Paul Barton

Playing the Piano vs. Playing Piano Music

There are generally two paths people take with the piano. Some start young with regular lessons, progressing through grades and learning pieces chosen by their teacher.

Then there are the self-taught – those who may have had lessons but stopped, or never had the opportunity, learning through their own patience and perseverance.

Sometimes, self-taught pianists feel they've missed out compared to those with formal instruction, which can unfortunately impact their confidence.

But don't underestimate the power of being self-taught. Often, the driving force for these individuals is a deep love for specific piano music they want to bring to life themselves. Think of it this way: "I play piano music" rather than just "I play the piano."

While lessons with a good teacher are incredibly beneficial for many, self-taught learners develop a unique skill: finding their own technical solutions. Their love for the music fuels the hard work required. In fact, a self-taught pianist deeply passionate about their music has a significant advantage over someone who takes lessons but lacks that same connection to the repertoire.

Every piano teacher knows that the music students enjoy listening to is often different from what they play in lessons. But if the music you love to listen to is the same music you want to play, whether you have a teacher or learn independently, know that you possess everything you need within you. Embrace your journey and feel confident in your abilities.

1 week ago | [YT] | 910

Paul Barton

AMARIN TV just sent this video of an interview with Emilie they broadcast live, yesterday. It was filmed as Emilie was drawing the building that collapsed during the recent earthquake here in Bangkok, Thailand. (Thai language)

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 47

Paul Barton

Emilie gave a live Thai language interview with AMARINTV (Thailand) regarding her reaction to the building in Bangkok that collapsed during the recent earthquake. Video starts at 2:00:00

youtube.com/live/0RcP-4ndtss?si=OX7BEd74DB1Zjt4y&t…

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 157

Paul Barton

Thanks to everyone who checked in on our safety after last Friday's earthquake. The Barton family is doing fine, and so are our neighbors and friends. We're seeing some really awful images coming out of Myanmar, where things are much worse. Thailand is usually known for its hot weather, and we don't get tornadoes or quakes, but we do get a lot of flooding. I was really struck by the many security videos posted online where nurses in swaying high-rises were instinctively protecting the babies and sick people, not even thinking about their own safety. And that building collapse with 90 workers is just heartbreaking. We'll probably get some aftershocks, but hopefully they'll be pretty minor.

On a personal note, Emilie's started clarinet lessons. Every Friday, she goes to music school, starting with saxophone, then drums, then lunch, and finally clarinet. She gets along really well with her teachers. Khwan and Emilie used to grab lunch at a big mall near the school, and if it hadn't been for the extra clarinet lesson, they would've been in the mall during the quake, which would've been pretty scary. Emilie said she was on the third floor of the school during her clarinet lesson when the building started swaying, and she and her teacher had no idea what was happening. Her saxophone teacher rushed up to get them out. Emilie now thinks her clarinet is lucky.

Thank you again for your concern.

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 1,588

Paul Barton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bEDO...

1 month ago | [YT] | 113

Paul Barton

The other day, the daughter of my history teacher (and deputy head) from secondary school in Yorkshire, England, messaged me on Facebook with photos of a letter I had sent to her father many years ago. I still keep in touch with my teacher, even though almost 50 years have passed since I left school. He was kind to me and was one of those teachers who took an interest in what you did, not just at school, but after you left, too. He cared.

What really surprised me was that he had actually kept my letters all these years, written to him in my 20s during my adventures in South America, including this one below written from Venezuela.

Back then, there was no email, so it was perfectly normal to keep in touch with people via handwritten letters posted from afar. I really miss this way of staying in touch. I wonder when you last received a handwritten letter from a friend or family member?

In the early days of the internet, emails quickly began to replace hand written letters. At first we used to print messages and keep them in folders, but I think we seldom even do this today.

Out of curiosity, I wondered how easy it would be to turn the photos of this handwritten letter into text and tried a few JPEG-to-text converters, but they weren't even close. Then, I recorded myself reading the letter and used Descript (which is free) to transcribe the audio. It’s amazing how quick and easy that was.

When I read this letter, written 35 years ago, the memories came flooding back. If you’re at all curious about the letter, here it is. There’s nothing personal in it; it’s just a description of a week spent on a work visa run from Brazil to Venezuela and back again.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

São João del Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Dear John, Carol, Catherine, and Sarah,

Things are interesting here in South America, and I wanted to share what's been happening.

I flew from Belo Horizonte, a three-hour bus ride from where I live, to Rio. From there, I caught a plane directly to Caracas, Venezuela. I'm experiencing the first days of spring here in Brazil, which is also technically summer in some areas, but honestly, it feels just like any other time of year – hot. The temperature seems unaffected by the changing seasons.

Caracas is a very large, modern city. A lady on the plane told me three million people live here, two million in favelas. Here, they speak Spanish, so my Portuguese is useless, unfortunately. There doesn't seem to be any similarity in pronunciation.

I am sitting at a restaurant having onion soup, which accounts for the splashes on the paper. Speaking of onion soup, try cooking cheese in a slab and slightly browning it on top. This is probably done by heating the soup in a metal bowl, as the cheese looks very much attached to the edges. Inside are slices of crunchy bread. It's delicious. The food here is amazing. I have tried everything we can't get in England: squid, octopus, etc. The shrimp and mussels are cooked in wine.

The beaches here are a tropical dream, fringed with coconut trees and towering palms. We are not far from the Bahamas. The islands off the coast are not as well known but just as beautiful.

I met a guy called Antonio who was listening, as I was, to a group of musicians playing and singing in the street. He spoke good English and discovered we share the same interests. Antonio is a technician for Fujifilm. His grandmother and family are indigenous Indians. His mother and he are the first generation Indians to live in the outside world, although his mother still speaks Guaario, her native Indian tongue.

For several days, Antonio became the perfect guide and teacher. He showed me the city, both rich and poor. We went to hear the Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra on Sunday at 11 a.m., playing Brahms. We also visited the Picasso Museum, the Degas Exhibition, the Fox Talbot exhibition, three other exhibitions, and mixed contemporary exhibitions from Venezuela and Mexico. We went to the Science Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Piano Museum, and visited jazz clubs, theaters, traditional music clubs, etc.

Antonio had been to university and is my age, 29. He educated me on the history of Venezuela, from the discovery of oil (which makes up 90 percent of the economy) to the geography and the political situation. After my visa application to live and work in Brazil was submitted at the Embassy, I decided to take a plane and try to find the place Antonio’s family originated from.

This meant a one-hour flight from Caracas to Puerto Ordaz. This is a town where most of the iron and gold are found. I had to persuade a pilot to fly me into the Gran Sabana, and as I was alone, with no other passengers that day, I had to pay for the empty seats. Puerto Ordaz is on the bank of the Orinoco, and from the air, it looked like a vast sea of vegetation with the river winding through it to infinity.

Here, I met the indigenous people, and at the cooperative trading post, I bought beautiful rugs, bedspreads, bowls, masks, and pots. Much of the region is unexplored and only inhabited by indigenous people. There are vast table mountains called tepuis by the indigenous people. These have mythological meaning to them, being inhabited by the gods of good, evil, nature, and sacred animals.

The most spectacular tepui was near the Angel Falls, named after an American who tried to land a plane there unsuccessfully and crashed in 1933. It poured with rain at exactly 12 o'clock. I was prepared, but it was quite frightening—the sound of the thunder and lightning. I saw the most beautiful flowers along the waterfalls and the river, which was powerful and muddy. I saw tropical birds (not as many as I had hoped), monkeys, and turtles. I didn't see a jaguar or any fish at this stage.

The indigenous people I met were used to strangers, but it was incredible. They were so calm, polite, and helpful. I saw them making rugs on a hand loom, beautiful, intense colors. I tried to learn the drums too but soon my hands stung, and I had to stop. They thought this very funny. The women and children have sharp wooden sticks through their faces, sometimes covered with paint. I saw a spirit dance, and they took me through the quiet waters of the river in a canoe. There, I can say, is paradise—the sound of the birds and the intense sun shining through the trees, palms, plants, and flowers. How can we destroy this? Luckily, this is a national park.

Where I landed from the canoe, I saw and learned some sign language, which, when words are not possible, is just as easy to understand and more fun at times. The indigenous people make the most wonderful range of pots, necklaces, ceramics, musical instruments (flutes, maracas, drums, etc.), canoes, arrows, harpoons, blowpipes, hats, baskets, hammocks and many more things I noted and tried to draw. They make masks out of palm fiber, wax and paint them with honey and pigments, so when you pick them up, they are surprisingly sticky. At this point, an individual raided my table and ran away with the food. I signaled to the cook that it was okay.

I slept in a hammock and was grateful for the insect repellent my friend bought me in Caracas. I slept despite getting bitten by creatures I never saw. The next day, I went fishing with the Indians and saw the crops they were growing. I ate a fish for dinner and for tea, beautifully prepared, which I did not catch myself.

My week here in Venezuela has been great. I got my two-year work visa for Brazil. Flying to Rio tonight, then to Belo Horizonte.

Please write soon.
Love to you all,
Paul.

1 month ago | [YT] | 709

Paul Barton

My wife Khwan, a Thai wildlife artist with a deep love for animals, and I have been married for 30 years, over 20 of them spent here in Thailand.

We've visited many animal facilities over the years, and without a doubt, the Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket stands out as the best, not just in Thailand, but across Asia. They care for people as well as animals, which is something you don't always find.

Soi Dog is truly special. From the moment you arrive, the staff make you feel welcome and appreciated. Our experience was incredibly friendly, especially our meeting with Sam McElroy and his partner, Louise. As fellow Irishmen, Sam and I connected instantly, and I feel like I've made a friend for life. His dedication, energy, and enthusiasm are inspiring.

The organization's mission, its upkeep, fundraising efforts, and the happiness of the volunteers and staff are a testament to what can be achieved when things are done right.

Khwan, Emilie, and I are excited to become a part of Soi Dog's work, and we're grateful to Sam and Louise for their kindness, not only to us, but to all the animals in their care.

If you're interested in volunteering at Soi Dog, particularly during the low season, you'll be warmly welcomed. You can find more information on their website: www.soidog.org/

1 month ago | [YT] | 391

Paul Barton

The Barton family is incredibly grateful to you for supporting our channel in 2024 - we feel privileged to be part of this amazing YouTube community.  A huge thank you for all your comments this past year – we love reading them and hearing what you have to say.

This year, I want to encourage you to keep sharing your music here on YouTube.  Whether you've been playing piano for years or just starting out, just enjoy practicing, playing and sharing your favorite pieces here on your channels.  Let's make this year our most musical yet.

Happy New Year 2025, everyone!

3 months ago | [YT] | 1,422

Paul Barton

Wishing all of our amazing viewers and followers the happiest of holidays! Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!

4 months ago | [YT] | 904

Paul Barton

Christmas Message to Young Creators for 2025

My 10-year-old daughter, Emilie, sometimes asks me what my life was like before she was born.

Emilie’s mother, Khwan, is a wildlife artist, and I'm an artist too. We’ve been married for almost 30 years. We haven't always had it easy, but we've managed to make a living doing what we love. And when you can do that, life flies by in a blur.

Sometimes people ask me to tell my life story, but I've always hesitated. I'm not famous. I'm just an ordinary guy who started making YouTube videos 15 years ago because I loved it.

Back then, YouTube was a different place. It was an almost anonymous platform. Video enthusiasts could share their work with others across the world, even with slow internet speeds. But it was fun and challenging.

Now, at almost 64, I live in Thailand and see the world changing even faster. Here, the monks are revered for their quiet wisdom. I'm not religious, and I'm not a man of many words. Sometimes, it feels like the internet has made everyone louder and angrier. It's hard to find calm and truth amidst the noise.

YouTube has changed too. It's become more commercialized, with a lot of recycled TV clips. It's getting harder for new video makers to get a foothold and find their voice in all the chaos.

My advice? Don't get lost in the chase for views and subscribers. Your camera, your phone – these are your tools, your paintbrushes. Use them to capture what matters to you, to tell your stories, to express your unique vision.

Video making isn't about fame or fortune. It's about the joy of creation, the passion you put into your work, the stories you tell. So keep creating, keep sharing, and never let the noise of the world drown out your voice.

To all the young creators out there feeling lost and intimidated, wondering if your voice matters in the noisy world of online video: I want you to know that your voice absolutely matters. There's a place for your stories, your passions, your unique perspective.

I've been making videos for 15 years.  I started my channel when YouTube was just an online platform for independent video creators. Back then it was a community where people simply shared their own homemade videos.  And that spirit still exists, even if it's sometimes harder to find.

Believe me, I understand the challenges. The internet can be a harsh place, full of negativity and pressure to conform. But please don't let that discourage you.

What truly matters is the story you tell and the joy you find in telling it. Your video camera, your phone – these are your tools, your paintbrushes. Use them to capture what's meaningful to you, what moves you, what you want to share with the world.

Forget about the numbers. Forget about the pressure to be popular. Focus on your craft, your message, your art.

There will always be an audience for authenticity, for passion, for stories told from the heart. So keep creating, keep sharing, keep your voice alive.

Your story matters. Your vision matters. You matter.

Finally, some have remarked on the happiness they sense in our family videos and asked about the secret. While I have no special wisdom, I can share four simple practices that have enriched our lives:

Use the words "I," "me," and "myself” sparingly.

Always be curious and ask questions.

Truly listen to understand others.

Resist giving advice unless asked. (So, maybe ignore all this!)

Happy Holidays!

(If you think this message is worthwhile speaking to camera ... please say so in the comments :)

4 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 1,280