My kid, on the piano

Excellent playing there and you should be very proud! From my own experience, my brother learnt keyboard and then piano by ear from a very young age and then had lessons and theory. He got to grade 8 and when he was younger he talked about possibly going to music college. In the end he went to university and although he still plays and has a piano in his house, he plays very sporadically and not with anywhere near the frequency with which he played when he was a teen (and before). He just doesn't have the same passion for it because other things took over. That's life. As for me, I had trumpet lessons and got to grade 5 from aged 11-18, and I was in a jazz/big band. When I got to 18 i put down the trumpet and picked up the guitar, which I still play but only recreationally (largely because I'd always wanted to play guitar and as I got to mid-teens I was solely interested in alternative/indie music (and not listening to Glen Miller etc.). I haven't played the trumpet for many years.

Your son is at a critical age now I would say and at a crossroads. I think @sadbrewer gives excellent advice regarding the advantages of reading music to take you to the next level, but only if he wants to do that of course. The main thing is that he enjoys the instrument without feeling too much pressure, and gets a kick out of the music and what it gives to him (through what he puts in). I'm no expert on piano technique, but I really enjoyed the videos and you can feel he is putting feeling into the songs and not just technical ability, which in my view counts for a lot It's also commendable now more than ever that young people still commit to learning and playing an instrument, especially with all our modern-day distractions and shorter attention spans. Tell your kid, well done kiddo!

edit: as for heated debates on here and disagreements, it's part of life and to me you always come across as reasonable with your judgments and opinions, so I wouldn't worry about it. People disagree, and the debate is much more important than who is right and who is wrong. Different opinions make us who we are.

 

buy the drums!!
my daughter learnt how to play two years ago aged 26. she's now in a band.

 

For me playing with passion & adventure is key for a youngster. If he keeps those up the theory can come later. The theory will make more sense. Leeds College of Music produces great musicians & if he progresses that would be something to aim for in the longer term. At the moment enjoy & experiment. Too many lose the passion by having the love of music trained out of them too young.

 

I started on piano at 7 years old. I remember my Dad wheeling an upright down the steepest bit of Greenside Lane in Hoyland, round to our house. We all had to get in front of it, otherwise it would have ended up in Jump.!
He paid a tenner for it, but my practicing annoyed him. I had lessons from this Canadian woman my Mam knew from church. But she would hit my hands with a wooden ruler, every time I made a mistake. That put me off.
I picked up a guitar a few years later & wasted half of my life with it.
I’m thinking of doing a bit of recording locally, with Chris Salmon. I need a piano player, so may well be in touch.
Your boy’s brilliant, by the way. Keep it up.

 

I’m pretty sure Alex Chilton knew that piece too..

 

Ask your boy if he wants to play on a cover of this? My old band mate Dave Kusworth. Maybe recording early next year. It’s very easy. G-D-C.

 

G, D and C, where do I sign up @Mr C?

 

On bass?

 

I can play bass or guitar Happy to assist

 

Whatever.I’d like to make a little EP of David’s songs. Will need a studio, for live drums & piano.

 

Really enjoyed listening, thank you

 

I did ask him in the brief moment he came home and buggered off to his mates for the night.

Caught me off guard, but says he would be. Wowzer. Didn't expect that. Then pinched a tenner off me for a pizza lol. Kids eh!

Didn't play the song to him, but will do when he returns form his mates tomorrow.

And he will no doubt then start researching his bit so to speak

 

Sublime.

 

here's a piano tune that's got right into my head.... slowish like, doesn't sound too difficult.