 |
| From Microsoft images http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=music&ex=2 |
I started picking out songs by ear on the piano when I was 4 or 5 years old.
My mother didn’t want me to play by ear, but by note, so she forbade me to play on the piano.
I played anyway, when she was out of the house.
When I was 5 years old, she let me begin piano lessons, which I took for seven years.
Today I still love to play, though I play on a keyboard instead of a piano. I play by note and by ear.
I don’t play very often, because it seems like there’s always something else to do. I recently sat down and played a while after work, and I found it relaxing and fun. I'm adding it to my "do more often" list for stress and anxiety relief.
When I was small, I would sometimes stand beside my mother as she played the piano, and I would play the tune along with her in the higher octaves. This semi-biographical poem reflects those times.
Duet
By Tina Fariss Barbour
Kurtzmann upright
my mother bought with her own money
earned at a third-shift job.
The elephantine piano captured me
as I played my whole notes,
one two three four,
rests, measures,
my knot of scales.
But sometimes I stood beside her
seated on the heavy bench and
we played together
her favorite, “Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo.”
She played by ear across the keys,
singing like Leslie Caron,
smiling at me,
my finger following.
What a lovely memory! And what a great creative outlet. Me, I started going with my grandmother and sister to their hobby ceramics classes. I still enjoy painting hobby ceramics today, though, like you, I need to make more time for this creative outlet in my life.
ReplyDeleteMy mother did ceramics when I was growing up, but it was something she did at night, when I had to be in bed. I still want to try it some time.
DeleteMy mother read to us before bed and when I was old enough to read she took us all to the library. I believe she instilled in me my love of books, I am so grateful to her for that. Reading is just the thing I love to do most. I also spent alot of time fishing as a kid and though I don't love, love it, my husband loves to fish so I enjoy going with him.
ReplyDeleteOne of my great aunts, May, played the organ by ear and she just amazed us all. I loved visiting her because she would play for us all. I always thought of her as being so naturally talented.
Krystal Lynn, my parents made sure we had plenty of books and trips to the library, too. I think that was one of the best things they did for their children.
DeleteKnitting! My mom taught me to knit when I was five years old. She said she would send me to clean my room, hear absolutely nothing after a while, to find me knitting in between all the toys I was supposed to clean up. I can still "forget the world" when I knit.
ReplyDeleteKlaaske, I love your enthusiasm! I can just imagine you sitting in your room amongst the toys knitting away. :-)
DeleteI used to draw a lot more than I do now, but I'm still a doodler. When I was really young, I thought I would be an illustrator.
ReplyDeleteKristina, That is something that I've always wanted to be able to do--draw. I draw more than I used to, but I don't have much natural talent, unfortunately.
DeleteMy parents, though not formally educated, were readers, and in fact my first name (Beth) is from Little Women. I was meant to love books!
ReplyDeleteAs I've reclaimed my knitting, I feel connected to my grandmother, who taught me when I was eight. I've had to re-learn some basics and still struggle a bit, but I need something to do with my hands, and so I find it to be a calming activity.
I finally learned to play the piano (a little) at about age 40 to satisfy a childhood longing. Surprisingly, I didn't stick with it...somehow just having the permission to learn was enough. I still love to listen to people play, though!
Nadine, You were indeed meant to love books. I think it's wonderful what you're doing with the spinning and the knitting.
DeleteHow cool that you could play by ear! You should definitely do so more often, if you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy it, Lisa, I just have to make time for it. I really do feel good when I play for a while.
DeleteI played the piano as a child and still enjoy it now. My brother could always play by ear, but I couldn't. I still think anyone who can is really cool (this means you)!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janet! :-) I enjoy playing--just need to do it more!
DeleteYour mother played by ear, too?
ReplyDeleteI played piano. I'd play my assigned lesson (my mom was my teacher), and I'd make up my own music. She taught me how to write it down, but that was a lot of work. A later teacher taught me I could just play it and record it on a tape recorder, so that has preserved a few more compositions. Sometimes my mom told me to play softer, because I wasn't against playing very loudly :). Now I don't have a piano or keyboard at my apartment, but sometimes I play piano at someone else's house. I play guitar, also, but hardly ever get it out any more. Practicing became a "should" and "shoulds" in my life got too hard, so I took out some that weren't essential. I expect I'll play guitar more later. Probably piano, too.
Abigail, That's fantastic that you write music!
DeleteI totally get how a "should" can get in the way of enjoyment. When I was taking piano lessons, I didn't enjoy playing as much as when I quit taking lessons.
Love your poem!
ReplyDeleteI think it's so cool you can play by ear.
I love to play the piano as well. I didn't when I was young and took lessons but now I enjoy it when I get the chance to play.
Thank you, Elizabeth. I didn't enjoy it as much when I was taking lessons, either. I guess it was more of something I had to do then.
DeleteOh, Tina, I love the mental picture of you "sneaking" playing at the piano when your mom wasn't there! How precious.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I played organ and recorder (which I got quite proficient at after a few years). I don't play those instruments any more, but I'm still very involved in music through singing and sound mixing.
Sunny, my mother told me years later that she knew I was playing "behind her back," but she didn't say anything.
DeleteI think it's great what you're doing in your musical ministry.