Ever since my choir at school has sung an Eric Whitacre piece, I've been obcessesed with his music. This is a beautiful piece that I really like. =) Enjoy!
http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/the-stolen-child-world-premiere-with-recording/
Saturday, August 30
Monday, August 11
Lessons to learn from the piano
I have just gotten off the piano bench.
It was a nightmare.
I had a piano lesson last week, and I left with tears in my eyes because it was a disaster. The thoughts running through my head was that I just had an off day. I realized just a few seconds ago that it wasn't "just an off day," but it was a day with little effort and determination.
Yes, that does sound a bit cheesy, but it is the truth.
I didn't want to open my piano bag or teacher's notebook because I knew that if I did, I would just get frustrated again and start to cry. What's the point if I just keep having "off days?" So, I thought a break would be good for me. I didn't practice for a week, just to cool off. Hmmm....from what just happened, that wasn't a good idea.
I started my warm-up Hanon. OUCH! It was awful. Terrible. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I thought,
"ok...that didn't go well...my scales should be fine." HA! that's funny.
"Alright. I know. I'll run throught the Bach Invention and I'll be all set to go, and I can go back to the scales." Yeah, right.
"UGH!!! I GIVE UP!!!!" Well, that's what I thought.
I ended up still keep going even though I had already started to cry and just wanted to get the axe from the barn and cut my piano into pieces. I still kept going. I opened Scarlatti.
"Alright. You got this Alisha. Just hit all the right notes and add dynamics. I know you can do this." I hate this.
I was seriously fuming mad. BUT, I didn't walk away. I got into the most uncomfortable position, with my foot pressed against the piano. I bit my lip, and read through again my teacher's notes.
"I HAVE TO DO THIS. I CAN'T walk away. I've done that way too many times. Do it again. And Again. AND AGAIN!!!" SUCCES!
I finally got in the groove, and off my fingers went. It not only takes practice (which you can never get enough of...ahem....), but determination, willpower, and to keep in mind the purpose of why you are practicing. Why am I practicing? Why do I keep going? Why didn't I quit, and go get the axe? Why didn't I burn my piano books? WHY?
I play piano to worship God...the One who gave me the gift to play piano. I play piano, to glorify God through music. He has taught me many lessons during my practice times or even enduring the long, frustrating piano lessons with my teacher. My attitude this summer towards piano has been terrible. It was not honoring God at all. I learned that I must be thankful for the tough times with Bach or Scarlatti, and to be very greatful for the corrections and wise advice from my piano teacher (and accept the fact that he's smarter than me). I learned to be humble, and not lash out in anger and frustration. I learned to be patient, that I can't do everything right the first time. I learned endurance, to keep going no matter what. And most important, I learned to pray and trust in God's soveriegnty whenever I approach the piano keys. He has a plan and purpose for me. If He decides I have an off day, so be it. If He decides for me to have the greatest day of my life, so be it.
Psalm 34:1-3
"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together."
It was a nightmare.
I had a piano lesson last week, and I left with tears in my eyes because it was a disaster. The thoughts running through my head was that I just had an off day. I realized just a few seconds ago that it wasn't "just an off day," but it was a day with little effort and determination.
Yes, that does sound a bit cheesy, but it is the truth.
I didn't want to open my piano bag or teacher's notebook because I knew that if I did, I would just get frustrated again and start to cry. What's the point if I just keep having "off days?" So, I thought a break would be good for me. I didn't practice for a week, just to cool off. Hmmm....from what just happened, that wasn't a good idea.
I started my warm-up Hanon. OUCH! It was awful. Terrible. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I thought,
"ok...that didn't go well...my scales should be fine." HA! that's funny.
"Alright. I know. I'll run throught the Bach Invention and I'll be all set to go, and I can go back to the scales." Yeah, right.
"UGH!!! I GIVE UP!!!!" Well, that's what I thought.
I ended up still keep going even though I had already started to cry and just wanted to get the axe from the barn and cut my piano into pieces. I still kept going. I opened Scarlatti.
"Alright. You got this Alisha. Just hit all the right notes and add dynamics. I know you can do this." I hate this.
I was seriously fuming mad. BUT, I didn't walk away. I got into the most uncomfortable position, with my foot pressed against the piano. I bit my lip, and read through again my teacher's notes.
"I HAVE TO DO THIS. I CAN'T walk away. I've done that way too many times. Do it again. And Again. AND AGAIN!!!" SUCCES!
I finally got in the groove, and off my fingers went. It not only takes practice (which you can never get enough of...ahem....), but determination, willpower, and to keep in mind the purpose of why you are practicing. Why am I practicing? Why do I keep going? Why didn't I quit, and go get the axe? Why didn't I burn my piano books? WHY?
I play piano to worship God...the One who gave me the gift to play piano. I play piano, to glorify God through music. He has taught me many lessons during my practice times or even enduring the long, frustrating piano lessons with my teacher. My attitude this summer towards piano has been terrible. It was not honoring God at all. I learned that I must be thankful for the tough times with Bach or Scarlatti, and to be very greatful for the corrections and wise advice from my piano teacher (and accept the fact that he's smarter than me). I learned to be humble, and not lash out in anger and frustration. I learned to be patient, that I can't do everything right the first time. I learned endurance, to keep going no matter what. And most important, I learned to pray and trust in God's soveriegnty whenever I approach the piano keys. He has a plan and purpose for me. If He decides I have an off day, so be it. If He decides for me to have the greatest day of my life, so be it.
Psalm 34:1-3
"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together."
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