Blue

You can listen to the whole thing, but skip to about nine minutes and twenty-five seconds...

One of the most ethereal and painfully beautiful piece of music in the whole world.

Something about it has followed me my whole life. I started out over 25 years ago plunking it out on the piano, according to Mom. Not the fancy parts, just the main theme from Rhapsody in Blue. 

I have always loved it. When I finally heard the complete score I was blown away. I decided that I needed to go and buy the piece.

So I did. 

That must have been 12 years ago.

It's been collecting dust since.

Playing this piece is daunting.

But, just after I bought it I carried it around in my backpack at school and one of my friends noticed it when I opened up the backpack for a class we both had.

"Hey, I know how to play that!"

I was immediately in love with this man, and completely jealous.

"Really?" I exclaimed. My future was with this man, I could feel it. We would have piano genius babies.

"Yeah..." he continued. "I hate it. It's just a bunch of noise. I learned it because my grandma likes it."

I immediately hated this man, and was completely disgusted with sickened jealousy.

How could he stand there in all his piano-y amazingness and tell me that?

How could this person exist at all, being able to play this coveted piece and not be completely full of happiness and joy and love for Gershwin's magnum opus???

My imaginary family with this man obviously didn't pan out.

It's probably good, though, since I would probably not get along with someone who played the piano. I don't like sharing instruments.

Anyway, I pulled it out again yesterday. I think that's going to be my new project. Along with all those Chopin pieces I so love.

My theory is, if you can play Gershwin or Chopin with any degree of competency, you are doing pretty well.

So, go and tickle the ivory, or whatever instrument you play. Play for the joy of playing! And for heaven's sake, don't play something you hate. It hurts my feelings.