Just like music, song and dance, the piano has always held a sweet connection in my heart. I’d had a ‘keyboard’ for some years, however, I was merely having fun at that time and not serious about truly learning all there was to know. When, back in July 2021 my life partner Keith bought me a most beautiful piano, I was bedside myself with joy. The prospect of learning, with a local piano teacher, the art of playing piano made me tingle all over.
”Oh,” she said. “Good; that’s good that you strike the keys hard. I want you to practice just like this.”
I couldn’t easily reach an octave (eight notes), my hands are not very big at all.
”Stretch,” would be her response. “Stretch, and do stretching exercises.” I did…
Within a few weeks she was off on her three week Christmas break. She gave me three classical pieces to learn and practice during this time. I diligently banged away learning, as best I could, the beautiful music.
I didn’t return to her ever again. My hands, fingers and wrists pained enormously. I sent her a text message advising her of the carpel tunnel and tendonitis issues I was experiencing. True, I was angry that my piano journey was so abruptly cut short by the incompetence of someone who was supposed to know better. I consoled myself with the knowing that not all who profess to be professionals, and may be wonderful artists themselves may not be teachers in the true sense of the word.
To be continued…
© Carolyn Page – ABC of Spirit Talk
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When l play my mandolin ,l am in a different time, now l bought myself a Guitar because l love the Spanish music. ,, l enjoyed your post and your journey with the piano. Have a wonderful weekend. love Hilda and Jalal
That must be such good fun, Jalal. The mandolin is a beautiful instrument; I love its sound quality. And the guitar and Spanish music sounds thrilling.
One of the reasons I love music is because there is never an end – there are so many genres and so much to learn. It is also universal. The language of music speaks directly to our hearts, our soul. We are so blessed, Jalal.
Love to both you and Hilda…
Amen ..When l used to live in Vienna in the 1960’s , l used to save some money to go see live concerts . The journey of loving music began since then ..Love Hilda and Jalal
Jalal, you’ll have to let me know how your guitar/spanish music progresses. I’d love to read all about it – when you can…
Hi Carolyn, l bought the guitar to play my middle East music on both instrument The Mnadolin and guitar,(Hava Narkela ) l am getting better by the day , soon when l feel okay l will record some songs on my face book( Jalal Sabbagh) you can see some the the videos.Have a great week Love Hilda and Jalal
Jalal, I just found this comment in the spam folder. So sorry for the late reply!
Yes, I’d love to hear your music when you upload it on your facebook.
Some journeys are just a bit shorter than others!
Yes indeed, Dorothy, this is certainly the case for some journeys. However, the story continues with its ups and its downs, its revivals and its disappointments.
Right now I’m looking forward optimistically – not about to give up just yet… The human spirit is strong to the last. If nothing else, the journey has been grand…
🚧⚠️🚦
..the wonders of aging….our parts are more sensitive to stress.
Indeed, Michael, less is more, as they say. However, I’m not giving up that easily. It’s been a battle, one I’ve loved and enjoyed – anything to do with the piano, even walking past it and admiring it fills my heart with song.
It’s been a strange connection I’ve had – just having the piano in my home gives me a sense of joy!
Whew, it’s so frustrating when our bodies won’t cooperate. I took piano lessons as a child, but haven’t played in years. Sometimes, I think that I should give it a try again, but your experience makes me think that maybe I’d also have difficulty stretching my hands.
Oh Sheryl, please don’t let my experience stop you. With all that I’ve learned, it’s not just we ‘more mature’ ones who have this problem with tendonitis and such. This can happen at any age. However, with good technique (with the right teacher) these possibilities can be avoided – at the least ‘diminished’. That’s what I’m learning now!
The physical toll from pushing too hard on those keys, the way small hands and aggressive technique turned joy into tendonitis and carpal tunnel, reads as a brutal reminder of how bodies can betray the impulse to play. That abrupt halt after the Christmas practice stint must have felt like silence dropping in mid-phrase. Yet the piano still sits there, holding space, a quiet promise that the journey isn’t fully stopped—just paused. The persistence in not giving up on it entirely resonates; music has a way of waiting when we can’t yet meet it. Looking forward to the continuation.
I am still in the process of ‘pause’, as you very astutely put it. Time will tell what the next chapter will be. In the meantime, a beautiful piano sits gracing space and possibility. I have become very patient, and trusting in the process; whatever that may be.
Thank you for your comment. I thoroughly agree with your sentiment. “Music has a way of waiting when we can’t yet meet it.”