Noah Adams' "Piano Lessons"
Casey Keller
Anyone else out there reading/read Noah Adams' book "Piano Lessons"? It's a
personal account of the beginning of his life as a pianist at age 51. It
starts with a visit to Steinway in New York where he is tempted to buy a
piano.
I'm not quite finished with it yet, but it's a lovely book. Great fun. And
if you're like me and you get discouraged because your career keeps you from
getting in all the practice time you'd like, you may find it inspiring.
What do you think?
Casey Keller
Beakman's World
GabrielaAA
I read this book an enjoyed it greatly, as I started piano lessons at
close to the same age, just about a year ago. I was frustrated, though,
with Noah's focus on the purchase of his $11,000 piano, which then sat
unused as he tried to teach himself piano on his computer/keyboard. I kept
urging him to go take piano lessons, which he never really did, despite
the name of the book. I wondered how he found time to write the book, when
he couldn' t find time for lessons. :-) On the whole, it was an
encouraging, inspiring book, and I am glad he did write it.
Alec Norton
I was inspired enough by the book that I started up the piano
again at age 38 after 28 years off! It's great, and I'm not
looking back. As it happened, I wound up with exactly the
same piano (after test driving Yamahas and Bostons).
Unlike Adams, I started real lessons immediately. It's the only
way to go. But hats off to him for going for it and writing
the tale.
Alec
NiteMayor
I read Noah Adams' "Piano Lessons" a couple months ago. I really enjoyed
it. I have been sitting in on my 9 year old daughter's lessons for the
last four years. Just by sitting there I learned the piano keyboard, and
can (slowly) sight read music. After Adam's book, I am really leaning
towards starting. I'm 48. I love to hear piano music, and my daughter's
efforts bring me a lot of enjoyment.
I also caught Noah Adam's interview a few months ago on the Late, Late
Show with Tom Snyder. Adams played on the air. He seemed nervous, but
did fine. He was interesting to listen. I went right out and bought his
book. I really liked it.
Once in a while, I sit at the piano, and my fingers touch the keys...
Actually the main reason for the procrastination is I can't get my
midi-keyboard working with the software in my PC. I contacted the
company, "Miracle Piano", and there is a bug that they hope to fix in the
near future. I have a Quantex PC. Unlike Adams, when I get my PC going,
I will also use a piano teacher. My daughter's. She has the patience of
Job...
Jack Kammer - nite...@aol.com
Peter and Susan Celiberti
Casey Keller <Casey...@fishnet.net> wrote in article
<5h8qq2$r...@mackrel.fishnet.net>...
> Anyone else out there reading/read Noah Adams' book "Piano Lessons
I picked up Noah Adams' book about a year ago and have read it twice. I
began taking piano lessons several years ago while in my twenties, but my
career and family only permitted me to take about a years worth of lessons.
Mr. Adams' book has given me the inspiration I needed to continue on my
own. I really love playing the piano and just get so absorbed whenever I
sit behind the keyboard. I'm grateful to Noah Adams for his book.
Pete Celiberti
Peter Lee
Casey Keller wrote:
>
> Anyone else out there reading/read Noah Adams' book "Piano Lessons"? It's a
> personal account of the beginning of his life as a pianist at age 51. It
> starts with a visit to Steinway in New York where he is tempted to buy a
> piano.
Hi Casey and other piano friends,
I bought "Piano Lessons" on a whim after piano juries two semesters
ago, and enjoyed it very much. His story can be encouraging not only
to piano players of all levels, but also to anyone who thinks he or she
is beginning to learn a skill "too late" in life.
He's a great reporter, too, and I learned so much about buying a piano,
different philosophies of playing, and pedagogy from his interviews with
piano dealers, teachers, other students, and performers like Dr. John
and Leon Fleischer. I also liked the way he gave a fair shake to the
Miracle computer piano teaching program as well as a "learn piano
quick!" seminar- he doesn't outright endorse or dis these systems; he
just gives an honest account of his experiences with them.
Oh, and I liked the free copy of "Traumeri" on the inside cover. :)
Regards,
Peter
Synthcmpsr
After reading all the glowing reviews of this book, I bought it yesterday.
I'll be 46 tomorrow, and I'm just starting to study piano. I do play,
but I'm self taught and there are a lot of things I dont know and want to
learn. So I hope this book is inspirational to me too :) I'll let you
all know.
Peter and Susan Celiberti
> Oh, and I liked the free copy of "Traumeri" on the inside cover. :)
I, too, appreciated the free copy. I had never heard this music before
reading the book, and I deliberately avoided playing it until I finished
the book. Then, I was able to fully appreciate what Mr. Adams felt about
finally being able to play it. It's such a simple piece, yet it so stirs
the emotions.
Transwo
I enjoyed Noah Adams' book immensly. I sat in Barnes and
Nobles for an hour and could not put it down until I had finished. I have
been hooked on the piano for a year now
and no-one in my house gets supper any more. I can't wait
until I get home to play. The thrill at being able to read
a composition and actually play it at last is unbelievable.
I am in my late 40's and have never enjoyed Czerny, scales
and arpeggios more in my whole life. Are there many others out there
learning as I am? My living room is piled high with music books, theory
and biographies of composers. I am consdering returning to college now to
study seriously. Let me know if others have been bitten
by Noah Adams or Bach or Beethoven.
Fahad A Hoymany
Transwo (tra...@aol.com) wrote:
: I enjoyed Noah Adams' book immensly. I sat in Barnes and
I am about finished reading his book, but how do you read a book like
that in an hour? wow.
My favorite part of the book is when he talks about his recital at the
Fall camp (just about the last chapter). I'm also a beginner and yes my
room is full of all kinds of music stuff and books. Stay with it, it's a
lot of fun.
Fahad
Casey Keller
In article <19970412000...@ladder01.news.aol.com>,
Dear Transwo...
I too enjoyed Noah Adams book. I admired his courage in starting out by
buying a Steinway and setting out to learn to play it.
Like you, I am beginning my piano education in my forties. This is a great
time of life to do it. It's no longer an obligation or something your parents
are forcing on you. It's something you do ONLY because you enjoy it. Also,
with the maturity comes a little more patience which can only help.
On the minus side, between a 14 hour a day career and a family I love, there
are no long days with nothing to do but practice. In fact, I have to work
hard to find time for it. But I am making progress and enjoying myself
immensely.
One other thing I must mention. MY TEACHER is another reason it's so much
fun. She is so supportive and so intelligent and such a great person.
Anyway, congrats and keep up the good work.
MARTNO1
I feel absolutely the same way you did. A few years ago I was a typical
Washington workaholic working for the federal government. Now I'm a
person with an obsession. I started up with piano lessons three years ago
after a 20 year layoff, but unlike your experience I'm concentrating on
ragtime, stride, novelty and jazz. I've adjusted my work schedule to
arrive and leave two hours earlier in order to give myself more practice
time. My family would have bet you any money that nothing in the world
would ever mean enough to me to get me to work by 7:00, but the piano has
done it. It's a whole new life. Except now I want another whole
lifetime, not just the half of one I should have remaining to me, to learn
everything there is to learn. Best wishes with your new - we'll call it
hobby, for lack of anything better. Audrey V
carla j. montori
Seems to be a group of us here! Last summer, my car broke down in my
sister's driveway in Philadelphia, so I was there for 7 days longer
than expected (a long and painful story, that). I spent a few hours
each day playing her piano. I'd taken lessons as a child, and played
whenever I was at my parents', but haven't lived with a piano for over
25 years. Borrowed a friends old Clavinova to see if I had the
will/need to play; the more I played the keyboard the more I knew I
wanted a piano. Just bought one (not even delivered yet!), and I'm so
thrilled with the decision.
Now, to find a teacher for a "returning student" so I can
learn/relearn all the stuff I maybe used to know. Playing is
addictive - a form of active meditation!
- Carla
guy f klose
cmon...@umich.edu (carla j. montori) writes:
>...Playing is
>addictive - a form of active meditation!
YES!
To add more along these lines, I'll paraphrase something that Kenny
Werner talks about in his book entitled "Effortless Mastery."
He says something along the lines of imagine you are a channel
and that inside of you is the most beautiful music ever heard,
composed, played etc. It's your "self" that gets in the way. Your
mental blocks, hangups, barriers, etc.
So, I say, "Don't stop me now! Get out of my way!"
Lots of musicians, Werner included, practice meditation in order
to improve their playing.
Guy
--
Guy Klose
g...@world.std.com
Fahad A Hoymany
How is Noah's progress since writing the book? Did he pay
too much for the Steinway 1098 upright ($11,375)?
Fahad
VOCE88
Dear Audrey and Transwo-
I'm VERY happy to hear that you have both picked up the piano as adults
and have been "hooked". We hear so much about the benefits to children as
they grow- such as improved general academics and spatial relationships
testing - but how about the therapeutic effects that I hear from so many
adults?
Can anyone else share some positive effects that they've experienced?
Rich Galassini
Cunningham Piano Co.
215 438 3200
Mary Williams
Yes, I find playing piano very relaxing. (Unless I'm playing for
someone other than myself!! - I have a problem being nervous.) I get a
great feeling of accomplishment when I learn something.
Also, I have been in choirs all my life but it is just since I 've been
playing piano that my sightreading ability has skyrocketed.
-Mary Williams
jgoldstein...@gmail.com
My father was tight with money. My mother said, "You'll probably be like all the other kids who quit after 6 months." What does a child respond ? We went looking at old uprights that cost $50. They were willing to put one of these in our basement but it was too big to turn the corners in our small house.
Through the years, I memorized the lyrics to every Broadway musical, got a ukulele, traded it for a classical guitar and taught myself chords...became a folksinger. At age 19, after completing a piano class as a Sophomore at university, there was a piano sale at Hudson's, our local large department store in Detroit. I got my piano...and a teacher...With a full time college load, a full time boyfriend, sorority (where I directed the Pan-Hell Singing skits), I was able to squeeze in 10 lessons that first year. I quit.
My piano came with me when I married in 1968. I taught early elementary until our daughter was born in 1971. She took lessons for about 5 years, was a quick study but not interested in practicing. I wish I had given our son piano lessons also, but the trumpet seemed like a more "social" choice at the time because he could play in the school band. The poor kid suffered through braces on his teeth and hated every minute.
Meanwhile, I played guitar and sang...Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul and Mary...until the age of forty when I discovered Yiddish Folk Songs. I fell in love...taught myself using cassette tapes and was helped by my Bubbie (grandmother) with pronunciation. Then came Hebrew songs...Russian also and I started volunteering at our local Jewish Old Folks Home. By 1985, people began offering me money to entertain at parties, Jewish cultural events, etc. and I found myself with a second career as a professional Ethnic Folksinger. I traveled all over North America and to Israel. I did this until 1994 when my husband died of Acute Promylocytic Leukemia, a victim of the Benzine used in his father's dry cleaning plant. I had no choice but to return to teaching.
During all these years I cannot remember longing for the piano. It was obvious that music was essential for my wellbeing and I had found ways to compensate. Seven years ago, I made Aliyah to Israel and my piano came with me. A year ago, I joined a choir and was surrounded by people sight reading music. How envious I was! It was not until this past September that the light bulb went off in my head. I found a fabulous teacher and am finally on my way...I will have to live to a very old age if I am to become accomplished. This reminds me to recommend the 2014 Oscar winning documentary, The Lady in Number 6.
So happy playing to you all. If anyone is interested in making contact, I can be reached at jgoldstein...@gmail.com
Blessings from Rehovot, Israel