VIRTUOSO

Sensation. Genius. Consummate. Masterful. Superstar. What great words to describe someone with musical talent. Wish those words could describe my musical flair. Although having dabbled with a musical instrument for 40 years, the words used would be more like inept, amateur, unskilled, rookie, neophyte, benchwarmer, loser, second-stringer, untrained, and greenhorn (never heard this one before, but sounds cool). Had I known how much fun music could be, might have strived for greatness on a keyboard and play at functions or become part of a band or even discover my own prodigy.

My parents bought an organ when I was about 10. Took lessons for a couple of years until my brother and I decided we didn’t want to take them anymore (or maybe we just didn’t like to practice). Have difficulty remembering a lot of specific details about the past which Mom contributes to my car accident over 20 years ago. Really have no recollection why my parents would buy an organ. Why an organ over a piano or some other “normal” musical instrument? All I remember is that when I went to my friends’ houses, they had pianos, and I wanted to sit down and play. Mom said she encouraged the organ because she liked the sound and my brother and I had no preference. Also, you didn’t have to be able to play very well to actually sound good. (You don’t suppose she was trying to avoid hours of excruciating pain listening to us practice?)

Even though my brother and I were no longer taking lessons, my parents kept the organ mainly for looks. Imagine many people have a baby grand in their living room and never tinkle the ivories. I decided to keep playing but never did understand the reason for sharps or flats and if chords were fancier than a C7, forget it. I’d find a familiar chord that sounded on pitch, although still knowing it was wrong. When we took lessons, had to play music from my parents’ generation (ugh) so I bought music books with the current pop songs, specifically 1972 and 1975 and played them as written. Thought playing straight chords was juvenile and not very challenging. Bought some other sheet music and my goal was to learn to play as written (and sound as good as) Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” I’ve yet to attain that goal. Now, if I could play all of Elton John’s and Lionel Richie’s hits and sound as good…..WHAT A FEAT!!!!

The organ became my possession when I got married and since it was never maintained, the keys and pedals eventually started wearing out. The organ followed us in all our moves until we left Austin and it found its way back into my parents’ living room. The organ was very heavy and it cost extra to transport so my parents decided to sell it after they sold their house in Oceanside and move to Long Beach. Keyboards are the trend and a lot less cumbersome.

This past summer I really missed playing and someone recommended going to Guitar Center. (Now, who do you suppose that could have been?) I purchased a Yamaha keyboard and checked out a book from the library. Not only did I learn the mechanics of music, it actually made sense (so that’s how you decipher sharps and flats) and was able to read the notes much easier (not perfect though by any means). The only drawback was going from two keyboards down to one. If only I had done this 40 years ago, who knows what could have been. There also is a claim that playing a musical instrument is good therapy, and heaven knows I could use a dose of that at any time.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I was asked by one of the illustrious Praise Band members to rehearse and play keyboard during April’s Sunday Celebration. My dad’s unfortunate trip to the ER cancelled the first rehearsal but Greg, Steve and I practiced for a while Saturday night. They said I played well which was a relief and made me feel good but still felt somewhat skeptical. But, hey, they’re church people, and you know church people don’t lie.

This past week I practiced several hours a day and probably played more in a week’s time than I’ve played since purchasing my keyboard last summer. On Friday, I got to play in another setting and could crank up the sound of the CD player and keyboard. Except for lunch and an occasional stretch break, I played for about 6-½ hours. What a blast!! Even practiced my signing on some of the songs I didn’t yet have the lead sheets for. Don’t remember having so much fun and could have kept going, but you can only have so much of a good thing (and my fingers, neck, and back were getting stiff). Since the start of my new job is delayed for another week, I’ll spend the time practicing and it won’t have to be in a boxed up studio apartment with the volume down to barely audible.

Still have a couple of weeks to practice and about three rehearsals before the big event--my debut….my coming out….. Will be nervous. Will be anxious. Will wear my pinkie ring. Will be glad when it’s over (just kidding). More than likely, it will be in my blood and will have to start my own band (yeah, when you know what freezes over).

When things calm down, when time permits, and when I save up a little money, might utilize the services of a music teacher to help me accomplish my goal and set a deadline--By the end of this year, I’ll play “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as written.

I’ll keep you posted on the trials and tribulations of Debbie’s musical aspirations.