How A New Way Of Playing Piano Can Change Your Life

Transcription

1 Especially for adults: How A New Way Of Playing Piano Can Change Your Life Makes a lifelong dream come true without having to suffer through years of traditional lessons. Start playing familiar songs in mere weeks and discover a new sense of health, happiness and fulfillment. INSIDE: So easy anyone can do it Surprising benefits from playing piano A new fountain of youth Amazing success stories Self-scoring musical ability survey

2 Have you always wanted to play piano but thought you d missed out on any opportunity to learn how? Well, it s not too late! A new, revolutionary way of playing is changing everything! Are you one of the millions of people who took pianos lessons as a child and finally got fed up and quit? Or, perhaps, for one reason or another, you didn t get put into lessons. But now, as an adult, you wish you could play. Many people have harbored this dream for years. But as children we learned that playing the piano was really hard. Whether we took lessons or not, we all knew from other kids it was extremely difficult and took years to learn. You see, everybody who took piano lessons was put into a traditional program, a system of learning and playing classical music designed more than a hundred and fifty years ago. That was the only choice. And it was designed for one thing only. To turn someone into a concert pianist. And the way it was taught (and still is) it was difficult. It was about strict discipline, endless scales, boring theory, monotonous finger exercises, hours of tedious practice, the stress of trying to read a gazillion notes on a page of music and play each one perfectly. Fun and creativity didn t really enter into it. Maybe you had this experience as a child or at least know someone who did. Sure, a few (very few) went on to become concert pianists. But for the most part, it s been a great tragedy! 1

3 It s robbed millions of people of the fulfillment and pure joy of making music on the piano and all the miraculous health and wellbeing benefits the piano can give you. Worse, because it was so difficult, most students quit and went into adult life with a nagging sense of failure. Just ask a dozen people if they took piano lessons as a child. You ll find about half of them did. Then ask them if they play now. You ll find almost no one does, even though they may have gone through years of piano training. Most adults believe there s no hope of ever playing. Now, two things have changed that: 1: Research has proven that anyone can learn the piano at any age (The Russell Academy has many students in their 60s, 70s, 80s and even their 90s). 2: A whole new approach to playing that s so easy, anyone can do it. Finally, you can make your dream a reality! Rod Russell, internationally renowned music coach and entertainer is putting the piano within the grasp of anyone who wants to play. He s made playing the piano easy, fast to learn, and most of all, fun to play! When approached this way, making music can give you a whole new life full of joy and profound fulfillment. After years of work he still couldn t play the music he wanted! Like millions of other kids, Rod was put in a program of traditional lessons. 2

4 After eight years of hard work, all he could play were a few classical songs that took hours and hours of practice if he was going to play even one of them for anybody. Then came a new revelation In his mid-teens, through a stroke of luck he was introduced to an amazing but little known method of playing popular music by chord. Within less than six months he was playing in a dance band! Playing this way was infinitely easier than what he d been struggling with for years! He realized that anyone could learn to play this way without going through years of heart breaking traditional lessons. It was quick to learn and it allowed him to play popular songs he heard on the radio. And it was FUN! Through years of playing professionally, he refined and added to this breakthrough method and has taught it to thousands around the world with incredible results. What this could mean to you If you ve always thought playing piano would be too hard, or you wouldn t be able to do it, or it will take too long, or you didn t have musical talent, we want you to know that none of this is true! You can learn to play. And it won t take you years to do it. 3

5 We know because we ve worked with thousands of adults who thought the same thing all because of what they d been told, or actually experienced as children. The magic of playing by chord The playing method Rod discovered at age 16 is based on playing by chord. Compared to the old traditional method it s incredibly easy, yet your music sounds wonderful. Here s what one student from The Russell Academy said when he discovered how quick and easy this way of playing really is: I didn t know one note from another until your lessons arrived. Imagine my surprise and sheer delight when, at the end of Lesson One, I was able to play three complete songs! It can be life-changing, but very few people (other than our students) know about it. Makes a world of music available to you All sheet music and most popular song books available in stores or online include the chords to play for each song. But most people don t know what to do with them nor do they realize that chords are the secret to making a lifetime dream of playing piano come true Proof that playing music, especially on the piano is the best thing you can do for yourself Everybody knows that music makes you feel good. But until recently no one realized just how important it is in our lives. 4

6 In the last few years, scientific studies have shown music can do remarkable things for our health, happiness and wellbeing. It s so important everyone needs to have it in their life. Listening to music is great and everyone should do it. But playing it making music yourself, gives you almost magical benefits that can be had nowhere else. You ll be amazed In the following pages, you ll find out what the piano can do for your mind, your health, your happiness and sheer enjoyment of life. You ll hear some astonishing stories of what it s done for others when approached the right way. One of the surprising things we ve discovered at The Russell Academy is that you don t have to play like Liberace or Elton John to start enjoying these benefits in your life. You start gaining them right from the beginning and it just gets better. 5

7 Play Piano & Change Your life By Rod Russell The piano is not new. We re all familiar with it. After all, it s been around for more than 250 years. What we didn t know until recently is that this amazing instrument can change your life in miraculous ways, even when played at the most basic level. It s capable of making us healthier, happier, and smarter. What s more, anybody can play one and if you approach it the right way, it will put incredible fun and joy in your life. And the benefits you get from playing the piano can be achieved in no other way. No activity, no sport, no social group or the internet can do for you what the piano can. Miraculous improvements - - after only three months! When Patsy Wright wrote to me to enroll in my home study piano course, she had been suffering from arthritis and osteoporosis for more than eight years. It was so bad she had to give up a job she really loved. Her hands would get so swollen she had difficulty picking up a cup of coffee. Even combing my hair was a nightmare she confided. She enrolled anyway. 6

8 Three months later, Patsy wrote: Since starting the piano lessons, my fingers are very flexible. I can firmly grasp silverware and am not always dropping things. I no longer have difficulty combing my hair. But it didn t end there. She went on to say: I feel that learning piano has also improved my memory. I feel more alert and more able to get on with my other work. It has truly been a blessing for me. Incredible after only three months? I ve received many such letters telling about how music and the piano in particular have made remarkable improvements in people s lives. Surprising changes at 62! Bill Taylor is a retired heavy equipment operator. He decided, at 62 years old to take up the piano. When he started, Bill was facing several problems brought on by retiring after years of working. He was troubled by suddenly having nothing to do with his time. He began to lose confidence in himself and really wasn t very happy with his new life. Not only that, after operating heavy machines for years, his hands didn t work like they should. Only a few months after Bill started learning piano, I got a letter from him. He had his old happiness and confidence back and his hands were working much better. And he was loving his new hobby (he had never played a note before). But perhaps the most important thing he had peace of mind! 7

9 A whole new degree of joy! Over the past twenty five years, The Russell Academy has worked with more than 27,000 adult students in five countries. In almost every instance, the very first thing that a student experienced was a profound sense of joy! That seems to be the starting point for all the other miraculous benefits people achieve by playing piano. Startling new findings In recent years, there s been a tremendous amount of research into the effects playing music can have on our life. Researchers are discovering the therapeutic benefits that are available to anyone who takes up the piano as a hobby, regardless of age or musical background. Studies have shown that learning to play the piano can: 1: Reduce stress and anxiety sometimes dramatically 2: Lower blood pressure 3: Reduce effects of arthritis in the fingers and the effects of osteoporosis 4: Improve memory and cognitive functions 5: Improve math skills 6: Enhance your creative abilities 6: Strengthen your immune system (by lowering stress levels) 7: Reduce or stop feelings of loneliness 8: Make measurable improvement to the brain 9: Give person a whole new zest for living, and. 10: Possibly even help ward off dementia and Alzheimer s disease! 8

10 Pretty exciting stuff! And you start getting these benefits right away! These studies have shown and my own students have confirmed - that it doesn t matter how old you are, you can enjoy the same mental and physical improvements. One researcher noted that playing music appears to make older people young again! Can playing piano actually be another path to the Fountain of Youth? Well, maybe so. We got a call a few months ago from a student in New Mexico who had enrolled in our course about 15 years ago. In talking with him I found out he was 103! He was still playing piano and loving it. In fact he attributed his long life to making music. I m including a few of the other real life stories I ve received from our students a bit further on. Some of them are nothing short of miraculous. Proof of a beneficial link But one of the most significant studies showing a connection between keyboard lessons and health took place in Miami in It was called The Music Making and Wellness Project and was carried out by a group of internationally known experts in the field of medicine, biochemistry, psychology and psychiatry. The study measured the changes that occurred in 130 middle aged and older adults who took keyboard lessons against the same number of people who didn t take lessons. Significant positive changes were noted in those who took lessons, including: Decreased anxiety after only 10 weeks of lessons! This can lead to improved cognitive performance, enhanced learning ability, better decision making and general feelings of well-being. 9

11 Decreased depression. What researchers have found is that a brighter mood and a more positive outlook gained by playing music often has a lasting effect throughout the rest of the day. My own students have had the same experience. Reduced feelings of loneliness. Participants changed the way they perceived loneliness and being alone. More about loneliness later in this report. Participants showed a 92% increase in human growth hormone (HGH). This hormone (or lack of it) drastically affects your energy, wrinkling, osteoporosis, sexual function, muscle mass, aches and pains and much more. The general finding of this study confirmed that learning music promotes physical and psychological well-being. Stress, anxiety and boredom are reduced giving the student physical health benefits as well as a great sense of accomplishment and pleasure. More proof Another recent study by the University of Miami School Of Medicine and six other universities discovered measurable health benefits in people who played music. As in the Music Making And Wellness Project, feelings of loneliness and boredom decreased among the participants who learned the keyboard. But get this researchers in this study noted significant improvements to the immune systems of their subjects. Again, reduced stress and anxiety could very well be the reasons. 10

12 Our own research, conducted with a large number of adult students confirmed all of this. With all the challenges to our health that we face these days, we certainly need to do everything we can to keep our immune system in tip top shape. Music and the brain There has been some exciting research into the effects music has on the brain. One of the most fascinating studies was done by Environmental Health & Longevity Lifestyle Research Science When researchers got people to listen to music, the brain lit up in multiple areas. But get this: When people played music, they saw fireworks! The brain lit up everywhere! They claimed that playing music is the brain s equivalent to a fullbody workout. Playing a musical instrument engages practically every area of the brain at once, especially visual, auditory and motor cortices. What s more it improved the connections and pathways between the brain s two hemispheres, allowing messages to get across the brain faster. They found that by giving the brain a workout, by playing music, it improved levels of: - planning and attention to detail - cognitive function - emotional wellbeing - memory and organizational functions 11

13 Neuroscientists have studied this phenomenon thoroughly and have found learning to play music, and the effects on the brain is different than any other activity including the arts. It appears that the biggest favor your can do for your brain is to start playing the piano. Stress a major threat to your health and your life We live in stressful times. I don t think the human body was designed to withstand the emotional pressures of modern life in the 21 st century. We ve got a lot of problems to worry about in almost every country of the world in our own country at home with our relationships. Then there s money problems, health worries, threats to our environment, crime, etc., etc., etc., And the news media makes sure we re reminded of it all every day! This can all add up to continuous stress! Too much stress can have devastating effects on our physical and mental health. Long term stress can even have a burn out effect. Besides the more obvious effects on our emotions, an over-stressed lifestyle can have complex adverse effects to your physical health. Here is what experts have to say about stress and its effects on the human body. Actually, the stress response in the human body is a very useful thing. Given a certain set of circumstances, it s what prepares us for a fight or flight reaction. Certain chemicals in the brain and body are elevated, such as adrenalin. Functions of the heart and blood vessels, the immune system, the lungs, the digestive system, the sensory organs, and brain are modified to meet the perceived danger. 12

14 In days past the stress response was critical to survival. The problem, in today s world, is we seem to be bombarded constantly with events that trigger a stress response. Serious health consequences One of the most serious effects of stress is an increased risk of heart disease. Stress has long been associated with high blood pressure. Stress has also been found to impair the immune system. We re more prone to infection colds and flu, and perhaps more serious illnesses when we experience stress for extended periods of time. Stress has also been shown to worsen arthritis and head aches and interfere with sleep and digestion, all of which can have a compounding effect on your health. According to experts, stress causes the release of a chemical in the brain that suppresses an area concerned with short term memory, concentration, and other cognitive functions. There have even been suggested links between stress and cancer. Loneliness a plague of the 21 st Century Experts estimate that at least one in five people suffer from chronic loneliness. The causes vary but the consequences can be severe. Here are just a few of the negative effects loneliness can have on your mental and physical health. Older people are particularly susceptible. 1: Loneliness can affect the brain like physical pain Loneliness can actually cause the brain to experience physical pain. The brains of lonely people often feel pain as if it is real physical pain. The stress hormone cortisol can increase to a level that, over time, can lead to real pain and serious illness. 13

15 2: Increases the risk of dementia Chronic loneliness has been shown to greatly increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorders like Dementia or Alzheimer s disease. In fact studies have shown that people who suffer from loneliness have a 64% greater chance of getting dementia. 3: Increased risk of heart disease Here s one of the more surprising results loneliness can have on your health that researchers have discovered. Loneliness can cause inflammation in the body that can damage the blood vessels of the heart. This leads to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. 4: Sleep disorders There s no doubt that good, restful sleep is one of the pillars of health and wellbeing and the lack of it can have dire consequences. Studies show that loneliness has a very negative effect on sleep. Because loneliness causes a depressed state, it can prevent you from falling asleep and staying asleep. Often lonely people wake up several times during the night. 5: Reduce life expectancy Being lonely can shorten your life! Besides an early death caused by a heart attack, stroke or other health disorders, research has shown that people how feel lonely just don t live as long as those who don t. There could be a variety of reasons but perhaps the will to live just isn t as strong. So the message is clear. If you re experiencing feelings of loneliness on a regular basis, you ve got to do whatever you can to eliminate it from your life. People die from loneliness. If you re affected by loneliness, now you can do something about it and have fun doing it. Over the years I ve had many, many adult students say their loneliness simply went away when they started playing piano. There are a number of reasons for this: 14

16 - When you play music stress goes away and your mood gets a lot better - Because you are happier, you have a greater desire to get out and interact with people - You get a profound sense of accomplishment and satisfaction and your self- confidence increases - But here s the most important factor backed up by recent research: Playing music changes your mind s perception of being alone! It can change you from feeling lonely and miserable to being happy with just being alone. Amazing! Now, there s a new threat invading your life the internet Who can argue that the internet is a wonderful thing in today s world. Who would have thought 25 years ago that we d be communicating in real time with someone on the other side of the world, face to face! , Facebook, other social media, Google, etc, etc. - information, communication, shopping, banking, travel arrangements it s all at our fingertips. But there s a dark side to all of this. People are increasingly spending more and more time at their computer, smart phone or tablet. Just walk down any street or go into a coffee shop and see how many people are glued to their phones, even when they re with other people! Experts are now finding that spending too much time on our electronic gadgets can be very detrimental in a number of ways. People are suffering from depressions, sleep disorders, headaches. Too much screen time can have a detrimental effect on your eyesight and hormones. Studies have also shown that internet use has a negative effect on memory. 15

17 And it gets worse new research is showing that too much time spent in front of a screen playing games actually shrinks the brain! Learning music doesn t do any of those things just the opposite. Why you absolutely MUST add music to your life You ve got to reduce and counter the stress in your life as much as possible. And what better way than learning to play the piano for fun. There are many things over which you have no control, but you can create an island of inner peace and happiness for yourself, a time in your busy day when there s just you, your piano and your music. When you do this, the effects can be truly astonishing. When asked, almost without exception my students have said their stress and anxiety all but disappear when they re at the piano and their spirit soars. Furthermore, this feeling seems to carry on throughout their day. They simply feel more alive, positive and confident. reasons to choose the piano, wouldn t you say? Pretty good Here s what a doctor in Georgia said: I would just like you to know how much you and your piano course enriched my life. I play at local nursing and retirement homes, and friend s homes. Where I get the most pleasure is playing for entertainment and relaxation. I am a physician who needs the calming and relaxing effect of playing the piano after a long and stressful day. Thank you for teaching me to play. Dr. Hugh Johnson, Georgia It s been five years since Hugh started his course and we still stay in touch regularly. He s still playing lots. He s developed a sizable repertoire of songs he plays for himself and others. 16

18 Abolishing the age and talent myth Let s clear up one thing right now. It s never too late to start playing the piano. There s been a general feeling that once you reach, say middle age or older, there s no hope of you ever learning a musical instrument. That simply isn t true as numerous studies show and our students in can attest. You can start at any age and you ll do just fine, discovering an exciting new hobby that profoundly brightens, improves and perhaps even extends your life. And talent? We ve worked with thousands of adult students and I can tell you there s very, very few who simply cannot play music. If you approach it in an easy, fun way, you have all the talent you need. I encourage you to complete the self-scoring musical survey at the end of this report. I can almost guarantee you ll surprise yourself. A Few Extra Benefits You ll Enjoy By Learning Piano I would be remiss if I didn t point out a few of the side benefits you can get when you embark on your musical adventure. Over the years I ve had many, many letters from students telling me about their musical experiences. I m sometimes surprised that they ve discovered an advantage that I never even thought of. Here are a few that come to mind. Learning piano can make you more interesting to others. Tell your friends about your music, the songs you learned that day, your musical goals and the positive experience you re having. A regular practice session at the piano helps to organize your day. It s easy to sort of let your day drift by and you wind up with the feeling that you didn t accomplish anything. 17

19 By establishing a daily time for playing, you will have something to look forward to every day plus you can organize the rest of your day around it, thereby accomplishing even more. Believe it or not, more than a few of my students have mentioned an improvement to their eyesight from learning and playing piano! I have no idea why this may occur and I can find no research about it. One student, a retired priest, was actually legally blind when he started. He wrote to say his eyesight had improved substantially. Then there are increased social opportunities. Several students have told me about playing at church or with a choir. One lady joined an old time fiddlers group as their accompanist and has traveled all over the country with them. You just never know Choosing the right program for you To make this work for you in the best possible way, giving you all the marvelous benefits available, you must choose the right program. Whether or not you choose our program at The Russell Academy, I highly recommend you pick one with the following features: - It must be well organized, going step by step so you enjoy rapid, steady progress without getting overwhelmed and confused. - It must be easy to follow and understand - It must get you into playing real songs you recognize quickly. If it doesn t you ll simply get bored and lose interest - It must give you a constant feeling of accomplishment - It must give you what you need so you re able to play your favorite songs regardless of the type of music you like (popular, blues, gospel, country etc.) 18

20 At The Russell Academy we ve tailored our correspondence piano program for adults. It has all the features you need to easily learn to play good popular piano. It costs considerably less than taking private lessons, provides extra help when you need it by , and it s proven it works. If you choose to try our program, I would be delighted to have you as a student. Amazing, real life stories The following stories are just a few from my many files. They re written by ordinary people just like you and me and they will surprise you. The changes music and the piano have made in their lives are profound to say the least. TE: The loss of a loved one, a separation or even having your children move away from home can leave a real void in your life. Feeling lonely isn t much fun and can even lead to serious health problems. This student s comments are typical of many I ve received. As you ll see, putting music in your life can brighten your spirit and give you a renewed sense of purpose. Dear Rod Four years ago my husband passed away. This past December I gave myself a keyboard and your music lessons for Christmas. When I sit down and practice in the evenings, the house seems full of life, love and joy instead of silent, empty and lonely. Besides fulfilling a lifelong dream, this is an unexpected blessing. Thanks. Katherine Young, NC TE: There s nothing like a life enriching project to put a spark back in your life. And a musical project gives you multiple benefits. The result? More joy in your life as you ll see from Gladys Beck s experience. 19

21 Dear Mr. Russell, With our six children grown up and gone, and with my husband being retired, my life became a little stagnant. I live in an area where music is nil. When we saw your ad my husband encouraged me to send for your lessons. This program has been a God send for me. I am happier, more self confident, alert and challenged. I thank you for making this possible for me. Gladys Beck, OH TE: I started my music teaching career instructing adults one-on-one. I found that for a large percentage of them, it was a stressful experience especially if they hadn t had time to practice and felt unprepared. That, more than anything else is the reason I dedicated a year of my life to create an easy home study course people can do at their own speed. If you can find the right teacher and are comfortable with weekly lessons, by all means go that way. But if not, consider learning with a home study program that you can do at your convenience. Dear Rod, I went through the typical music lessons for many years during my high school days, but was really a nervous wreck every time I visited my music teacher. I have found learning piano at home is an exciting adventure! I m enjoying every lesson and am realizing a sense of accomplishment that I never had before. I suffer from Asthma but this new hobby of mine makes me forget I have this problem. I think it keeps me young and vibrant the rest of the day. It certainly is a joy in my life and something I look forward to every day. Many thanks. Shirley Holzberg NJ TE: As we get older, it seems we start believing we can t do some of the physical things we want to do. And, of course there are activities we can no longer consider, but playing piano isn t one of them. 20

22 Dear Rod, I am beginning to feel a fulfillment that I thought I would never experience. My joy at being able to read music and turn it into something people are happy to listen to, is unsurpassed. I am in my 50s and I admit I was somewhat concerned that I would not have the finger dexterity required to play piano. In fact I was actually told this two years ago by a professional teacher! After taking your lessons for 10 months, I have no problem whatsoever with finger dexterity. I also had misgivings about my ability to read the score and maintain the correct timing, but it s happening! It s made me so happy. It has been a challenge but the success I have had so far has certainly given me immense joy and I am well on my way to achieving a lifelong ambition. Your encouragement has made all the difference, especially when that tendency to give up comes around. Many, many thanks. Antonia Smythers UK Dear Mr. Russell, I am having a wonderful time with my lessons. I had my 80 th birthday last September and I have found that with music in my life, especially the piano, I am never lonely. By the way, I have arthritis in my right thumb and by playing octaves it has improved immensely. Thanks you again Dorothy Martin, NC TE: There is no greater feeling than that of accomplishment. It s empowering. Many of my students have said that their session with the piano every day helps to keep them motivated and accomplish more through their day. We all need that, wouldn t you agree? 21

23 Dear Rod, I am enjoying my lessons and making real progress. There is a real feeling of accomplishment to master each new piece. I like being able to work at my own pace and not have to run off to a lesson. I have had cancer and am on a medication that causes memory impairment. I feel the lessons will counter that. Thank you so much for your excellent product. Marlene Loring BC TE: I mentioned that you can create your own island of inner peace every day when you sit down and spend time with your piano. Sherri Belluz eloquently describes what so many of my students have said. Playing the piano reduces stress and can become a treasured part of your life. Dear Rod, I am married and have two sons. I have been and still am a secretary for the past 22 years. For my 40 th birthday I pledged to learn to play the piano. I let the piano sit in my dining room waiting for lessons to begin but couldn t find the right teacher. I m so glad I found you. When I started I was terrified that I would never be able to learn this my first musical instrument. To my surprise and delight I was playing the first song, Beautiful Brown Eyes in no time. Needless to say, I have mastered this song and many more! The piano has become my biggest stress reliever and it is something I have become dependent upon. I don t feel right unless I sit down to play every day. It is the greatest feeling in the world when you are able to play especially songs that have previously given you some difficulty. I have surprised myself on many an occasion. I look forward to each lesson. 22

24 I am truly enjoying learning this lifelong skill and look forward to many years of enjoyment. I only wish that I had started sooner. Sherri Belluz ON These letters are just a small sampling of the many, many comments I have received from people who have embarked on their own personal musical adventure. As you can see, the life changing benefits people have achieved are amazing to say the least. In almost every case, my students have found a profound sense of excitement, accomplishment, purpose and pure joy at being able to make their own music. Learning and playing the piano can do the same for you. I would be delighted and honored to be your coach on your new musical adventure.

25 SELF SCORING MUSIC ABILITY SURVEY Have you had misgivings about your ability to play music? I can t count the number of people who have said things like I don t have any talent for music or I took a few piano lessons as a kid and there s no hope for me. Many of us grown ups (maybe most) have developed the erroneous belief that playing music, the piano in particular, is beyond our capability, that somehow it s too late. For most of us, nothing could be further from the truth. We ve proven it over with thousands students. The truth is, you as an adult can often learn faster because you want to learn. And because you ve been exposed to a large variety of music for many years, you ll often find you have better sense for rhythms. More Than Just The Music Making your own beautiful music on the piano is thrilling, exhilarating and fun, without a doubt. It s all that and a lot more. It s about creating your own special time each day for a profoundly peaceful experience that will chase away stress and make your spirit soar. It s also about pride in your accomplishment and it doesn t matter if you re just starting out or if you re an accomplished pianist. Every new note, new technique, or new rhythm you add becomes part of a skill you ll treasure for the rest of your life. Many students say it s the best thing they ve ever done for themselves. Discover For Yourself This short questionnaire will give you an insight into your natural ability and interest in music. It will also provide you with a self analysis to decide if you are suited to (a) playing the piano, and (b) learning at home. I m betting you ll be pleasantly surprised to discover you have more than enough natural ability and more than enough natural affinity for music. I also think you ll discover you possess the desire and belief in yourself to achieve the musical goal you want. Answer the questions on the following pages in each category. You ll find directions for scoring yourself at the end of the questionnaire. You can print it or just jot your answers down on a piece of paper.

26 Physical attributes: If you are in average health and physical condition, you should have no problem from that aspect when learning the piano. Even serious physical challenges can be overcome. We ve had people learn to play who had a seriously crippled hand, missing fingers, extremely poor eyesight, and more. All were able to learn with a bit of innovation and the magic ingredient desire. 1. Is your eyesight reasonably good? 2. Do your hands and fingers work reasonably efficiently Note: If you suffer from mild arthritis, you ll find that learning piano can actually help the mobility of your arms, hands and fingers. Many of our student have experienced a marked improvement. 3. Do you find your back and shoulders allow you to sit comfortably for at least thirty minutes provided you use good posture? You ll get exact instructions on how to sit at your piano comfortably and avoid causing undue strain and fatigue in your back and shoulders. 4. Do you feel that your hands are fairly well coordinated with each other Obviously, at first, playing both hands together on the piano feels like patting your head and rubbing you stomach at the same time. You ll be given secret techniques to quickly overcome this feeling. 5. Do you feel that you your eye to hand coordination is reasonably good? Learning the piano is possibly one of the best things you can do for your eye/hand coordination. And you ll discover that the improvement carries over into other activities.

27 Musical aptitude: When it comes to natural musical ability, on one end of the spectrum we have the very gifted, prodigies if you will, and on the other end there are the two or three percent who don t seem to be able to relate to music. Most of us are somewhere in between. 1. Does music (your favorite kind) relax you and raise your spirits? 2. Is there a particular type of music you like? 3. Can you keep time to the rhythm of a song on the radio/cd etc.? 4. Can you sing, hum or whistle along with a tune on the radio/cd etc.? 5. Can you sing, hum or whistle a familiar tune without hearing it on radio/cd etc.? Desire: The great masters have all agreed that if your desire is strong enough you can accomplish almost anything. As you read the following questions, reflect on the desire you ve harbored for playing wonderful music on the piano. 1. Have always dreamed of possessing the skills required to play piano? 2. Are you open to learning new things? 3. Do you believe, really believe you will play the piano? (If you have doubts, we ll erase them in Lesson One) 7. Can you imagine yourself sitting down and playing your most favorite song? 4. Are you goal oriented, in other words, do you achieve things more easily when you have a clear objective? 5. Have you usually achieved goals you ve set for yourself in the past?

28 6. Describe your personal musical goal? Your health, wellbeing and enjoyment of life: Playing the piano has proven to have a positive effect on your physical and mental health, including: improved finger dexterity and muscle tone, improved memory and mental alertness, reduced loneliness and stress, even better math skills. 1. Would the prospect of real physical and mental benefits from playing piano help you reach your goal? 2. Would improved mental alertness and memory be of advantage to you in your daily activities? 3. Would improved finger dexterity help you in other daily activities? 4. If you experience stress in your life, would you enjoy having a hobby that immediately lowers it and promotes calmness and self assurance? Many of our students have reported that their time with the piano virtually erases any stress they were feeling and they go away with a profound sense of well being. This feeling tends to last throughout the rest of their day. Learning at home: 1. Are you the type of person who will persevere through a spot you find a bit difficult? 2. Would you consider yourself to be a self starter? 3. Would you consider yourself to be the kind of person who can figure things out reasonably well when working on your own? 4. Would you be open to asking for further explanation and clarification when you need it?

29 Scoring Physical attributes: If you said to at least three of the questions, you should have no problem. Most minor physical drawbacks can be overcome. Musical aptitude: This section gives you an idea of your natural ability. If you answered three or more with a, you have the ability you need. Desire: This is truly the magic ingredient for anything you want to accomplish. The higher the number of answers, the greater your chance of success. Health and wellbeing: Answering to three or four of these questions will help give you a powerful added motivation. Learning at home: To succeed with a home learning program, you need to enjoy the comfort and privacy of learning on your own. However, with our program, you never need to feel alone. Extra help is there for you when you need it. If you re determined to make your dream of playing piano come true, the time to get started is now. Whether you choose our program or not, I urge you to TAKE ACTION. You have so much to gain and there will never be a better time. For more information about our home learning system for adults: The Russell Academy of Music # Gallagher s Forest South Kelowna, BC, Canada V1W 5E1 Web: TheRussellAcademy.com rodrussell@direct.ca Copyright 2018 Rod Russell