By now, most of you know that I’m involved in this 30-day blogging challenge, sponsored by my good friend and teacher, Connie Ragen Green, from Santa Clarita, CA. Being a lover of words and writing in general, the challenge isn’t about the writing, but about the discipline of actually doing it everyday. When we started 9 days ago, I was scrambling to make sure I “did my work” and I had to make myself remember, because I’ve learned if you get behind, you’re toast; it’s dawg-gone hard to catch up.
But something interesting has happened on this 9th day. I found myself at my computer, sitting down to write, sort of automatically. For the past several days, I haven’t been fearful of forgetting to write my blog. It’s become something I just DO…like brushing my teeth.
In this challenge, I’ve met some wonderful new online friends (you know who you are!), and I’ve enjoyed a closer relationship with some folks I met at conferences earlier this year in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. I wish you would all come to Myrtle Beach (while there’s no humidity) and we could have a big picnic and hang out late into the day and build a fire on the beach and keep on talking… Ah…maybe one day!
But on to the part about the keyboard lesson. I was reading a blog post by Geoff Hoff, who is a professional writer. (Tips On Writing) and he was writing about “Finger Exercises” of a writer, comparing daily exercises of a writer to those of a piano student. I was a piano teacher for years, and now my daughter, Melissa, is a full time musician and teacher. We’ve often talked about how I can sit down and play a Bach 2-part Invention after not having seen the music for years, and I haven’t even sat at the piano for over a year. (It’s sad, but true) It’s called muscle memory and I find it a fascinating part of the human brain function. Somehow, because I’ve practiced something many years ago, my brain tells my fingers where to go.
This should be encouraging to us in whatever we are currently “practicing.” First, it should motivate us to keep at it — one day it will become second nature. And it should also tell us that even when we lay something down because of circumstances or necessity, or maybe just lack of desire, we can pick it up again and we can draw on that “muscle memory.”
I think I might go play the piano now…
I love this post! I am a piano player also (who hasn’t played on a regular basis in some time) and I think everything we needed to know about life, we learned while learning how to play. Every time I want to master something, I just remember how I mastered the piano. It works. Every single time! You have made me want to go tickle the ivories. . . .
Martha, That’s awesome! I’m glad it meant something to you. I bet there are other latent musicians out there…maybe we’ll have a “Bloggers Concert” one day. Have a wonderful week.
I envy your ability to play the piano…and make such great points in so few words. Keep up the practice and you’ll get even better.
I’ve always wanted to learn to play the piano. Maybe after I retire from the Air Force, I’ll take it up and see if this old dog can learn a new trick!
Todd, I bet that old dog will get frisky and young again when home on US soil surrounded by those who love him!
I didn’t know which branch of the military you were in. I have a nephew in the Air Force (career) and he’s being shipped to Greenland for a year. He has 3 kids under 12 and they’re having a bit of struggle adjusting. He leaves in June.
Thanks for the comment. I hope you get notified of my reply. I received your notification earlier. Looks like our plugin is working.
Jeanne –
I have always wanted to learn the piano. I guess not enough to actually do it. I’ve even bought some of those books that teach you to do it. Of course, they work better if you have a keyboard. As for now, the keyboard I tickle is attached to my computer, and there are letters on all the keys!
Thanks for the plug, by the way! I created the “finger exercises” for my acting students way back when and realized it would work for writers and almost any artist because it’s about being more in tune with the tools of the artist, which are the five senses.
Geoff
Hi Jeanne,
I relate to what you’re saying here. The daily blog posting is becoming more “natural” to me, too. And, I played guitar for years and let it slip by the wayside as my life seemed too busy to keep at it. However, I have picked it up from time to time and am often amazed that I can still do it, though my fingertips get sore very quickly… I don’t have callouses anymore. I also play a little piano, self-taught, but that gets played even less.
Your writing is so enjoyable! Love your stories and how you always put them together with such excellent points.
Best Wishes!
P.S. Which “notified of replies” plugin are you using? I can’t seem to find one that is updated for the current version of WordPress and I’d love it if people that leave comments could be notified on further comments if they want to.
Deb, Thanks so much for your encouragement; I’m so glad you’re enjoying my daily stories.
The plugin is “Comment Reply Notification” Version 1.3 by denishua. Let me know if you are notified of this reply.
Jeanne
PS…I retweeted your great blog on using video.
FYI, I didn’t get a notice via email that you replied. I saw your comment on my blog. Hmmm… I’ll give it a try on mine and let you know.
Thanks for the RT!
[...] Lesson From the Keyboard (think music!) [...]