The Pedal!

It has been a while since I have taken the time to blog about my beloved instrument.  Today I hope to focus on one of my issues in my piano journey, use of the pedal.  Pedal markings are diagrammed in most pieces, but often I think the average student simply ignores these keys to better pedaling. 

The amateur student often approaches pedaling with this thought, "I can figure it out on my own."  Since I have used this approach, and not had much success, I believe that one should be prudent and frankly "trust the professionals."  In creating my own pedal approach, I am basically ignoring the intent and let's just say the will of the composer.  On some level, it simply seems wrong.

So in taking lessons from the incredible Dr. Suzanne Newcomb,  I have learned that she is not afraid to confront a student's issues.  Dr. Newcomb determined that I needed help in the pedal department, and assigned a book of music entitled Pedal Preludes by Samuel Maykapar. 

Mr. Makapar was born on December 18, 1867 in Kherson, Russia.  He created many books of compositions in miniature form,  for the committed student, and again, the special exercises for pedaling.  Maestro Makapar even wrote an autobiographical book entitled The Years of Study and of Musical Activity.  I'm sure it is insightful.  In fact, I wonder what it would be like if hundreds of piano students wrote the same type of autobiography.  Would we change the hearts and minds of piano students for the better?  I like to think we would, if we in fact took pen to paper and described our years of study. 

The Pedal Preludes book gives an excellent description of the pedals of the piano and the use of the rhythmic and delayed pedal.  The book also describes the left pedal that decreases sound volume and the infamous middle pedal, often found on many grand pianos.  Even if you think you know the purpose of the various pedals on your piano, it never hurts to review the basics.

There are 19 pedal etudes, and interesting, number 10 is missing.  Perhaps Mr. Maykapar had an aversion to the number 10.  There is no explanation in the book as to why the number is 10 is not listed. 

The last few pages of the book has notes on each of the various preludes, and what the composer wanted a student to accomplish while learning the piece.  So if you leave a lesson and have questions about one of the preludes, a student can at least look back at the notes and review the objective that is trying to be achieved.

When I was a young piano student, I simply wanted to depress the right pedal, or the one that operates the dampers.  I felt that by using the right pedal, I could simply create a larger and grander sound.  In the Pedal Prelude book, the editor indicates "The right pedal influences sound in several ways:
the duration of sound after the key is released
fusion of sounds produced while the pedal is depressed
magnification of sound
enrichment of tone color."

I think what I loved starting out as a piano student was that the right pedal continued the sound of the chords and notes I loved, even after the keys were released.  And I felt that by using the right pedal, I was farther along in my competency than I truly was at the time.

The left pedal decreases the volume of sound.  When you grow up with two brothers, I often relied on the left pedal to quiet the sounds of tedious scales and Czerny exercises, I was trying to "get right."  As I grew up, I often thought that if I lived in a small apartment in New York City, I would need to make judicious use of the left pedal.  The left pedal did result in a good compromise for my brothers who weren't interested in the classical music of exercises inventions and sonatas. 

In the Pedal Preludes notes, I learned that the use of the left pedal is indicated by the words Una corda which is Italian for one string.  I have seen this indication often in classical music, but it is good to be reminded of what it means, and how it will enhance my playing of a beautiful piece of music.

This little book is still in print, and if you are looking for a primer on pedaling technique,Pedal Preludes might be a good place to start.  Don't be intimidated by the pedaling process.  Instead use this interesting little book, to take on the challenge of pedaling.  You will be a better pianist from making the effort. 

The music of Michigan State University

I will digress from my usual piano focus, to music pure and simple.   With serious sport/college administration scandals, it has been tough to be a Michigan State Spartan.  But it is in the music of my beloved campus, that I can take heart, because the music of Michigan State is the heart of this incredible university.

Well folks, it’s football season in Columbus, Ohio, but alas, I am a Michigan State Spartan.  Big Ten football aside, I think back to my college days with a great many fond memories.  Beyond the sports, and intellectually stimulating classes, I find myself thinking back to the music that is Michigan State University.

I have always been a musical person.  I play the piano, I sing in my church choir, and I serve on the board of Chamber Music Columbus.  Music is in my heart and my soul.  When football season rolls around, it is the music of Michigan State that draws me back to East Lansing, Michigan.

I still believe Michigan State has the most beautiful campus in the Big Ten, and well, in the world.  The changing seasons, the greenery, the Red Cedar River, I could go on, but as many Spartans like to say when remembering MSU, “the Michigan State campus captured my heart.”

First and foremost, I lived in the West Circle area of campus.  Back in the 1970’s, it was simply referred to as the Virgin Isles, because the dorms were housing solely for girls.  During my Landon Hall days, I had the good fortune of living across the street from the practice field for the Spartan Marching band.  As Buckeyes know all too well, there is nothing like the stirring music of a college band practicing during football season.  I often heard a first run of the band’s half time show.  Even in my worst days of intro to accounting or statistics 315, the Spartan Marching Band, and its amazing drum line could change my outlook, like nothing else in this world.  And on those dreary November days, when you knew a Michigan winter was coming, the Spartan Marching Band could simply take you away from the impending Michigan winter chill, and the hard studying awaiting you back in your dorm.

My junior year dorm, Mary Mayo Hall, was also in West Circle, and very close to the School of Music.  On many of my walks back from Economic Business History, on the far southern part of campus, I could hear incredible music coming from those hallowed halls.  I listened to voice majors working on an operatic aria, or even individual instrumental students, practicing a scale or a difficult passage in the music school court yard.  It made me almost a bit envious, because these amazing students had the courage to pursue their musical passion.  I had dreamed about a career as a professional musician in terms of my piano studies, but simply didn’t have the guts to give it a try.

 

My college roommate’s sister was a voice major, and she managed to convince me and my roommates, on several occasions to attend her recitals and those of her friends.  It was our good fortune to be at her senior recital, and she gave an incredible recital of operatic arias in Italian and German. 

In all the dorms of West Circle, there was always music.  So many music majors lived in these dorms, that you could hear kids playing in the lobby every day.  I am an amateur pianist, and it was often challenging to get to the piano on Friday afternoons, because someone without Friday afternoon classes beat me to it.

The West Circle area of campus, was also home to the beautiful Beaumont Bell Tower.  The Tower was built in 1928.  The incredible carillon tower, filled the north end of campus, with beautiful hymns and other familiar choral works.  When it was snowing on campus, and you simply didn't feel like you could walk another step, the familiar music of the carillon tower, reminded you it was only a few more weeks or months until spring time was coming to Michigan State.  

Legend has it that Michigan State students aren’t officially Spartans until they share a midnight kiss beneath the 104-foot-tall structure.  I found out about that legend long after I graduated in 1977, unfortunately.  Yet, I still believe that the Beaumont Tower is a musical inspiration for generations of Spartans too come.

The music of Michigan State also carried me through on most Sundays to the Michigan State University St. John Student Parish.  Most Sundays, I could be found at 10:00 a.m. Mass, for an incredible Eucharistic celebration accompanied by beautiful church music, both traditional and contemporary.  Sometimes in the church pew, I would say to myself, this….is the last place I want to be.  But the music often reaffirmed my faith, and changed my point of view for another week of classes and work. 

Yes, music was the connecting thread during my Michigan State days.  Whenever I look back at my college years, I can still hear our fight song, and strong beat of the Michigan State Marching band drum line.  I can still hear music students, practicing, with the hope of changing the lives of all who want music to be a part of their life.  And I can still feel the music, as I walked across campus in a beautiful snow storm, knowing that the music would carry me on my educational journey to the next chapter in my life.  Yes the campus and its music captured my heart!  Go green!

Playing in the lobby - more thoughts on the James Cancer Hospital

I have posted about playing at the Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital a few posts ago, but I decided to circle back with some additional thoughts.

So what have I learned from playing at the James?  First and foremost, I have learned that for the most part I have good health.  From the piano bench, I have seen a lot, particularly cancer patients, lots of them, fighting their individual health challenges with great courage and dignity.    I have seen family members, wheeling their loved ones in the lobby, simply trying to have a few better moments, than the moments they are facing on the other hospital floors.  I have seen physicians, so many physicians, in full on scrubs, white coats, and even the little head coverings, meaning they probably just finished a surgery.  I have seen med students and nurses, hundreds of them, moving quickly often
picking up a lunch, eating on the go, and on the way to the next  breakthrough, exam or family meeting.  And I have seen volunteers, yes, people giving of their time in a small way, to make a difference for the patients and families fighting cancer.

From the piano bench, it is easy to get lost in the music.  I hope I know this well enough.  I hope this is a piece that someone will like.  I hope it's okay if I practice my favorite church hymns.  And wow, I hope they like Aretha as much as I do.  I often smile, when a busy physician walks by trying to hum whatever tune I am playing.  And I particularly like it when just about any physician or nurse can belt out a tune from Lion King or the Little Mermaid.  And this is crazy, but I even heard a physician sing Strangers in the Night when he walked by, and I wasn't even playing it.  But honestly, almost anyone can chorus a doobee doobee doo in tune.

When I first started playing at the James, I almost felt sick when I saw patients, families, visitors or medical personnel, sitting at the tables by the piano.  I would say to myself "Oh God (and that's a prayer) I can't wait to screw up.  Or, I didn't practice this one carefully enough, or I can't do this, I'm just an amateur.  However, the last time I played about a month ago, I realized that what the volunteer musicians are providing, is simply pure relief from the difficult medical challenges going on with the  patients, their family members and their friends.

Several months ago, a nurse actually sat down on the bench when I was playing Natural Woman, and he did sing.  In fact, he even asked me when I would be back so he could sing again.  I think he was just happy to have a few minutes off.  I have known a few nurses in my life, and they are on the front lines of patient care, often working 12 hour shifts, and making quick and tough decisions with a smile.

I have even seen friends.  That is one of the toughest things, because again, you are seeing folks you love going through medical challenges.  Pure courage is about the only thought I can muster when I see friends going through the lobby. They are putting one foot in front of the other, and I often say, could I be that brave, could I be that strong?

On a lighter note, as a fashion oriented person, I do not like wearing a James Hospital polo.  As a Michigan State Spartan it is difficult on any day to wear scarlet or gray.  But when I think about putting up with my blasted polo, I always remind myself, that it's a small price to pay to give people some music for one short hour.  The polo says you are a part of a team, a team of amazing people making a difference.

Sometimes while playing I hear physicians walking by, talking about a medical procedure, or even a small break through, and I start to say, maybe some of these challenging cancers will be cured.  I don't know if they will, but I can have hope and I will have hope.  Yep, you can't take hope away from me.

I have about 25 pieces copied and in a white binder.  I also bring along a few extra music books, just in case I run out of pieces, or simply want to play something different.  I add that I end with the Ohio State University alma mater Carmen Ohio.  I never thought I would play that piece, but I think on some small level it makes a difference.  Carmen Ohio is really a hymn called Come, Ye Children of the Lord.  It is a Spanish melody arranged by Benjamin Carr   The words were created in 1881 by James H. Wallis

The text of the first verse is as follows
Come, ye children of the Lord,
Let us sing with one accord,
Let s raise a joyful strain
To our Lord, who soon will reign
On this earth, when it shall be
Cleansed from all iniquity ;
When all men from sin will cease
And will live in love and peace.

There are two other verses as well.

As the OSU story goes, in 1903, Fred Cornell a freshman at Ohio State, and a backup defensive end, and a member of the Ohio State Glee Club, wrote the lyrics to Carmen Ohio, following a devastating loss to the University of Michigan.  Not sure if this is the correct story, but blog followers can email me at ebnerpom@gmail.com with the correct facts.    I will add that Carmen is Latin for song and the title Carmen Ohio literally means Ohio's song.

But I digress, and add, that the alma mater is beautiful, and it says so much about the people of my adopted state of Ohio, and particularly my children (who are OSU graduates,) that folks are simply proud of their education, and their connection to the firm friendships of The Ohio State University.  I hope for patients and their families that the alma mater brings them a moment of pride, and memories of their many happy years as Buckeyes.

So what have I learned from playing at the James?  That I can give a piece of myself to the lobby crowd by playing my favorite instrument.  That perhaps some piece I am playing will remind them of their spouse, their best friend, their first date, Frank Sinatra, or even their child's first Disney movie.  But I hope that even for a brief hour, I can make someone feel that a piece of the world is still all right, even while facing great challenges with hope and courage.  The world is always magical  when there is a piano, someone to play it and music!!  Who knows maybe the crazy James polo is not that bad!

I've posted before on this subject - adult piano students

So when I think of the word spectrum, I often think of an adult piano student.    One definition of spectrum is a noun used to classify something, or suggest that it can be classified.  In my work as an adoption attorney, I have had adopted children who "fall" somewhere on the autism spectrum, again, a way to classify the development condition that affects the ability to communicate and interact.  So can the adult piano student be classified?  I believe the answer is yes.

As an adult piano student, how do I see myself and others pursuing their piano dreams?  I will start with others.  Often when I chat with friends or family about adult piano lessons, I receive a myriad of responses.  Some tell me they want to learn just enough piano, to play Christmas carols with their grandchildren.  One of my former hair dressers, only wanted to learn and play Debussy's Clair de Lune proficiently.  Others have told me they want to go as far as they can go, with the time they have left on this wonderful planet.

So, how do I see myself.?  My dreams about the piano, and playing it have changed over the years.  When I was a young girl, I dreamed of playing ragtime piano like Jo Ann Castle  on the Lawrence Welk show.  As I got into my lessons, (starting at 6 years of age), I wanted to play like my teachers, and some of the more advance students that had lessons before or after me.

When I attended Albion College for one year in 1973-74, I wanted to play like Edward Rosser, who had the lesson before me.  He is an incredible pianist, and I have blogged about him and his amazing piano story in this blog.  I came to the conclusion in college, that I didn't think I had the ability to teach piano or teach music, so I started to look at my next set of dreams, a career in the law, or even as a department store buyer.

But even with my life heading down another path, I always held on to the dream of being a respectable and capable pianist, meaning I could entertain myself, family and friends, and I could pass on my love of the instrument to the children I dreamed of having some day.

When ever I went to a concert of  a pianist I loved, I still dreamed, that I could play this piece or that piece with proficiency and great conviction.  So I started to list my favorite pianists, Emanuel Ax, Kathryn Stott, Jean - Yves Thibaudet, Jon Nakamatsu, Aaron Diehl, Bobby Short, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, and wondered if I could play one of their concert selections.  All of these pianists and many more reinforced my dream of playing respectably and capably.

So where am I today?  Well, first, I realize that I can't play all of the repertoire that I want to play today.  And, I have come to terms with the fact that I am not the pianist I was at 17 years old, when I was practicing 1-2 hours a day, and had all the time in the world to work on a difficult measure of music, or stage a piano recital performance in my living room.  Back in my later teens, I didn't have a job or children, or real responsibilities on the home front.  I may have had a chore or two, but honestly, if I was playing the piano before or after dinner, my mom often set the table or did the dishes....because I was playing her favorite instrument.

But as an adult piano student today, I can play better than I did yesterday.  I can work on my challenges, rhythm, correct fingering, pedaling and dynamics.  I can re examine a piece I learned to play years ago, and maybe even learn something new.  I can receive a challenge from my teacher, accept the challenge, and maybe even surprise that teacher by listening to her ideas about a particular piece and implementing those ideas.

I can also take my piano skills and give music to others.  Whether it is as a pinch hit pianist at my church, or playing in the lobby of our local cancer hospital, I can share this amazing instrument with my friends, family and even strangers.  Perhaps the difference I will make is that I will sooth someone's soul, or trigger a memory they had about a song or melody they heard years ago.  And most importantly, a listener may conclude ....."hey I want to start taking lessons again, and change my life and the lives of others I love."

In the Summer 2019 issue of The Piano Magazine for Clavier Companion Barbara Kreader Skalinder has written a beautiful essay entitled What My Adult Students Have Taught Me.  The three subtopics of the essay are 1.  Honor My Interests, 2.  Help Me Learn the Music I love and 3. Teach Me to Trust Myself.  These three concepts are explained with great references to some of the adult students she has taught and that she is currently teaching.  I came away from the essay realizing that I could see a small part of me in each of the three subtopics.

To honor your interests as a student, your teacher needs to know what your interests are.  So, as a student you must be bold and speak up.  Tell your teacher you want to perform, or play at church, or even  teach a neighbor or friend.  Tell your teacher the composers that you really love.  Perhaps there is a piece by that composer that is at your level, and you can in fact master that piece.  And as a student, you again need to be bold, and tell your teacher, what your challenges were in your practicing week, and what you tried musically to get the proficient result you want.

The adult piano student is in fact brave, courageous and bold.  As and adult student you are taking on new challenges, and learning that you can make a difference in your piano lesson journey.

The Heather Pick Music Program

A few months ago, I was chatting with my piano teacher Suzanne Newcomb.  She told me that she played piano for the Heather Pick Music Program at the James Cancer Hospital in Columbus, Ohio

To take a page from the program's website,

Heather Pick was a beloved news anchor for WBNS 10-TV, as well as a wonderful singer and songwriter. In November of 2008, she passed away from breast cancer after a courageous battle, leaving behind a mourning community and a legacy of healing through music.

Suzanne encouraged me to consider playing in the program, and I mulled it over for awhile.  I finally got my courage up to submit and application and a tape of my playing.  It was several weeks later, when I heard from Blake from the Pick program, and he basically told me I had passed.    I was surprised but somewhat excited, as I believed I could make a difference for patients and visitors at the James, by playing my favorite instrument.

The week before my first hour session, I was reviewing my extensive music collection trying to determine what I would play.  As I looked through classical and popular selections, I thought wow, do I know this well enough, or is this appropriate.  I finally concluded that I would play pieces that inspired me, and that I thought were interesting and thoughtful.  I also decided that the audience was cancer victims, their families, and hospital staff, and that I should play with the idea or concept of making a difference.

I found my travel rolling brief case, and began selecting books of music, with pieces I could play fairly well .  I began to tab various pieces, and number them, putting them in the order I wanted to play.  I knew I would be playing for an hour, and came up with about fifty pieces I could play proficiently.  My selection included classical pieces, Broadway show tunes, easy listening songs, and what I like to refer to as standards, pieces my mother loved, because well, Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett sang them. 

The day I arrive at the James Hospital, I was nervous.  As I collected my thoughts and sat down to play, I realized, that I was playing piano in the middle of a busy hospital lobby.  People were walking by with lunch in tow, others were shuffling along while texting on their phones, and some were wheeling their precious loved one in a wheel chair.  

I started to realize that it wasn't going to be a captive audience, so the best I could hope for, would be that someone would recognize a piece and have a simply moment of solitude, while listening and going about their day.  Occasionally someone would sit down in the lobby chairs and listen intently, and even clap.  In fact my third volunteer effort, resulted in a man singing along while I played Natural Women, an Aretha Franklin favorite.

What I truly learned from my first session was that the purpose of playing in this setting is to bring a brief moment of sunshine to an often challenging and dark place.  I've heard physicians start singing as I play the Lion King's Can You Feel the Love Tonight, and sighs, when I play the beautiful music of La La Land.  I've also heard folks tap their pen on a notebook, as I play an orderly Bach prelude.

After my first volunteer hour, someone had filled out a comment card about my playing.  He or she said something like, and I paraphrase....'this place would be a lot happier if someone like this woman played every week.'  That meant so much to me.  I used to play in yearly recitals, but now my playing is honestly confined to after dinner time, while my husband does the dishes.  And during piano lessons, in part, you are playing for an experienced musician, who is critiquing your efforts, to make a difference in the kind of pianist you are, and the kind of pianist you hope to be.

So, I think I will continue my volunteer efforts for awhile.  If you can play the piano, and want to perform, look for a similar type of setting, where any music you play will be appreciated.  Take some time to give of your musical self that you have worked hard to cultivate.  By your time and attentive playing, you will brighten a person's day, change their point of view and perhaps, give someone a moment of peace and relaxation.  

Even as an amateur pianist, your efforts should be shared with others.  It just strengthens the importance of the piano in our everyday lives.  So get out there and practice and play.  And if you are in Columbus, Ohio, look into the Heather Pick Music Program.  I would like to think that Heather Pick would be glad you did.

The piano will save you - revisited

I started piano lessons when I was six.  I can still see my mom at the corner of Vaughan Avenue and Grove Street (Northwest Detroit.)  She was calling my name, and she told me “Rosemary they just delivered our piano,,,,,run!”  So that is what I did-- run, to find a beautiful brown Baldwin spinet in our living room.

Initially my mom took lessons, but with family responsibilities, no time for lessons or practice.  One evening at dinner, my Dad asked me and my brothers, “who is going to take piano lessons?”  My brothers’ hands didn’t shoot up, so I said yes.

That started my long relationship with my favorite instrument.  My first teacher was our parish organist.  He was a taskmaster, rapping my hands with a wooden stick when my hand position wasn’t correct.  As an outspoken child, I told my mom…and quickly moved on to another teacher. 

In 7^th grade when I found my dream piano teacher, Katherine Lemon.  I took lessons from her through 12^th grade.  She was an Oberlin graduate, and very accomplished. I began to dream of a career as a piano teacher, and professional musician.  My senior year I played a Debussy Prelude in my final piano recital, and to my surprise, I only played one or two incorrect notes.  I had just told my teacher a few weeks earlier, that I wasn’t sure I had the ability to be a piano teacher, and that I was thinking of law school.

During my first year of college, I took piano lessons through the school of music.  My teacher criticized my playing and told me I didn’t have the right type of thumbs to be a pianist.  I was heartbroken and quit lessons after a semester.  I didn’t even play the piano in our dorm lobby.  I boxed up my love for the piano and my musical dreams.

When Sarah and Michael were little, my mom called me one day and asked me whether I wanted our little Baldwin piano.  I thought, maybe I would start playing again even though I told my mom that I didn’t think I could play anymore.  My mom firmly responded “no, Rosemary, you need the piano, and eventually it will save you many times in life.”

You know my mom was right.  I spent the 1990s playing all kinds of Disney music.  I played the Winnie the Pooh theme at least 100 times as Sarah marched around the living room.  I found an amazing piano teacher Madeline Karn, who also graduated from Oberlin for Sarah, and I watched Sarah’s progress from Piano Adventure books to sonatas.  When Sarah was in eighth grade and Michael was in fifth grade, I started taking piano lessons from Dr. Suzanne Newcomb.  Suzanne like my other great teachers focuses on your current ability while tackling your collective musical challenges.

During my children’s busy high school years, I again took some time off from the piano, but I have gone back to the instrument, taking lessons in my 40s, 50s and now in my 60s.  I am currently taking lessons from Dr. Suzanne Newcomb, but also took lessons from Madeline Karn.  Both have given me the courage to try anything I am willing to practice.

I’m close to finishing my legal career, and my parents are now no longer with me.  My mom’s words stay with me.    Yes, the piano has saved me.  It has provided moments of order when I’m anxious, joy when I am sad, goals to achieve when I am bored, and peace when I’m troubled.   I feel as connected to the piano as when I was six.  And I have created a blog on piano playing through the mind of the amateur called FocusedHour88keys.

The piano stands alone for me as the greatest instrument.  So take a moment and see if playing the piano or any instrument can save you.

Michelle Obama A Glimpse into her Piano Journey

I have taken the opportunity to blog about Presidents who have played piano.  However, I have yet to explore the piano playing efforts of our First Ladies.

I am currently reading Becoming by First Lady Michelle Obama.  Her book is an interesting read, and she writes in a conversational tone, that simply feels like she is speaking directly to the reader.

Mrs. Obama was four when she wanted to learn to play the piano.  Okay folks, I feel like Mrs. Obama is simply so down to earth, I am going to call her Michelle.  If you ever read my blog Michelle, please forgive me.  Michelle's Great Aunt Robbie owned the house where Michelle resided with her parents and her brother Craig.  What I thought was so interesting, was Michelle's first thoughts about the piano.  In her words "When you're little, a piano can look like it has a thousand keys.  You're staring at an expanse of black and white that stretches farther than two small arms can reach."  It was the first time that someone put into words, what I thought, the first time I stared at our brand new piano, arriving in our home in 1962.

Michelle went on to describe that she liked the piano and that sitting at it felt natural, like something she was meant to do.  Again, that was how I felt, the first time I climbed on our piano bench.  I had a family who loved music.  My mom listened to Frank Sinatra while cleaning.  My parents went to the symphony and the opera, and yes, we watched Lawrence Welk, every Sunday evening, whether it was at home, or at my grandma's house.  The way Michelle described how she was surrounded by music lovers, was exactly the way I felt about my family, yes we too were music lovers.

Michelle had a focused pursuit on learning the piano.  She picked up scales and filled out sight reading worksheets that her Aunt Robbie gave her.    I loved her thought process in this part of the book, because Michelle commented that there was magic in the learning.  Learning the notes for the first time is magic.  It's a whole new language and to coin the Aladdin lyrics, it is a whole new world.

Interestingly, Michelle like me, often would look ahead in her piano books, and work on pieces that were more advanced.  In reading the book, her Aunt commented on the fact that she wasn't ready to move ahead.  However, I sensed a dogged determination on the part of Michelle, that she was moving ahead anyway.

Often in the piano world of Rosemary Ebner Pomeroy, I found myself at the music store, IMC Music Center in Berkley, Michigan to be exact, always asking my mom to buy me sheet music that said advanced.  I was confident, that I could in fact learn it even if I wasn't ready.    Perhaps that is a sign of a real musician, knowing that you might not be ready for a piece, but you are going to take a leap of faith and see if you can play any part of it anyway.  As a young pianist, I wanted to be bold.  I wanted to play like famous pianists on the covers of albums my mom had.

Michelle also took some time to describe her performance in an early piano recital.  Her piano recital was held in a practice recital at Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago.  Just like my mom, Michelle's mom saw to that she was wearing a nice dress and patent leather shoes.  My mom was obsessed with black patent leather shoes, and that was what I had on for just about every piano recital.  On page 15 of her book, Michelle described her first cold sweat of her life, and her anxiety about performing.  I so remember those feelings, fear, wanting to play well, and most of all not disappointing my piano teacher.

She got to the grand piano she was going to play for the performance.  Michelle realized when she sat down on the bench that the piano was perfect, unlike the piano she played at her Aunt Robbie's home.  The middle C on her piano at home, had a chipped middle C key.  The recital piano was in mint condition.  I was relieved when her Aunt Robbie stepped up on stage, and showed her where middle C was on that piano.  When I read this excerpt, I was feeling her fear and anxiety just as if it was me.  The car ride to your piano recital is one of the toughest ones you will ever make.  You are hopeful, you will play the way you have in practice, but you are also thinking of what you will do if something goes wrong.  I used to use the strategy, that I would return to my strong place in a piece, and hope for the best on the second attempt.

I'm about half way through her book.  I took a hiatus to finish my Hamilton book,  before I see the amazing musical this Sunday. So I hope to return to Michelle's conversation very soon.    I guess what I take away from Mrs. Obama's piano journey, is that she loves music.  You see it in the way she listens, when there is a concert at the White House, that is part of a news clip on television.  You see it, when President and Mrs. Obama are at the Kennedy Center Honors program, that music is part of their souls.  And you see it in their eyes, when dancing at a State Dinner.

I've said this before in my blog, but there is order and discipline in learning to play the piano.  But more importantly, there is pure joy when you learn to play a piece you heard on the net, or a piece that an experienced or famous pianist is playing.  It is great, when you are singing a song you heard on the radio, or on your I-phone, and you make a decision right then and there to buy that piece, and learn it.

I know that playing the piano, does mean a certain focus on the pieces your teacher wants you to play to advance your progress.  But playing the piano also means that you are going to conquer a musical work that has changed your life, sent chills up and down your spine, or reminds you of that first kiss, first date, the receipt of good news, or the chilling sadness that can happen on life's journey.

So Michelle, I am glad I am reading your book.  I didn't come from the same place, but if we had met as kids, we could have been friends.  It feels good to know that we have some common experiences, especially when they involve my favorite instrument the piano.  Now that the hustle and bustle of White House life is behind you, I hope you can take some time to play more, and maybe even take some lessons.  Who knows you might be able to accompany the President on "At Last."