I don't know how Madame Russo can stand it! Every lesson she tries to stop her from pounding away. She tries to teach her correct hand and finger positioning, but nothing helps. "Chopsticks" becomes "Drumsticks." The child knows nothing but forte. Loud, loud, louder.
Truly I weep at the thought of her coming to class. On Wednesday afternoons at 2 pm, I want to slam the lid closed and become a clam, holding the lid down until Madame gives up. I suppose Madame likes the money her parents give her to "teach" her how to play, but my goodness, no amount of money will turn that girl into a pianist!
Is that the doorbell? What day is today? WEDNESDAY?!
Oh no! SHE'S COMING! Here it comes, the longest half an hour of my life. I consider breaking my strings, so I won't work, but that sounds a little drastic and painful. Maybe I should find something sticky to hold me down. That could stop her. Too late! She's sitting down on the bench.
I hear Madame talking, "Melanie, it is your birthday. Let's be gentle today, hmm? Since you are so grown up now."
"Gentle," I scoff to myself. "That will never happen."
"All right, Melanie," Madame murmurs, "Thumb on C, yes, yes. Remember your wrists should be firm, and let your fingers do the work. Gently though."
"Yes, Madame," she agrees, but I know what will happen next. Bang, POW, Pound, but...what's this?
"I've been practicing," Melanie says as she gently presses on me. "Mama said I was giving her a headache, and I might wake my baby sister, so I've been trying to play more softly"
"Yes, yes," Madame applauds as Melanie continues to tickle me and my brothers and sisters. All of us come out from hiding, and actually try to work with her to create the melody.
"Happy birthday to me," she sings along with us as we play the simple melody together.
Maybe she IS a prodigy after all!
No comments:
Post a Comment