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We’re just coming to the end of the first month of a new academic year. I’ve had a few piano students drop out for various reasons, but I’ve also had a few new ones, so it usually balances itself out somehow! A couple of my more advanced students have taken longer slots as well which helps!
It was certainly good to get back into routine again though. I always love catching up with my students, and some of them enjoy telling me about their latest adventures too! Tricky bit this term, is keeping up with who’s entering exams this season, as I think the exams will be the busiest I’ve ever been. (And some want to delay until Easter because they don’t feel ready, and that’s fine too <3)
What is the new adventure though? Well it doesn’t actually happen until next year, but today I was officially booked (as in contract signed/paid for) for my first ever wedding as the “Tropic Pianist Gamer”. I’ve done a couple of weddings before but I was anxious for both, and wanted to blend into the background shadows as much as I could…
My first experience was 2013, at an outdoor wedding. As I started playing the aisle music by the riverside, it started raining… not only was I scared I was going to make mistakes, the piano keys being slippery really didn’t help either! We survived though, but when the bride invited me to stay for food, I kind of sloped off quietly, and largely unnoticed…!
I did another Wedding in 2018. It was the daughter of one of my old Welsh Tutors. It was a super local wedding, and I thought I was ready/confident. It was only background music so I felt fairly “safe”, but I’m surprised they didn’t complain as my keyboard was so quiet, hardly anyone could hear it above the crowds. (I got a proper amplifier later that week, so can offer a full setup these days if I have to take my own equipment!) Looking back at the photos that were taken of me though, I hated them. I felt fat and unattractive. The photographer had zoomed into my “fat” hands too, I felt awful!
I can’t actually locate those photos anymore, but they’re etched on my mind even now!
Here’s the selfie I took that day. I felt fat, but tried to put it at an angle so I didn’t look too big…
Thankfully times have changed. I found my passion really was the piano, not just something that I did… I found my passion in inspiring others with my music, and the people who love my music keep me going too. Being perfect isn’t necessary when all I want to do is entertain and lift peoples’ spirits!
It wasn’t until late 2020 I became “the Tropic Pianist Gamer” but with that came complete clarity about who I wanted to be, and become. I’ve grown ever since. The tricky bit about being a multi passionate business owner, means that I have to choose one focus to grow at a time. Alas my mind likes to flit, which makes focussing tricky, but if it’s a “passion project” I’m also able to hyperfocus until the task is done!
Lately I’ve been lacking focus, because my 7 year old hasn’t slept through the night since about May, so I constantly on the verge of sleep deprivation again, just not quite as bad as it was in the newborn days…
But, whenever I network somewhere new, I talk about my podcast and/or my book, I have sold a couple more copies of my book directly, and passively my music practice book is selling well on Amazon (See this page for my directory of books)
This new adventure, I’m excited for! I’m now a confident pianist in my own right. I play requests, I entertain, and I’m confident in myself too. I might not be the slimmest I’ve been, but I am calmer, and confident with my style choices. I will be wearing a Popsy Dress, and I’ll be wearing (most probably) my glittery boots!
I know I’ve 100% got this, and I’m chuffed that this couple has put their trust in me to deliver their Drinks Reception music at their wedding in summer 2025!
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