Sept. 18th, A Couple Things

Yesterday when I was writing my post, I had an idea for hat I could write about today. I forgot what that was though. At work this afternoon, I had another idea, but I for got that too. So, today's post will have no theme and we'll see were this takes us.

I had piano lessons today. The lessons are good, but I had to tell my teacher today that I won't be taking lessons after October. It was hard and I felt bad. I've known that I wouldn't continue lessons for about a month now, and today I finally thought it was the right time to tell my teacher. I'm going to miss lessons a bunch, especially because my teacher lets me choose the pieces, no matter how weird they are or what video game they're from. If I can do lessons again in the future, I know I'll go back to the same teacher.

Tomorrow morning bright and early I'm going to get my hair chopped off. It's not that it's getting too long or shaggy, but it's getting tiresome to do. Also, I have to meet with someone on Friday, so I want to look my best.
The thing about my hair is that it's thick, but straight as uncooked spaghetti, and it sticks up in the back. If y hair is a little long, the weight keeps those cowlicks in check. I worry that with every haircut where I go short, I'll have to deal with the stupid cowlicks constantly. I should try to find some pictures of hairstyles that might work and let the stylist tell me which would be best.
One time, when I was probably in first grade, I went to get my hair cut and I told the girl-who-would-cut-my-hair that I wanted it cut like Mikey's hair from Goonies. The poor fool had never seen that movie and didn't know who I was talking about. I left that appointment sad and not with Mikey hair at all.
What I'm hoping for is something that I can have be a mess and still look okay. Does such a thing exist? I guess I'll find out.
See you tomorrow!

Sept. 7th, Piano!

For almost a year, I've been taking real piano lessons. I've taken lessons before, and for a decently long time, but this time has been lots of fun because I am basically able to choose whatever I want to play. In less than two months I'll be in my third recital since I started last October. I've been working on a really fun piece for the recital, and I'm trying to memorize it, but the chords and key modulate almost constantly. Anyway, I'm going to be ready by October if I put myself to the task.
It's a Halloween recital, so I chose a really fun piece called "The Addams Family Waltz" by Marc Shaiman. It's from the 1991 film and this particular piece doesn't have the familiar theme that everyone knows, but instead is a perfect sort of Dance Macabre. I've only found one video of someone playing the piece, and they do a pretty good job. Do you like it?

Another piece that I'm working on is one that I've been wanting to learn for years, so I'm glad that I have a teacher who can help me finally learn it. It's "Aunt Marge's Waltz" by John Williams. I've posted it about it before, but I'll post the video again...

I love this piece! It's bonkers. I think it will take a lot of practice to get it right and as fast as it's supposed to be, but I'm determined!

I'm also working on a piece called "Bells of Freedom" by Jon Schmidt, but I'm not going to post a video of that one. I'm not that big of a Jon Schmidt fan, and probably that's only the case because it seems like every single other Utahn just loves him and knows all his music and is also learning his pieces on the piano. That's pretty shallow of me, I guess. I will admit that some of his stuff is rather good, and I'm glad for the success of The Piano Guys. Beside all that, it's a piece that my teacher suggested, so I obliged.

The other stuff I'm working on is the nitty gritty... scales and arpeggios. Scales I'm not too bad at, but I'm working on arpeggios a bunch and not getting much better. In all the years of piano lessons, this is the first time I've ever done them, and they are not as easy as I wish. My biggest motivation to get them right is that there are a few pieces I'd like to learn that have some hefty arpeggios...so wish me luck!

I still try to write little music bits here and there, and even though I'm not very prolific, I still have fun with what I do. Here's a quick and short (and not too original) piece that you'll probably recognize pieces of...

I should try to add more to it since it's so short and simple. Any suggestions?

Hopefully if you read this blog I'm not boring you to death. If I am, let me know what I should blog about (but tell me nicely!).
See you tomorrow!