I got to see a Steve Reich piece performed” Six Pianos.” Other pieces of the performance had 4 hands on one piano

I chose to sit in the balcony so I could look over these pianists and watch their hands. I play, nothing near as good as them but I wanted to see. The six pianos on the stage nestled in with their curves meeting like puzzle pieces.

The keys were on the outsides like fringe.

Pianos have 88 keys I’ve pressed each and all when I was first learning. What are these on the edges? Are they the same? How are they different?

Kids will come in to play the edges when a grownup sits on the bench–wanting their piece of the significant thing but only daring to sneak in on the edges.

I have an electronic keyboard I play. It only has 61 keys, sometimes it feels cramped at the bass side, but I rarely hit the high notes on it.

Watching those pianos get played expertly by two people at once made me consider what is possible. I should practice more. I could be much better than I am.

But also, what can this instrument do that I haven’t explored yet?  Yes, I am not everything I wish I were. But even allowing for my shortcomings this keyboard offers more.  There are a lot of keys with dust on them waiting for me.

The musicians playing were obviously mature. They were not kids. They had spent time playing the keys.

They were doing things usually passed over. This performance was unique. That was probably why the house was packed.

Tolstoy said happy families are all happy in the same way. Most instruments are used in the same way. My life has worn pathways of same-same-same I do every day. I have a dent in my pillow because I even sleep the same way again and again. I chose the road and I travel it often. Every day.

Yet—it has less travelled sections.

These piano players were doing new things with a familiar instrument. I could use what I’ve learned in my life in a different way.  Even though it seems ordinary and uninteresting, I could flip it on its side and see what happens then.

It may be the same old thing, but it does not have to be the same old way.

 What else is possible for me?