One man's incredible journey into the Sanctuary
Earlier this summer we were fortunate enough to meet up with Lee Tooey, one of our newest Piano Sanctuary Retreat attendees. Lee is 37 and works at the fuel depot at Stansted Airport. In two years he has had the most incredible musical journey, one which is already weaving its way into the story of Piano Sanctuary.
We thought you might like to hear more…
Piano Sanctuary: How did you get into playing the piano?
Lee Tooey: Well, I’ve never been a musical person, never even picked up an instrument. But in the early part of lockdown 2020 I saw a YouTube video for a Piano App offering to teach “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and I thought I would like to be able to play that. I asked friends if anyone had a spare keyboard and discovered everyone seems to have one in the loft! My friend Rachel gave me a Casio keyboard for free which I brought home. I started with the app which taught me some basic fingering and a few chords, with some simple melodies and how to read sheet music.
How much time were you spending each day on the keyboard?
Easily an hour a day at the beginning. It was amazing how quickly time went as I was learning all this new stuff.
Had you shown anyone?
It was lockdown so nobody could come round to hear me. But from the beginning I began recording my piano playing onto Facebook. It was a really good way to see my progress, how far I’d come in just a few weeks. People were really supportive and impressed! They noticed the progression that I couldn’t see. Still I wasn’t having any proper lessons, I didn’t really read music. It was all online learning. I had learned everything from scratch.
So, you were beginning to see improvements?
Yes, and then it got to the second lockdown and I decided I wanted to save some money and buy a real piano. I got an extra job delivering for Deliveroo and while I was cycling I went past a music shop in my local town. I saw what I wanted and from then saved all the money from Deliveroo for this piano. The day the shop opened after lockdown I bought a Yamaha Clavinova. My first full size piano.
Then by early August 2021 I decided I wanted to do grades and get a teacher. It was really hard to get a teacher but I found a 19yr old student called Freddie, and by October I had completed Grade 1.
I had initially learned to play with pop songs. Such a big shift to classical stuff. When I started didn’t know key signatures existed. Was playing music and it didn’t sound right. Freddie had to teach me all about sharps and flats and scales. Honestly I had no idea. Once I started my lessons it started to become clearer. I wasn’t talented at playing I was just sticking at it. Even when I didn’t feel like it just got to sit and practise it.
“As long as I can play my pieces a bit better today than I did yesterday, that’s motivation enough for me"
Lee Tooey
How did you hear about Piano Sanctuary?
After my Grade 1 I went online to see if there was some kind of Piano Boot Camp. Somewhere I could go for an intense session of learning and improvement. I saw the Piano Sanctuary website, read about the Retreats and booked on for February 2022.
Were you nervous about turning up?
It was going to be the first time I would play in front of people live and even though I had played my pieces hundreds of times, it is so different from playing by myself. I got to play this huge grand piano on the Friday night – completely different from my electric piano at home. I was booked in for my Grade 2 at the end of March so thought it would be good to practise the pieces. I recorded them and posted them on to YouTube. Recording helps with nerves because you know the piece so well.
“Playing in front of people is so different but the more you do it the easier it gets."
Lee Tooey
Was the Piano Sanctuary Retreat different to what you expected?
Well, it wasn’t Boot Camp! But it was pretty much as I expected. It was February and we were in the beautiful Leiston Abbey, but it was freezing!
Obviously, you don’t know who is going and there were people there who were way better than me but because everyone is so encouraging you feel like you belong there. You’re still contributing to the group.
We got practise time and breakout sessions. I was looking forward to practising on different pianos and getting the chance to practise my pieces on a grand piano. That really helps. It was also good listening to other people play their pieces and being exposed to different kinds of music that I wouldn’t have heard before. We had a Jazz night on the Saturday which was completely new to me. I also met people who I wouldn’t come across in my normal life. I met this lady called Jane who doesn’t live too far from me and owns this Steinway piano at home. As the course was finishing she invited me to come and practise before my Grade 2 exam on her piano, which I did! Everyone I met was really nice and supportive.
Would you go again?
I’ve already been back! I passed my Grade 2 with Merit in March and booked my second Piano Sanctuary Retreat Weekend for June ahead of my Grade 3. Everyone was super friendly on that course as well. I got to record some music while I was there. My brother was getting married, and they had asked me to play for their wedding – fortunately it was two songs I had already learned! I got to record it in the chapel at Leiston Abbey and gave it to them as their wedding gift which they used on the day.
On the Saturday we had a Fish & Chip Concert night with Andrew Quartermain, one of the tutors, performing and another tutor, Dominic, performed at the jazz session afterwards. It was good to hear different music again and be part of something new. On this course it was all men who were older than me. That night we found out they could all sing so I played Moon River which I had been practising and all these guys sang along to it. Such an experience, that was so good! You can’t get that anywhere else.
Did you get any coaching over the weekend?
You have a recital session and a repertoire session. You get to perform pieces that you know well, and then share a piece you are working on at the moment. Andrew and Dominic, the tutors, will then give you feedback, share tips and advice about what you might change etc. They are always so encouraging, sharing what they really like about it. But you also come out of the weekend with more confidence and a tip of what might improve your playing.
Would you be happy to recommend the retreats?
I already have! I always upload to socials when I am going, I record my pieces, and share what I’m up to on the course. I would say to anyone that they should definitely just book it. Don’t worry that you’re not good enough or experienced enough. It’s an experience in itself! Everyone on the weekends I’ve spoken to about it has said they really loved it and they came away with something regardless of what stage they were at.
If there’s one thing we could do better what would it be?
I never came away with any complaints. Maybe you should let people know to bring music along with them. I think some people came expecting to have music given to them on the weekend. I take all my music everywhere I go now so I was fine. I just lent my books to people. Also, it was so cold in February. Bring your jumpers! ;o)
What do your friends and family think?
My mum was quite shocked because I never grew up around music. I don’t sugar coat my playing. I record the challenges and mistakes. But they also see the progression. They’ve been on the journey with me. That progression seems to be getting quicker. Pieces are getting harder but it used to be months to learn a piece, now it’s much quicker. Looking back it’s so good to see where I’ve come from. A couple of friends said they might start doing it themselves because they’ve seen the progression I’ve made. One of my friends has started getting lessons on the organ already. It’s so positive. It’s only my neighbour upstairs that gets a bit annoyed!!!
So, what’s next?
I’m now on to learning my pieces for Grade 4. Hopefully I can take that in the next couple of months. I’m back at my next Piano Sanctuary Retreat in October! I want to learn this new piece to show people for the champagne and jazz night. I can’t wait to show Andrew and Dominic what I can do!
Piano Sanctuary Retreats are for piano players of ALL abilities. You can see the forthcoming weekends we have below. To find out more or book your online course or retreat please click the button here:
