I got to see a Steve Reich piece performed\u201d Six Pianos.\u201d Other pieces of the performance had 4 hands on one piano<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The keys were on the outsides like fringe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pianos have 88 keys I\u2019ve pressed each and all when I was first learning. What are these on the edges? Are they the same? How are they different?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But also, what can this instrument do that I haven\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The musicians playing were obviously mature. They were not kids. They had spent time playing the keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were doing things usually passed over. This performance was unique. That was probably why the house was packed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet\u2014it has less travelled sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These piano players were doing new things with a familiar instrument. I could use what I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What else is possible for me?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I got to see a Steve Reich piece performed\u201d Six Pianos.\u201d 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. … Continue reading