[Music Chapter 2] My Journey of Learning Piano

A few days ago, an old classmate messaged me about learning piano, so today I’ll share some thoughts.

In addition to the three locations mentioned earlier:

• JR Kobuchizawa (didn’t play because I arrived too early)
• Matsumoto (the love story of the girl across)
• Ogaki (super quick and random playing)

This time, I’ll share two more venues,
and the final “grand finale” venue will be revealed in Music Episode 3 (Final Chapter).

These are the 6 “emotional points” from my journey —
You may not encounter love around the corner, but you will definitely encounter stories about “pianos.”

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🎹 Emotional Point ❹ | JR Kofu Station (North Exit)

Similar to typical station pianos, it’s open and easy to play.
Basically, every day I stayed in Kofu, I would take some time to play a few pieces.

The practice piece is still the same —

“The Girl Across the Street, Look Over Here” 🎶

Although I practiced a lot, I still hadn’t mastered it by the time I reached JR Matsumoto 😂

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🎹 Emotional Point ❺ | JR Ishiwaki Onsen Station

This was an unexpected place.

That day, I traveled east to the final stop “Yoshiyama,“
and inquired about information on the Kōshū Highway (nostalgic style) post towns, as well as bike rentals.

The station staff recommended “Otsuki Post” for a better atmosphere,
but I thought it was too far; she added that if I wanted something closer, I could consider:

• Katsunuma Post (Vineyard Station) #35
• Ishiwaki Post (Onsen Station) #37

I chose the closer Ishiwaki because —

When going out to play, it’s best to be “leisurely and unhurried.”

After exploring the post town, I returned to the station and opened the piano cover to play again.
The practice piece was still that familiar one — The Girl Across the Street.

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🎤 Music Theme: Nonexistent, Just “Showing Off the Basics”

Returning to my old classmate’s message, he said I was “showing off my skills” in Japan.
A colleague joked that this was my “touring concert.”
Of course, these are all playful remarks.

For me, playing the piano has never been the main focus of my travels;
if I had started learning piano in elementary school and was still at this level now, my teacher might have long since hung me up to beat me🤣

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A more accurate description would be —

“I have thick skin” + “Dare to show the basics” = Empathy (Piano) Gateway.

Because there were indeed many times after I played,
the Japanese people nearby would eagerly want to try playing a piece themselves.

They might be thinking: If this level can open the piano cover, I can give it a try too.

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🧒 My Little Piano Story (Actually an Adult’s Second Childhood)

I grew up in an ordinary family in the countryside of Taoyuan, and under realistic conditions, it was impossible to have the opportunity to learn piano.

• In high school, I once signed up for the music ensemble, but was rejected due to both looks and skill
• In college, I sneaked into the piano club a few times to experience it, but ultimately didn’t join

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Until after marriage, when I had children…

I embarked on my own “second childhood.”

When my child learned piano, I would sit in the back to accompany the lessons (for free XD),
after class, I would play around based on the segments the teacher had just taught, taking it seriously.

This continued for about two years.

In order to participate in the performance with my child,
I also sought formal one-on-one lessons with the teacher a few times (which required payment 💰).

To be honest —

“Last-minute practice, even if it’s not perfect, it still shines,” and indeed, the mistakes were fewer.

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🎹 Insights from a Piano Novice

It’s not talent, nor is it professionalism,
but because I’m willing to sit down, willing to play, and willing to make mistakes,
these piano sounds have become segments of real empathetic experiences during my journey.

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📍 Next Episode Preview: The final chapter of the music series is coming soon.