Sunday, April 8, 2007

My music background

I started playing piano when I was 5 years old. Due to lack of practicing, my parents stopped my lessons (with no objection from me I might add) when I was in about grade 5 in the Royal Conservatory Celebration Series; I was probably around 13. I kept playing a bit on and off, and I was in the school band (played the tuba) for my high school career, so I didn't lose my musical abilities.

About two and a half years ago, due to a rather traumatic event in my life, I decided to take up piano again. This time I'm paying for lessons. I wanted to finish what I started. I absolutely love what most people refer to as "classical music", though I prefer to refer to the music as either baroque, classical, or romantic. However, what I enjoy playing and what I enjoy listening to can differ. I love playing Bach, but don't enjoy listening to all his music. I have yet to hear a Beethoven piece I didn't like, and they are always fun to play. And of course you can't go wrong with Rachmaninoff; some of his pieces are not only a good challenge to play, but are absolutely beautiful.

I found a great teacher; in our first meeting, I of course played some stuff and we discussed what I wanted. He decided that I could start at the grade 7 level (there are 10 for those unfamiliar with Royal Conservatory Celebration Series). I've worked my way up to grade 10, and now I am
doing a few grade 10 and some of the easier ARTC level pieces.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great blog idea. You're bookmarked and I will be checking your progress.

noreign said...

What are ARTC level pieces?