I have this problem. In point of fact, it is a flaw that I share with Emma Woodhouse. (At least I am in good company. :))
As you might have guess, I lacked steadiness in learning to play the piano. The idea of playing the piano is a very romantic one and I figured that it would be a nice talent to have. Sadly, even with all the attempts at lessons with different teachers and books and methods, I never gave it the time that I should have. Unlike Emma, I can't even pretend to have any kind of accomplishment in it."Emma wished to go to work directly, and therefore produced the portfolio containing her various attempts at portraits, for not one of them had ever been finished, that they might decide together on the best size for Harriet. Her many beginnings were displayed. Miniatures, half-lengths, whole-lengths, pencil, crayon, and water-colours had been all tried in turn. She had always wanted to do everything, and had made more progress both in drawing and music than many might have done with so little labour as she would ever submit to. She played and sang;--and drew in almost every style; but steadiness had always been wanting; and in nothing had she approached the degree of excellence which she would have been glad to command, and ought not to have failed of. She was not much deceived as to her own skill either as an artist or a musician, but she was not unwilling to have others deceived, or sorry to know her reputation for accomplishment often higher than it deserved."
~Jane Austen's Emma, Chpt. 6
Now, what skills I have are very limited. I can plunk out the first lines of a few songs. I even went so far as to begin to learn Jessica's Theme featured below...
But I lost patience and interest after the first 25 seconds of the song. And even now, in a rare moment of overzealous hopes, all I can play are those few seconds.
I don't know how talented I would have been at the piano as I didn't stick with it. (I also have rather small hands, so I'm not sure how that would have affected my abilities.) But I will say, with a heavy sigh, that I do wish that I had just learned! Hahaha! I wish I had kept at it!
Haha, what about you? Do you have any Emma Woodhouse worthy talents?
Yours truly,
Cordy
P.S. Isn't that song delightful?! :D
Unfortunately I no longer have a piano teacher, but I've been teaching myself. Surprisingly, I'm actually learning!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I have a lot of Emma Woodhouse talents . . . blogging might be one of them. ;)
Oh, I am so sorry. But you're teaching yourself?! Good work! :D Good luck!! :D
DeleteNooo, I don't think blogging is one of yours, KB. :) I like your blog!! :)
Well, I can definitely relate to this line here, "...with so little labour as she would ever submit to." Haha! That is so me! When working on something it must come fairly easy at the start or I'll probably just give it up. :P
ReplyDeleteAnd hey! It's not too late to learn the piano if you really want to! Just because you didn't catch onto it as a kid, doesn't mean you wouldn't now. I didn't really apply myself when I was taking lessons, either. It wasn't until I was done with piano lessons that I really began to enjoy playing. At that point, I knew enough that I was able to pick out songs from the hymn book (a painstakingly slow process for each new song), but with lots of repetition (going at my own jolly slow pace) I was finally able to read hymn music pretty easily. As to anything harder than that, however...well, I LIKE playing hymns. ;) I'm satisfied. Heehee.
This was a lovely post, Cordy! :) Oh! And that song is beautiful. I wish I could play songs like that on the piano!
~Miss March
Ohh, dear, you see, that's one of my troubles. Piano wasn't really that hard for me. (Much to my sister's irritation. She wanted to play so much more than I ever wanted to.) But I didn't want to put in the time to keep it going. :/ Haha, I just wanted to be doing other things. "I never took the trouble of practicing". I know, it's very awful of me!!
Delete"At that point, I knew enough that I was able to pick out songs from the hymn book (a painstakingly slow process for each new song), but with lots of repetition (going at my own jolly slow pace) I was finally able to read hymn music pretty easily. As to anything harder than that, however...well, I LIKE playing hymns. ;)" Haha. :D This made me smile. I'm glad you learned at your jolly slow pace. (I'm also loving how you used 'jolly'. ;)) I can play some simplified hymns. Hymns are such comforting songs aren't they?!
Thank you, Miss March!
~Cordy
Sigh. Yes, that problem is altogether too familiar. I started learning the piano around age 10, but I never really had any formal lessons. My mom taught me some and then once I could read music I just taught myself songs. However, I never got very good. And lately, I've tapered off very sadly. I haven't practised much in over a month (and it really should be part of my schoolwork). Same thing with the flute, which I also started learning around age 10, and I'm better at it than the piano, but I haven't practised in a while. Not good. :/
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm sure that was tiresome to read. :) My point is, yes, I have the same problem. I only really finish things in a reasonable amount of time when I have a deadline...and actually, I have to play the flute in a concert in a couple of weeks, so I'd better practise...
Oh, yes, and it is almost comforting to think that I am in Emma's company. I say almost because...do I really want to be like Emma in the way of accomplishments? Hm.
Lovely post, Cordy!
Oh my! Haha, I work better with a deadline too but a concert in a few weeks? Loads and loads of luck to you!!
DeleteHaha, I thought the same thing while I was writing this post. But Emma is as human as the rest of us I suppose. The difference is we can see her flaws easier than we can others. :)
Thanks, Rae!
I have been told that I draw/paint rather well. Also that I am a good photographer. I took flute lessons for several years; I can sew, knit, and crochet; and I took French my first three years of high school. I can't play the piano properly, but I'm good at picking out tunes with one finger :P
ReplyDeleteHow very accomplished you are, Rosie! ;D Hehehe! I love photography and I am a better at crocheting than I am at knitting. How is your drawing coming?!
DeleteThank you! :) My drawing project is FINISHED!! I had to present in class, which was a little nerve-racking, but now I'm DONE! I feel like a liberated bird. I should soon be able to write again!!!
DeleteYahoo!! How brave to present in front of the class! O_O I would have been terrified!! And now it's all done!! Yippee!! And writing too?! Oh Rosie, how will you bear such happiness? ;D (I know that I can't handle it!!! Hehe.)
DeleteJessica's Theme is one of my favourites! My head of music played it at school back when I was still in school and it's one of my fondest memories just standing at the piano watching him (not creepy of course but in an a fascinated manner) :D
ReplyDeleteHaha, don't worry, I understand about watching others play the piano. :) It is fascinating.
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