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Hello, everyone! In today’s update, I want to share my journey through piano classes, highlighting the melodies that have both challenged and charmed me. My current repertoire includes two works-in-progress and three tunes I’ve confidently committed to memory, all from “ABC of Piano Playing” by Boris Berlin. This book is but a prelude to the more complex preparatory books of the Royal Conservatory of Music, or RCM—an exciting next step that awaits me.

Diving into Berlin’s book, I’ve grasped the critical importance of attention to detail. The songs, while introductory, are peppered with nuances that demand precision and careful remembrance as my fingers dance across the keys. As I continue, I’m mindful that sharpening my note reading is essential.

The pieces I’m currently immersed in are “Spring Time” and “Our School March.” The latter has been particularly intriguing, with the left hand’s staccato notes playfully contrasting the legato of the right, culminating in a delightful shift towards the piece’s end. This concept of simultaneously playing staccato and legato is a fascinating aspect of my learning curve.

“Spring Time” presents its own set of challenges, such as maintaining a brisk tempo while navigating the labyrinth of similar notes—easy to mix up, yet crucial to distinguish. Both pieces serve as perfect stepping stones for a beginner like me, gently edging me out of my comfort zone.

Looking ahead, I haven’t quite settled on the next piece to tackle. The book is a trove of artistically adapted pieces, akin to an older piano book I own that simplifies classics such as the “William Tell Overture” and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” These arrangements make the timeless melodies accessible to learners like myself, which I find incredibly valuable. Even though they are distilled versions of the originals—the “Overture,” for instance, boasts a rich complexity dating back to 1812—they still resonate with the charm of their full-bodied counterparts.

To sum up, I’m steadily making headway through my current piano book and project that it may take another three months before I graduate to the RCM preparatory books. As we edge closer to the year’s end, I remain optimistic yet realistic about my pace. Stay tuned for further updates—until next time, farewell!