The most fascinating part of playing the piano is how the FINGERS, EYES, HEART and BRAIN work, though not always in harmonious unison. It is an amazing process, but one that also has its frustrations as well as its elations. I am continually intrigued, yet challenged, by the ongoing tug between brain and fingers. As I learn a new piece it seems like a huge hurdle for both – the eyes have to take in the new notes and the brain has to make the fingers hit the right keys, while the heart pounds away with anticipation and nervousness. Sometimes I will sense that my brain is trying to pull me back and protect me from going the wrong direction on the keyboard or playing the wrong notes and other times my heart sends my fingers tumbling across the keyboard on their own and my brain is in neutral knowing that I am perfectly okay. It is indeed an odd feeling to realize that my fingers have a sense of their own. When this happens, the elation sets in and a broad smile crosses my face and I wonder to myself “did I do that?”. Those are the moments that pianists live for – that sense of ease and complete comfort in a piece where everything falls into place.
Of course, getting to that point is a process in itself. Starting and stopping, seemingly a million times over and breaking down sections that seem utterly simple yet pose difficulties that our brain can’t process. Practicing the right hand separately from the left and then bringing the two together poses what I can only term as a schizophrenic puzzle for my poor brain. Each stands confidently on its own but when joined with the other, presents new emotional demands requiring time and patience … not something I’m long on. I so often feel a sense of urgency to make continued progress at a particular pace and will put undue pressure on myself. This only adds bad “fuel to the fire” and it’s at those moments that I have to get up, walk away and shake it off.
My teacher has been wonderfully patient and encouraging though, showing me little tricks to curb the frustration and enhance the technique. As they say, “two eyes are better than one”. So true! She always reminds me that it should be a pleasurable process – not one of berating myself and pounding the keys in exasperation. I have shed some tears though when faced with a particularly tricky passage and what seems like a mountain of notes to climb. But we both know that one day, it will just happen. As effortlessly as I had hoped, my brain will relax and it will fall into place. Once again, those are the glorious moments of acquiring the skill of a playing a musical instrument. The keyboard is, of course, a unique challenge because it requires two hands playing at the same time. No other instrument operates this way. A violin, and even a clarinet, has only one line of notes, i.e. no upper and lower hands like the piano. So, the ultimate mastery of playing this beautiful instrument is that much more enriching. And I was wondering how I would keep my brain cells active as I enter my later years – Hahhh!! I can cross that concern off my list☺
