When I was in fifth grade my mother got her piano.  While I don’t remember all of the details , I easily recall the general feeling of excitement that pervaded the family on the day of its arrival.  No, it was not a Steinway concert grand but it might as well been because it was priceless to us.

You see, my mother had studied piano for a brief period as a child.  And, unlike many children, she did not give it up because she was bored or couldn’t do the work.  On the contrary, she was terrific.  However, it was not feasible financially and so she did the best she could in a relatively short amount of time. 

Now, I know that the years dim and haze our memories but I do believe that my mother played that piano into the middle of the night.  What a thrill it was to hear her play and I could not wait to learn to play, too.  And so, I started piano study that very same year with a friend of my mothers and after a year went on to study with my teacher, Diane with whom I am still friends today.  We recently enjoyed a wonderful piano concert together and  I thought to myself how lucky I am to be a part of the large musical family of the world. 

I believe that musicians of all shapes and sizes, trained and untrained share a kinship.  Listening to music is one of the most significant part of peoples’ lives.  Have you ever heard anyone say they hate music?  And I am one of those who can create it.  Could there be anything finer? I thank my mother and father daily for giving me piano lessons.  How do I describe the feeling of placing my fingers on a keyboard?  How do I convey the excitement of writing a new piece or communing with Debussy on a quiet rainy afternoon?  It feels like you’ve just won the grand prize; as if you have just found a priceless gem under your pillow.

I don’t remember all of the childhood moments anymore and  never really did.  But, I do remember that special day when Mother’s piano arrived.  I understood its importance and my mother’s love for creating music. I couldn’t wait to be a part of  her special world-the world of musicians.

Do you like this article?  You may reprint on your ezine or website if you post the following:  author- Donna Linton, recording artist, pianist and composer.  www.donnalinton.com