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New Year's resolutions

Craig Wakeling discusses New Year's resolutions and what he's doing this year.

I’m not one for making New Year’s resolutions, and it seems as if I am in the majority (a big surprise, it seems like everyone is doing it at this time of year). A recent survey suggests that only a third of people actually commit to starting something or indeed giving it up. For me, I don’t smoke, I rarely drink alcohol, I am relatively fit, I’d like to think that I am in control of my finances, and Mrs Wakeling is the master at keeping me organised.

Apparently, 88 percent of those that make any sort of commitment at the start of the year give it up or just forget about it by February.

But for me, this year is different. I am actually committing to something which I am really excited about. It won’t make me a better person, it won’t make me healthier, and there will still be times when I am running round like a headless chicken (when my wife isn’t around of course).

Playing the piano is something that I have always wanted to do, just to be able to sit and gracefully play songs that we sing in church, songs that I hear on the radio, as well as those classics which, apparently, everyone can play on any type of piano or keyboard.

So here’s what I know (or at least I think I know). There are 8 grades to piano; the better you are at hitting them in something that resembles a tune, the higher grade you are. So I’ll be initially working towards grade 1, something which I believe a 5 year old could probably do.

A few questions though for anyone musically minded:

What tips would you have for learning a new instrument? What are the 3 things I need to remember when learning the piano? And what’s the difference between a quaver and a ratchet?

I’ll let you know how I get on.