It's been a while...?

Hey all,

It seems I've pretty much left this blog empty for a long time. I can't help but wonder how I was able to write so much 8 years ago. Wow, 8 years of inactivity!

It's really no brainer: so many things have happened ever since I graduate from university and left Melbourne. There are so many ups and downs in my life (mostly the downs, but I'm still staying optimistic.)

So where to start? I guess everyone probably know by now that 8 years ago I left this blog so I could concentrate detailing my Shogi life in my other blog. And since I'm pretty much inactive in Shogi (excuses excuses I know but I guess I'm pretty much been active in other stuffs), that blog has pretty much been updated quite rarely.

Fast forwarding to current day, as a normal adult, I am now a member of the working society. Slaving my butt to the seat from Monday to Saturday working 8 hours per day: pretty much living the same lifestyle as most adults in the world.

Please pardon me for rewinding back to 3 years ago, a unique thing occur to me. I was at home one evening and saw my sister's digital piano left untouched in the living room. I have always been skeptical of myself when it comes to musical instruments: I've tried learning them in the past but it has always been unsuccessful. Tried to learn a guitar when I was still in highschool but peer pressure got the better of me so I gave up. Tried to pick up guitar again during my college days but it was a failure due to importance of other stuffs in my life. Two failures, surely I won't succeed at another one again, right?

Here's the thing about pianos. I've never liked them. I've always think people playing the piano are cliche and overrated. If I have to rank piano as one of my favourite musical instrument, it'll probably be at the last in the list. Electric guitar has always been my most favourite instrument in my life (hence I've always tried to pick up a guitar), with violin coming in second and saxophone in third (that delicious jazz music. Yeeeeeaaaa!)

Nevertheless, I sat myself down and tried playing the digital piano. I texted my sister about which book I should use and tried to play the first song. Not bad, it was easy although it took me 3 days to actually got the song down. Onward to the second song: a little tough but still manageable. By the time I realised, I have been playing the piano untutored for a year (and even completing the book!) I was pretty amazed at myself. A person like me, who could never play a single song with a guitar in the past and now I was able to play the whole book! That's when I've decided to gather my courage and make up my mind.

On one of the lunch breaks during my work, I muster up my strength and drove to a musical center. I've decided to enroll in a piano course. Of course my skepticism got the best of me again - am I going to give up and quit a few months later? I registered at the school and went for my first lesson the following week. I was criticised by my teacher that my playing form is incorrect and I found myself playing poorly in front of him. With no choice, he had to start me with a beginner book, although I've been self-taught myself with a piano for a year.

3 years later, which is now, I am still in that school, learning piano. My passion for piano has only strengthen and I'm really glad I took up piano. I am pretty much surprised at myself. I thought for sure I'll give up along the way but I'm still here standing strong. In fact, at the end of this month I'll be taking ABRSM Grade 3 practical exam. I'm nervous, but I guess it's something that all amateur pianist have to go through in their life.

My love and passion for Shogi has always been great, but my affection for music has always started since I was 4. Music has always been a huge part of my life that you would simply see me constantly listening to music everyday. My love for music is like a drug addiction: I could feel emotional and cry while listening to rock music, or stay up all day and night listening to music hence unable to sleep.

I was really glad that at the very least, I am at least proficient at one musical instrument and able to play music to my heart's content. Although still not a great pianist, but I will continue to strive to improve my skills and technique.

Since piano is a great part of my life now, I can't help but feel that I should share my piano experience with everyone. I once did create a Shogi blog to detail my Shogi experiences, but after some thought I really do not want to create a new blog just for piano. That's why I decided to update this blog and try to see if I'll be able to focus on talking about my piano experience. How knows? Maybe I will create one in the far future.

Nevertheless, it's great to be back and hope to see you all in the next post, about me talking about my new piano adventures!

Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu!

Regards,
Ryou Takehito