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As described on an earlier post, my brand new digital piano arrived on 12/30/05. I have been playing about 1 1/2 hours each day (with some interruption due to 3 year old rug rat crawling around )and in that time I have completed the first three chapters of the Bastien Beginner book (level 1). I thoroughly enjoy the journey so far and even though I can only play some super simple stuff like Jingle Bells, Ode to Joy etc. I'm having fun. I do have some lofty goals and hope to achieve them within the next 5 to 10 years.

My first formal piano lesson is this Saturday and I can't wait to see what I'll learn and what my homework will be. My weak points of course at this stage are hand independence (slim to none), reading notes correctly and understanding theory.

I must say though that I do not look on the key board at all, as a matter of fact, it's easier for me not to look down 'cause as soon as I do I seem to make a mistake.

I will post more updates as my journey progresses.
Thanks for reading
Petra

Great to hear you are enjoying your new piano!! Learning to play is definitely hard work, but very much worth it!!

Sounds like you're doing great! The note-reading thing will come quickly (at least the ones on the main clefs; I still have to sit there and count up or down to figure out the very high and low notes. Then I cheat and write in the name of the note with a pencil.). Music theory is important to learn eventually, but don't feel like you need to master it now to play well. There are plenty of excellent players who claim they know little or no music theory (see mr. super-hunky's posts and listen to his recordings, for example).

Hand independence is probably the major challenge for you to work on now, and it will come in time with practice. Just keep with the LH-RH-HT very, very slowly drill, and you will get it.

I'll be eager to hear how your lesson went and what you thought of the teacher. Please keep us posted!