Music

In my last post, I mentioned that I play the piano for the Primary children in my church.  A hearing impaired person playing the piano?  Yes, it's true.

Many years ago, my sister, two years older than me, was taking piano lessons.  I would sit next to her and listen to her practice every day.  I began begging my mom to let me take piano lessons.

"But you're not old enough," my mom would tell me.
"How old do I need to be?"
"Old enough to read."  This was the piano teacher's requirement.

I was only five years old and in kindergarten.  I knew my A, B, C's, but did not know how to read.  I begged and persuaded my mom further, just knowing that I could play the piano...I wanted to learn to play so desperately.

Why was I so desperate?  It was because I had never heard nor paid much attention to music.  My earliest recollection of music was cranking up the volume of a small, battery operated radio and holding it smack dab against my right ear.  I didn't get to listen to it very long, as it was quickly snatched away.  In the middle of my Kindergarten year, I was fitted with hearing aids and music got my attention.

So, when I heard those beautiful notes coming from our black upright piano, I just knew I had to learn to play.  Grudgingly, my sister's piano teacher agreed to give me a try.

I learned to play on this black upright piano

I flew through Schaum's beginner's set of piano books and worked my way through the colors.  Green, red,  then blue.  I started practicing 15 minutes per day and gradually worked my way to 1 hour daily.  I learned to play the classics from Brahms, Beethoven and Chopin.  Recitals were held once per year in which we memorized a piece chosen by our teacher and performed it for all the parents and students.  Scales and chords were required and I dreaded learning them, as I did not see a practical purpose for them.

In the middle of my 7th grade year, I wanted to quit lessons and I did.  In reality, I probably should have switched teachers.  Seven years with one teacher felt like a lifetime.  She did, however, let me choose which Hymns and Primary songs to play, which I am grateful.

For a very short period, I had the goal to become a concert pianist.  I dreamed of playing difficult pieces, with my fingers flying across the keyboard.  I pushed myself, and slowly came to the realization that I had reached my limit potential.  If I played a wrong note, I didn't know.  The only way to know for sure was to look at my hands.

I now play the piano for my own enjoyment.  I can pick and choose any song I want to play.  Playing music that fits my mood.  Playing music to change my mood, uplift me, or for an escape.  I'm grateful that I can hear most of the notes from the piano and for my parents, who recognized a desire to play.

I love playing on my white baby grand!

Can you be deaf and enjoy music?  I'm sure you can.  I recently read an article about Sean Forbes, a deaf musician who helped form D-PAN (Deaf Professional Arts Network), and holds music concerts.  When I was in college and taking ASL (American Sign Language), a Sign/Song competition was regularly held every spring.

Do you enjoy music?  If so, what type of music do you listen to?  Do you play an instrument?  If so, I would love to know!