Saturday, April 14, 2012

MUSIC (A-Z April Blog Challenge)

Love seeing mom with both her instruments!
Coming home from elementary school, the sounds of her accordion would reach me at the end of the driveway.  I knew when I got inside, I would find mom sitting on the edge of the kitchen table, foot propped on one of the chairs, her dust rag forgotten on the kitchen counter.  The full accordion would be strapped to her thin frame and her body would sway with the movement of her arms as she pulled the bellows back and forth, moving air through the chambers to produce this beautiful sound as her fingertips worked the keys and buttons, sight unseen by feel and memory.  I’ll never understand how she looked so graceful while she played. 

She took accordion lessons as a child, learning the intricate classics before anything else.  She never learned to read music very well and instead learned and played every piece by ear; she was flawless, never missing a note or chord.  No matter the song, once she heard it, she could play it on the accordion.  She would blend one song into the next, humming along with each one, a smile, always, on her face.  Music was the center of her and she could never resist that call to stop what she was doing to play a little. 

Looking back, I feel fortunate that it never became common place to listen to her.  It always felt like a privilege.  Sometimes I wouldn’t go inside, but sit outside on the steps to listen.  She never minded you coming upon her playing, but there was an intimate quality to when you listened and knew she was just playing for herself.  A shared moment of her self fulfillment.   

Those hands played magic!
Besides the accordion, she also played the organ.  Her mom played piano in a group that performed at local neighborhood pubs, so my mom grew up with piano music in the house.  One day my dad and her were shopping and walked past the Yamaha Organ store.  She fell in love and even though they didn’t have two extra dimes to rub together, somehow he found a way to get her that organ. 

She took a few lessons, but again reverted to playing by ear and it was magical.  She didn’t play the classics, instead playing the pieces that her mom had played and popular music from her time.  Mostly music from the 40 and 50’s – romantic pieces. 

By far my favorite time to listen was in the evening, after I’d gone upstairs to bed.  I’d lie in bed and listen to her adjust the volume and then the music would start.  I’d picture her, fingers softly flowing over the upper and lower rows of black and white keys as her upper body swayed back and forth on the bench.  Her left foot would glide across the pedals at the floor, her right foot controlling the volume pedal.  To this day I marvel that her arms legs all worked in unison, each one having its own role to play in the music, conducted by her to perfection.  What I wouldn’t give some days to drift into sleep listening to her play Edelweiss or Stardust.

She loved sharing her music...
Shortly after my parents moved back to Grand Island in 1999, I asked my mom if she’d let me videotape her playing.  I went down to their house, set up the camcorder on a tripod and sat for a few hours. I worked my way through a couple pots of tea and she played the accordion and organ.  We talked and joked throughout and it was a lovely afternoon that captured the joyful essence she found in her music.

She passed away in 2009 and not often, but enough, I put the tape in and relive the afternoon with her as I putter around the house.  And still, after three years of her being gone, when I hear her call out myname, I head back into the room to see what she has to say.

22 comments:

  1. These images are wonderful!! The joy is so visible, and how lucky you are to come from a musical household!!

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  2. Beautiful post. It's such a blessing that you have some of her music recorded.

    She sounds like she was a gifted musician. :-)

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  3. Thank you Amy and Misha. I was fortuante indeed!

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  4. What nice memories these are for you to have, Amy. Did I ever tell you I took accordion lessons as a child? Later on I tried the clarinet. I never kept up with either one because I hated to practice. Maybe I just didn't have the talent or drive. I know that my father once played the violin when he was a young man. One of his stories was how, when he went away to the war, he left his violin in the basement at his parents' house. There was a flood, and his violin was ruined. He never got another one after that; I'm not sure why. I wish he had; I would have liked to have the memory of him playing. It was smart of you to have the foresight to tape your mother while she played. I'm sure you're so glad to have that now. Wonderfully written, as always!

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    1. Thanks Elaine - and no, never knew that about you and the accordion. I'm sorry you didn't get to hear your dad play too. My dad played the saxophone, but I never heard him play one either.

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  5. Amy, this is such a beautiful memory of your mother. I can just imagine how wonderful it must have been to grow up with a musical talent like that. That's a legacy you will never forget. Also, I want to thank you for your kind words left on my blog. I got the email showing me the comment you left but for some reason when I go to the blog it doesn't show up. I don't understand why but I wanted you to know how much I appreciated you sharing with me. Thank you.

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    1. You're very welcome Kat. I'm glad you got the message though! And thanks for the kind words about mine.

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  6. I love this tribute and memory. The blessings of music and the fact that you recorded it just make my own heart smile. That is a gift no one else in the world could ever give you.

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  7. What wonderful memories (and photos) of your mother. She was certainly blessed with a very special gift.

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  8. What an absolutely wonderful post--and lovely memories of your mother. I love how you always had that appreciation of listening to her and it never became common place. That says so much!! LOVED reading this!!

    Cheers, Jenn
    http://www.wine-n-chat.com

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    1. Thanks Jenn. I likd that aspect of it too. I'm sure my brohters, sisters and dad felt teh same way.

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  9. This is such a wonderful post. I have never known someone who could play the accordion! My mom was musical and could play the piano and organ. She rarely played. After a while I decided to teach myself to play. Great memories!

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com/

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    1. How fabulous you taught yourself! Now your mom's music legacy lives on through you.

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  10. Amazing. Accordian music, for all that some mock it, can be astounding beautiful, and the joy in her face is very moving to see. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. I remember the first time I heard a spoof/joke about accordion players, I was truly stumped. :)

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  11. This is a beautiful tribute to your mother. She looked so happy playing her accordion and I'm sure it gave her great joy that you appreciated it. : )

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  12. What wonderful memories you have. I really like what you said about listening when she was playing only for herself. My daughter loves to play guitar and sing and I especially love listening when she is only playing for herself!

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    1. My oldest brother played the guitar - what a beautiful instrument.

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  13. Such a poignant piece, when I had a piano I played for myself, could get lost, just like your mother. How fortunate you taped her, she is never far away.
    XO
    WWW
    Here from A-Z

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and your kind comments!

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