My kid, on the piano

Tbh, that's what I'm weary of. He's not one for taking pressure, but when he wants to do something he's committed and a perfectionist. (I won't say who he gets that off lol)

Even in that video, was a couple of stray keys, he knew, but wanted another go until he hit every note perfectly.

I do worry, the amount of people who have seen him, want to try and take him to the next level. Do this and that etc. I get it, I really do, but at 15, I just want him to enjoy it. He knows lessons and further education is available to him if he wants to and I'll pay whatever needed etc. So I'm kind of taking the stance of I'm gunna enjoy him myself until he wants to take that next step

 

Well done lad!

 

Brilliant stuff Nez...he's a natural musician which lessons can't buy ...to go to the next level he needs to persist with learning to read music for two reasons, 1) if you can play but can't read music it hinders you when playing with others, if you can play and read music you can play with anyone, no matter what the key.
Lovely job with left hand btw....2) learning to read will allow him to play arrangements that are written by experts that (may) be better than his own by ear arrangement.

 

His Maple Leaf Rag is excellent Nez!

If, as you say he doesn't yet read music I am wondering how he has learnt that piece? Do you mean that he doesn't sight read, but is still able to read music sufficiently to piece together the notes? His technique, especially his bridged hands and even tempo is very good indeed. The left hand is an authentic arrangement. Has he followed an internet analysis of the piece perhaps? Whatever, it is brilliant, and exhibits a great amount of hard work from your son, who clearly has great flair. Very well done to him.

If I might offer advice regarding your above comments, I wouldn't push him any faster than he wants to go. He clearly enjoys his music, and I am sure you and your family do too. I had piano lessons at about the same age (a long time ago!) and while I demonstrated some aptitude my late Dad began to develop wholly unrealistic ambitions about how far I could take it. The result was to turn me off the practice and to push me towards the electric guitar, which he regarded as an abomination! Let your son continue enjoying his music at his own pace - he's doing great!

 

Impressive!

 

He uses 2 or 3 ways to learn stuff right now.

Millions of tutorials are around you tube, which is his first go to. Often some videos are broken down in sections, explaining which keys and tempo etc. Others map an entire song from above and you watch streams of lines and dots whilst someone is playing.

In some other instances where are particular song he wants to try, isn't covered like above, he will play bits and attempt to match it by ear.

He seems to be taking it in logical steps (I could be wrong) but he's also using things he's learnt, and getting hold of sheet music and matching up sections to learn how they correspond. He does throw out a lot of musical terms as he explains stuff, and I nod in agreement, (and Google after lol) so he does seem to know what he's talking about as well.

As he masters each section or song, he will play them at least every other day to keep fresh in mind. Which is why he plays right through with no aids.

Appreciate your comments, he has taken music in one of his options at school, and is obviously picking things up there too, but I know all too well of pushing him, he won't be pushed on anything. I like that, cos he has in the past put himself under undue stress/pressure. So I want to support him at his own pace. As I've noted, he knows paid for lessons and all that is available to him if/when he wants to.

I think he will take me up on it eventually, when he wants to branch out and play along side others. He has found that difficulty already at school, trying to follow the drummer (who was also learning) keeping the pace. But I think that was the school chucking them all together to see how they would manage before putting together a structure to learn to play alongside each other.

His younger brother incidentally has just also stung me for an electric guitar, so who knows maybe they could work together at some point. I'd be ecstatic if they could.

Is it too late for me to buy a set of drums and learn lol

 

Lessons would help with music theory, I'm self-taught on guitar, but my eldest daughter plays piano beautifully (she took lessons for around 7 years)..

 

Superb, loved it . I love the piano & your lad has some serious talent , great stuff .

 

What a wonderful post. This is exactly why I have so much affection for Nez and his lovely family, who I sorely miss.
Outstanding work, young man.

 

Top notch that pal - hes doing great - very impressive that. Let him run with it I say Hope my lads pick something up like that. Bought eldest a guitar but not pushing him into it - seeing if he will decide he wants to learn play it himself.

 

Sign the contracts now nezbfc,once he finds women and ale it'll be too late.

 

Talented lad, he should go for a music degree.

 

Great stuff ! Well done.

 

Cheers kev, I'll be sure to let Jay (my son, not Jay on here for everyone else's benefit) hear all this wonderful feedback, even if just to build confidence.

Hopefully the reds are going to pick up a bit now, which will hopefully raise a bit of enthusiasm with everyone to return for a few games.

We will all be sure to come say Hi when we do. The people around us we definitely miss too

 

Yes, thats another worry. Happened to me when I was younger.

What I may stress to him as and when it starts is that this will also "pull a few" lol

 

To everyone,.

As noted to kev, I really do appreciate the time and effort you have all taken to watch/listen and feedback. It's been very welcome.

I did deliberately ask to record him before the match, if anything to distract from me potentially getting embroiled in any after match "debates" if we failed to show up. I could just lose myself in watching him over and over.

So, last night turned into a pretty good night, all around.

I know I've had a couple of heated debates with one or 2, and hopefully we all move on now in one positive direction.

After watching my lad grow into this, and especially him letting me record this yesterday, it really does hit home, that we have more in life to enjoy then pulling strips off each other on here.

Thanks again
Nez

 

That is magnificent!

Pure natural talent.

 

Very, very impressive. I've always wanted to learn piano... might buy one when we move house

 

I loved that. My absence of knowledge or skill means I'm unable offer anything more than saying I really enjoyed listening. I wouldn't normally sit and listen to a piano piece but I loved those two renditions. Well done to him, I'm very impressed and that's made my day.

 

Wow some talent there .