When I was very young, both sets of Grandparents had pianos. I wanted to learn but both my parents, forced to play as children, refused. One day, an Uncle showed me how to place my hands on the keys and told me the note just above the key hole was middle C. He showed me where middle C appeared in a simple piece of sheet music. That was it. Lesson 1.
A couple of years later at junior school we had music theory. We learnt the value of the notes and about sharps and flats (the black keys) and the "sounds" were demonstrated (but actually touching the piano was not allowed). Lesson 2.
When I was 42 I inherited one of the pianos from an Aunt (at my request). It was an ancient iron framed "over-strung upright", basically a pub honkey-tonk piano. A neighbour gifted me a basic piano primer designed for a young child.
I got quite good at it, practicing while the kids were at school. The younger child was herself learning to play, with a proper teacher, at school. I taught myself to sight read, something my daughter never really accomplished. Strangely, although my daughter plays really well "by ear", I can only play with the music score. Eventually, I could play to a level of around grade 3 or 4. Well enough to give me pleasure.
Sadly, I had Sepsis 10 years ago. I came out of it alive and relatively unscathed, except for my hand co-ordination. I can play with my right hand. I can play with my left hand. I can no longer play with both hands, no matter how hard I try.
Anyway, apart from a few early cues I suppose I can say I was self taught.
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