When I was about 12 years old, I saw a doodle on a wall. It was simple yet unique, and I was immediately captivated. Although I wasn’t skilled at drawing, I had an idea – what if I learned how to recreate this doodle, line by line?
Without a camera to capture it back then, I stood by the wall, copying it repeatedly until I had it memorized. At home, I practiced relentlessly until every stroke felt like second nature, almost like a signature. Even now, years later, I can still draw it flawlessly. The funny thing is – it’s the only thing I can draw! Yet, whenever I draw it in front of someone, they’re amazed, calling me an artist. I can’t help but laugh because, in reality, it’s my one and only trick.
Fast forward three decades, and a new idea struck me. I’ve always admired musicians, especially pianists and guitarists. Playing the piano was a dream I had since childhood, but lessons back then felt like torture, and I quit. Still, the desire lingered. One day, I thought, what if I approached piano like that doodle? What if I learned just one piece, practiced until I could play it flawlessly, and amazed people the same way?
That’s when I stumbled upon the Waltz of the Rain by Yaroslav Nikitin. I first discovered the piece on YouTube as a heavily arranged version with various instruments, and I fell in love with its beauty. Later, by chance, I found a solo piano arrangement on YouTube. The moment I heard it, I knew this was the piece I wanted to learn.
At the end of 2023 I found pdf sheet online, paid $30 on Fiverr to convert it to gp5 so that I can follow along easier and starting learning it …
By early 2024, I couldn’t even play a single section smoothly. My life is busy with family, work, and business, so piano became a small but serious side project. I broke the piece into manageable sections, practicing each part hundreds of times until it became muscle memory. Slowly, I connected the sections, worked through tricky transitions, and mastered the nuances like using the sustain pedal at the right moments. It was challenging but deeply rewarding. I imagined myself playing it effortlessly in public, with people watching in awe – thinking I was a piano prodigy, while I secretly knew it was just this one piece!
By the end of 2024, not only had I mastered Waltz of the Rain, but I’d learned another piece, Fur Elise (largely inspired by the way Lang Lang plays it) and even started on two more peaces. What began as a fun experiment turned into a genuine passion. I love sitting at the piano now, striking a bunch of keys and bringing music to life – it feels almost magical to me.
<VIDEO WITH ME PLAYING IS COMING SOON>
One day, during a long journey, I stopped at a service station and found a small, slightly out-of-tune piano. I sat down to play but immediately realized a new challenge – playing in public is nerve-wracking! I played far worse than I did at home. Determined to overcome this fear, I made it a habit to stop at this service station weekly, using it as my stage. Over a few months, I grew more comfortable, and eventually, I played the entire piece with minimal mistakes. To my surprise, people clapped and complimented me. The rush of adrenaline and pride I felt in that moment was indescribable.
And there I was – perceived as a “pro” pianist for knowing one piece! Mission accomplished. But the journey didn’t end there. I’ve since started learning a jazzy version of Jingle Bells and plan to master it by next Christmas.
This entire experience has taught me something profound – with determination, consistency, and a clear vision, you can achieve remarkable things. For me, the vision was simple: seeing myself play music that brought joy to others. It’s incredible how far a little doodle and an idea can take you.
Another remarkable side effect of this experiment was becoming an inspiration to my kids. Learning to play the piano is challenging, and encouraging children to stick with it is even more so – for both the parents and the kids. I know this firsthand from my own childhood experience. I was pushed, and instead of progressing, I ended up resenting the process, even though I still adored the sound of piano music. Pushing is easy, but being a role model is far more impactful.
Now, my 8-year-old daughter watches me, and from time to time, she sits down and starts playing. She’s even begun teaching herself Fur Elise. Although I step in occasionally to guide her on finger placement, posture, or small habits like washing her hands before playing, I never force her to practice. She plays because she wants to, inspired by watching my journey – seeing me struggle with a particular section and then, a few days later, hearing me play it with ease. She’s discovered for herself that it’s possible, achievable, and enjoyable. It’s such a rewarding way to encourage kids to explore something new and improve, entirely on their own terms.
P.S. Find below that original pdf I found online and gp5 conversion that I have ordered
<attachments are coming soon>
Leave a Reply