EFGGE. To most people, this is a random string of letters. But when I press these keys on the piano, it becomes a story. I enter another dimension when I play the piano: Each note comes together to create infinitely complex and intricate songs, captivating my every thought. I close my eyes and reminisce about my 18-year relationship with piano — a dramatic story filled with passionate love and frustrating failures. Now, its 88 keys have become an extension of my own voice. And this voice I’m eager to share. From a spotlit stage on a Steinway concert grand piano to the cozy living room corner on a miniature keyboard, there is one piece, in particular, that I always play: Ballade Op. 118 No. 3 by Brahms.
I lean forward for my fingers to erupt a storm of notes, and from the corner of my eye, I notice the audience tense. When I started learning this piece, its unconventional chord progressions and modulations made my hand give out within minutes of practicing, yet I pushed through the pain even when my entire back ached. The chromatic nuances mirrored the tears I shed to learn this musical tapestry.
Gradually, the emotional torridity transforms into a tender and lyrical passage, and I take a breath with the audience as we all close our eyes to the soothing melody. I once dreaded memorizing this song note by note, but it has now become embedded in the muscles of my hands, and my fingers glide to every chord with ease.
Finally, the evocative pitches and turmoil return, yet this time, I sit up straight with confidence. The audience witnesses my triumph over this challenging adventure. This musical composition of conquest is now one of many that are a part of my story.
It doesn’t matter where an person in the audience is or what they are going through — piano allows me to bring them into my world, unhindered by their circumstances. I am fascinated by how music and art can tap into the depths of our emotions and weave a common language that speaks to the same hearts of such different people. While we may not all recognize the string of letters on a page, the moment we close our eyes and listen, we step into the same world — one where melody transcends barriers and our differences dissolve into harmony.
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