Back on Track

There's nothing linear about my thought processes; long ago I faced the truth about the way my mind works. When you climb aboard one of my Inner-soul trains, enjoy the ride--it's going to be a scenic one. The journey from point A to B will be circuitous, convoluted, labyrinthine, and tangential. But, ultimately, it will arrive at the destination.

Along the way, we may stop to sniff several interesting species of flowers, converse with the natives, stop to explore foreign lands, discuss rare and curious ephemera with purveyors of the outre--and will be be better for the experience? Of course not. It's an utter waste of time, and we've chipped away yet another precious fragment from the fragile gem of our lifespan, which could have been better spent serving our fellow man, seeking enlightenment. or embettering our lot in life.

The point being I discuss all manner of things on this so-called "piano blog" other than my progress learning the piano. This is because my mind wanders all over the place, even when I'm concentrating on learning the piano. It's just the way my mind is wired.

However, I perused my past postings and saw I overestimated myself, or rather underestimated life's challenges. I mentioned some weeks ago I thought I would be through with Alfred, Book One by the end of March. My teacher missed several classes, and I've been smoten with a couple of bouts of plague, plus I've actually had to work at my chosen craft as an entertainer, so haven't been able to pursue my latest obsession with my usual heat, so I find I still have about twenty pages or so of good Olde Alfred left to go.

Of course, the material has become much more difficult. Offenbach's Can-Can (the Galoup From his operetta Orpheus in the Underworld) was challenging, as was Brahms' Lullaby. I'm also getting hit with long runs of broken chords-- arpeggios-- for the left hand. The pace is accelerating. We've delved into the 12-bar Blues progression. The pieces are uninspiring but the framework of blues music is recognizable.

It's like when you run on a treadmill and toward the end you lift the incline. The speed remains the same but now you're running up a steeper incline. You can either dig in harder, or slow down. Some days I dig in harder, or if life is particularly distracting--as it often is--I slow down. After all, I have to make a living, and when you're self employed sometimes you have to really scratch. It wouldn't be to my advantage to be a talented piano player who happens to live under the viaduct near the highway.

Yet, the project is achieving its goal. I wanted to stimulate my brain. At my age, learning a completely new skill set is fun and exciting. A an age when most men are looking for the footbll game on the wide-screen and a six-pack of beer, I feel like I'm beginning the second half of my life.