A bit of my personal journey into piano.

I'm turning 45 in a few weeks and I thought to tell my story. It took me more than 20 years to decide learning piano, mainly because I felt discouraged when I asked other piano players.

My theory is these young and not so young pianists were forced to learning pieces they didn't want to. Maybe they started very young. If you are thinking or hesitant about learning piano, just do it. I promise you won't regret.

Yesterday Apr 18th I hit the mark of 2 years and 3 months playing piano consistently with a teacher. This is my 5th semester

• Semester 1 ( 45 min weekly)
• Semester 2 ( 45 min weekly)
• Semester 3 ( 60 min weekly)
• Semester 4 ( 2 x 60min weekly)
• Semester 5 ( 45 min weekly)

Repertoire

I would say after Semester 2 I started doing interesting things. This is what I learned so far (mastering the piece is a complete different thing)

• Lord of rings D major (an arrangement my teacher gave me)
• Find a melody -Edit version ( Andrea Vanzo )
• Prelude in C major Bach
• Van Gogh Virginio Aiello
• New Home - Austin Farwell. (This in several times)
• Gymnopédie 1 Erik Satie (still some work on the last 4 measures but I worked on dynamics already)
• Rushing river, composed by M. Bober & G. Goranson
• Arietta Op 12 Grieg

After finishing Arietta this are my goal for 2026 probably I can add something else but this is what I have for now.

• Prelude, Op. 28, No. 4
• Consolation 1 172 (I casually found this and it seems the most accessible Liszt piece)
• The Little Shepperd

Practice

I practice regularly and consistently on my pieces. I decided from day one I wanted to sigh reading but it's more challenging than expected and if I'm being honest I don't have a consistent practice on this topic. I would say I can get solid 45 min practice consistently someday much more. I have a digital piano at home (ES920) and sometimes I book gran pianos at my school at a reasonable price, 2h blocks each time. (either Saturday or Sunday)

Advancing

Just to give a bit of context what I'm looking for with this post.

I looked at Arabesque N1 Debussy, I watched some theory videos about the piece and understood I would need to learn/work 3 against 2.

Then I found a beautiful piece Opening - Philip Glass to work on that skill precisely. I did this. I was expecting my teacher to set the direction, if I want to play Claire de Lune.

• What is the roadmap of pieces and skills/exercises that will bring me faster and in the right direction to at least to seat in front of a dream piece?

Suggestions

How do I find this direction? I was thinking to do take some piano camp/workshop as well, or try to find complementary teaching classes (my school is nice and 7min walk from home, can't beat that).

Should I focus more on sight reading? Am I choosing the right pieces? I do need to play things I'm 100% interested otherwise it doesn't work for me.

The challenge is is exciting for me, I'm not going to attempt things I'm not ready (Traumerei I'm looking at you).

Hopefully this community has ideas on how I can canalize this passion and energy , I need to compensate those 20 years of self-doubt :)