So I'm learning the piano. Having not quite conquered, but doing pretty ok with the guitar, I've decided to learn the piano. Oh dear...
After 30 years of guitar, I'm starting a new instrument. Why? Well, settle in...
I have a thing where I try something new every 10 years. I don't mean changing my brand of coffee. I mean a life-changing type of thing.
Guitar/music for my 20s: Loved it all. The practicing, the playing, the playing in pubs not as much but still a whole lot of fun. Also, my explorations led me from one musician directly to another, towards many great recordings that radio/friends would never have suggested. So much joy, pleasure I just can't measure. Music remains my favourite thing and I'll play until death (or a really bad stroke obviously).
TV & Film for my 30s: Yes, I do think the planned watching of thousands of films and tv series counts as life changing! At least it can be. I started with DVDs on my decent CRT 32" with a 5.1 setup. I now have 1000s of DVDs & Blu-rays (most only watched once!), subscribe to multiple streaming services and most importantly own a gloriously huge 4K OLED TV. Its definition levels frankly thrill me, as does its Sonos soundbar.
Anyway, I very much like western cinema, including enjoyable but forgettable 'blockbusters' but not Fast & Furious cos I'm not 14. I have watched the recommended classics from World Cinema too. I sat through the classic French films where nothing happens over and over again in black & white, although the so-90s-it-hurts L' Appartement remains one of my all-time fave films. I examined(-ish) Chinese cinema. I really didn't like them. Or even get them. I liked the Japanese classics more, but hated the revered Tokyo Story. Well, all of the 1st 20 minutes that I watched. It felt like 2 hours if that helps. But at least I now have an opinion about them, however barely informed it may be.
College for my 40s: 11 years after I started 1st Year, I have a doctorate and tenure! And know loads and loads about some very specific things. I do love computers, teaching, and money so my new job ticks all the boxes. Not that interested in money per se, but very much interested in the guitars it can buy.
After 30 years of guitar, I'm starting a new instrument. Why? Well, settle in...
I have a thing where I try something new every 10 years. I don't mean changing my brand of coffee. I mean a life-changing type of thing.
Guitar/music for my 20s: Loved it all. The practicing, the playing, the playing in pubs not as much but still a whole lot of fun. Also, my explorations led me from one musician directly to another, towards many great recordings that radio/friends would never have suggested. So much joy, pleasure I just can't measure. Music remains my favourite thing and I'll play until death (or a really bad stroke obviously).
TV & Film for my 30s: Yes, I do think the planned watching of thousands of films and tv series counts as life changing! At least it can be. I started with DVDs on my decent CRT 32" with a 5.1 setup. I now have 1000s of DVDs & Blu-rays (most only watched once!), subscribe to multiple streaming services and most importantly own a gloriously huge 4K OLED TV. Its definition levels frankly thrill me, as does its Sonos soundbar.
Anyway, I very much like western cinema, including enjoyable but forgettable 'blockbusters' but not Fast & Furious cos I'm not 14. I have watched the recommended classics from World Cinema too. I sat through the classic French films where nothing happens over and over again in black & white, although the so-90s-it-hurts L' Appartement remains one of my all-time fave films. I examined(-ish) Chinese cinema. I really didn't like them. Or even get them. I liked the Japanese classics more, but hated the revered Tokyo Story. Well, all of the 1st 20 minutes that I watched. It felt like 2 hours if that helps. But at least I now have an opinion about them, however barely informed it may be.
College for my 40s: 11 years after I started 1st Year, I have a doctorate and tenure! And know loads and loads about some very specific things. I do love computers, teaching, and money so my new job ticks all the boxes. Not that interested in money per se, but very much interested in the guitars it can buy.
And now Piano for my 50s. There. I may document it. We'll see. I own many guitars, but the piano is different so I want only the one! I'm getting the most fabulous one from the start. A Yamaha CLP-775 in, wait for it, wait for it...polished ebony. Oh my...
I already had a Yamaha MX49 workstation and a Yamaha P45 (a lovely starter digital piano) but this is the real deal. Now, I'll have to practice. Yes, I realise that's 3 pianos. I'm not aiming to be the Greatest Player Ever (that's Martha Argerich, below), just the Greatest Me Ever.
I'm going for more of a Hugh Laurie thing, man.