Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Gershwin
I was never an accomplished pianist after taking piano lessons as a child. But I loved my piano teacher, Mrs. Ruth Storts. As an adult, I have had spells of playing the piano. I failed to grasp the idea that "practice makes perfect." When I couldn't play something, I felt impatient and angry and told myself other people can play so much better, why am I trying? But one winter my friend Mary Lou, an accomplished musician, challenged me to play a duet with her. We played "Country Gardens" for a few friends. After many struggles, I began to see that practice truly does produce "muscle memory" or something mysterious!
Having performance anxiety, I play better when I am alone. In January, I decided to play Gershwin.
Old Readers Digest Music Collections lent me several choices. "The Man I Love" was pretty simple, "Summertime", a little more difficult. Finally. . .I worked on "An American in Paris" and "Rhapsody in Blue". I make my grandchildren listen to one selection now and then.
Another friend, Virginia, felt she was getting forgetful. So she chose a difficult classical piano piece and learned it. It proved to her that her brain was still functioning fine! Music is a gift.
Having performance anxiety, I play better when I am alone. In January, I decided to play Gershwin.
Old Readers Digest Music Collections lent me several choices. "The Man I Love" was pretty simple, "Summertime", a little more difficult. Finally. . .I worked on "An American in Paris" and "Rhapsody in Blue". I make my grandchildren listen to one selection now and then.
Another friend, Virginia, felt she was getting forgetful. So she chose a difficult classical piano piece and learned it. It proved to her that her brain was still functioning fine! Music is a gift.
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