Music has been an important part of my life ever since I can remember. My dad used to play records on Saturday mornings and my sister and I would dance around the house while he cooked pancakes for us. We had a piano that no one played, but it must have had some impact on me because at the age of seven I cited it as my favorite instrument. My desire to learn to play came when I was in the middle of a high-pressure graduate school program. I needed a healthy escape, and though my piano skills were practically non-existent I discovered that playing for a few minutes each day relieved stress and provided a much needed creative outlet. Soon my seven-year-old daughter and I began taking lessons together, and I embarked on one of the most challenging and fulfilling journeys I've ever undertaken. This book contains the wisdom I've gained along the way. Whether you are a music student, music teacher, music parent, or music lover, I hope that as you read you will be inspired to find greater joy in your own journey.