Andrew C!
Been around a while....
I've seen several threads in the off topic page for various interests, so thought I'd start one as per the title. I've also noticed that guitarists have their own thread! Grr!
My journey started back in the late 70's & early 80's, when doodling on my grandads Yamaha organ. He was gutted I discovered girls instead. I never revisited learning to play again in a serious way until 2007, when at a friends house. He'd played seriously as a gigging keyboardist in the 80's, and had at least 10 synths and keyboards in his studio.
The bug had bitten. I started lessons immediately, and purchased a 2nd hand Roland A90 stage piano. It helped me to Grade 3, but I then realised I wanted an acoustic piano. Lots of research done, I purchased my Zimmermann Z1.
Piano by Andrew Clarke, on Flickr
I've maintained lessons ever since, and have aimed at the graded exams as a target. I enjoy the prep, and different techniques you learn and retain. My last exam was Grade 7 in 2014. Work got in the way after, for a while, but now I'm preparing for the grade 8.
I've also gigged, and programmed music for various projects. I also own an Access Virus Ti, Roland RD800, and a Novation SL61ii controller. They all get used in the gigging rig.
My piano has been very useful during the last year. Its given me focus and ongoing pleasure. My new teacher is also very progressive and keen, and very adept at dealing with the barriers that can present themselves when having to conduct lessons via FaceTime.
Todays lesson is to further my efforts at my weakest area - sight reading.
So, what's your piano/keyboard story?
My journey started back in the late 70's & early 80's, when doodling on my grandads Yamaha organ. He was gutted I discovered girls instead. I never revisited learning to play again in a serious way until 2007, when at a friends house. He'd played seriously as a gigging keyboardist in the 80's, and had at least 10 synths and keyboards in his studio.
The bug had bitten. I started lessons immediately, and purchased a 2nd hand Roland A90 stage piano. It helped me to Grade 3, but I then realised I wanted an acoustic piano. Lots of research done, I purchased my Zimmermann Z1.
Piano by Andrew Clarke, on Flickr
I've maintained lessons ever since, and have aimed at the graded exams as a target. I enjoy the prep, and different techniques you learn and retain. My last exam was Grade 7 in 2014. Work got in the way after, for a while, but now I'm preparing for the grade 8.
I've also gigged, and programmed music for various projects. I also own an Access Virus Ti, Roland RD800, and a Novation SL61ii controller. They all get used in the gigging rig.
My piano has been very useful during the last year. Its given me focus and ongoing pleasure. My new teacher is also very progressive and keen, and very adept at dealing with the barriers that can present themselves when having to conduct lessons via FaceTime.
Todays lesson is to further my efforts at my weakest area - sight reading.
So, what's your piano/keyboard story?