My Other Blogs:

Other Corners to Find Me:

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Finding the Right Keys


Last night I was tired. I had a long night of conferences, I was hungry and spent. I commented on a few slices and then sat. My husband had fallen asleep on the couch, I was sitting in the dark and feeling like I might end up the same way if I didn't do something soon. Dishes? Nah. Laundry? Nah. Reading? Maybe later. Writing? Hmm, tempting, but not sure I could put thoughts down. Then I decided I should play a little piano. Just a little. There is one song I learned about two years ago. It was a time I was trying to figure a lot of things out and I was determined to learn one of my favorite songs. Falling Slowly, by The Swell Season (AKA: Glen Hansord and Marketa Irglova). This song was featured in the movie, ONCE, which if you haven't seen this movie, I highly recommend it.
Back in the winter of 2013 I had my husband print off the sheet music and got to work. It took me several, several weeks to learn the song. I went measure by measure. See, I can read music and I was once a great trumpet player and learned to play piano in high school, but that doesn't make me a pianist. But I worked anyway. Slowly learning the song. I have yet to play the song perfectly without a single mistake. One day, maybe. But I think it's okay. I just love playing it.
I sat down last night and found the keys. Trying to pluck the right ones and failing at times. This is life. Some parts are pretty and some just sound down right off, but if we keep practicing, maybe one day we can get it right.

8 comments:

  1. Love the connection you make between your piano playing and life. It is a beautiful metaphor. Keep on practicing! :)

    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the last line, Betsy, as well as the image of you sitting at that piano working on your piece.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the last line, Betsy, as well as the image of you sitting at that piano working on your piece.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is lovely, Betsy. Love the metaphor for life. It's so true.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So true! I tell my students that if they keep practicing, they will become better and better at reading/writing/math/everything. It's harder to apply that concept to life in general but it's so true. Thanks for the beautiful reminder. Now, next time you play this piece, you need to wake your husband up so he can video the moment for you to share with us! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've learned something new about you! Didn't know you had a musical talent hidden! I too sat last night and was blank mostly because I was exhausted from a long day. My computer bailed me out by doing an update which never ended .I gave up and went to bed. Kids have those days too just like I do and I need to practice working through those road blocks so I can help students with the same problem.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Important wisdom in this post. Doing it matters more often than the excuses we offer up in their stead.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for the comment love!