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Day 134
Streak: 134





The only difference I can see is that she doesn't quite play them legato... :p



I'll have a chat with her in a couple of days. I did find it odd that she would change that, but I guessed she probably just knows more than I do.


Someone Like You is DEFINITELY a ton harder than I assumed it would, hiding in the middle of very approachable pieces. I'm not backing down though, that's a challenge I intend on taking! :P

Practice will likely slow down a ton next few days, I'll be part of organizing a rather large event, so I'll be trying to sneak in some time if at all possible

Now that I can see the notes on her book it's even pretty evident you're not listening to my advice to count. You are actually adding an extra beat... If you would take the time to count and tap the rhythm while listening to your version, you would realise, as at that point you wouldn't be able to match the count with beats anymore. Or you could also ask your teacher, as probably you haven't caught with triplets yet... Anyway, up to you. I promise this is my last post about it.

I think his teacher will notice this issue and correct him. That's the typical thing teachers correct.

Day 135
Streak: 135



I did, but some things are not that obvious to all of us



More than likely Got my lesson tomorrow, and probably won't have time to really work on changing anything about it.

In the meantime, I went and got Someone Like You recorded! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPXBU7AE4fI

Practice will be very sparse the next few days, but let's see how it goes

Day 136
Streak: 136

Very quick practice today, playing to a crapton of people! Good fun for sure More about the event later, I reaaaaally need some sleep, slept an hour the last 2 days T_T

Day 137
Streak: 137

Event is almost done! Besides the small window of time I get to play something to wake people up, not much going on. This the the point I realize how much I love playing the piano and how much I miss being able to play for longer! Just one more day before everything goes back to normal. Can't waittt!

Day 138
Streak: 138

Last day of just maintaining pieces and feeling like I didn't get anything done! Tomorrow I should have enough time to start thinking about what's next and resume normal times. Plenty of things to catch up in uni because of the event but I should be able to do it all if I manage my time properly (fingers crossed haha.)

Day 139
Streak: 139

Trudging along on Alfred's Morning has Broken, had about an hour of practice on it today and it feels rather simple compared to some of the more recent stuff, which given that I haven't been able to practice much at all is actually very encouraging! But right now... study study study!

Day 140
Streak: 140

Ahhh it feels good to have a little bit of a breather to relax and play some piano

Here's a quick video of Morning has Broken: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hcw09w0hbM

Think I'll dosome more Alfred's before doing more pieces from other sources. I'm also very strongly considering not continuing to see this teacher. I don't feel like she's being particularly helpful in tackling the areas I struggle with, and very very vague when it comes to structuring my practice. I feel like that'd be the bare minimum from a teacher... and it's just not quite there.

Day 141
Streak: 141

Well, La Bamba feels like a pretty big step up in difficulty! Holy moly. I definitely wasn't expecting it to be this challenging haha. It really doesn't feel like it belongs in this section of the book, but I'll gladly embrace the challenge! Practice went alright, but this feels like it'll be a lot longer than the usual Alfred piece.

Day 142
Streak: 142

Bit more practice on La Bamba, some bits are starting to feel more natural, even if chaining them right now feels really clunky. Still not sure what this piece is doing at this place, but I shall persevere!

Day 143
Streak: 143

Okay, starting to see light at the end of the tunnel with La Bamba! There's no bit I haven't gotten properly by itself, now it's just a matter of getting it all together Should still be a couple of days, but definitely soon!

Day 144
Streak: 144

Still ironing out La Bamba, but it's surely coming along rather nicely. Decided to drop out the current teacher I had, she wasn't making me feel comfortable as of late, I almost felt like I was being teased, and when I asked her questions I assumed any teacher should be able to help out with, she wasn't very straightforward at all.

With my currently available time and how much stress those lessons were bringing, I might do without for a while. I know that's not the popular opinion, but I think having that on top of all the things I have on my plate at the moment wouldn't be at all wise.

Hi Ankee,

Dreading a lesson is no way to study piano. Good materials and recording yourself, as you do, to provide objective feedback can go a long way until you find an instructor that's a good fit.

Inspiring posts,
Happy practicing,

Holly by the Lake

I was going to say something along the same lines... A lesson is exactly the time when you ask your questions, get satisfying answers and level down your mistakes. I can't say I was ever dreading my lessons with my first two teachers, but still, every time it was like struggling to understand how I could get things right, and above all it was only 30 minutes, barely enough time to point things out. Now I'm always looking forward to my next one hour lesson, every time my teacher has already a plan ready for me about things to go over, he takes notes, I'm always encouraged to ask and we spend as much time as needed over my questions. I can see first hand my progress now. Also, we've been using an app where each day I get my homework which can also be recorded, he can check what I've been doing every day and gives me suggestions, and it has helped to more than double my practicing time. After 5 months I have progressed by leaps and bounds (nothing remotely comparable to my previous 2 years), So, I suppose dealing with an unsatisfying teacher is not much better than not having one at all (and it could potentially be worse). So Ankee, keep on searching and meanwhile don't lose your enthusiasm.

Day 145
Streak: 145



It had been feeling that way for a while now, like she laughed every time I didn't know something or got something wrong. It's really not something that contributed to me enjoying the piano at all. I'll be looking to find a different teacher once things calm down, hopefully I'll find someone that makes me want to play more rather than less
Thank you for your kind words! Same goes to you

Okay, I think I've gotten the general hang of the piece now, enough that I've recorded it. Still definitely a ton harder than anything I had touched before, it's been fun learning it, and I'll keep at it for a while still, but it does feel like a pretty big achievement to have it remind of my childhood

La Bamba -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rO5iqxGeks

Day 147
Streak: 147

It's honestly very refreshing to be playing just because I want to! It makes me want to play a lot more. Going to probably do a few more Alfred pieces before moving on to something different, having them be "graded" and in order makes it rather fun to go back to Alfred from time to time and seeing how I'm doing.

University will be odd as we're not sure what'll be done with regards to the virus. It has just been closed for an undetermined amount of time, which will be at the very least 2 weeks. Should give me time to catch up on studies at least!

Day 148
Streak: 148

Jolly Good Fellow was easy as expected, should be good to keep this one ready for social events haha.

link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMxCAIXF91U

Mexican Hat Dance is next and oh boy that looks like another wall to climb! Should have a bit more time to play these next few days so let's get to itttt!

If you want to keep ‘Jolly Good Fellow’ work on increasing the tempo a little. Your guide should be how fast you would sing it.

Day 149
Streak: 149



That's a very interesting point! I think in Portugal we actually sing it slightly slower than the original. I hadn't even bothered checking the original because I assumed it'd be the exact same tempo. I'll work on increasing it a little bit, it makes sense to keep the original, thank you!

Mexican Hat Dance is... imposing to say the least. Still trying to get my fingers to properly play the third line, but coming along I can see it taking quite a while to get the whole song, but I'm having so much fun learning at the moment that I don't mind that one bit.