Magic hands

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?

I was just saying to Molly, my church’s Music Director, I wish I could touch all ten of my fingertips to hers and have her piano skills transfer to my hands.

She can play anything—beautifully. She can sight read any piece of sheet music (from classical to pop) and play it perfectly the first time.

She accompanied me on my recent solo performance of a Broadway song and she made it so much better.

I took about six years of piano lessons, but I never got good. Anything I learned to play took hours and hours of practice.

Molly started playing at age 9 and never stopped, She got a B.M. in Piano Performance from Butler University and then an M.M. Collaborative Piano from Boston University. She said going through Conservatory-type training was brutal, but that was when she achieved true mastery.

I’d like the mastery, with none of the work.

I’d play for myself, play for others, maybe join an ensemble, and definitely plop down on those public piano benches and bring joy to the people.

11 thoughts on “Magic hands

  1. This is an interesting post because only this week I watched a video on Instagram of the band “McFly” in concert where Tom Fletcher’s ( also of Paddington-The Musical Fame, coming to Broadway next Spring) son Buzz, aged 12 performed on stage with them playing his electric guitar. I was amazed at his ability and confidence and wondered how much of his skill was inherited.

    I would love to have been able to sing. Both my children inherited this ability from my ex husband and his Mum and have performed on stage but I can’t sing a note. I’m not convinced singing is a skill you can learn if you don’t have the right ear for it. I think you have to be born with the ability so it can then be improved with lessons and practice.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for sharing. It actually makes me sad that you think you can’t sing! Singing with others in choirs has been one of my great joys in life. My mother also never sings b/c she was told she can’t (I think the Do Re Mi song from Sound of Music would be a great place to start.) 😊

      Like

Leave a comment