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Embracing the Imperfection
Let’s be honest: my piano skills are not winning any awards. I have my excuses lined up—I’m a newbie, a tad too old for this, and let’s not even start on my puny pinkies. Still, the reality is I’m far from being a piano prodigy. My two kids, who are practically musical geniuses, have their moments of brilliance, while I’m just trying to hit the right notes. Surprisingly, my friends still enjoy my company, and my teacher greets me with enthusiasm each week. Even my kids treat me kindly at the piano, like I’m a little nervous kid again, but they still expect me to help with their homework (thankfully, not in math!). -
The Enchantment of Music
Before diving into piano lessons, I appreciated the beauty of music from a distance. Sure, I knew Beethoven’s 9th Symphony had power, and that “Hey Jude” could tug at the heartstrings. But nothing compares to the thrill of playing music yourself. Watching my little ones fumble through “All You Need Is Love” was cute, but experiencing the magic firsthand is otherworldly. Just pressing down middle C with my thumb and then high C with my pinky can conjure “Over the Rainbow” in my mind. It’s astonishing how simple sequences can unlock memories and emotions—like waving a magic wand, and yes, even I can do it! -
The Value of Repetition
It’s genuinely remarkable how practice transforms our abilities. I’ve long mastered tasks like typing and rolling out dough, so I had forgotten the struggle of developing a new skill. Sure, it can be frustrating, but there’s also joy in the journey. With each practice session, the seventh measure of “Amazing Grace” becomes smoother and feels less like an exercise and more like a heartfelt hymn. -
Aging Realities
Learning music at my age feels like a marathon, not a sprint. My brain processes at a snail’s pace, and my fingers follow suit—it’s a real coordination challenge! I literally instruct my fingers like they’re toddlers learning to walk. The daunting thought of mastering the pedal is on the horizon, but it’s the realization of time that hits hardest. I simply don’t have a lifetime left to become an expert pianist. At the current rate, it’ll take me 55 years to reach that level of skill—by then, I’ll be ready to serenade everyone at my 95th birthday bash! -
Finding Joy in Aging
As I sit at the piano, trying to nail a few bars, I feel time slip away. I replay the same notes, slowly improving with each repetition. When I finally get it right, I can’t help but celebrate, only to mess it up again—classic me! Yet, during those moments of focus, everything else fades. I forget about my to-do list and past regrets, even wishing I had started these lessons decades earlier. Whether I’m 25 or 85, the only thing that matters in that moment is the music. What time is it? Just the rhythm of 3/4, that’s all.
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Summary
Starting piano lessons at 40 taught me that it’s fine to be a beginner, that music holds incredible power, and that practice helps improve skills over time. While I grapple with my age and the limitations it brings, I also find joy in the process of learning and creating music, discovering that this journey is timeless.