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Abstract

to master.But that’s not all.There were notes for the left hand to comprehend whilst the right hand had its own set to take it.You had to make each side of the brain read these notes, then put them together smoothly. In unison.<figure id="cdba"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*Mmdl9YdkMdDFgWm8"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><h2 id="7cc0">It’s Not So Easy To Play Piano Afterall</h2>How did they do it and make it look so easy was a question that has perplexed me for many years.Life took over, and as I had my family, the piano lessons faded away, but the yearning to be more accomplished never did.<h2 id="33ad">If You Can’t Play, Then Make Others Do It</h2>Only it transferred to my daughters.I urged them to take up a musical instrument.Starting with my eldest, I enrolled her in no less than piano lessons at the age of 7.She hated it. With a real passion!She refused to practice. Even I could see this was not going to work.She gave up. But she chose to play bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone. Just not the piano.Then daughter number two comes along. And I decided maybe, just maybe…I don’t think she made it past the first few lessons, probably swayed by her older sister. She, too, showed no love or passion for the ivorie

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s.She went on to play the clarinet.I was sad that they didn’t learn to play the piano but was so glad that they took on music in some way.<h2 id="d75c">Now the piano sits in my house, still and dusty.</h2>Until my grandchildren aged 3 and 1 year come to visit. They always go straight over there. They proceed to hit the keys with utter delight but total cacophony.<figure id="550d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*QUaZh0__xN8Ag8JcXqhxxQ.jpeg"><figcaption>My grandson was determined to wedge his way past the furniture to play the piano — © image by author</figcaption></figure>And I think to myself maybe just maybe…Then I snap back and realize that if I have learned anything, it is if you want to do something, then don’t put your wants onto others.I still tell myself that one day, I will make the time to learn to play that grand instrument, but I truly wonder if I ever will.💗Support me directly with a portion of your fee; it won’t cost you more. <a href="https://medium.com/@berniepullen/membership">Join Medium here</a><a href="https://medium.com/subscribe/@berniepullen">Subscribe </a>to read more stories like this. <a href="https://readmedium.com/master-list-of-stories-e719c96a163a">Master List of Stories</a>© Bernie Pullen, All Rights Reserved</article></body>

Day 18 of the 30-day challenge

Piano Playing Is Not for Everyone

Day 18 prompt — What’s one skill you’ve always wanted to pick up?

Photo by Elijah M. Henderson on Unsplash

From as young as I can remember, I begged my parents for piano lessons. They were always gracious in their responses, trying to soften the blow that they really couldn’t afford it. And how would I practice anyway with the distinct lack of a piano in our home?

I would watch musicians’ fingers dance over the keys and longed so much to play the piano.

The soothing sounds that the piano made. The magical way their fingers moved. The sense of enjoyment on their faces as they lost themselves in the moment. I wanted that for myself.

Over the years, the feeling stayed with me.

In my twenties, I took my first piano lessons. By this stage, I realized that piano playing wasn’t as easy as it looked.

There were all the notes to learn, 88 keys to overcome, and foot pedals to control.

Then there were the flats and sharps and chords to master.

But that’s not all.

There were notes for the left hand to comprehend whilst the right hand had its own set to take it.

You had to make each side of the brain read these notes, then put them together smoothly. In unison.

It’s Not So Easy To Play Piano Afterall

How did they do it and make it look so easy was a question that has perplexed me for many years.

Life took over, and as I had my family, the piano lessons faded away, but the yearning to be more accomplished never did.

If You Can’t Play, Then Make Others Do It

Only it transferred to my daughters.

I urged them to take up a musical instrument.

Starting with my eldest, I enrolled her in no less than piano lessons at the age of 7.

She hated it. With a real passion!

She refused to practice. Even I could see this was not going to work.

She gave up. But she chose to play bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone. Just not the piano.

Then daughter number two comes along. And I decided maybe, just maybe…

I don’t think she made it past the first few lessons, probably swayed by her older sister. She, too, showed no love or passion for the ivories.

She went on to play the clarinet.

I was sad that they didn’t learn to play the piano but was so glad that they took on music in some way.

Now the piano sits in my house, still and dusty.

Until my grandchildren aged 3 and 1 year come to visit. They always go straight over there. They proceed to hit the keys with utter delight but total cacophony.

My grandson was determined to wedge his way past the furniture to play the piano — © image by author

And I think to myself maybe just maybe…

Then I snap back and realize that if I have learned anything, it is if you want to do something, then don’t put your wants onto others.

I still tell myself that one day, I will make the time to learn to play that grand instrument, but I truly wonder if I ever will.

💗Support me directly with a portion of your fee; it won’t cost you more. Join Medium here

Subscribe to read more stories like this. Master List of Stories