Music

After launching myself into piano playing with characteristic zeal, I suffered a hiatus for almost six months. I had became frustrated with Simply Piano and exchanged it for Piano Marvel. Although Piano Marvel was much better, I found many of the songs unappetising. I was still playing most days, but never stretching myself or learning anything new. I went slinking back to Simply Piano, then got annoyed with it all over again. Finally, I realised the problem: I wanted to hear classical piano, rather than play it. Although I love the idea of playing a Chopin piece, I don’t love the idea of the practising involved to make it sound even mediocre. For me, it’s much better to go and see Isata Kanneh-Mason. Indeed, seeing Kanneh-Mason perform probably contributed to this feeling. ...

This year has been challenging, to say the least. I’ve needed to focus a lot on mental health and generally being a lot more selective about what I do. One of the most restorative practices I’ve found is learning a musical instrument. I’d already been learning piano and classical guitar, but needed a new adventure. I’ve always enjoyed hearing the bass, but had never even touched one. Last year, I was mesmerised by Tamsin Greig playing bass in the TV series Riot Women. ...

I just had my first proper piano lesson. Although I knew it would be an odd experience, I hadn’t quite prepared myself for the mental and emotional challenge. Having spent a year learning from an app, suddenly I was exposing myself to the judgement of a human. Fortunately, I’d chosen an excellent human. Steve is a calm, kind, and encouraging teacher. Above all, he’s someone who clearly loves teaching. With students ranging from 5 to 76, there’s not much he hasn’t seen, either. He certainly didn’t balk at the prospect of a nervous almost-51-year-old. Indeed, the dinosaur analogies he uses with the youngsters were remarkably effective for me. ...

I’d always promised myself I would learn to play the piano before the age of 50. I managed it by a gnat’s crotchet, starting just a couple of months ahead of my big birthday. Although I tried to learn in my late twenties, I gave up in disgust upon discovering the existence of the bass clef. Of course, I’d realised hand coordination was involved … but that note is a G for my right hand, but a C for my left? And I have to read two staves simultaneously? I don’t need this nonsense. I’ll just read a book instead. ...