Monday, March 19, 2007 - Blogger Friend School #21
Hands
This weeks assignment is meant to be on the lighter side and add some creative fun to your blogs! Our hands play a very important role in our lives and sometimes we take such things for granted. This week’s light part of the assignment is to take a picture of your hand and post it to your blog. (OR you can trace your hand if you do not have access to a camera.)
The deeper part of the assignment is just to think about the importance of each part of your body and how its perfect creation (even if God’s plan was to have some parts missing) has blessed you. I know that sometimes I don’t even realize the importance of each individual part until it’s injured or hurting, but amazingly I’ve been surprised to see other parts help with balancing out those hard times.
I had this idea for my hand picture. So me, my hands and son stopped over at Babymakers house for a photo session. There were several photos to chose from and the final choice was just to hard, so I will post two pictures of my hands.
It's actually kind of weird to see my hands playing because I really don't look at them a whole lot while I am playing. And if I do happen to look down I don't think I really see them. I love playing the piano. I wish I could play better. You know the ones that just sit down with a brand new piece of music and play it almost flawlessly. The same piece of music that would take me 6 months just get the first page.
But, I must admit. I cheat when I play the piano. When I was 18, I was asked by my future uncle-in-law if I would consider playing for his gospel group, Carpenter's Union. I hemmed and hawed about not really being very good and that I would try but it wouldn't hurt my feelings when they told me no thank you after playing.
That first night of practice was interesting to say the least. They never sang anything in the key it was written in. So my knowing how to read music was useless. In fact 95% of their music was words on a paper with the guitar chords above certain words. Yikes! What is this? So at 18, I taught myself how to play chords. I sort of knew them a little just from regular piano playing through the years.
Now, that skill I have learned has become invaluable to me. Those few years with the Carpenter's Union really stretched me musically and taught me how to "create" music.
My FIL stretched me even further in pushing me to figure out the chords in songs that didn't have the handy dandy chords already. I think he was just tired of me bringing him music to figure out.
So, I can't sit down and play a hymn from the hymnbook. People who think I can play are shocked and appalled when I actually do try and play what is written. But if there are chords, it is a whole other story.
Comments
Monday, March 19, 2007 - Chord notations are great!
Posted by kympossible
Nice pictures! I play piano the same way. I don't remember when exactly I learned to play from chordheads, but I've reached the point where I kind of prefer just a lead line and chords to the whole mess written out. Because I rarely play exactly what's written either. And all this despite the fact that I am (or used to be!) an extremely good sightreader! I guess God gives us the skills and gifts we need for the situations He calls us to serve in, doesn't He? 8~D
Blessings,
Kym
Monday, March 19, 2007 - Oh, oh, oh!
Posted by jenn4him
What great pictures! Awesome! I tried to play a long time ago. I just don't have the talent. But we still have a piano in case someone does! I am hopeful!
Jenn
Monday, March 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TwmCrm2001
I am one of the ones who can sit down and play almost anything right away. BUT- I cannot play by ear. I have to have music. And it really does handicap you. I wish I could do both! There are so many times that a vocalist can't sing the song in the key that it is written, and there is nothing I can do. I just have to shrug and say, "Sorry, I can't play by ear." I almost think it is better your way- learning to play by ear first, and then teaching yourself how to play by reading the music.
Monday, March 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by babymakers
You are wonderful at playing chords. You forgot to add that you also SING while playing. LOUDLY and BEAUTIFULLY! I think I need to learn chords.....someday. I have been saying that for about a year now. LOL
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Training Hearts
Great placement of your hands!!! I loved reading the background behind them on the piano.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - That is a great skill.
Posted by REInvestor
I took years of piano lessons but could only read music, not play anything by ear. But then in my 30's I became the pianist for our small church in Philadelphia for about 6 years. In that time I learned to read chords and play chords and although I am not great at it I can do it. It is a valuable skill. I no longer play very often but still I get a chance once in awhile.
Saturday, March 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by tripletsrajoy
Oh please please please do this for your family. Make a video of you playing the piano or at least a recording. It would be treasured for years! I finally got my Dad to play my favorite song and we at least got a recording. It makes me so happy when I hear it.
