Many might wonder, why do anyone want to spend time on taking piano lessons, when one can simply enjoy music without learning to play a musical instrument? Or just go to watch some YouTube videos and learn to play piano from them?
I understand technology has advanced drastically these days (or years!), and even I was stubborn back in the days, I learnt to appreciate how technology had brought me a lot of success and enjoyment in my own piano performance and teaching career (other than the guilty pleasure of buying things online and having them shipped the next day or two, rather than waiting for them to arrive in weeks!).
But as strange as this might sound, technology has its limit. I personally believe there is so much more to life advancement than solely relying on technology. Learning to play piano has been the greatest joy of my life. And I don’t think it is just because it has been literally the biggest part of my life due to my career choice, there is simply no comparison to enjoying music through playing – listening to it just isn’t the same. Understanding music in a deeper level greatly enhances the listening process. And that’s only for those who have gone through years of training at any musical instruments.
In recent years, I have not been as active as I was in terms of performing (by choice), but I still enjoy practicing, playing, and performing from time to time. This kind of pleasure cannot be found in doing things passively, like watching TV or reading books, or observing others doing things. Through the act of piano playing, no matter it be a successful practice or lesson, it still gives one a very satisfying feeling, because s/he actually puts effort going through the whole process, totally immersed in it. And that’s is for the soul, which technology cannot provide. (There are some who might argue this to be not true, because they breathe and sleep technology, but I stand my ground).
Some adult students feel they are not progressing as fast as they should be. To that I say, piano learning is a process, and the first and foremost is to enjoy it. Then, we can improve on our playing and practice. With our love/passion/enthusiasm intact for piano playing/music learning, it becomes easier for us to keep on going, keep on learning, and keep on playing, and enjoy the process of struggle and progress, as they do go hand in hand. No one becomes successful/skillful at something without a lot of struggle. We can opt for ease, but why not try something harder and challenge ourselves to become better everyday?
Every day I get to enjoy my teaching, my interaction with my students, my time at the piano, is a great day. And I shall keep it that way.