My musical path began at the age of 8, when I had weekly piano lessons. My first piano was a condemned piano from the 1920s, and none of the notes I was capable of producing would have taken it off the condemned list!. I wasn't a natural, it took me quite a few years to really understand the concept of rhythm. Nevertheless my long-suffering piano teacher was very patient with me, and my parents continued to encourage me to practice. By the age of 15 I had ABRSM Grade 5 Theory and Practical behind me, together with an 'O' level in Music. ABRSM Grade 6 practical was achieved soon after this, after a switch of circumstances and piano teacher. Some years later I was married, and bringing up young children brought a new challenge to my practice time. I eventually conceded that the children had to come before regular practice. It is very difficult to play seriously when you have a toddler plinky plonking up the top end of the keyboard! When the children were older, I was able to resume my piano studies and went on to achieve ABRSM Grades 7 and 8.
