The first time I cooked this steak, I ruined it. 💥 I picked a pan size that was too small for searing so I left it in there. A bit longer. A bit longer. 🕰️ I really wanted to get that golden-brown crust. When I cut into it, the middle was the same grey brown as the edges. No juice. 🥤 I watched someone eat it. They said it was nice. It was not nice. I do not cook to eat. I cook to say something. A ruined steak is not really about the steak. Afterwards I had a very reasonable thought.. Steak is just not my thing. That sounds like humility. It is actually fear wearing a nicer outfit. 👗 I know that thought. I have heard it in here too, in different words. I am not a piano person. My hands are too small. I started too late. I tried once and it was bad. Same sentence. Different kitchen. A couple of weeks later I bought another one. Same cut. Same shop. Same nervous walk home. Three small changes this time. Out of the fridge much earlier to rest it. Bigger pan, much shorter time. I rested the steak and cleaned up the kitchen while counting down my ten minutes. Ten minutes is a long time when you want to know if you got it right. 😅 Then I cut it. Pink all the way through. 🥳 I did not become a good cook that night. I just found out which part I had been getting wrong, by doing the whole thing again and paying attention to a different bit. The first steak was not wasted. The first steak was the information. Same with this community. 🏡 I do not get it right the first time either. I have written lessons that ran too long. Explained things that made perfect sense in my head and none at all on your screen. 😂 Built tools that some of you loved and some of you opened once and never touched again. I only ever found that out because people tried them. That is the part I keep thinking about. Every time one of you sits down and actually plays the thing I built, you are handing me the pink or the grey. You are showing me which part to change next. So try it. Not to prove anything to me. Try it because your hands on it are the only way either of us finds out what works for you.

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀. From today, new members pay $7/month to join Musicate Academy. You don't. Not now, not later. You were here when this room was nearly empty before there were workshops or chord kits or play-along maps, and you joined because you wanted to play piano and were willing to believe me before I had much to show you. Now we have 240 of you. 🎉 And if you've just arrived — welcome. This is open to you too. ❤️ Why the change: a small price at the door means the people who walk in actually sit down at the piano. And it lets me keep building things like the Stand By Me workshop instead of chasing a number. If you haven't opened Stand By Me yet — this weekend's a good weekend. 🗓 Four parts, one hand, and you'll be playing something you recognise inside twenty minutes. 🎹 Thank you for being here early. 🙏🏻 MS P.S. — I've started a Wins category. If you play something this weekend, however small, post it there

I'm so glad you're here. Whether you've just sat down at a piano for the very first time, or you're returning after years away — this space was made for you. My name is MS, and I've spent the past 18 years teaching piano to people of all ages and experience levels. Over that time, I've seen the same thing again and again: adults who want to play, but who've been held back by intimidating methods, busy lives, or simply not knowing where to start. This community exists to change that. Whether you're touching a piano for the first time or coming back after twenty years away, you're in the right place. No judgment here — that's the whole point. Two things before you start: 1. Vote in the poll below so I know where you're starting from. 2. Drop a comment and tell me: what's the one song you'd love to play, and what's stopped you so far? It shapes what I build next. Here's How to Get Started 👇 🎬 Step 1: Watch the Welcome Video Head to the Classroom tab and watch the short welcome video first. It'll give you a feel for how this space works and what's coming — including workshops and guided lessons for members who want more structure down the road. (It's short. I promise.) 📚 Step 2: Explore the Classroom Inside the Classroom you'll find the Tools and Resources Library — your starting point for everything. Inside, you'll find: - 🎵 Downloadable sheet music - 🎧 Backing tracks to play along with - 📖 Musical insights and learning guides - 🛠️ Practical tools to support your practice Bookmark anything that feels useful. There's no right or wrong place to begin. 💬 Step 3: Jump Into the Community This is the heart of the space — and it only gets better when people show up and share. Browse the feed, say hello, ask a question, or share what you're working on. Everyone here is learning. Everyone is welcome. Don't just scroll — join in. (See the prompt below 👇) 🌟 Step 4: Check Out Your Support Options Your Standard membership gives you full community access and the resources library — completely free.