Lost in the Challenge

[berbie]

At the age of 60, give or take a few months, I decided to try to learn to play the keyboard as an hobby and a means of relaxation. I did not intend to get serious at all about it, but somehow I got lost in the challenge. 

The more that I learned, the more that I discovered that there was to learn. I almost fell off the piano stool when I found out how many variations of a "C" chord there were. 

The one thing that I can say to persons who are beginning at that age, or at any age and not fear being wrong is, get a good teacher.

But the purpose of this post is a search for information.
During the nearly eleven years that I have been playing, I have played for a male chorus making appearances all over the (small) town where I live and other towns, played for three churches, currently playing for two, and have played for local church programs when a musician was needed, admittedly often when other more developed musicians were not available.

After all that and all my efforts, I still can't play as well as the other musicians here or as well as those I see on this and other web sites. (nor as well as I wanted to be able to play once I was lost in the challenge)

Question: If you had to choose one thing, one course, one learning procedure that gave you the best junp start to the next level, what would it be?

I'm still chomping at the bit but I'm not sure which direction home is. Looking for suggestions.

berbie

[T-Block]

Progressions: practicing them, recognizing them in songs, coming up with my own. experimenting with different chord voicings

This is what helped me out the most in my whole musical journey.  Once I understood progressions and could spot them in songs, it's like the light bulb went off in my head and I started learning stuff like that.

[jonesl78]

I think it would have to be the ability to listen to a favorite artist, dissect their style, and implement it into your own playing style. Most people think that a jazz performance is strictly improv, but it consists of an artist's accumulation of chords, riffs, runs, ect that has been learned from someone else.

When musicians list their influences, it usually means that they have studied their infuences work thorughly. So, for me, it would have to be learning styles and techniques from other artist that will take me to the next level

[Fenix]

There is no one thing i have come across that has given me a huge jump. Even with all the DVds i have and all, i didn't really get any "Ah ha!" moment from them. Everything i learned has been an accumulation of stuff i picked up here and there. I have not ever had a consistent teacher.

What i would love would be to go to music school. I wish i could afford to do it but i got bills to pay and all that.

[berbie]

Thanks men, I am listening.  I have already gathered up progressions from T-Block's postings, sorted them and am prepared to work on them.  I placed my portable recorder next to the keyboard and am selecting suitable cds to listen to and work with.  I had gotten far away from that. I'll post on how it is coming after a week or so.

I appreciate the input.

berbie