I was forced to learn piano.
I never wanted to. Never felt the need to. But strangely, there I was, sitting next to my piano teacher trying to determine what piece I would learn for the upcoming recital. There was Brahms, Beethoven, Scott Joplin and a slew of other dead composers whose piano concertos were dull, drab and (forgive me) boring.
“But this is a piano recital.”
At least, that’s what my piano teacher, the wife of the local High School chorus director, told me. I needed to pick something that was within my skill level, something that would inspire and engage the audience, and something that was less than five minutes. There was, obviously, a time constraint.
“I’m not really into Classical,” I told her.
She was obviously annoyed, turning around on her squeaky spinning seat thingie… She picked up a huge pile of music, dropping it in my lap.
“Pick one. Any one. But pick one.”
When I returned the next week, I had one particular piece in mind. In fact, the only piece I had in mind. The theme song from the ABC cult-hit The Greatest American Hero. The words itself, sung by a Christopher Cross wannabe, would both inspire and engage the audience as I played…
Believe it or not, I’m walking on air I never thought I could be so free-ee-ee Flying away on a wing and a prayer Who could it be…? Believe it or not, it’s just me!
This is too good to be true-oooh Look at me Falling for you…
I learned the piece like no one’s biz’ness. I followed some Asian kid playing Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin and a piece from The Four Seasons by Vivaldi. I bopped in my seat as I sang (inside) the words to my favorite show starring William Katt, Connie Selleca and Robert Culp. And out in the audience, my parents sat proudly, unsure of what it was they were hearing.
Everyone else, I believe, was laughing at me. Inside. Laughing inside.
But I bucked the system. Came out on top. And did justice to one of the greatest American television shows ever produced…at a piano recital. —
In other news, time flies when you’re having fun — tomorrow (Friday) will be another edition of Words For Your Enjoyment. That’s where you, anonymous reader, e-mails me an idea for our Friday entry… If your quirky idea is chosen, I’ll use it and provide a link to your blog — which, on the black market, is worth about $0.00 dollars.
Kommentare