{"id":17130,"date":"2024-05-08T07:02:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T14:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=17130"},"modified":"2024-05-08T08:09:06","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T15:09:06","slug":"marc-lafontaine-piano-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/marc-lafontaine-piano-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Marc\u2019s Piano Story: Rocker\u2019s Music Journey Comes Full Circle With the Keys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Marc LaFontaine\u2019s music journey started with playing drums for a cover band he formed with his friends in high school. But life got in the way and the bandmates pursued other paths when they graduated. Then, Marc discovered progressive outfits like Genesis, which inspired him to learn the keys and play the complex riffs of keyboard virtuosos like Tony Banks and Ray Manzarek. He eventually reunited with his high school bandmates, honed his keyboard chops with Pianote, and continues to play as much as he can despite Meniere\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is Marc\u2019s piano story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p><strong>Table of Contents:<\/strong><\/p><nav><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#drummer-beginnings\">Drummer Beginnings<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#discovering-prog\">Discovering Prog<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#more-prog-more-piano-and-a-genesis-tribute-band\">More Prog, More Piano, and a Genesis Tribute Band<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#the-comeback\">The Comeback<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#returning-to-music-with-menieres\">Returning to Music With Meniere\u2019s<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#continuing-the-journey-with-pianote\">Continuing the Journey With Pianote<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Your Go-To Place for All Things Piano<\/b><\/h2><p>Get exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><small><i>By signing up you\u2019ll also receive our ongoing free lessons and special offers. Don\u2019t worry, we value your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time.<\/i><\/small><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"drummer-beginnings\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>Drummer Beginnings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>My musical journey goes back to Grade 6 when I got my first drum set at 12 years old. It took a year or two for me to figure out how to follow music on the radio. But eventually, I was playing to Beatles records and records from popular bands of the 80s like Queen, Foreigner, and Kiss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This led to my first high school band in \u201983 when two guys from school wanted to start a band. They came over to my house and asked to start a beat. Next thing I knew, we were playing AC\/DC and I wasn\u2019t even familiar with them at the time!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The guys had another hockey buddy who wanted to be a part of the band; he bought a bass and took lessons. Then, a neighborhood guy heard us playing in my mom\u2019s basement and showed us he could sing like Brian Johnson. He became our singer, and our first 80s cover band, Dark Shadow, was off and running. We played covers of everything: AC\/DC, Van Halen, Twisted Sister, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Quiet Riot, M\u00f6tley Cr\u00fce, Canada\u2019s own Triumph, Ratt, and even complex, progressive music from our Canadian icons Rush.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"438\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02164447\/Marc-L-dark-shadow-poster.jpg\" alt=\"Dark Shadow poster: band name in bones, cartoon of boy in alley with broken violin. 20 heures - admission: $3.00.\" class=\"wp-image-17131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02164447\/Marc-L-dark-shadow-poster.jpg 438w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02164447\/Marc-L-dark-shadow-poster-231x300.jpg 231w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 438px) 100vw, 438px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poster for Marc&#8217;s high school band Dark Shadow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We were invited to open the high school\u2019s \u201cCaf\u00e9 \u00c9tudiant&#8221;\u2014which basically translates to \u201cchill-out hall for students\u201d\u2014between classes. This became our first gig. It even got featured in the local newspaper at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"586\" height=\"656\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02164601\/Marc-L-cafe-etudiante.jpg\" alt=\"Black and white newspaper clipping. Text: Ecole Secondaire Vaudreuil: Le caf\u00e9 \u00e9tudiant ouvre ses portes au son du rock!\" class=\"wp-image-17132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02164601\/Marc-L-cafe-etudiante.jpg 586w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02164601\/Marc-L-cafe-etudiante-268x300.jpg 268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 586px) 100vw, 586px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marc&#8217;s high school band in the local paper.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This led to performing at a roller rink in Dorion, ON that October in front of 800 people\u2014the biggest crowd this place had ever seen.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, high school was a fun time! But eventually, we all graduated and moved on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"discovering-prog\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>Discovering Prog<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before moving on to college, I stayed back to complete extra courses I needed. Popular music was taking a different direction by the late 80s, with bands like The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Tears for Fears, U2, Billy Idol, Loverboy etc. dominating the airwaves. This was when my passion for keyboards first developed\u2014when I discovered Tony Banks and Genesis, and when I first saw the <em>Three Sides Live<\/em> show on video and that infamous <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/_12_-jzqOlE?si=3vQ1T6ZuCh7MfMq7\">\u201cIn the Cage\u201d medley<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Genesis - In The Cage Medley\/Afterglow - 1984 (HQ Audio)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_12_-jzqOlE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/lawrence-gowan-history-of-rock-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">225 Years of Rock Piano in 10 Minutes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was hooked. I sold my massive drum set and bought my first Korg DW-6000 61-key synthesizer. I knew nothing about music theory; I simply reproduced what I heard on records and tapes, starting with simple solos like Genesis\u2019 \u201cHome by the Sea\u201d and other late 80s music in bits and pieces. It got me far enough to join my former guitarist\u2019s new \u201clate 80s\u201d cover band BTT for a couple of years with a different rhythm section. We ended the \u201986 school year with a big show at the high school theater at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We did a few other gigs, including with the local boys and girls organization. They invited us to play many of their larger banquets. It lasted a couple of years, but eventually the realities of life started hitting some of us. Knowing we were not going to make a career out of this, a few of us went to college to get a degree so we could make a living.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"more-prog-more-piano-and-a-genesis-tribute-band\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>More Prog, More Piano, and a Genesis Tribute Band<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Music was left on the back burner for many years from that point on. But my love for complex music of the 70s like Yes, Genesis, ELP, Jethro Tull, Supertramp and early Styx still remained. By the early 2000s, I was earning a comfortable living and in a nice, stable environment. That was when I realized how much I missed playing in a band and making music with others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I had a coworker who was a guitarist and his brother played drums. They knew a bassist and low and behold, a new project was off and running! I took some piano lessons during those years in hopes of living up to the complex music we were playing (early Genesis, Yes, even Elton John). My lessons only lasted a year or two, but they led me to start my own Genesis tribute band, Slippermen. We began in 2003 and played many places throughout Quebec and Ontario\u2014from Alma, Q.C. to Trois-Rivieres and all the way down to Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"931\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02165210\/Marc-L-4.jpg\" alt=\"Band playing on stage with drums, bass, double-necked guitar, and man with long hair in white shirt playing keyboards.\" class=\"wp-image-17135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02165210\/Marc-L-4.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02165210\/Marc-L-4-300x273.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02165210\/Marc-L-4-768x698.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marc&#8217;s Genesis tribute band, Slippermen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>That project ran its course in late December 2011. I simply didn\u2019t have the training to keep up with the demands of the music: it was complex, I had to remember it all by heart, and I was learning everything by ear. I needed a break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I stepped away from music completely for about two years. Then, a local up-and-coming teenager was interested in Genesis and started his own band. As I had the gear and remembered a large portion of the repertoire, I joined in. And even though it was never expected to be taken seriously or to the level of a tribute band, it kept me playing for a little while. Two to three years later, this teenager was off to Julliard to study jazz guitar. If anyone has the education and training to make a living out of music, it would be him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-comeback\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>The Comeback<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2016, I again took time off and focused on other things. Until February 2020\u2014right in the middle of the pandemic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the guitarists (who also sang) from my original high school heavy metal band thought it would be fun to do a one-time reunion gig. So I thought why not? It got me back into playing. And with the advancement in learning methods online, I decided to give it a go.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02165904\/Marc-L-5-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Marc's band playing in a tent at an outdoor event.\" class=\"wp-image-17136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02165904\/Marc-L-5-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02165904\/Marc-L-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02165904\/Marc-L-5-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02165904\/Marc-L-5.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marc&#8217;s reunion project at a birthday celebration in Mascouche, QC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We started rehearsing in the summer of 2020 with one minor change: the lead guitarist wasn\u2019t given \u201cpermission\u201d from his spouse to commit to a project of this level, so he was forced to step away. That was when we were approached by the then-bassist of our \u201986 late 80s cover band (though he was a guitarist first). He stepped in and we haven\u2019t looked back since.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our \u201cone-time reunion band\u201d is still going strong nearly four years later! We keep adding new material all the time to keep it fresh and interesting. We play quite a variety of music from the late 60s through the early 2000s. And we play about a half dozen gigs a year, including the annual Canadian Grand Prix festivities in Montr\u00e9al.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"476\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170304\/Marc-L-6-1024x476.jpg\" alt=\"Man playing bass with keyboardist and drummer behind, playing a gig in a bar\/pub\/club setting.\" class=\"wp-image-17138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170304\/Marc-L-6-1024x476.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170304\/Marc-L-6-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170304\/Marc-L-6-768x357.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170304\/Marc-L-6-1536x714.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170304\/Marc-L-6.jpg 1841w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marc&#8217;s reunion band playing at a pub named Bi\u00e8res et compagnie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"returning-to-music-with-menieres\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>Returning to Music With Meniere\u2019s<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As soon as I was committed to the project, I started practicing scales, arpeggios, and chords again. But most of what I have learned and continue to do has been by ear. This eventually led me to Pianote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though I knew there was a whole world of styles, genres, and techniques to learn and discover, I had no real structure on how to progress and improve. Pianote has definitely helped with that. I can definitely see improvements in what I can do now compared to last summer. I\u2019ve been learning new genres and styles, from rock\u2019n\u2019roll to blues to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-play-ragtime-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ragtime<\/a>, all the while improving my sight-reading skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"912\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170052\/Marc-L-2.jpg\" alt=\"Selfie of man with glasses on forehead and ponytail, in front of keyboard rig on an outdoor stage.\" class=\"wp-image-17137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170052\/Marc-L-2.jpg 912w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170052\/Marc-L-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170052\/Marc-L-2-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 912px) 100vw, 912px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marc playing with his reunion band at Coteau-du-Lac.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Will I ever be as good a sight reader as I am at playing music by ear? Who knows! Do I hope to play more complicated piano pieces one day? Definitely! I look forward to evolving and improving on all levels, especially after being diagnosed last summer with Meniere\u2019s Disease in my left ear.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s the same disease that Huey Lewis recently talked about in <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/huey-lewis-upcoming-broadway-show-salvation-hearing-loss-exclusive-8552175\"><em>PEOPLE<\/em> magazine<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/thenewyorkhearingcenter.com\/2021\/06\/famous-menieres-disease-patients\/\">Many other celebrities<\/a> have disclosed getting diagnosed with this. Basically, it\u2019s an inner ear disease that causes episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, ear fullness, and partial or complete hearing loss. I&#8217;m being monitored by several specialists and on various meds, but there is no cure at this time. My live performing years may be limited, but I\u2019m taking it one year at a time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"continuing-the-journey-with-pianote\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>Continuing the Journey With Pianote<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/classical-piano\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Victoria\u2019s classical path<\/a> to Ben\u2019s ragtime lessons, Pianote\u2019s variety of genres and teachers with different backgrounds have really helped me expand my musical vocabulary. Kevin\u2019s <em>In Theory<\/em> series and his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-play-blues-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blues course<\/a> has helped me develop improvising skills, which is still a work in progress. And now we\u2019re getting technical know-how from keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess himself! Can\u2019t wait for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have definitely seen improvement. Last year, when Gowan released his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/come-sail-away-piano-tutorial-lawrence-gowan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cCome Sail Away\u201d lesson<\/a>, I couldn\u2019t for the life of me keep that Alberti bass in the left hand going. (It\u2019s similar to what Ray Manzarek from the Doors does in \u201cRiders on the Storm.\u201d) Now I can play \u201cCome Sail Away\u201d and most of \u201cRiders on the Storm\u201d! Though the keyboard solo needs to be a bit better before I consider it done\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"816\" height=\"612\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170433\/Marc-L-1.jpg\" alt=\"Man with long curly hair behind a keyboard rig in concert.\" class=\"wp-image-17139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170433\/Marc-L-1.jpg 816w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170433\/Marc-L-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/02170433\/Marc-L-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 816px) 100vw, 816px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Marc playing keys for Slippermen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>One day, I hope to play the Doors\u2019 \u201cLight my Fire\u201d or Debussy\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/clair-de-lune-easy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cClair de lune.\u201d<\/a> I want to get through Scott Joplin\u2019s \u201cMaple Leaf Rag\u201d from start to finish, and I want to play the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/christmas-time-is-here-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Charlie Brown theme and Christmas music from Vince Guaraldi<\/a>. These are all longer term goals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hopefully, when I retire, I\u2019ll be able to focus on getting my skills to this level\u2014preferably before I lose my hearing altogether. Like I mentioned, one year at a time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It almost felt like I was starting over in February 2020, but it did come back fairly quickly. If I have any regret, it would be that I took so many years off from playing for as long stretches as I did. Today, it\u2019s about taking small steps to achieve greater heights. I intend to continuously expand and grow my musical vocabulary on every level!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cheers!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ML<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Have a piano story? <\/strong>We\u2019d love to hear it! Pitch us your story <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-stories\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a> and we\u2019ll get back to you if we\u2019re interested in publishing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h3 style=\"font-size:22px;\"><b>Master the Piano YOUR Way \ud83d\udd25<\/b><\/h3><p>As a Pianote+ Member, you\u2019ll get access to our 10-step Method, song library, and growing community of piano players just like you. Plus: get coached by world-class pianists and learn whenever you  want, wherever you want, and whatever you want.<\/p><a class=\"join\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TRY PIANOTE FOR 7 DAYS<\/a><\/center><br><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Marc started off playing drums with high school friends. Today, he&#8217;s a prog rock enthusiast on the keys.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":17206,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1132],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17130","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17130","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17130"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17130\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17207,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17130\/revisions\/17207"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17130"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17130"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}