The Superior Express -

Piano playing is not for sissies! Knowing how to play the piano can be rewarding, a commitment, a challenge and comforting. Now taking piano lessons in order to learn now to play the piano can be time consuming with hours of practicing. It takes dedication, and at times, it can be down right frustrating. It takes years of lessons to accomplish what a student strives for. Yet, as a pianist and a piano teacher, I am thankful I managed to stick with it. When visiting with others who had taken lessons and decided to quit, they shared they certainly wished they would have continued.

When I was six-years-old, my parents decided they wanted their oldest daughter to learn to play the piano. My parents were so confident in me they purchased a new Wurlitzer console piano. I know the money used to purchased that piano probably was needed somewhere else. I practiced and practiced on that special piano for my first piano recital. All of Mrs. Pauley’s students were dressed in their best but that’s about all I remember except I was scared to death as I walked up bravely and sat down on the piano bench in front of all the people who came to the recital.

There were times during my younger years when I would refuse to practice. My mother prompted me to practice in a somehow “or else” way. Instead of complaining when I’d practice, my parents were my encouragers. Though I’d sometimes hit a few sour notes, they’d tell me I was doing a good job. Later, my sister began taking piano lessons and mother would transport us many miles each week. She would take home ironing in exchange for the lessons. In high school, there were a lot of girls my age who were taking piano lessons. There never was a lack for piano players to enter music contests or accompany the school chorus groups and for the vocal soloists. It didn’t matter to me, as I’d rather sing than play the piano for those events. There were pianists better than I to handle those assignments.

My calling was serving my country church as a pianist. An older woman was the main pianist at church and my granny was one of her substitutes. At the age of 15, my parents and my granny encouraged me to step in as a substitute pianist. My piano teacher was a pastor’s wife and she included hymns out of our church hymn books as part of my lessons. Then a real challenge came when the main pianist became ill and the choir was preparing a cantata for the Christmas program. Dad brought home the cantata book. As I looked through the pages, I saw how hard it was going to be. I wanted to back out, but my parents knew I could do it. With the help of my piano teacher, I stumbled through it. One of the choir members instructed me at one of the practices that I wasn’t playing one of the songs fast enough. I remembered fighting back tears, but managed to keep trying. I was so glad to get through that cantata.

Little by little, playing those church hymns was the type of music I enjoyed playing the most. Mother would pick out piano solo books I could play for offerings and preludes at church. I became brave enough to accompany soloists, the choir and groups who wanted to share specials at church. In time the pianist decided to retire and I was chosen to fall into her place.

While in high school, I began giving beginner piano lessons and earned spending money doing so. I even decided since my sister and I learned to play the piano, our little sister also needed to learn to play, so I began to teach her. That didn’t seem to work well for her, and my other sister decided she’d rather become a cheerleader in school and play softball so she stopped her piano lessons.

When I married and had a child, I found I could help out financially by giving piano lessons. I was able to remain at home with our son. Dad and Mom had told me earlier if I would continue to give piano lessons, they would give me the prized family Wurlitzer. It had a place in our home for many years. Giving piano lessons continued, even when I had a full time job outside of the home, I would give lessons to the children after school hours or on Saturday mornings. I just couldn’t turn anyone down who had a desire to take piano lessons. Many piano recitals were planned and practiced. It was rewarding to see and listen to the students as they proudly played their solos at recitals or music contests.

Dad, loving to play the guitar and sing would include me in some of his programs, singing and playing songs from spiritual to country western, and also for church specials. I’d play for him to sing either with or without his guitar. Since he played guitar mostly by ear, sometimes it was difficult for us to play in the same key. Music has always been a part of our family.

My piano playing has provided me with comfort as loved ones died. It is relaxing too to sit down and play favorite songs just for fun. It is refreshing to share the piano music with others who enjoy it. It stirs one’s soul playing for the church congregation as they harmonize and sing those older hymns. The highlight of playing the piano came when my granddaughters enjoyed singing along as I played their favorite songs.

Though learning how to play the piano isn’t for everyone, if there is an interest I hope you follow through. I also hope parents encourage their children to take music courses in school, and if they show an interest in learning to play the piano, get them started.