Ensuring that everything I do as an adult learner is right on key

By JENNIFER GRANT

The final song I played on the piano as a teenager was a Bryan Adams hit – check back to the headline for a hint on which song.

Following years of hand drawing treble and bass clefs, learning notes in relation to Middle C, being able to determine the beats in crotchets and quavers and tackling classical pieces, I decided that my first teacher and I didn’t gel, and I moved on to someone a “bit more modern” for the ‘90s.

She gave me the freedom to play Bryan Adams and I successfully completed my second music exam with Trinity College London examiners.

And yet still I struggled to strike the right chord (not literally), so I walked away.

Now I am back at the keys and piano lessons, thanks to a little pre-loved Yamaha that brought back the gift of music into my house.

I was motivated to get back to tinkling the ivories for years but had just felt like it was going to be all too hard.

As a Speech Pathologist wholeheartedly committed to lifelong learning, this got me pondering – what's so different now about learning and why does it just feel different?

Enter adult learning styles.

Given this isn’t a blog about styles as such, recent words from a colleague – Noah’s Ark Speech Pathologist and Certified Key Word Sign Presenter Alanna Jinks – came to mind: “Think possibilities, not limitations.”

What had worked well for me?

Motivation: check.

Tools (piano): check.

The right teacher, a supportive learning space and a chance to just play, make mistakes and play again: check.

Lo and behold, as I begin my relearning journey, my latest project (an Elvis classic) is coming together, chord by chord.

My story is not unique – concerns and barriers to learning something new is a tune that has played out anecdotally many times in my 26-year working life.

If you’re motivated to learn Key Word Sign to support others’ complex communication needs – whether for your job or your personal life – Alanna’s workshops provide the tools (including a book to keep); along with the teaching and supportive learning space to help you try the signs yourself and keep practising.

Chord by chord or sign by sign, I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I am enjoying mine.

Read more about Key Word Sign from Certified Presenter Alanna Jinks in our recent blog, or see more course details and register on our course webpage.