It's been another successful week of schooling. I'll admit that I've saved a boatload of homework for over the weekend and until Monday and Tuesday, but I just wanted a break. And I have a ton of time tomorrow to do homework before we leave for New Hampshire... again (I feel like I'm always mentioning that place....).
I've taken the time to practice the piano almost everyday. I'll be quite honest with ya'll.... it's been wicked good. For once I'm taking the time to really practice and do the things I don't like to do on piano. Like scales, octaves, and arpeggios. I never practiced them until the day of my lessons. I wouldn't really practice the piano intensely and I would do it for a short amount of time. And there would be weeks upon weeks where I wouldn't really practice. It was quite sad, actually. Don't get me wrong, I'm in love with the instrument, I just wasn't pushing myself to become even more in love with it... I wasn't becoming passionate about it. Which is a shame because, hello, I have a flipping baby grand piano. I used it, trust me, but I could have used it more.
I think my inspiration has come from one man, or should I say teenager, who's talent literally makes me get very emotional whenever I hear him. There have been times when my jaw drops because he just puts me in complete amazement. I've sat in my school library and tried to refrain myself from smiling so I don't look like a fool. His name is Josiah Wilkinson, and ya'll should look him up because that boy is the best thing that has happened to me... So, maybe that's a bit dramatic. But his piano covers make me jealous. They're wicked.
I realized that it must be because he practices a ton. I watched a Q&A video of his and he said he's been classically trained since he basically started the piano, which was when he was 7. A lot of his teachers have come from conservatories. He practices classical music about 4 hours everyday. And that's just the classical stuff. And that's also still 4 HOURS. I practice a total of 4 hours in like, 2 weeks. Maybe not even. Now, I wasn't going to get teachers from foreign countries who came from conservatories. Personally, I still need and want someone who's laid back and will just let me do my thing. But practicing for a large amount of time was something I could easily do. So why didn't I?
Who knows. But I would always wait for Josiah's new uploads on YouTube. I show them to my mom and we both watch full of amazement. He just has talent flowing from his fingers.... and one of the major parts about it? HE PRACTICES. It isn't only just because of his amazing teachers, it also isn't just because he started when he was 7 (although those probably do help a ton), but the kid puts in effort. And one day I think it just hit me right in the face that I had this talent that I wasn't developing to its fullest potential. And that's sad.
My piano teacher asked me what I wanted to work on next. We could continue with my improvising and whatever, but he said something along the lines of, "I know you don't like to do it, but I think it would help if you did some scales..." and whatever. And that was when I was hit in the face with realization. "Maggie, get on it. Seriously. Do this." I talked to my mom about it and then the next week I told my piano teacher that I would start doing the more 'technical'(???) stuff on piano.
And I did. One day I found myself saying, "I'm going to practice my scales." Wow. I mean, it's not like they're super hard, but all of the things I was told to practice would really help with getting even better at the piano. Let me tell you, it's worked. I've made some progress. It's exciting.
I'm learning an original rework of Summertime Sadness (sung by Lana del Rey) that was done by Josiah. It's wicked hard, but I managed with the first four measures. I did them over and over and over and over. And now the first four measures sound pretty good.
So, basically, what I'm trying to say is that Josiah Wilkinson has been a true inspiration. And practicing is actually legit. By that I mean, it works.
So, this was pretty wordy, but I'm just taking better steps to becoming passionate about the piano. Talents are given to us and we need to just use them to the best of our abilities. We shouldn't let them go to waste.
I've taken the time to practice the piano almost everyday. I'll be quite honest with ya'll.... it's been wicked good. For once I'm taking the time to really practice and do the things I don't like to do on piano. Like scales, octaves, and arpeggios. I never practiced them until the day of my lessons. I wouldn't really practice the piano intensely and I would do it for a short amount of time. And there would be weeks upon weeks where I wouldn't really practice. It was quite sad, actually. Don't get me wrong, I'm in love with the instrument, I just wasn't pushing myself to become even more in love with it... I wasn't becoming passionate about it. Which is a shame because, hello, I have a flipping baby grand piano. I used it, trust me, but I could have used it more.
I think my inspiration has come from one man, or should I say teenager, who's talent literally makes me get very emotional whenever I hear him. There have been times when my jaw drops because he just puts me in complete amazement. I've sat in my school library and tried to refrain myself from smiling so I don't look like a fool. His name is Josiah Wilkinson, and ya'll should look him up because that boy is the best thing that has happened to me... So, maybe that's a bit dramatic. But his piano covers make me jealous. They're wicked.
I realized that it must be because he practices a ton. I watched a Q&A video of his and he said he's been classically trained since he basically started the piano, which was when he was 7. A lot of his teachers have come from conservatories. He practices classical music about 4 hours everyday. And that's just the classical stuff. And that's also still 4 HOURS. I practice a total of 4 hours in like, 2 weeks. Maybe not even. Now, I wasn't going to get teachers from foreign countries who came from conservatories. Personally, I still need and want someone who's laid back and will just let me do my thing. But practicing for a large amount of time was something I could easily do. So why didn't I?
Who knows. But I would always wait for Josiah's new uploads on YouTube. I show them to my mom and we both watch full of amazement. He just has talent flowing from his fingers.... and one of the major parts about it? HE PRACTICES. It isn't only just because of his amazing teachers, it also isn't just because he started when he was 7 (although those probably do help a ton), but the kid puts in effort. And one day I think it just hit me right in the face that I had this talent that I wasn't developing to its fullest potential. And that's sad.
My piano teacher asked me what I wanted to work on next. We could continue with my improvising and whatever, but he said something along the lines of, "I know you don't like to do it, but I think it would help if you did some scales..." and whatever. And that was when I was hit in the face with realization. "Maggie, get on it. Seriously. Do this." I talked to my mom about it and then the next week I told my piano teacher that I would start doing the more 'technical'(???) stuff on piano.
And I did. One day I found myself saying, "I'm going to practice my scales." Wow. I mean, it's not like they're super hard, but all of the things I was told to practice would really help with getting even better at the piano. Let me tell you, it's worked. I've made some progress. It's exciting.
I'm learning an original rework of Summertime Sadness (sung by Lana del Rey) that was done by Josiah. It's wicked hard, but I managed with the first four measures. I did them over and over and over and over. And now the first four measures sound pretty good.
So, basically, what I'm trying to say is that Josiah Wilkinson has been a true inspiration. And practicing is actually legit. By that I mean, it works.
 |
| Gosh. The piano is just my favorite. |
Today's quote comes from Quintavious Johnson. I think it's word for word, but I'm not perfect.
"It's a God given talent and I'm glad I got it, but hey!"
Let's all use our talents that were given to us. Because they're all important. It doesn't have to be playing an instrument or singing, but there are so many other talents. Every single talent that is out there is amazing. They're all equal and important. It's great!
---Maggie
P.S- (HELP) Maybe I should try this with singing. And currently I'm stumped with songs to do on my YouTube channel. So if there are any suggestions, that would be super.
P.S- (HELP) Maybe I should try this with singing. And currently I'm stumped with songs to do on my YouTube channel. So if there are any suggestions, that would be super.
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