Sarah Catherine Pomeroy, attorney at law and pianist

My daughter Sarah is an amateur pianist.  She is 24 now, and started taking lessons when she was either 6 or 7.  I cannot recall exactly now, as the years have passed.  The piano has always been a part of Sarah's life, and I noticed her musicality even at a young age.

When I was a young mother, I had a book of Disney themes for the piano.  Sarah particularly enjoyed the theme to Winnie-the-Pooh, and the Mickey Mouse Club march.  Our piano was always in the living room, so there was a room completely devoted to the piano  Sarah would often sit on the little sofa in the living room and she often held a wooden stick.  Sarah would point the stick at me and command that I play Winnie - the - Pooh, or Mickey Mouse Club, and she would march around the room.  As soon as I stopped she would demand, that I play it again.

I often would sit her on my lap and point out the keys or the notes, or let her plink out any notes she wanted while I played.  Sarah was fascinated with the instrument, and quickly decided that she wanted to take lessons.

I think she started lessons with the amazing Madeline Karn in 1st or 2nd grade.  Sarah seemed to pick up the piano quickly, and along with her Piano Adventures series of books, I always made sure that Sarah also had a book or piece of music that she chose.  I remember when she had a beginning book of "Peanuts" music, and how much that book influenced her playing.  In fact I think she has a real talent for jazz piano playing, and I could see her taking that talent to another level at some point in her life.

Sarah's lessons continued through school, and sports and marching band.  Piano was simply part of her life, and she never waivered in her commitment to the instrument.  As she progressed, Sarah often practiced while I was making dinner.  I may have been sautee-ing chicken, but I was also listening to a steady progression of Bach, and Beethoven and Schubert, along with Disney tunes and songs from Broadway shows.

Sarah's teacher Madeline Karn did not have a yearly piano recital to my regret, but when Sarah was a senior she did perform a senior recital.  At first, when I saw her ambitious program I started to get heart palpitations, but as I listened to her practice I saw that the program was something she could accomplish.

The evening of her recital I was so touched by the people in attendance, relatives, friends, some of her teachers....it was so incredible.  Sarah started the evening playing Always, which was my mom's favorite song.  My mom had died in 2004, and the recital was in 2008, so she was unable to attend.
It was simply so incredible.

Sarah played Schubert, Scott Joplin, and many other incredible pieces.  She also did her own rendition of Take Five by Dave Brubeck...it was a wonderful evening.

Sarah just graduated from law school at Ohio State this past week.  She is studying for the bar examination now, and I think piano playing will consist of short intervals to play out her stress. Sarah is moving to Washington DC in October and I am going to miss the impromptu dinner time concerts.  She kept the piano side of her on the "down low" throughout law school, but she did play at the law school talent show, and I hope that her law colleagues, saw that it is the piano that really makes her the incredible person she is today.  When she is at the piano, she goes to a deep musical place, to spread the joy that she feels about this beloved instrument.

For some reason when she is at the piano, she isn't Sarah the student, or Sarah the leader, or Sarah the extrovert, instead she is a vehicle to play out the musical message, taking the essence of the music, to the people she cares so much about.  By playing the piano, she is saying, forget everything you think about me and what you preconceive about me, and listen to the music I am creating for you.

Right now she is planning to buy a piano and take it with her to Washington DC.  I would like to think that someday she will trade me, and I will take her small apartment piano to an assisted living facility and she will take my beautiful, black, six- foot Baldwin Grand to a wonderful home where music and the piano will be the center of her family's home and life.

Jule Styne

I made the grand assumption that Jule Styne composed the music for "I'm Flying" for Peter Pan, in part because he composed "Never Never Land."  Well I was wrong.  "I'm Flying was composed by Mark Charlap and the Lyrics were by Carolyn Leigh.

I have a wonderful book of Peter Pan music, that was published by the Edwin H. Morris and Company and distributed by Hal-Leonard.  The book has Mary Martin on the cover, so I would like to think that this book of music is close to the original score.  Mary Martin and I share a birthday December 1, so I have always had an affinity for her musicality, her singing, in a traditional Broadway style.

So what is it about "I'm Flying"  Well it is in the key of B -Flat, which is a relatively easy key to sight-read.  Also, the piece buildings in momentum, as if you were flying while playing it.

In the words of an amateur, it is the kind of piece that "can get away from you."  So if you start off in a slow tempo, you probably shouldn't be finishing in a much faster tempo.  So, on some level, it is a good piece to work on controlling the metronome speed you originally set for yourself.

In contrast, there is the great Jule Styne piece "Never Never Land."  It is a beautiful ballad in the key of F and in 4/4 time cut.  It is a piece that if played as written, it sends a very clear message.  It is also a piece that many play in a manner different from what is written, and that may take away from the story the ballad is telling.  On page 2 of my version, in measure 6 there is a pause that should be emphasized...the lyric is "For once you have found your way there  PAUSE you can never, never grow old.  The pause must be emphasized, because the result is the concept of never growing old, although we all do.

There are also dotted eighth notes followed by a sixteenth, if that tempo is not clearly followed, the measures can sound rather sing -songy....referring to the words "Just think of lovely things, and your heart will fly on wings, ....etc"

I never tire of this ballad, I think it can set the tone for a calm and peaceful set of music, if you are playing after a dinner party.

The book is one I cannot part with, under any circumstances.

Stevie Wonder

April 1, 2015, I made a musical dream come true, as I saw Stevie Wonder in concert at the Schottenstein Center at Ohio State University.    Since I lived in Detroit for the first 31 years of my life, I was always in love with Motown music.  Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin became my all time favorites.  I remember the first time I heard Fingertips, and I realized this many creates, he improvises, yes that song changed how I viewed music forevermore.

So what is Stevie Wonder like in concert?  AMAZING!  I think his main instrument is the piano, but in reality he is excellent at the harmonica, and is an incredible percussionist.  Until you see him in concert, you just forget about his versatility.  He also is an incredible singer.  He can be Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, a rap singer, again complete versatility.  He also can sing very high and very low, and he has a strong sharing voice between his higher and lower registers.

And most importantly, Stevie Wonder is blind, but through his music he sees.  However, when you are in the middle of his concert is important to be aware that he is bling.  It is amazing how losing one sense, causes the others to come to the forefront with greater magnicification.

I have to admit, I was simply amazed at his stamina.  He got on stage late 845, for an 800 pm gig, but that didn't matter.  He played until mid night with about a 20 minute break.  I kept saying to myself, "what kind of vitamins does this man take?"    His concert was about his Songs in the Key of Life album, which is probably one of the greatest works of art of all time.   I keep saying amazing because I don't know what else to say.  He sang almost every song on the two disc album.  He also had an amazing singer India Iri, (I probably spelled her name wrong) who simply had an incredible, incredible voice.

During the middle of the concert, he also played an instrument that looked like a small electronic dulcimer....like a piano.  Watching Stevie Wonder's hands through the binoculars, I kept saying to myself his hands are a miracle.  Hands that play a synthesizer, a piano, a harmonica, a drum, a cymbal, I don't know, it is hard to put into words how incredible it was.

Stevie Wonder seems to just bring musicians together.  His back up singers were amazing, such incredible voices, and his instrumentalists were phenomenal. I kept repeating over and over again, I cannot believe I am actually here.  The end of the concert was so amazing because he just played one major hit after another and again, I thought his level of energy was beyond words.

I brought my children 24 and 21 to the concert along with my husband.  We all agreed that it was one of the best concerts we have ever been to.  One thing Mr. Wonder does, even in a large concert venue is connect with the audience.  He has a great, kind of goofy sense of humor, and when he is performing it feels like you are the only person in the room.  So, so, amazing.  He also brings his concern for social justice issues to the concert stage.  His themes of racial equality, peace, consideration for others still came through, loud and clear throughout the concert venue.

In his song es une historia, there is a line where he sings  " I am singing with love from the heart"  That is the essence of his music.  There are several chambers in his heart, and all of the chambers of his heart contain the love he has for everyone, and he expresses that through his amazing music.

I know Stevie Wonder is more than just a pianist, but I feel like a part of piano playing soul comes from listening to and identifying with his music.  His music has always made my life so much better. When my children were very small, I would always play CDs in the car.  I had the 4 CD set "At the Close of the Century" and I played those 4 cds a lot when my children were 10 and 7.  I believe quite wholeheartedly, that his music contributed to the why behind my children being musical.

I would love to meet Stevie Wonder, and I know I won't.  But if I did, I would tell him that his music has truly made an amazing difference in my musical life.  I actually have a piano book of his songs.  They are not easy, and the rhythms are challenging.  Yet when I plink through any of them, I feel as if I am one step closer to knowing something deep about Stevie Wonder.   In his song Magic there is a line...'if it's magic than why can't it be ever lasting"  That basically sums up his music, it is magic and it is everlasting.

Thoughts about Earl Wild

Earl Wild

You can expect to see several posts from me about purchasing my grand piano and the great pianist Earl Wild.  Tonight is a combination post.

I always dreamed of owning a grand piano, glossy black, six foot long and beautiful.  I had a Baldwin piano growing up so I thought, I will buy a Baldwin Grand.  Interestingly, my favorite pianist is Emmanuel Ax, and I read once that he was a Baldwin artist.  He probably is actually a Steinway artist, but somewhere I had read he was a Baldwin artist and that was good enough for me.  So I decided to buy a Baldwin Grand.

I shared this dream with my daughter Sarah when she was about 9 years old.  I told her that we were going to buy a grand piano, and her response was always "okay mom" and she would clap.

One day after a busy day at St. Michael School, Sarah and I drove over to Graves Piano and Organ, the Steinway and Baldwin dealer in Columbus, Ohio  I was in jeans and a sweat shirt, and for some reason Sarah was in similar dress.  I walked into the store, and told the receptionist I was looking at grand pianos.  I think from my dress she thought I wasn't serious.  But I was.  What she didn't know is that I had $10,000 in cash from my maternal grandmother.  My grandma had kept a $10,000 savings bond with the sole purpose of contributing to my grand piano fund.

I was in a large show room, and Sarah and I were looking at Steinways, Baldwins and Bechsteins.  Several men walked into the show room, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see that Earl Wild was with them.  I knew he lived in my home town of Worthington, and I knew he was a famous pianist.  He looked at me and Sarah and asked me "are you thinking of buying that piano?"  I told him yes, and he just smiled.  He didn't say anything else, and he didn't comment about whether my choice was good or bad.  I add that the piano was $25,000 and that was going to be my financial limit.  Just seeing Earl Wild at that point in time, was amazing.   I've always taken that chance encounter as a sign, I guess a musical sign.

In any event, I had my piano tuner go over and take a look at it, and he confirmed that the piano met my requirements.  I add that this was the most incredible material possession I have ever purchased.  Owning a grand confirmed to me, that I was a good enough pianist to actually own a grand piano.  After I made the purchase and before delivery, I would wake up in the middle of the night, and literally pinch myself.  I could not believe that my biggest material dream was coming through.  So incredible.

Now whenever I go down the stairs in the morning and look in the living room and see my piano, I know that all is right with the world.  No matter what peaks and valleys I have in life, knowing that I realized my dream, with the help of my grandmother never ceases to amaze me.  I add that my grand mother was widowed at 49 and went to work in a factory to support my mom.  She always purchased savings bonds, and bought one for me that grew to $10,000.  She almost gave it to me to help with law school tuition, but she knew I wanted to buy a grand piano, so she kept that bond, for me.  She died in 1993 and did not see me realize my dream.  I believe I purchased my piano in 1999 or 2000.  I will have to confirm that with my piano tuner.  But I am a spiritual person, and I know she can see that I DID purchase that piano!!

My mom did see me buy this piano, though which was so incredible.  My Dad had Alzheimer's by that time and didn't know me, but my mom was truly happy that I made the piano purchase, happen in her life time.  When she came over to my house right after it was delivered, I could tell how truly happy she was for me.  As a parent, you can always be happy when your child realizes a major dream.

So, what has owning a grand piano done for me?  I think I play better because it is a better instrument.  I also like the full sound the piano produces.  It literally fills the room with beautiful sound.  It also makes me feel like I am a real musician.  I know I'm not, I'm just your crazy, piano playing fool, but when I sit down at that piano, I am transformed.  I play with more feeling, and more attention to detail.

There will be many more blog posts about my piano.  Suffice to say, I am a proud owner of the greatest of instruments.  It may not be a Steinway, but it a beautiful sounding instrument that makes every day seem filled with peace and joy.

Burt Bacharach

I was watching Glee the other evening.  This season has not come up to the level of high quality of other seasons.  That being said last week's episode zeroed in on the music of Burt Bacharach.  Burt Bacharach was a pianist and composer.  He was a real star of the sixties and seventies, but even now his music is timeless.

After hearing Lea Michele of Glee sing Promises, Promises, I took a moment to find my book of Burt Bacharach piano music.  The book was in my piano music bookshelf, and looking at it is worn.  It has pictures of Mr. Bacharach and Hal David his lyricist on the front cover.

Taking the book out, and opening it up brought back a lot of memories.  Looking at the various songs, I noticed that none of the music was that challenging to play.  In fact I often have believed that a great song, doesn't always have amazing accompaniment.  The truly great song can stand on it's own quite simply with a single melody line.  Think of songs like Always or Time after Time.

For instance, the waltz tempo of  "What the World Needs Now" makes this song wonderful.  The song can be played quite simply on the piano, and was originally performed with tuba accompaniment.  I always think of this song as one I would begin or end with, if I was a piano player at Von Maur Department Store.

The Bacharach book of music also contained the 5th Dimension hit, One Less Bell to Answer.  I can only imagine when playing it that Marilyn McCoo is belting it out, with her absolutely amazing voice.

The Carpenters' Close to You was also in the book, and I had forgotten it was written by Mr. Bacharach.  There is also the beautiful ballad A Message to Michael.  In naming my son Michael, I often think of that ballad.

Again, if you are a pianist amateur or professional, you should look through your music shelves, you might be able to bring a great memory to the forefront of your mind.  You also might have an opportunity to work on your sight reading, even if it is only a half hour before you have to make dinner, or help your children with your home work.

Again, as with any great composer, it is a privilege to be able to play the music created by them.

Duet playing

"Duet playing provides valuable experience developing a sense of rhythm."  This sentence is in the Wesley Schaum's Tunes for Two Book Two, that I played when I was about 10 years old so, circa 1965.  I was involved in the massive piano recital, sponsored by the Grinnell Brothers Music House, which consisted of about 100 pianos, with two children on each of them, playing two duet numbers.

Grinnell Brothers in Detroit, was one of the prime places to purchase a piano.  The Grinnell Brother's Music House was located on the main thoroughfare of down town Detroit, Woodward Avenue.  Started in 1908 the Grinnell Building was designed by Albert Kahn.  The Grinnell Brothers started in the business of selling sewing machines and quickly moved to the sale of musical instruments including organs and pianos.  In looking back, Grinnell pianos were available at a reasonable price, and probably the piano an average family would purchase if they couldn't afford a Steinway.

My grade school piano teacher Madonna Moffat decided that her students would participate in this grand duet "play-in"  I remember going to rehearsals somewhere in downtown Detroit, along with my partner, who's name escapes me now. I think she may have been a Lisa.   In reviewing the actual duet music for My Wild Irish Rose and You're A Grand Old Flag, I marvel at how simple they look now.  However, at the time the thought or concept of the duet frightened me.  As I have mentioned in prior posts, I am rhythmically challenged, and these duet pieces tested my ability to play with another person with correct rhythm.

I liken this experience to Charlie Brown trying to kick the football, held by Lucy, and my response being an aaaaargh!.  Playing the piano is often a singular activity, so duets force you to collaborate with another pianist, and test your ability to give something of yourself to make beautiful music. That sounds noble doesn't it?  It also tests your ability to be calm, take on a challenge and grow from meeting that challenge.

I look back at my Tunes for Two book now.  The cover is gone.  However my 10 year old writing is all over the inside page.  I was seated at Piano #30 and I even drew a humorous picture of the Mr. Smith, the conductor who controlled the massive piano duet demonstration.  I know my parents went and they made my two brothers attend the recital as well.  I am sure my brothers were annoyed that they had to take time out of a busy Sunday to attend this event.

However, what I did learn from this musical moment was one important thing, number your measures in ensemble playing so you can refer back to a spot where you played something incorrectly.  I also learned the meaning of rests in my part, in relationship to my partner's part.  I also learned that when notes are above or below the staff, and you figure out what the notes are, you should write them in the score.  And always, always write them in pencil

My only regret, is that I didn't get these duets out when my children Sarah and Michael were little.  We could have made some incredible music together.  There will be blogs about my children's musical journeys, but I leave that to a later moment.

And as only an adult can conclude, I eventually learned that the grand duet piano recital was actually a way for Grinnell Brothers Music House to sell their pianos after the large recital was over.  At the time I didn't see it as a business proposition.  I remember I had to wear a white dress, and my mother's friend made it for me.  It was the first time I had a "Jacqueline Kennedy" sheath.  It was very Parisienne with pearl buttons, and I had my gold clown pin on the lapel.  I also remember how much time my mom gave to me, so I could do this recital.  My mother was always big on promoting music throughout my life.  Actually both my Mom and Dad placed a great priority on music, in all of its forms.  That is a blog post for another day as well.

Duets can change the way you play for the better!!!  You simply have to have the courage, to give part of your self to the music.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Today is Mozart's birthday!   This in itself is a reason to rejoice.  Whenever one thinks about classical music, Mozart's genius should come to mind. I also look at the challenge Mozart's compositions present to any pianist.  I remember learning Sonate 16 in C major during my high school years.  If you look it up and play the first few measures the tune is very familiar.  I had heard a recording of it, and I know I badgered my high school teacher Katherine Lemon, to let me study it.

That is part of the issue with Mozart.  One hears a beautiful melody, and in the pianist's mind he or she will say to his or herself, that it cannot possibly be that hard.  However, once you get to the true musical score, you realize you are DEAD WRONG!!

Hence, my journey with No. 17 Sonate in B flat major.  I remember when my then piano teacher, Dr. Suzanne Newcomb decided it was one I could study, looking at the music it did not seem too challenging.  Wrong first impression.  It was very challenging, from the rhythm, to the dynamics, to the musicianship needed to pull the work off.

Yet in studying number 17, I learned about the movements, the Exposition, the development, and the recapitulation.  I learned in a much different way, that it just cannot be about getting the notes right, it must be about developing the melody and creating something magical for your audience.

I spent an inordinate amount of time on this Sonata, which I think helped me rhythmically.  I am rhythmically challenged and I need a metronome most of the time.  Or alternatively, I must figure out a meter, and then count out loud to reach perfection.

I also failed to mention the Sonate Number 5 in G major.  I think I played this in high school, and it is another sonata, I simply love.  Because it is in G, there is only an F sharp to worry about, so I think it lends itself quite well to being a great Mozart composition to begin to study.  I also add that you have to watch your rhythm, because once you develop a level of competency with it, you feel the urge to rush the entire first movement.  It is a glorious work of 120 measures, and if you are studying it, I like to think of it as a Sonata that can "wow" the crowd.

I wish as a young pianist, I had worked through my rhythm issues, instead of jumping into a piece and playing notes the way I thought they should sound.  You just cannot do that with the great musicians.  They wrote it in a style and rhythm, and there thoughts and plans should not be distorted by the average piano playing fool.  These foregoing thoughts are particularly true of Mozart's sonatas

Beyond my thoughts about rhythm, in regard to Mozart, I still feel it is a privilege to attempt to play any of his music.  There is a such a lively aspect to his sonatas, and just imagining how and when he composed these works, makes me think that I should look at any attempt to play them with a great deal of gratitude.

When ever I put a CD in my player of Mozart music, I often thing, the melodies sound so clear, direct and something I can hum.  However, when I actually pull out the music and look at the composition, I then see, and understand the intricacies of what he was composing.  

In a dreary mid west winter, knowing that Mozart's birthday takes place on January 27th can make all the difference when you are trudging through the snow, and the wind is blowing your scarf over your face  Mozart brings to mind, a simple freedom, that you only find when listening to quality music.  His compositions can make a gray day beautiful, even if the sun isn't shining.

Just looking at my two Klaviersonaten books of Mozart renews my faith in life, love and this wonderful world!!!