Lisa I wish I can play piano your are a very nice teacher but economic problems don’t let me concentrate in follow your lessons, I really try but my brain in other things right now. I promise to you that I will do it as soon fix a little bit my problems. I really thing that play piano is good for my temper and my feelings. Thanks again for be so nice (and beatifull teacher) smile. P.D. I played drums for so many years! But let me tell you I don’t have the humor to play now.
Happy holidays to you and your family.
Julio Barreto.
) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
I am a missionary and travel to some interesting places and so I started lessons this year but I do not always have access to the internet or to a keyboard.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Sometimes I think fear of failure holds me back but I am really determined I want to learn the piano/keyboard.
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Worship music/to lead worship wherever I travel and bless people with music
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
1)To connect with God in worship and express my heart to Him
2)Bless other people with music and use it in missions
3)I hope I could teach/encourage other people to play too
Answers:
1) payment in US dollors is quite expensive to us as compare to the exchange rate of Malaysian Ringgit( $1.00 = 3.85 Malaysian Ringgit)
2) slow pick up in learning notes and cords.
3) Amazing Grace – playing for my church home group meetings
4) I am lover of musics especially electronic organs and wishing can play for our church voluntarily my favarite hyms and worshipping songs.
“May God bless you and your family for providing me with the 4 free lessons which I do enjoy very much.”
1) What is the main challenge holding you back from playing the piano?
Ans: Lack of time that I need to dedicate to it.
2) What are the other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like you’ve always dreamed?
Ans: Again,, its time only. But most of the times I am able to take out some time for myself. Money used to be a problem, until I finally managed to buy a keyboard 🙂
3) What song or type of music have you always wanted to play?
Ans: “A love for life”, by Yanni
4) What are the three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano?
Ans:
I. I feel a lot younger than my age when I play piano. I am 28, but I feel like 16!!!! as I start perceiving the world exactly the same way as I used to then. Its exciting.
II. It helps me relax and forget all the worries of life. Life starts appearing very exciting and interesting.
III. It makes me feel that my brain is evolving!!
1) THe main challange I seem to face if finding the time. When ever I have tried I get frustrated that i am not playing very well & it is discouraging.
2) Finding the extra money to be able to upgrade from the free lessons is very difficult being a single parent w/ no outside support coming in.
3)I have always wanted to play Holiday music, sing a long stuff for parties & i like classic rock myself.
4)The 3 greatest benifits are 1) Self achievement. knowing i can really do this, 2) having people enjoy listening to me play. i love it when someone plays the piano or guitar or something just at the drop of a hat. * 3) Showing my children even at my age i can still learn to do something that i have always dreamed of.
Hi Teacher Lisa,
First of all Iam really impressed at the way you have sacrifically decided to teach free piano lessons online.I have answers to the four questions below:-
(1)The main challenge is I do not have a piano at home
(2)Not having enough time to practice because I am practicing from a church keyboard is the other challenge.
(3)I have wanted to especially play the song(Our God is an awesome God)done by Micheal W Smith.
(4)The one greatest benefits I will enjoy from playing the piano is to share God’s love to mankind through the songs I will play.secondly,I will be able to play an instrument as well as sing unlike other instruments like trumpet which you can not sing and play.Lastly,I will be able to play to help those with a dream like I have to learn how to play the piano.
Thank you,
Meya.
1) The main challenge holding you back from playing the piano is time.
2) The other obstacles keeping you from playing the piano like I’ve always dreamed is fear of failure and time.
3) The type of music I have you always wanted to play is Gospel.
4) The three greatest benefits you’ll enjoy from playing the piano are the feeling of joy, knowing I’ve accomplished something great, and to be able to play for my church.
1.Moving for the last eight years raising four children who wanted to learn, so I dropped out.
2.I like to be able to move my hands freely across the piano. Having the confidence to play for the church and others while singing.
3. All music, but mostly hyms and Christmas songs. Playing without stopping.
Learning to use the metrone. Understanding hand movements, watching them just telling me does not help.
4. to feel the music in me to lower my blood pressure and relaxe. I tend to be up tight. Music calms me. The awsome of it. How all the note and everything comes together.
Dear Lisa
My name is Amy.You had help me a lot.When you gave me these lessons i kept trying all day and all night. I was proud of my self. i thought I couldn’t do it but some how you taught how to try and from that day on i kept trying until I get successful.
1.) The main challenge that hold me back from playing the piano is time. I barely have time. Now that I am in high School I have to try to succeed. When I go home its like 4:00 p.m. Then after that I got to do my homework. sometime I say to myself that you should take a little break. You know Lisa, time goes by very fast. As soon as you look at the clock it goes by so fast.
2.) The other obstacle that the truth is that I don’t got a big piano. I always dream of getting a grand piano. I just got a keyboard. Its not that small and not that big. Sometime I just wish somebody could get me bigger piano. maybe if I get a bigger one I will try even harder and be a pianist. sometime there is songs that I like to play and hear on a bigger piano instead of a keyboard.
3.) I always wanted to play love songs on the piano. Love songs feel so romantic. Every time when I hear someone playing a romantic song my heart just beats. I love to play love songs but even more better is the “Titanic”. Titanic is the best song. I always want to play the song on the piano. That song is the most romantic song ever. It has a lot of love and passion.
4.) Playing the piano is relaxing to me. i feel that it is a nice way to relax your body. It calms you down. It also soothe people when they are sad. you can play song that they will cheer up. I feel that when I am playing the piano i don’t think about something else. Playing the piano is helpful because it can erase everything in your mind that doesn’t feel right.
Well these are the answers to my questions. you had help me a lot lisa and i want to say thank- you. You have taught me a lot and made me understand it better. you have taught me and made me realized that no how much I try i will succeed and not to give up. thank you so much. Now i fell so happy to express my feeling to you. These questions that you made up are really nice. that way you can understand people like me a lot better. i appreciate you for helping me so much and once again thank – you so much.
Hello lisa, im 12 years old and i really love your lessons even though i have only done the free lessons haha. im yearning them for a christmas present, i want to be able to play just like you! I first started to notice the piano when i was in about 5th grade because our msic teacher would give us pianos to play. It held my interest when he could play so good and didnt even look at his fingers. I got really upset becuase i could never get his lessons, while my partner knew songs i could only dream of playing. I had laid off playing for a year or two, but when i turned 12 i started to get back on track with piano. I looked online for piano lessons and they were just to confusing for me untill i found your site, i dont know how to thank you enough for these free lessons! Ok here are the answers to yor questions.
1.) The main challenge holding me back, is frusation and putting myself down.
2.)Well the economy is not that well and i dont have a lot of money to buy the piano lessons, also i will start something then leave it off. Also i forget things very easily and makes me very frusturated.
3.) I’ve always wanted to play christmas songs and songs i hear on the radio Like silent night, the most i’ve wanted to play is carol of the bells, titanic and reflection by christina aguerila
4.) Hmm theres alot but three would have to be, accomplishing and finishing something all the way through, just playing the piano would be great, my hands going smoothley throught the keys and hearing the sound of me playing, and thirdly the joy of playing the piano to my family and friends, i even have a dream of doing the school concert and playing a handwritten song!
Hello Lisa, my name is Dhara and I am 16 years old. Music and singing have been my passion ever since i was 5 years old. I would one day love to be able to play the piano and sing at the same time. I just wanted to say that your lessons were very easier to follow than i thought, which has truly separated you from those regular, boring teachers. You, as a fellow piano teacher, have truly inspired me to play better in terms of dedication and effort and I thank you dearly for that.
1) The main challenge that is holding me back from playing the piano, honestly, I would say is the money factor because these days its hard to get anything accomplished without the right amount of money. I am a junior in high school and my parents can’t afford to spend lavishly on other things when its time to save up for my college fees, which has gotten harder day by day, of the fact that my mom is the only one working because my dad has experienced two open-heart surgeries.
2) Other obstacles keeping me away from playing the piano would be, of course, reading and understanding the notes like a good musician. Another challenge would be to be able to find a great teacher that can improve my fingering on the keyboard and help me find my inner skills required, making me able to tackle playing the piano much easier.
3)At first I would like to simply play holiday songs because I know the holidays are meant for families to come together and by playing and singing these songs will definitely make the family, as a whole, more involved in the holiday spirit. Then, after i get the hang of the holiday songs, I am hoping or should say PRAYING for me to be able to play classical songs. I am very interested in classical songs with incredible composers like Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and plenty others. These people are the greatest of all and it would be a dream come true if I could be able to play a few pieces of their music.
4) The 3 greatest benefits that I will enjoy from playing the piano would be a sense of accomplishment well done because I have always dreamed of playing the piano, never thought that I could actually play it in real life! Another benefit that I would possess would be the opportunity of playing any music piece that I would be in mood for, giving me an relaxation, while playing the piano. Lastly, my greatest benefit of all would be, to able to perform in front of family and friends, giving off a sense of pride. This will make my parents think in a different aspect of me and give me that encouragement that I always needed. Also, seeing that happiness coming through my parents’ while performing will not only make me a stronger performer, but also a strong young women, as well.
Hi Music Lovers:
http://www.sheetmusicarchive.net/
The addy above is a site you can download free sheet music. Hundreds of free sheet music downloads.
Look for a green mark by the songs, they are the free ones.
Enjoy! :0)
Hey der!!!
This is sonething realy wonderful.Like lisa said ,there are 3 categories first is reading,second is playing by ear and third is improvisation….i guess i fall in the third category
Hello music lover, i start this lesson on Dec 2011, love what i have learn, and thank you Lisa. My practice is each day. i will one day do the chord and the lesson to be. the next day will just read over some notes, will practice the scales, My hold point is to do a lesson of diffi . thing as long as it music. But do it each day. Am on lesson 7 doing the FROLICKING, which i fine to be a little difficult,but am having fun.Other days i will do finger practice.
Practice each day it is habit just like go the the gym each day. UP at 4:00 am, will practice before i go to the gym at 6:00am to 8:00am Home by 8:45am ,practice on my key broad until 9:30Am. I can do this because am retied, Iam 73 years old with God and you Lisa i will not give up. May God bless your family and Son.