Memories of going blank in the finals of a festival have stuck with me, and I still get a flutter in my stomach when I pass by the signs around the college for the Royal Conservatory exams. But, I now have an only slightly better than vague familiarity with key and time signatures, music theory, and the names of the notes farthest afield from middle C. Also,the hands aren't as nimble as they used to be.A few years ago, I got a very nice keyboard, and thought that I would sit and play for the sheer enjoyment of it as I used to - perhaps I would have to back up a grade or two, maybe start with seven or eight, but as I backed up farther and farther through my old music books, I realized just how rusty I was. I couldn't believe how much I had forgotten, how much work it would be to bring back the skills and knowledge. Serious practice.
I have decided to play it again and have ordered some books, dug out some sheet music and practice books and am going to sit down to play scales and chords and figure out those keys again - how many flats in that piece?!?!
