Forcing yourself to do something you want to do

So I think I have mentioned before that I finally committed myself to learning piano this summer. I started in May, had to take a break in June because I was too busy, but now I'm back at it.

I actually don't mind practicing scales on piano as much as I do on guitar, but the main thing I've been trying to do is learn real songs.

Yesterday I officially started learning the peanuts (charlie brown) theme. Judging by the MIDI file I had, it seemed like it shouldn't be too hard. Well, as I'm finding out, looks can be very deceiving.

After practicing it for probably 30 mins yesterday and probably another 45-60 today, I can mostly play it now. But I've basically learned the finger positions and memorized them, I'm still having a bit of trouble playing it to a metronome, especially at faster speeds (I can play it with metronome up to about 140bpm, the song is actually at 168), but if I just play it by feel, I can play it at full speed. It's really the counting that trips me up.

What I don't want to happen is to just develop muscle memory for all the songs I learn, because that's not really learning to play properly. So like my friend Dan and his weight loss tactics, I have to stick with the practicing and keep challenging myself. It IS getting easier, and each time I learn something new, it keeps me enthused. I have my next lesson tomorrow and I'm going to see what kind of extra homework I can get to push myself. I will be ..........................

Ok, it's 5 days later, I don't know HOW I started typing this blog post and then forgot about it mid-sentence for a whole week.

Actually, I'm going to append this post, because what I came to write about relates. So it's now Friday, the original post was composed on Sunday. I have been playing/practicing piano for most of the week that I've been home. Infact dare I say neglecting other things in favour of it? I seem to often be most enthused about playing first thing in the mornings and sometimes right after work (if not during). Last night I started learning a song which I didn't already have a tab for, which meant I had to figure it out 100% by ear, which took me almost 2 hours (and I'm not 100% sure it's all right but close enough). The shame of it was once I had figured out all the different parts (piano, strings, guitar, bass, drums), I was disappointed because by themselves they are all pretty simple and uninteresting. I find this trend in pop music often, many tracks are layered to give a very epic/rich sound, but when you break it down to it's various components, it's easy enough that a child could play it. I can understand that that would potentially lead to more sales as not just adults can enjoy the music, but I would think if the person who wrote it had to perform it on a regular basis (or for hired gun musicians) it would be boring and uninspiring. But I always have to remember not every musician wants to play something interesting/challenging. Some musicians make great money writing simple, catchy songs. I'm definitely more of a composer, which is less lucrative but at least in my case, more rewarding.

So I realized that for my piano lessons going forward I have to test out stuff on my own before I go into a lesson saying "I want to learn x song" because I could be disappointed and feel like I wasted my practice time.

Unfortunately tonight, I had planned to practice, to finish tabbing that song, but I'm just not feeling it. I was hot when I got home, and had a cold shower because I was just feeling completely blah and hoped that cooling down would help, and it did briefly, but then I went to learn another song and again was disappointed that it did not turn out to be as interesting as I thought. I tried to practice some scales (I've set a goal for myself to practice every day even if just for 20 mins) but I quickly lost interest. Then I got kinda hot again and am feeling blah again. I just don't really feel like I want to do anything, but I'm craving some kind of stimulation. I feel like video games are what I'm craving but most of mine are packed up and I don't want to dig them out.

I think I'm going to go practice again to meet my goal... maybe tomorrow I'll feel more up to it. My problem is that because my interest can easily peak and wane, I could easily go the rest of the weekend without wanting to play. I hope not. I am trying to practice as much as I can before sept because once I'm back in school I will need to give that the appropriate time and attention that it deserves.