Introduction to Learning Project

Welcome Everyone! Come along with me as I learn to to play the Piano and the song “Piano man” by Billy Joel!

For my learning project, I have decided to learn how to play the piano! I have always been told that when you play an instrument you use a different part of your brain so now I want to challenge myself with learning a new instrument. I want to learn how to play “Piano Man” by Billy Joel because that song holds a very special place in my heart. I played piano when I was very, very young but I don’t remember how to play anymore and I want to regain that knowledge by taking this semester to learn it again in full. 

I used to play the saxophone when I was in high school so I am able to read notes well and understand what they are! I quit playing the saxophone before Grade 12 because none of my friends played any instruments and I felt like an outsider. It made me stressed when I had to go to my saxophone lesson every Tuesday night instead of being able to hangout with my friends. I gave up playing the saxophone so I didn’t have a burden of going to my lessons during my last year of high school but I regret not being able to play an instrument anymore. Ever since I quit playing the saxophone, I have felt like I am not maximizing my brain to my full potential like I used to. Being able to play an instrument has shown me a lot about myself as a learner and my time management skills and I want to rekindle that passion. 

 I want to learn the piano because I feel like it could be a way to connect with my future students who play an instrument. Students may be nervous to say that they play an instrument like I was, but if they know someone else who plays the same instrument as them or just an instrument in general, it will give them more confidence and shine in their passion. 

 

 I am going to start my playing piano journey by using the Simply Piano app and the Skoove app! Both of these apps can be found on the Apple store. I am also planning on using videos that I can find on YouTube including the one I have embedded below. 

Using these two apps is a great way to get the basics down for reading and playing notes on the piano as a beginner. I want to be able to understand the hand placements on the keyboard and how to move my hands along the keys to play each note.

After I get the basics down (which may take a couple weeks), I am going to start slowly trying to play with both hands at the same time. I believe that I will struggle with this part the most. 

I have already finished the first piano lesson on the Simply Piano app and it was better than I expected for my first time! I able to find notes on a keyboard, name notes, and even play notes from sheet music!

 

By the end of my journey, I want to be able to play the song “Piano Man” by Billy Joel. I want to be able to play this fluently and without any beginner mistakes by the end of the semester! 

Wish me luck on this new and exciting journey!