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July Piano Adventures: A Month of Music, Mishaps, and Milestones

Hello, lovely piano friends! July was a whirlwind of 46.2 hours at the piano -- quite a feat considering a week-long vacation and 1.5 post-trip days when I could barely muster the energy to sit at the piano.

Was it a successful month? I’m leaning toward yes, with some sweet wins and a few projects that, well, fizzled out. Here are the highlights.

An Unexpected Gift: “America the Beautiful”

Picture this: We're all packed for vacation, rushing to the tiny Augusta airport (two gates, folks!) for a 6 a.m. flight. But a low tire throws us off, and we miss check-in by two minutes. The airline’s computer says, “Nope, you’re done.” Disappointing? Sure. But the gift for me was a bonus day to play piano, tidy up, and plan our trip.

That extra day truly was a gift. I poured hours into “America the Beautiful,” determined to share a video before vacation. I’d been bummed about not finishing it earlier, so this felt like a second chance. The video isn’t flawless, but it’s a milestone I’m proud of.

There’s still some improv that I'd practiced but didn't play here -- things were going so well, I didn’t dare risk it! Another video might happen someday, but for now, I’m calling this one a maintenance piece and shifting focus to fresh projects. Kind of like putting a favorite book on the shelf, knowing you’ll revisit it later.

Liszt and a Little Soul-Searching

Oh, Liszt. I still love Liebesträume so much, but July brought a bit of a musical crossroads. I decided to pause classical music to explore more creative paths, specifically my improv in "America the Beautiful," my Louisiana Pianeaux Rag, and a lead sheet course. Also, without the guidance of a teacher, mastering Liebesträume felt like climbing a mountain blindfolded. So I let it slip to the sidelines while “America the Beautiful” stole the show.

Now I’m wondering what’s next for Liszt. Maybe I’ll use my free lesson with Rebecca Bogart to figure out if it’s worth the time. There are only so many hours at the piano, and I'm not getting any younger. I want to focus most of that time on writing, arranging, and improvisation -- skills I've always wanted to focus on, and am only now gaining the tools for them.

Keeping the Maintenance Pieces Alive

My new “weekend maintenance” routine has been a quiet victory. Each maintenance piece gets a little smoother every week, and my Joplin ragtime pieces in particular are almost back up to speed (and memorized!).

Sharpening the Tools

July also saw a deeper dive into technique, sightreading, and ear training -- skills I’ve skimped on before. It’s paying off, and I’m noticing progress. I even did some mental practice while on vacation, learning Chopin’s A minor waltz, a charming piece I’ve always adored but never learned.

July: A Win in My Book

So, was July a success? I think so. “America the Beautiful” took center stage, and I loved every minute of wrestling with its jazz, ragtime, and gospel flavors. Sure, I wish I’d balanced it better with Liszt, but sometimes a piece just grabs you and won’t let go. It was a big project, and I’m proud of what I pulled off.

Stay tuned for my August goals! As I write this on August 1, I’ve already snuck in a few minutes of practice, but I’m still shaping my plans for the month. Thanks for joining me on this musical journey!

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