Life is like a piano; the white keys are the happy and peaceful moments, and the black ones are the difficult and sad moments. So as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys also create music. |
When I was a kid, I took piano classes for seven years, however, not out of my own interest (seriously, how many kids have you heard about who, at the age of six, decided for themselves to take piano classes?). In fact, I couldn’t wait to be done with the classes and, when I finally was, I felt relieved that I would never have to touch the piano again. Fast forward four years later, a friend of mine asked me if I could teach her to play River Flows In You. Having been my high school crush, I happily spent some time trying to teach her the first couple of bars, even though I knew she would not be able to learn the whole piece, as she had never played the piano before. Anyway, she kindled a passion in me. A passion for the piano. At first the flame was flickering, but, after having learned to play River Flows In You, I discovered I enjoyed contemporary piano music. And I liked piano covers of my favorite songs and soundtracks even more. The flame inside of me started burning bright, and it makes me warm and mellow whenever I touch the black-and-white ivory, producing music.
Although most of the time I just learn to play music composed by other pianists, I have tried to do some composing of my own. However, I often end up sitting at the piano for hours not coming up with a single new bar of music I would like. And when I do come up with something, I feel like the left side of my brain is the one responsible for it, rather than the right one. Nevertheless, in the fall of 2013, I finished my first original piece I considered "publishable". I dedicated Gone Beyond The Horizon to my parents, to whom I’m grateful, among countless other things, for having signed me up for the piano classes and having seen to it that I finished them, when I myself wasn’t aware of my dormant passion for the piano yet. It wasn’t until two years later though, when I composed New Beginnings, that I actually felt a sense of achievement.
Now, I am no stage pianist and I prefer playing the piano in my room when it gets dark outside. Still, playing for some of my appreciative friends adds a different type of enjoyment to it — it feels like I can contribute to their lives in a special way, at least for a moment. After this realization, it seemed like a good idea to start sharing my piano performances online with my friends and, eventually, with anyone who comes across them. Making of the piano videos combines piano playing with another hobby of mine — video editing — which gives me additional room to express my creativity.
Live with passion!
Although most of the time I just learn to play music composed by other pianists, I have tried to do some composing of my own. However, I often end up sitting at the piano for hours not coming up with a single new bar of music I would like. And when I do come up with something, I feel like the left side of my brain is the one responsible for it, rather than the right one. Nevertheless, in the fall of 2013, I finished my first original piece I considered "publishable". I dedicated Gone Beyond The Horizon to my parents, to whom I’m grateful, among countless other things, for having signed me up for the piano classes and having seen to it that I finished them, when I myself wasn’t aware of my dormant passion for the piano yet. It wasn’t until two years later though, when I composed New Beginnings, that I actually felt a sense of achievement.
Now, I am no stage pianist and I prefer playing the piano in my room when it gets dark outside. Still, playing for some of my appreciative friends adds a different type of enjoyment to it — it feels like I can contribute to their lives in a special way, at least for a moment. After this realization, it seemed like a good idea to start sharing my piano performances online with my friends and, eventually, with anyone who comes across them. Making of the piano videos combines piano playing with another hobby of mine — video editing — which gives me additional room to express my creativity.
Live with passion!
JuriQ