I grew up in Southern California, and was about three or so when I discovered the old piano in our living room was fun to play around with.  I stumbled upon some chords and put a few together .. which prompted my mom to attempt teaching me formally herself.  That didn't work out so well.  So she consulted a professional who said maybe it's best to wait until he's about seven.

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So the professional began to teach me in the fall of second grade .. but I had added a few more years of self-taught ear training by then which conflicted with my instructor's strictly by-the-notes approach .. and I struggled along through the sixth grade, not making stellar progress.

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After lessons, I continued to play, picking up top-40 songs by ear.  My own adolescent emotions fueled my improv sessions that got me through high school.

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Then for the next four and half decades, I did very little musically, and what little sight-reading ability I had retained from lessons was eventually lost.

 

Most of my adult life was spent earning a living as a computer programmer and systems analyst, or working avocational fun projects.  Still, when I would encounter a piano, it was like old times .. which told me the desire to create music was still there, residing dormant, occasionally actualized when the mood struck.

 

Then in 2012 I learned about Yamaha's Clavinova piano, which is essentially a recording studio in a spinet console.  I wanted one, really bad .. but my wallet said no way.  Finally in early 2019 I had grown financially to where my wallet reconsidered .. and I bought a CVP 709B.

 

Various delays ensued, though I spent a good deal of my semi-retired time becoming familiar with its bells and whistles.  Now, in 2020, this old man's piano time has finally come.

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As I begin I'm clearly a budding amateur.  Hopefully in time, despite mild arthritis and some slowing from age, I'll be able to create piano pieces that you'll really enjoy .. and be productive in my second-chance career with one of my first loves, the piano.