The Journal

My Piano Voice

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 00:07:32 GMT

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It sounds really strange, but I can't describe the timbre of the piano. Violins can be wispy, or scratchy, or flowing. The saxophone is mellow and breathy. Double basses have intense vibrations and fill the room. The drums are nearly toneless and can rattle or boom. But the piano just IS. Maybe it's only me but I can only compare the sound of a piano to fresh, clean water: how would you explain the taste of water? I can't.

Something also really weird that I found is that when I hear someone play a piano, it's like hearing someone talking with my own voice; the voice in my mind. It might be that I play the piano so much but it really hit me the other day as I heard one of my siblings play: they're talking with my voice, the piano! I was ecstatic that I could--and had-- connect with a box of wood filled with strings and hammers.

“The piano keys are black and white but they sound like a million colors in your mind.” – Maria Cristina Mena. An d, I would add, they sound like the voice in my mind.

The Magical Grand

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 01:19:53 GMT

The Magical Grand Piano

I recently had the amazing experience of going to Paris, France with my older sibling and parents. We had a great time in Europe but this particular moment was when we were in the Paris Airport, waiting to board our plane home.

We walking to make our gate, and right off of one of those moving walk-ways was a beautiful, white grand piano. I quickly glided over to it and sat down. After playing a few chords up and down it to check how tuned it was, I started to play.

I played a few of my compositions and soon, on hearing my music, my family came over. My mom laughed because I had complained earlier in the trip that it had been a couple of days since I had tickled the ivories. At this point, a few people had stopped their airport travels and were listening to me play so my mom suggested I play a song that people might know. I quickly chose the Irish hymn 'Be Thou My Vision'. I had been creating a rendition of it anyway and I wanted to hear how it sounded on a grand with the acoustics in the airport.

While I was playing, a man came up to listen and stood there for the duration of the piece and was still standing there after I finished and walked away. As I played, I saw tears come to his eyes. I kept playing and by the end, I could see that he had been visibly moved by the hymn. I was talking with my parents after about it and about how music and move people and I decided that, from then on, I would use my talents to bless and uplift others.

“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.”

― Maria von Trapp

What if we could fight hate, malice, and envy with the power of good music? I think we can.

Beyond Song

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 20:59:57 GMT

Beyond Song

I started my journey into music before I could remember. My mother would sing me to sleep so I suppose that's where it all started. My parents tell me that there was a time in my life when we did not have our short, black upright, but either I don't remember or I don't want to remember. Then, at some point, we got our piano. I vaguely remember going to 'piano lessons' as a four year old with my older sister. It was a vain endeavor due to my age, except that it instilled a love of music into me. Then I would tinker around on the notes. I created a little melody when I was 5 or so and it was my first real song. I played it over and over, my mom complimenting me on my composing skills. I wish I could remember that tune. I've found that to keep your strength, you need to work on it. Original music is like that; I've lost too many songs by not playing them often enough.

I took lessons here and there from age 8 to 14. Some were helpful and some weren't. When I was 15, we stumbled on a master pianist who had a great teaching method. I accelerated and really learned how to read music.

Now I spend hours sometimes on my piano.( I say it's mine because I use it by far the most out of all my family.) I read and write music almost everyday. I am excited to see where I will be in music 20 years form now. But I take each day one day at a time. One song at a time.

Shem