So my piano-playing buddy Darin recently was lamenting the fact that there aren’t more men who play piano. In fact, he says, in all his blog travels he has never found another male pianist!
Darin, I’m happy to tell you that your search is over!
He further questions, “Is a guy pianist a wimp?” Of course not, I say. Maybe a little misguided, but that can be remedied with the revelation of vocal light!
It is no secret that I’m an a cappella freak. I love a cappella music of all kinds. In general, I find instrumentation of nearly every sort quite boring.
There are exceptions of course, and the occasional instrument does have it’s very limited place. For instance, I believe every child should have to take piano lessons. The piano can be a wonderful tool for learning music theory (so that theory can then be applied to the voice of course).
It might surprise you to know that I took piano lessons for several years as a small child. I was too lazy and short-sighted to last though, which I now regret. Further keyboard skills today would greatly enhance my current vocal producing and administration work. But alas, it isn’t so.
I do, however, retain even now quite a bit of the keyboardist talent I once nurtured and cultivated! And for your edification, tonight I blew the dust off the old ivories, sat down and hammered out an instrumental masterpiece!
Allow me to apologize in advance for the quality of my instrument, however. The only thing I have to work with is a rather old electronic keyboard, so my normally larger-than-life dynamics are cut off at the knee. The louds, the softs, the arpeggios, the delicate and intricate passages, the exquisite pedal work, unfortunately all will have to be saved for another time.
But rest assured the raw talent still shines through! Maybe God didn’t want me to continue on the keyboard path because He knew I couldn’t handle the fame, stardom, and riches that I would have had with a concert pianist career.
ITF at the Piano — Make Up Your Mind
14 Responses
December 17th, 2005 at 2:38 am
Tom, I am so impressed. As one of your former piano teachers, I sadly misjudged your talent when your stiff fingers fumbled on the keys so many years ago. Eric, Molly and I just enjoyed listening to your masterpiece and I think you got it right. If you were just a little more humble, you would certainly be on stage in your tails in glamourous concert halls around the world every night.
December 17th, 2005 at 11:00 am
Is it major? Is it minor? Beautiful playing, Tom. I recognized the song from my days of piano lessons, tambien.
December 17th, 2005 at 12:18 pm
Sounds great… I hadn’t realized that you played piano You’re very good at it.
Carrie A.
December 17th, 2005 at 8:50 pm
I think you are a better player than you give yourself credit for. At least better than I am, even if I was reminded of Charlie Brown/Peanuts T.V. specials. Do you remember our “recital” that we did back in the “lesson” days? That was before Craig was born and ruined our chances as any more piano lessons! :J)
December 18th, 2005 at 7:55 pm
..”Make up your mind, it’s a minor, major is fine. It’s okay to play, in a major key, or a minor key. Make up your mind….” These are the true lyrics of your masterpiece, mind you. I recall them (fondly?) from my many years of piano lessons that I so dutifully, joyfully, and engagingly experienced. I’m certain LeeAnn would agree as well… Play on! :-)
Melissa
December 18th, 2005 at 10:17 pm
My my, Tom, words fail me….
December 19th, 2005 at 12:13 am
Ahhhhh….Tom, he’s making fun……
Ag
December 19th, 2005 at 10:14 am
Tom, any chance that I ever had of becoming “the man” just got flushed down the crapper. Nothing I have will compare to that. You’re the fashizzle. (Excuse me while I go drown my sorry self in a gallon of milk and almost-penut-buttery-kiss-cookies.
December 19th, 2005 at 12:51 pm
Ahhhhhh Tom, he’s gonna make someone yell. (I’m not laughing……snicker).
You are hilarious, Mr. Royalmanperson.
Ag
December 19th, 2005 at 3:33 pm
I never realized how gifted you actually were. And to think you hide all this instrumental musicianship behind the talents of acapella singing.
-Kaitlyn
December 19th, 2005 at 7:36 pm
WHAT is a “fashizzle?” Can I be one, too? I want to be like Tom….
December 21st, 2005 at 11:23 pm
My son, be content to be yourself! Let Tom be Tom, he is sooooo good at it. {:^)
August 21st, 2009 at 2:18 am
I’m looking for some suggestions for the best way to learn to play the piano. I’m a total noob and don’t even know where to start. Should I get a tutor or just start practicing?
August 21st, 2009 at 6:53 am
Well, you’re in luck. I’ve been thinking of starting to give piano lessons myself! That would probably be the best way for you to learn.