If you could play the piano, is there a song you’d want to try?
Today, I’d like to share a little about the joy, happiness, and healing that come from being able to play an instrument yourself ♪
If I Could Play the Piano — Taking the First Step
Last year, the beloved Japanese actor Toshiyuki Nishida passed away. While listening to his signature song “If I Could Play the Piano” I felt moved to write this piece.
You see, I play the piano as a hobby — and when I first thought of starting, the phrase “if I could play the piano” perfectly described my feelings at the time.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an unexplainable, instinctive love for the music of Joe Hisaishi, the composer behind Studio Ghibli films. I had always dreamed of playing his pieces myself. For years, I searched for the right moment to begin, until one day, while watching a Ghibli movie, a particular piece of background music lodged itself in my mind. Even after the movie ended, the melody kept replaying in my head. That was the moment I finally crossed the line from “I wish” to “I will” — and decided to learn the piano.
When I listen to Hisaishi’s music, words like nature～simplicity～nostalgia～serenity come to mind. I sometimes wonder if all introverts are drawn to such sounds, or if it’s just me. But given how often his compositions are used on TV, I think it’s safe to say that many Japanese people hold his work close to their hearts 💖
One of my favorites by Joe Hisaishi:
“One Summer’s Day” ～from Spirited Away～
Struggles and Small Victories
Starting the piano in middle age — and teaching myself — was no small challenge. In the beginning, everything felt like an uphill climb. Naturally, I couldn’t read sheet music at all, so that was the first hurdle.
Once I managed to read music, I hit my greatest roadblock: getting my right and left hands to move independently. In everyday life, I rarely use both hands equally (typing on a keyboard is a different story), so my non-dominant left hand constantly lagged behind. Watching videos of pianists play so effortlessly, I’d mutter to myself, “There’s no way I can do that”
And then there was the matter of the pedals — and those who could play and sing at the same time seemed like magicians to me. I clearly remember how often I felt like giving up.
But thanks to my persistence (or maybe just my stubbornness^^;), I kept going. Slowly but surely, I cleared one hurdle after another. Four years later, except for days when I’m traveling, I’ve kept up the habit of playing almost every day. My once-clumsy fingers have grown smoother, and the joy of realizing “I couldn’t do this yesterday, but I can today!” has carried me through.
At last, I can now play the Joe Hisaishi pieces I once admired from afar. The joy of playing a song you’ve always loved with your own hands is unlike anything else. When I play, I sometimes feel a strange, weightless detachment — as if I’m not quite myself — and I’m freed from the stress of daily life. Each time, I think, “This is so soothing”
The Joy of Growing, Even as an Adult
As an introvert, I have no grand dreams of performing in public (I’d probably be too nervous to play anyway^^;). Still, I’m deeply happy with where I am. The sense of achievement I’ve gained from starting piano from zero is, to me, a priceless treasure.
If you keep at something day by day, you’ll see progress — and that in itself is fun. It also builds self-confidence. As children, we constantly feel growth — getting taller, learning to do a back hip circle, scoring higher on a test. As adults, those moments are fewer. That’s why the feeling of “I can still grow, no matter my age” is something I want to keep cherishing as the years go by.
Many people think pianos cost a fortune, but while grand pianos are indeed expensive, you can get a good digital piano for just a few hundred dollars. Unlike electronic keyboards, digital pianos offer a touch that’s closer to an acoustic piano, take up little space, and let you practice with headphones without disturbing your neighbors. Japanese brands like YAMAHA, KAWAI, and CASIO are all excellent.
If you’re looking for a new indoor hobby, why not try an instrument? It doesn’t have to be the piano — music can become a lifelong companion, and you might just meet a new side of yourself.
I’m neither especially musical nor particularly dexterous, but I’ve come this far. If you stick with it, I’m sure you can too ♪
“The Wind Forest” ～from My Neighbor Totoro～
