I started playing the piano when I was 15. I couldn't afford lessons, so I spent MANY hours teaching myself to play by ear. When I went to college, I was able to start playing a REAL piano, and began writing my own short compositions. These eventually turned into final finished pieces. I find I think of my best melodies when I'm on the bus, or walking down the street, and have quickly hum it into my dictaphone to remember it for when I get home!