#myfirst Piano: Playing the piano is a form of self-expression says Nicholas Ho
Nicholas Ho is one of Singapore’s most accomplished pianists and composers, and he is also the youngest.
According to a recent report, picking up a hobby can not only entertain you, but it can also help you to deal with anxiety and depression. In this new series, #myfirst, we talk to talented Singaporeans who have made what was once a hobby into a career and ask them for their top tips in taking up their chosen skill.
Nicholas Ho is one of Singapore’s most accomplished pianists and composers, and he is also the youngest. Currently a doctoral candidate with a full tuition scholarship at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Nicholas was back in Singapore for a short visit and performed the Singapore Premiere of his self-composed Twelve Études at Victoria Concert Hall on 31 January.
What began as a hobby for Nicholas has become his life-long passion, so we asked him why he thinks we should take up playing the piano.
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What made you take up playing the piano? When did you first start?
“Curiosity, perhaps? My elder sister started piano lessons, and I remembered loving to tinkle on the ivories then. I had a few piano lessons before turning seven, and in Primary 1, my mother had my sister teach me what she learnt in her own lessons. I had to be self-taught for a while, before my parents decided to let me have formal lessons when I was eight.”
Have you always been interested in creating music?
“Life before and after formal music lessons was remarkably different. Before music lessons happened, I was happy memorising bus routes, and looked forward to weekend outings, content with observing the world from the bus windows. After music lessons started, on both the piano and the violin, I was totally engrossed in music. I tried to read as much as I could on my own, about composers such as Beethoven and Mozart and stories about their prodigy years. Of course, I tried to compose, but didn't have the necessary skills!”
Due to fresh changes in my collegiate career at that point in time, I found myself in dark places, and in hindsight, I was able to process these emotions healthily through my newfound passion for composition.Nicholas Ho
How did you go from being a 'someone who plays the piano' to becoming a composer and recitalist?
“I gave my debut piano recital at age 13, at the urging of my longtime mentor Tedd Joselson. Since then, performances have always been things to look forward to – they excite me tremendously. When I embarked on my collegiate studies in piano performances, naturally, I had to give recitals!
“I started learning Elliott Carter's Piano Sonata in the summer of 2017, and was initially disappointed at the quiet ending (I have since come to terms with how it must absolutely end that way!). I was on a family holiday to Bangkok, and missed the piano so much that I started writing a piano showpiece, in my head. I completed the work in three hours upon returning to our hotel, and the result was the Mirror Image étude featured in my debut recording on Arabesque Records. This étude is mathematical in nature, with both hands playing the same part, mirrored off the axis of Middle D — which also serves as a tribute to my time in NUS High.
“At that point in time, I also realised that piano playing was no longer sufficient for my self-expression as an artist. Due to fresh changes in my collegiate career at that point in time, I found myself in dark places, and in hindsight, I was able to process these emotions healthily through my newfound passion for composition.”
Would you recommend people take up playing the piano as a hobby?
“Yes, of course! Music teaches one life lessons in discipline and perseverance. One of my professors quipped that what makes us different from animals is that we know the immense joy of delayed gratification … the hours put into learning a piece of music can be daunting. Still, the reward at the end of the arduous journey is one that is just so glorious.”
Getting a teacher would be the first big step, to prevent the pain of having to relearn healthy piano playing technique at a later point. Don't rely on YouTube tutorials for too long!Nicholas Ho
How should they start? What would be your tips and recommendations?
“Getting a teacher would be the first big step, to prevent the pain of having to relearn healthy piano playing technique at a later point. Don't rely on YouTube tutorials for too long!”
“What is the best thing about being able to play the piano? What are the benefits?
“Hans Christian Andersen has a famous quote about music: ‘Where words fail, music speaks’. Playing the piano becomes one's self-expression; there are also tremendous mental health benefits from having an outlet to unwind!”
Do you think there are any negatives to playing the piano?
Prolonged practising hours, with incorrect or inefficient technique, may lead to repetitive strain injuries – many of my peers, myself included, have had to deal with debilitating injuries. But again, office workers have higher incidences of De Quervain's tenosynovitis ... from excess usage of the mouse. Stretch up, and exercise regularly!”
What do you suggest people do to ensure that they don't give up learning to play the piano too quickly and perhaps waste their money on buying an instrument?
“Start with goals that can be attained, before embarking on further steps. I love the S.M.A.R.T. goals mnemonic: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.”
For more information about Nicholas, go to www.nicholashopianist.com.
Meanwhile, if you're not an Amazon Prime member, you can take advantage of its deals with a 30-day free trial at amazon.sg/primeday. Also, take S$10 off S$60 your first purchase on App. Enter code NEWBIEAPP at checkout.
To begin your piano journey, here are some keyboards you can buy from Amazon Singapore.
1. M SANMERSEN Kids Music Piano Keyboard
The electronic keyboard has eight kinds of musical instrument tones, six kinds of demonstration music, five kinds of music rhythm, five kinds of animal and percussion sounds, playing piano function, recording and playback function. Let the children enjoy music while playing.
2. Alesis Melody 61 Key Keyboard Piano for Beginners with Speakers, Stand, Bench, Headphones, Microphone, Sheet Music Stand, 300 Sounds and Music Lessons
The Alesis Melody 61 MKII keyboard combines 61 piano-style keys, 300 built-in sounds with layering and split modes, 300 built-in rhythms for playing along to, 40 demo songs, an easy-to-assemble stand, a bench with three adjustable height settings, headphones that automatically mute the speakers for private practice, a music rest for holding sheet music, a power adapter and even a microphone for singing along while you play.
With over 26,000 ratings with 4.5 stars, one shopper even shared their shopping satisfaction: "I'm just a granny who's always wanted to be able to play the piano and I'm getting there and I'm thrilled about it."
3. Digital Music Piano Keyboard 61 Key
Perfect for aspiring mini pianists! This kids' keyboard is made of non-toxic environmental protection plastic, safe and very kid-friendly. It features an overall, fine workmanship and smooth edge design.
4. Yamaha NP12 61-Key Lightweight Portable Keyboard
The Piaggero NP12 features 61 full-sized touch-sensitive, piano-style keys and classic Yamaha piano tone with an ultra-portable and lightweight design. The built-in speakers and a battery power option make the NP12 your musical companion wherever you want to go.
5. Casio 61-Key Portable Keyboard with USB
The ultra-compact LK-S250 lets you make music wherever and whenever you want. Just pop in six AA batteries, grab the built-in carrying handle and take your inspiration to go. Includes power supply and music rest.
The LK-S250 features 61 full-size touch responsive keys with Casio key lighting system, making learning your favourite songs easier than ever. With 60 built-in songs and a voice-guided step-up lesson system, you’ll be sounding great in no time.
6. Contemporary Disney - 3rd Edition: 50 Favorite Songs
50 songs are featured in this third edition of an outstanding collection of Disney favourites.
7. The Hobbit — The Battle of the Five Armies: Sheet Music Selections
Fans, pianists, and composers will love this faithfully transcribed collection featuring awesome piano/vocal renditions of 14 selections from Howard Shore's brilliant score to The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
8. Harry Potter: Music from the Complete Film Series
For the first time ever, 37 sheet music selections by John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper, and Alexandre Desplat are collected along with eight pages of colour stills from The Sorcerer's Stone to The Deathly Hallows, Part 2.
9. Little Pianist Piano Songbook for Kids: Beginner Piano Sheet Music for Children with 55 Songs
Are you tired of searching for piano pieces with the appropriate difficulty? At the beginning of this book, you will find very simple songs, and then they gradually get more challenging as the book progresses.
