This week I was terribly late submitting this column.
I had taken a few days off, jam packed them full with errands and household chores and flitted around with one idea after another for my writing, but never settled on one spot. Add on top of that my last-minute complete rapt attention on the PBS special, “Musical Minds,” and I was in a serious deadline crunch.
If you get a spare moment, check out the PBS Web site and the Musical Minds link.
The program centered on a group of individuals who had varying degrees of developmental
disabilities, or in one case was simply struck by lighting, and who all found their voice and their survival wrapped around their ability to make incredibly beautiful music.
My parents, God love them, did all they could to provide me with musical training.
I took 13 years of piano lessons, from age 6 to 19.
I’ve played in so many recitals I can’t remember them all. And still, if you would hear me play today, you would swear you were listening to a wind-up music box. My playing is very mechanical, very accurate, but devoid of audible coloring and emotion.
George Winston is my favorite pianist. I’ve attended his concerts, dutifully carrying in my cans of vegetables, for the prerequisite food drive preceding each concert.
I’ve sat in the audience with my eyes closed, delighting with each note and surprised with the variances he adds to the works I have memorized.
Another favorite is Andreas Vollenweider, an amazing harpist. Trust me on this one, when you’re about to lapse over into a good old period of road rage, just pop in a harp CD and you’re quickly on your way to a better mood. I successfully utilized this technique just yesterday, when stuck in incredibly slow traffic.
I’m enjoying the boys taking guitar lessons. Their instructor, Nathan Ward, is very smart about providing them with some good fundamental exercises, while at the same time being young enough to enjoy and appreciate the same music as the twins. My parents had to endure my daily piano practice, which I’m sure was brutal at time. Big Al and I actually are enjoying hearing the boys repeat their lessons. Thank goodness they have their father’s ear for music.
Also amusing is the guys’ developing taste in music. Get this. One of their current favorite CDs is the Momma and the Poppas Greatest Hits. I have heard “Monday Monday” and “California Dreaming” so many times I think I hear it in my sleep.
They keep pointing out the vocal harmonies to me and as much as I think it sounds good, I’m not always that quick to catch the many layers.
We’re lucky. We have good kids who can all carry a tune. Sister is a huge Beatles fan. The boys are learning to appreciate many different types of music. I’m enjoying our family soundtrack.
Lori Marble writes a weekly column for the Daily News.
