Thursday, January 21, 2016

Music of Life

I used to play the piano.  It seems likes ages ago but at one time, I was really quite interested in my music.  Probably when I was in second grade, I began piano lessons.  We lived in a small town in Idaho and I went once a week to the local music store for my lesson.  My Mom then changed teachers and my new teacher was from eastern Europe; I don't know from where as all I remember is her accent.

All those years, I had an old upright piano that was quite sufficient.  We moved back to my hometown of Ellensburg, Washington in 1965.  I was in 6th grade and my piano teacher was just around the block from where we lived.  My Dad found this piano for me at the college (it's now called Central Washington University), and we bought it and brought it home when I was in high school.  It's been with me every since.


A few years ago I tried to find out when it was made but didn't have any luck.  It's a Ludwig piano and from our move to California it has gotten a few nicks in it's body.

It's a shame that my piano sits all by itself in a empty living room (it's filled with furniture but no people).  So, today I went in and pulled out my old piano books.  My piano teacher, Mrs. Hertz, was a wonderful lady.  Oh, how I wish I could meet her today as I would so appreciate her love of culture and music.  She insisted that I only learn/play classical music.  I loved Chopin and I loved playing Clementi sonatinas as the fingering had to be just right to have your hands float (fly) across the keys. 

At one time in my life, my fingers could float across all those keys.  Here's what I found remaining of my favorite piece I played in high school for a piano recital; Malaguena.  I loved this piece as it featured some selections that were played quite boldly.  Now, I don't even know if I can read this music to make it sound like anything!

I had much better luck today playing this sonatina.  I remember the fun part was the fingering as I mentioned above.  I used to play these pieces over and over again in my head years ago.

Also found in my piano bench was my old piano notebook with my teacher's notes.  She wrote quite illegible, didn't she?  Do you make out the $3.00 price per weekly lesson; unheard of now days.  Mrs. Hertz lived in a stately, old two story home.  I remember her dining room with Wedgewood Queensware dinnerware.  In her conservatory/sun room where I waited for my lesson to begin, it was filled with intellectual literature to read.  No tabloid magazines allowed!  Her husband, Dr. Hertz, was the head of the music department at the college.  My teacher was a very special person who really wanted her students to excell. 

This really doesn't have anything to do with music, but I found this watercolor in my piano bench; it's been there for years and years.  It was painted by my 7th or 8th grade classmate, Ellen Sogge.  If I recall, her father was a professor at the college when he went on sabbitical to Africa and he took his family with him.   (I just goggled this and found out he went to Malawi; all those years I thought they were in Kenya).  I met Ellen when her family returned to our small town as we had classes together at Morgan Junior High.  Our English teacher was so taken with Ellen's adventures in Africa that she and her family took a trip to Kenya the next year.  The teacher was Miss Anna Shuck.  I'll never forget her as she was the type of teacher who wore black dresses and was very strict.  The odd thing I remember most vividly is the support hosiery she wore.  She would tell us how she sent the "runned" hose to Frederick & Nelson Department store in Seattle to be rewoven.  Imagine that today!  (do people even use the word hosiery?)  She lived with her sister and mother.  Neither she nor her sister were ever married.   Miss Shuck won a raffle with the local Catholic church which was a trip to Hawaii.  Instead of going to Hawaii, she used those funds for the Kenyan trip.   I often wondered what happened to Ellen.  I believe her brother graduated from Harvard and went on to marry a girl from the east coast.

Do you remember seeing those stuffed animal cats that are all curled up and sleeping?  Well, here is Lilly all curled up and sleeping today.  I love this cat so much...
 

I hope you have enjoyed this look back into my youth, music, hometown, long lost friends, and of course, Lilly My CatToday I'm linking to Amy's  Five on Friday party.   I'd love to hear about your week.

With  my best wishes,

Pat


 

20 comments:

  1. Wonderful memories and such a beautiful old piano! I hope you will find time for playing every now and then.
    Happy weekend!

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  2. Pat this was truly wonderful. It's good to reflect , look back and enjoy memories. As long as we don't become sad. Imagine if you could meet your European piano teacher again. The adult conversation you would be able to have would be amazing and intriguing. Lily looks very cosy curled up there. Thank you for sharing your memories xxxx

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  3. I loved hearing about your piano. Gosh that music looks tricky. In my retirement I am beginning to play again...it's very therapeutic for me...not sure the family agree..Lilly is gorgeous! Have a good weekend. Barbara x

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  4. Such a beautiful piano, we have recently got rid of ours now that the girls are no longer living here and playing on it. It is one of my life regrets not to have learnt to play along with them. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  5. I loved this post, Pat! I play the piano - I first learnt when I was about 15 (I had played other instruments before that but really wanted to learn the piano) but then gave it up when exams and other more exciting pastimes came along. I went back to it about 10 years ago and have lessons most weeks; I'm part of a group class and my teacher is very laid back about whether I'm able to get there or have practiced - mostly I haven't and just like to sit and play as it's time out for me, and he's happy for me to do that, offering help when I need it, and new pieces for me to try. My favourite pieces are by the Italian composer Einaudi - and I like the fact that they sound more complicated to play than they actually are! I hope you get back into playing your piano, it's as good for the mind, soul and fingers as knitting is! xx

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  6. I believe that we have everything once learned in our subconscience. So, with a little practise you'll play smoothly again. Go for it!

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  7. What a lovely post. Sometimes it is the strangest things that bring back wonderful memories.
    Liz

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  8. I have indeed enjoyed your memories of school friends, teachers and piano lessons very much. You have lots of lovely memories:)

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  9. Your memories of piano lessons and music books brought back many of my own. I, too, began piano lessons in Grade 2. I taught piano for several years, but in the past few years my piano has sat idle and silent. A shame, really. But the love of classical music continues.
    Happy weekend.

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  10. I took piano lessons for a short while as a child and then didn't touch a piano until I retired and decided to teach myself of play. I love Muzio Clementi's Sonatinas.

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  11. What lovely memories, I always wanted to play the piano and regret that I never did, all my children play an instrument and one of my sons plays the piano, would you not like to take it up again? it must be wonderful. Thanks for your lovely visit and kind words, Have a great weekend. :) xx

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  12. Such lovely memories and so kind of you to have shared them with us! I hope that you enjoy your piano playing and that the room with the piano will get some more use. Thank you for joining Five On Friday, happy weekend! xx

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  13. We had a Chickering piano growing up, it was my Mother's and now my sister has it. Lovely memories,
    Meredith

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  14. Oh I loved hearing about your memories, my youngest daughter is desperate to learn to play the piano but we are struggling to find her a teacher. Maybe it's like riding a bike, once you learn you never forget. I hope it works out for you xx

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  15. We have an electric piano/ keyboard and it just isn't the same. Lilly is lovely. Have a nice weekend.

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  16. I so enjoyed hearing about those sweet memories of your music lessons and the teachers and friends in your life. I admire those who are musically talented and can play an instrument. I've only ever played an electric organ with those color coded keys that are so easy to play. These dear memories are so bittersweet and dear to our hearts - those little moments that make up who we are. I hope that you can pick up where you left off and find the joy in your piano once again. Hugs xo Karen

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  17. Thank you for sharing your memories of your piano playing, the teacher that gave you a love for classical music and the English teacher who was quite a character. I can think of similar ladies who taught me and remember them as inspirational teachers. I hope you continue to enjoy playing your piano and those beautiful sonatinas. Lilly looks very relaxed.

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  18. Oh Pat, I'm sure you could pick it up again and play those pieces that you learned when you were a girl. I think that once you can read music, you don't really forget, it's in your brain somewhere! Thanks for sharing your memories with us.

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  19. It is wonderful that you can play the piano! I'm glad you are enjoying playing again, and I enjoyed reading about your experiences learning to play while growing up. Please give Lilly some love pats from me, Pat :) xx

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  20. I really enjoyed reading your post about your piano. We have a baby grand too.. it's an antique - "Strich & Zeidler". It holds it's tune wonderfully - I wish I was a better player. You have good memories of your childhood! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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