My First Love and First Loss - Writing Assignment #14 Music/Sports/Hobbies Ages 5-10

We had a beautiful piano in our home that had been handed down in my Father's family. It was an oak upright with intricately carved birds perched on ornate branches. At least ¾ of each bird extended out from the piano, it was an exceptional work of art. 

When I was about 5 years old, my older sister was told that she could take piano lessons! I ached to be able to have this honor and I literally begged to be able to join her. Music had always been something I could “connect” with. I remember listening to the radio or to records and realizing that after each note was played I could guess what the next few notes would be. I thought that music was something extraordinary and would be important in my life, so when they turned to me and said that even though I was too young…I could join her - I was overjoyed. And, I only had to promise to practice and I was to never complain about having to spend the time it would take to learn. I was thrilled and devoted and kept my promise. 

Our teacher seemed very old to me (in reality she was probably no more than 40).  She was thin with mousy colored hair streaked with gray and wore bulky eyeglasses that reminded me of the bottom of soda pop bottles.  Once a week my sister and I would be dropped off at her home and we would place one shiny silver dollar on the piano prior to our turn.  My sister, being the oldest, always took her place at our teacher's black baby grand piano first. The piano was prominently placed in the center of the dining room where normally a dining room table would be located clearly defining her preference for music even over food. 

I’d wait my turn in the adjoining and very peculiar living room. With my silver dollar held tightly in my hand, I would inspect the shelves and tables and window sills that were covered with tiny pianos.  Even the area behind her sofa was a mirror-lined niche with glass shelves also sporting miniature baby grands…porcelain ones, blown glass ones, wooden ones, metal ones!  Pianos Everywhere!  Even though I found them to be mildly entertaining to look at while I awaited my turn…I decided it was excessive and silly and have never had a collection of anything to this day.  

Thirty long minutes later it would be my turn. I would climb up on the bench; my feet wouldn’t touch the floor. The instruction was very brisk and unforgiving. Wrists must be held up and feet must not swing. Questions were forbidden and success was expected and never praised. All this I accepted as the price to pay to unlock the mysteries of the written score.

I loved to play, I loved to practice. I loved everything about it. It was easy and natural for me. My first lesson was to learn the names of the notes. I sat there and looked at all of the 88 black and white keys and thought to myself; “This is going to be quite an accomplishment!”  “ABCDEFG” I recited.  “Next?”  she asked. “H?” I responded questioningly.  “No!” she said.  No? I thought.  It just starts over with A? Well then! This was going to be easy! The notes made sense, flats were a breeze, sharps were incessant trouble and required more thought.

I loved practicing, I would get a handful of pennies from my piggy bank and place them on one side of the piano and play the song, if I did it perfectly I would move a penny to the other side (they would then be “perfect pennies”) and wouldn’t stop until all the pennies were perfect and I was a very hard taskmaster! 

I often practiced with my sister. We loved to play duets; we would get bored playing the regular way so we would often turn around, reach our hands behind us and play backwards or we would play blindfolded or we would take off our shoes and socks, lay down on the bench and play with our bare toes amid fits of giggles. Later, when we lived in a nice home up on the hill, we had 2 pianos, one upstairs and one down. We’d play duets, each on our own piano, and then we’d call down or up to each other and say, “OK now I’ll play the other part!” How did Mother ever stand such frivolity and noise?

Our recitals were held at the church. Often my sister and I would play duets, once even a clever rendition of ChopStix which we finished with a flourish and then curtseyed in unison to our applause. 

I remember playing “Frosty the Snowman” at the elementary school Christmas program when I was in the first grade. The girls were polite, two big fourth-grade boys talked through it…hmmm I was going to have to get some better music!

One day we came home from school to find that our Father had sold the antique piano.  I didn't question his motives, I knew there would be a good reason, but in that moment, I believe that I suffered my first great loss.  A huge part of my life was suddenly, unmistakably and permanently just...gone. 

But the music lives on. Over the years it has brought me comfort in moments of my deepest sorrow, it has calmed my moments of anger as I pounded out Schubert and ended with a gentle Chopin, it has brought me great happiness and inspiration. And it all started with a heartfelt desire and ABCDEFG.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT # 14 MUSIC/SPORTS AGES 5-10

Did you take music lessons as a child? (Age 5-10) Describe your teacher, your instrument, your practice, your performances etc. (Comment on how this experience helped shape your life)

Did you play sports as a child? (Ages 5-10) Describe the game field, your position, your coach and any events or turning points that stand out in your mind. (comment on how this experience helped shape your life)

Did you have another hobby (building things, sewing things etc) as a child (ages 5-10) Describe your passion, your teacher, your prized possession. (Comment on how this experience helped shape your life)