My (musical) journey

Del Vento

In the spirit of making good friends, and hence know each other better, here is a bit about myself. Feel free to reply with yours. Or not, if you still prefer to remain anonymous or give only puzzling tidbits about yourself (a la Pete14), that's fine too.

I was born in the early 70s, so I'm almost 50. I grew up in Italy and spent half of my adult life there and the other half in the USA. I have a Ph.D. in Physics, lots of background in various aspects of science (as you might have guessed from my other posts) and I work as a software engineer. FWIW, I was the first person in my extended family to go to college (besides a couple of older cousins who did the same, but we had almost no contacts). My maternal grandfather had just a elementary school "degree", and I am not sure his wife could even write. My parents had high school degrees. By comparison, my wife's grandfathers, and both of her parents all had Master degrees or higher.

When growing up the only music-playing device in the house was a 10" TV with a very scratchy sound, and at the time only 3 channels were broadcasted, so I could not just tune into MTV to hear music. But my mother said that since a tender age I was very interested in music. We then got a car radio (with cassette player) which had a DIY adapter to be powered at 220V -- and small speakers. Not much, but big improvement compared to just the TV. Towards the end of high school I had saved enough to be able to buy a boombox which could read CDs and that felt like buying top-of-the-line HiFi to me. At that time I started buying CDs, almost exclusively at bargain prices when sold at newsstands (which was a common way back then in that country and was the only thing I could afford) and I figured out that I loved both classical and jazz music -- but could tolerate some pop 😀

At the end of elementary school I started taking piano lessons, but my only instrument was what I had been gifted by somebody who wanted to throw it a way: a sort of electric (fan-powered) melodica with an extended range, which my piano teacher forbade me from touching. According to her it was better if I drew piano keys on several sheets of papers, placed them on the table and "played" them. Unsurprisingly, I never made any progress, and quickly gave up (which probably gave my father a relief sight from the fear of having to buy an expensive piano as the teacher requested, and have to haul it himself at the 5th story apartment we were living in -- as he did with all the furniture). A couple years later I started taking Electone organ lessons with the "Yamaha method". That teacher allowed me to practice on what I had, so I did made (marginal) progress…. I continued the lessons for years, arriving to the end of the class (level 8, I believe), which correspond probably to the first year of piano lessons or less. My father bought me the ME-50 described below and I later bought the V-50 which I continued to plunk in my college years but later fizzled with the urge of making a living and not sleep, starving, under a bridge.

When in the USA I became interested in making music again. I had a bit of disposable income and spare time so I started buying the "late in life" instruments (see below). With kids, we went to the Music Together program which is a great, and eventually my daughters started taking piano lessons which I then joined myself with their same teacher and then with another which I believe is a better fit for me. And here I am, playing probably like somebody having taken 2-3 years of piano lessons (well, some things better than that, but many worse than 2y level, so I'm averaging), and still taking lessons for the love of music….

Owned instruments in early life:

a sort of electric (fan-powered) melodica with an extended range
Yamaha Electone ME-50
Yamaha electronic keyboard V-50

Owned instruments in late life:

Digital keyboard of unremembered brand (not weighted)
Digital "slab" piano Kawai ES-X
Digital "cabinet" piano Kawai CA-750
1936 Howard by Baldwin upright piano 44" high
1926 Apollo "apartment" grand 4'8" long

Currently owned instruments:

David B

Cool story. I was also born in the early 70's (almost 50 now). Raised in an Italian American community in NY (been living in CA for the last 23 years). Played guitar and drums as a youngster. I didn't start playing piano until a few years ago (early 40's). I've always loved the piano and enjoyed watching people play it, but education, career, (Christian Pastor) and other hobbies distracted me from starting earlier.

I still play the guitar (not the drums anymore) and have owned a few digital slabs and currently a hybrid N1X. I enjoy most genres of music (except for hip hop/rap), but I'm only motivated to play hymns/spiritual music at the piano.

Community forums have always been a big part of my life contributing to whatever hobby I was engaged in. I was a moderator on a gun forum for years (Beretta) and we actually organized a Beretta factory tour (in the U.S.) and I got to meet a number of forum members. It was a really fun experience. I've been on mountain bike forums, dual sport motorcycle forums, guitar forums, and now piano forums.

As a pastor I serve and minister to a lot of people, but in my own personal life I feel a bit lonely because the pastor/member dynamic doesn't always have a reciprocating influence. That's why I gravitate toward forums. I can connect with people that share the same interests.

Thanks for sharing and inviting me to share also.

God Bless,
David

CyberGene

I have recently posted on PW something suitable for this thread but I need to find it and copy-paste it 😀

I can write a lot but my wife always says I'm too long-worded (or whatever is the proper English phrase about that). So, an experiment I will try to tell my story in as few words as possible.

Born in 1979. Refused to learn any instrument as a kid, wasn't interested in music at all. Started listening to Queen and Pink Floyd but a year later, when 14, heard my mom playing Bach on the piano and was shattered in pieces by the beauty of it and decided I have to learn the piano and to dedicate the rest of my life to Bach 🤣 Went for a month with a granny who taught me how to read and count notes. Switched to a professional teacher from a music high-school and went with her for a month or two, she said I show the typical signs of a jazz fan: obsession with Bach 🤣 I laughed since I hated jazz. I continued on my own with Bach, also started playing every Saturday at the church: rehearsing the choir, playing simple hymns, piano/organ in a small classical orchestra. Then I discovered jazz 🤣 Borrowed theory books, started improvising, reharmonizing church tunes, probably 10-15 more years. Gradually got fed up with jazz and with my inability to be a good jazz improviser, returned entirely to classical music.

Hmm, still too much but that's the most concise I could do 🙁

P.S. To put things in perspective since I forgot: studied Physics in the university and almost graduated but then started working as a software engineer and that's been my job for the last 21 years.

David B

CyberGene I can write a lot but my wife always says I'm too long-worded (or whatever is the proper English phrase about that).

Verbose.
I have the same affliction. 😀

spanishbuddha

David B in the UK we say 'long-winded' when being impolite.

EB5AGV

My full musical story could be written in just some lines…

I was born in May 1968, so I am revolutionary from the start (not really 😆)

My first keys instrument was a toy piano, Aype brand, and it was shared with my older brother (he is 4 years older than I). That was when I was perhaps 8 or so. I almost not played it. My brother did. Then, after some years, when I was 12 or so, my parents bought a 49 key Fesma Granada 49 DP. Well, it had 8 sounds, some accompaniments and a volume pedal, on a wooden console furniture with two decent speakers. We saw a demo on it in a shop and the player did amazing (for me at the moment) things with it. Of course, we at home barely got some fraction of that 🤣. I tried to learn some easy pieces from a book, but just for some months. It sat mostly unused for decades, with some very casual playing along those years. And ended on my current home, just taking space…

My only other incursion on musical instruments was a very amateur playing of guitar when I was 18 up to 22 or so. But just some chords and pop music to play with friends. Your know 🥳

Fast forward to 2014. I decided to get into playing keyboard and got a used Roland 49 keys MIDI controller, set it up with some music software (Reason) and tried to play it. I was beginning to progress but then I met a friend who asked me if I knew musical theory. I said no. And he told me playing piano required it. I was shocked and eventually let it go. Bad decision 😤

Second fast forward to February 2018. We decided to sell the old Fesma to gain some space for an upcoming acuarium. So I took it out and nostalgy got me. I powered it on but lots of keys didn't work. As I work fixing electronic communications equipment, and eventually, for me or family, I delve into anything electronic, I decided to fix it. And I got all keys working and played some melodies by ear. And decided that it was time to finally learn to play 💪🏻🎹👍🏻

So I looked on a used gear app (Wallapop) and found a cheap Yamaha SY77 synth not too far from me. It was somewhat trashed but, well, I am used to fix things. Here you can see the work in detail: Yamaha SY77 repair

So the musical adventure finally took off! 🤩

After that, in April 2018, I began attending Yamaha Music School groupal piano lessons, and in a local music school, Musical Language. I continue both things along lots of books, pop playing (chords from books plus melody by ear) and such.

Over these years I have bought tons of keyboards, synths, controllers, … when you begin something like this at 50 and with life mostly stabilized, with some cash to spend… the sky is the limit!

I have settled down to using this gear:

Kawai VPC1 along plenty of VSTs
Yamaha Genos
Yamaha Montage 6
Yamaha U3H

I have lots other things, but those are the mostly used.

So this is it for now!

What I am sure is that I have found my definitive hobby and would like to keep on it until the end 😇

Jose

David B

EB5AGV What I am sure is that I have found my definitive hobby and would like to keep on it until the end 😇

Jose

Yep. That's how I feel also. Piano is the last hurrah before the end comes.

David B

spanishbuddha David B in the UK we say 'long-winded' when being impolite.

Yep. Same here. Like CyberGene, my wife has used that idiomatic expression with the best intention. I usually hear it after one of my sermons. 😳

God Bless,
David

bSharpCyclist

Same here, born in the early 70s (almost 50) hmm, is there a pattern here? Master's degree in physics, bailed after passing qualifying exam for phd to work in software industry.

Music Background:

I had many years of music as a kid, singing solfeg and required to move our hand up and down as we sang (intervals I guess). We had the same music teacher 1st through 6, played trumpet 5th and 6th. Looking back I'm glad we had those opportunities.

My first exposure to piano was during college and early grad school when living with a girlfriend at the time, who took lessons as a kid for many years. I learned on a Yamaha Clavinova at the time with the Alfred's books, and with her giving me pointers/instruction.

After we split up (3 years), I didn't play again until December 2015, were I purchased a YDP-181 and started taking piano lessons. The rest is history now. I stopped lessons in May of this year because life got busy with other things, but I think I will go back at some point when things settle down.

CyberGene

bSharpCyclist Master's degree in physics, bailed after passing qualifying exam for phd to work in software industry.

This is similar to my situation. I (kind of) have a masters degree in Physics. It's "kind of" since I didn't defend my master thesis because I started working as a software engineer while still being at the university and neglected my studies. Technically I don't even have a university degree and if I have to defend the thesis and earn the master degree, I have to apply again for the university and pay a semester tax (that's cheap here fortunately) but I see no point in that since I've already forgotten almost everything about Physics and I won't ever work in anything related to Physics 🤣

bSharpCyclist

CyberGene Haha, same here. I don't work in Physics. But man, I wish I had google back then. I had to learn Jackson E&M .. the hard way. But it was fun.

MacMacMac

I started with my wife's Casiotone 61-key portable. I bought it for her in lieu of a cheap upright piano … because I knew she wouldn't stick with it. So I limited my loss to $200.

She gave it up, but I decided I liked it.

Some years later I replaced it with a large Kawai upright. Years later I replaced it (because it needed too much work) with a Clav.

I've been something of a slacker for several years, not really learning new pieces. But not that I'm retired it's time to get back into it with earnest commitment.

danno858

I was born in the late 1950s. I have a degree in applied mathematics and certification in translation and interpreting. I've played the piano since I was around 6. I played the flute for several years as well during my teen years. But piano has stuck. I've had periods of my life away from the piano too. I used to own a Steinway model k52 from 1906 - it was a beautiful sounding instrument. Now I have a Yamaha P515 which finally arrived last February after waiting 2-3 months. Before that I owned a Yamaha P60 which I played off and on for around 12 years. The improvement from P60 to P515 is awesome. I would be tempted to get an N3X but if I had that much cash on hand to spend I think I'd look at used acoustic grands.

I play mostly classical music for my own enjoyment. I dabble in making video recordings - for my family and friends. And also because I like fiddling around with computers/electronics. If I got to do my life over again, I'd probably opt for being a sound engineer or soundtrack composer for movies and TV.

Nice to meet you all

vagfilm

Busy and sad day (sudden death of the wife of a very good friend; one of the finest breast cancer national doctors, loved by friends, family and patients, early fifties: died in her sleep, massive stroke), so no time to write anything.

Just a note about the demographic trend: I was born in 1970… Clacking is the new fifties…

EB5AGV

vagfilm I am sorry for your loss.

I forgot to tell that I am Telecommunication Engineer and perhaps I am the only one of my career colleagues who actually works on electronics related to communication. I mean working physically on it, not just using it. I love melted soldering and taking back to life neglected or damaged equipment. And I can do my work while listening or even watching from time to time, videos related with music, as the current Chopin competition. Working at home for myself has some advantages! 😄

dore_m

First of all, thanks @Del Vento for creating this thread - if you still want to sample your Model AA, the offer still stands.

I was born in 1969, which makes a number of us around the same age. Grew up in California, starting piano at around 7. I stuck with my neighborhood teacher, who was not a professional teacher, but definitely gave me a love of music at an early age. By high school I was playing piano, clarinet, and trumpet in band and orchestra. Around that time I bought my first synthesizer, a Korg DS-8, instead of spending my money on Senior prom. I still have that DS8, and it got me into MIDI sequencing and music technology. I continued until my mid-twenties, where my career as a mechanical engineer took over after receiving my master's degree in robotics.

I bought my first acoustic piano, a used Kawai KG-1D in my late twenties. I played it for a few years, but got busy again with finding a wife and stopped playing until after I was married with kids old enough to take care of themselves. I've been teaching my kids piano and trumpet - not to be professional musicians, but to learn to enjoy music the way that I do.

In 2011 I moved my family to China for 5 years and started a medical products company that's doing pretty well. I haven't been able to travel there since early 2020, and currently work evenings on Zoom with my team. In 2019 I bought my 1928 Mason & Hamlin Model A. When Covid hit, I learned to tune it myself, and then to sample it. I've been sampling it repeatedly to improve my technique. It's the perfect project for me - a multidisciplinary engineering challenge that involves technology and art. I continue to want to see how great an instrument library I can make using mostly DIY tools (hand built mics, arduinos) and by optimizing my process (recording, editing, scripting, etc). I'll have some new sampled pianos coming out for free in the coming months, and it's the fruits my practice and of being in the Silicon Valley where there are some amazing pianos that I have access to.

Which brings me to why I've been reticent in posting on forums regularly. I'm very paranoid about my comments being taken out of context, and having a company in China makes me even more so. I believe in freedom of speech, but know that the Chinese government exerts soft censorship over me. I hate it, but its my reality. I've had to restrain myself from weighing in on conversations about China and Taiwan and Chinese pianos, for example. I also admit to sometimes being too sensitive to criticism from strangers. I appreciate that everyone has their own opinion and taste, but I prefer criticism (on my instruments) that can help me improve. I don't need troll energy. I don't want to hear complaints without suggestions on how to improve. But in the end, I realize that I'm really only out to meet the high bar that I've created for myself, and that the fact that others can enjoy my creations is just icing on the cake.

Anyway, this thread really does make me feel more comfortable knowing that contributors on this forum are real people and not trolls.

David B

dore_m Anyway, this thread really does make me feel more comfortable knowing that contributors on this forum are real people and not trolls.

Amen!

It's been enjoyable reading the stories everyone is sharing. To those who are lurking and shy about sharing your experience, I hope you'll realize that your life is unique and meaningful, and there are people here that would appreciate hearing about it.

God Bless,
David

Drew-r

David B

Born 1959, my journey began in a typical rural small town America surrounded by farms. 1967 brought a Wurli upright into our house for $2000. Look up the value of money during different periods; that was a dear price to pay for my parents of 5 in a single-wage household. Mother was the band leader of our house, father was a full-time mill laborer and spare-time sports nut and i was the conflicted child. Sports won out during my early years, so there was pent up musical urges with no learned means of expression.

In Spring 71’, at age 11, my parents allowed me to start beginner’s piano lessons with a local school teacher M-F and Sunday church organist. At the 6 week mark i was starting to progress while noticing that sensation in the head that comes when mental challenge is slowly yielding improving albeit still-green skill. At this time, school had let out for the summer and little league practice was in full swing. I had decided on a Friday to quit piano lessons come Monday, to have more time to honing my game. My parents, wanting to allow me some “grown up” decision making, left it up to me. I know mother was inwardly disappointed, father happy.

Late Saturday afternoon, Mother’s older sister and her husband - Aunt Opal & Uncle Hi - came to visit as they often did. Hi always liked to walk our dog and he asked me to join him. We got to the far end of the trail when he stopped to let the dog meander a bit. He looked me in eye and with a gentle voice said “buddy, i understand you want to quit piano lessons, I’m afraid that if you quit now, later in life you will regret it”.

Looking back now 50 years later, while there was truth in wanting more time to play ball, i realize my quitting was also about copping out , slang for an occasion of a person not standing up to meet / persevere against a challenge.

In Spring 2014, at age 55, i treated myself to starting adult beginners piano lessons….. i still had the aforementioned pent up urges looking for outlet. I made good progress during 19 months of regular practice and lessons, and along the way tried to drink up as much regret as i could manage; in memory of the wise Uncle Hi who died in 1986. Since early 2016, a lot of life has happened, beginning with termination from a 20 year tech job at a suburban Pittsburgh employer, which means formal lessons soon after ceased and i moved back to rural Pennsylvania home. Father soon after died, 3 years later i cheated death, 3 months after which mother died. I have not given up on piano but am currently stymied on multiple fronts ….. so for now, pent up urges tend to leak out in various attempted forms of humor/entertainment.

Below is Wednesday morning’s view over what remains of this year’s vegetable garden and the neighbor farmer’s quite-dry cornfield beyond.

PS. For those wondering what i look like, that photo includes a headshot of me in shadow. 👤

Picotin

Yet again another adult beginner in his fifties here.

I'm Italian, born in Rome where I happen to be back for few days after a long break. Octobre is a magic month in this city as the sky become bright blue and the sun shade his warm allure with jardropping sunsets. The last breeze of warm days before the cold will come and put everything on hold until next spring.

I grow up here, attending technical studies and economics while running a commercial business. I had very little musical education and played randomly on a electric organ in my teens.

Eventually my career moved abroad turning to IT and spanning few countries in the last 20 years with some success.

About 7 years ago I had enough of corporate life in the banking industry and moved to France.

I got acquainted with the monastic life and lived three years in a benedectin monastery. Finally getting the time and space for getting my priorities straight and among other things I also started learning piano.

I bumped into James Rhodes biography and eventually this other little book made the trick. In August 2017 I got myself the cheapest second hands chinese keyboard to connect to a PC and jumped into the challenge. Once completed, I realized I liked a lot and I had the consistency and willingness to start climbing the mountain. I got myself a Kawai ES8 and enrolled to a music school for two years. Right now I'm keep sweating my way uphill, averaging 12 hours practice per week with the help of a piano teacher.

I guess still a long way ahead…

David B

Drew-r I had decided on a Friday to quit piano lessons come Monday, to have more time to honing my game. My parents, wanting to allow me some “grown up” decision making, left it up to me. I know mother was inwardly disappointed, father happy.

Reminds me of the late piano instructor Duane Shinn. I purchased a few of his courses and in one of them he gives a similar testimony. He was a big baseball fan and would long to be playing baseball with his friends instead of taking piano lessons. His parents didn't give him a choice so his piano and baseball skills had to grow together. I think he would have also regretted the decision to stop the piano lessons if he was given a choice. Like all of us, I'm sure he had regrets in other areas. It seems impossible to go through life without them.

Drew-r In Spring 2014, at age 55, i treated myself to starting adult beginners piano lessons….. i still had the aforementioned pent up urges looking for outlet. I made good progress during 19 months of regular practice and lessons,

What type of piano/keyboard did you use when you began lessons again?

God Bless,
David

Killomiter

Not Sure just how to do this to keep it short.

Name is Andy Born 1954 in the UK.

Mother played an acoustic Piano, so as a kid played around with this at odd times.

Started playing Guitar at 16 yrs and got to play in some cool bands playing blues, Jazz, Pop, Funk, playing as always semi pro. At same time studied Maths and Sciences until about 23 yrs in Leicester.

Children came along '87 so as they had to play music (privately Educated) I had a pop alongside them to gee them up. This included Piano so once they became serious, I bought a Yamaha Clavinova CVP205 And never looked back. Think late 90's???

My Son started to perform in Bands too oddly enough he he.

Instruments I play include, Acoustic Guitar - Guild F50, Electric, Gibson Les Paul Custom, And my very own build Les Paul style Guitar made from Brazilian quarter sawn Mahogany. Fenda P Bass, Two Tele's Cream and Black, Les Paul Studio in Black. Yamaha Alto Sax, Yamaha Flute. and finally my Kawai CA 79EP. I do have others but they are a bit of a state (disrepair) due to poor upkeep and gigging accidents etc still to be renovated.

I have kind of retired now, but I still have some of my businesses working but they did include Graphic Design and Litho Printing, Silk Screen Printing, Web Design, A photographer. Property investment and development both commercial and private sectors.

I want to improve my skills in Piano and play if possible about 2-3 hours per day if I am here.

Thx for listening and I have enjoyed seeing the human side to my fellow members on here.