Hi Everyone!

[landontreber]

I am very new to posting in forums and on blogs, but I find these to be a wealth of information! And I have to get started somewhere. I am a Realtor based in Colorado specializing in, of course, short sales. Looking forward to seeing more of this site

[Carrol122]

"Hi Everyone!"

"Hope you're having a great day!"
I taught Barney to "wave" this morning, he is such a clever boy, he learnt to do this in about 10 minutes! Clever, especially as he was sitting on a hay bale when he did it.

[Carrol122]

Let me begin by saying that I'm glad to have found this forum and glad to be here.

I began playing the piano at age 3, and has been a very deep love for it my entire life in addition to classical music as a whole. At the age of 11, I was privileged to audition for a concert pianist, she only took students by audition only. I was fortunate enough to study with her and eventually become her assistant teacher, which was a great honor. When she moved out of state, I began my own studio teaching, and of course continued playing. If anyone is familiar with the Certificate of Merit exams given through the Music Teachers Association or the National Piano Playing Auditions given through the National Guild of Piano Teachers/American College of musicians, I began taking these at the age of nine through the age of 18. In case you aren't familiar with them, they entailed not only performing pieces by memory, but ear training, sight reading, and written music theory exams. I also taught my students written music theory, ear training, sight reading, in addition to learning pieces and entered them in both of these exams as well. I mention these specifically to give you a little detail of my musical knowledge and background.

In recent years, I have developed a serious health issue that profoundly limits my mobility. I am unable to stand or walk other than a short period of time, and must keep my leg elevated because of this. It is very difficult to play the piano given this constraint therefore I had to let students go and decrease my amount of practicing on the piano as well. This has been extremely difficult for me given my whole life has been my music. I was attempting to continue to play despite not being able to use the una corda or sostenuto pedals due to having to keep my left leg elevated. The last couple of years I have also developed severe rheumatoid arthritis, which sadly has affected my entire body but especially my hands. I have been to several rheumatologists who have tried multiple medications to control my RA, to no avail yet. It continues to worsen. Two years ago I had surgery on my left hand due to tenosynovitis and trigger finger in three fingers. Because of my playing, I have always taken extreme care of my hands, with the intention of playing the rest of my life and teaching. Due to these health issues, this has changed everything for me. I deeply miss my music, and have asked family and friends if they might have any suggestions given my love of music, and given my limited mobility and physical inability to play the piano anymore, how I might incorporate my love and knowledge of music with the computer. I am able to sit in front of the computer, I have a voice dictation program that types for me, but unsure how I can help others learn music, appreciate music given my physical constraints. A friend of mine suggested perhaps writing a series of children's books about the composers. I have been helping a friend via computer learn theory to aid in his playing of the acoustic bass. He suggested perhaps I write something about ear training since as a semi-beginner he has difficulty distinguishing Major from minor, different keys, etc.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate feedback. Also, is anyone aware of a music organization for people with hand disabilities that I may be able to contact? I've tried googling it, but to no avail.

[aimee]

Welcome to the community,
Nice to see you around, hope to be active here.
You can get lots of information and knowledge from here, have good time all.