Here’s a fun fact about me that most of my friends don’t know – I know how to play the piano. Or I used to. Still do, a little bit, as I discovered lately.
You see, when I was a kid, my parents made me take piano lessons from our neighbour Ate Glenda, along with other neighbourhood kids. In one of our family albums, there is a faded picture of me in a fancy dress, fingers poised over a piano as I played during one of our recitals.
But playing the piano didn’t really interest me as much as playing with Barbie dolls and other silly games, so my parents eventually made me stop taking lessons. I now regret it, though. Dammit, little me!
The reason why I suddenly remembered all of this is because my friend Jemma had decided recently that she wanted to take up keyboard lessons. So she enrolled in classes and bought an organ last Saturday.
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| Jems and her new hobby |
I happened to be at her place for a housewarming party, so I helped her set it up, and then to her and everyone’s surprise, I took a look at her beginner’s lesson piece – Love Me Tender – and then started playing it.
“Wow, you know how to play!” she exclaimed excitedly. “Teach me!” So I did. I showed her how to move her fingers over the keys, that her thumb should flow gracefully under her index and middle finger to hit the FA key. I explained about G clef and F clef, the different kinds of notes, and got carried away that I had to illustrate my points on a white board. And then this happened. LOL.
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| I should be a piano teacher |
Then suddenly, I didn’t want to leave her room anymore. All the guests were outside singing karaoke or dancing along to the Xbox and eating delicious catered Filipino food, but instead of doing all that, I preferred to play the organ. 😮
I tried to remember my favourite piece to play before, and somehow, I could still play it. Mi – so – re. Ei – del – weiss. Do – so – fa. Ei – del – weiss. Every morning you greet me. Small and white, clean and bright. You look happy to meet me.
This song for a flower, now my song for an organ.
P.S. I did manage to get a picture with all the guests though.
I had a very similar childhood experience with piano. I took lessons from the age of 5-12, but never really loved doing it. I always whined about practicing because it cut into my playing with toys/reading/watching tv time. Eventually, my mom gave in and let me quit. And today I really, really wish she hadn't! I quit right as I was starting to learn to play the interesting classical stuff and
I can play "God save the Queen" on the piano, that's it. That's the extent of my musical ability. Although I do think I'm a most excellent singer when i'm drunk.<br />You are a woman of many talents Dee 🙂
Awh, how lovely that you can still play! I can play two little dicky birds on the recorder but that's as much as i remember from my musical childhood!
Awh, how lovely that you can still play! I can play two little dicky birds on the recorder but that's as much as i remember from my musical childhood!
I had a very similar childhood experience with piano. I took lessons from the age of 5-12, but never really loved doing it. I always whined about practicing because it cut into my playing with toys/reading/watching tv time. Eventually, my mom gave in and let me quit. And today I really, really wish she hadn't! I quit right as I was starting to learn to play the interesting classical stuff and
I can play "God save the Queen" on the piano, that's it. That's the extent of my musical ability. Although I do think I'm a most excellent singer when i'm drunk.<br />You are a woman of many talents Dee 🙂