Welcome back to Bloganuary, the daily encouragement from WordPress for bloggers to post something each day. If you want to participate in Bloganuary, just click here! Today’s prompt asks the question: What is something you wish you knew how to do?
There are several things I wish I knew how to do. I wish I how to become an expert at sleight of hand. I wish I knew how to juggle. I wish I knew how not to cry at the end of My Girl.
Mostly, I wish I knew how to play the piano. But I don’t just mean the ability to read music and play at the same time. I’d like to able to play by ear. I’d like to be able to hear a song on the radio then sit down at a keyboard and play that song.
I bought a used keyboard at the start of the pandemic, thinking I would use my time in lockdown to learn how to play. I didn’t.
And I know that the ability to play by ear is more of an innate talent than it is something you learn. I mean, I’m sure there are those out there who are talented enough to learn how to play by ear, but I don’t think it’s something I’d be able to do. Even with the 10,000 hours of practice they say it takes to become an expert at anything.
I taught myself how to juggle over spring break one year in high school. Practice with 2… items in one hand alternating catching and throwing then add in your other hand and another… item. If balls are too difficult, try lightweight scarves to get the motions down, then transition.
I was in high school band with a guy who could play the piano from just listening to a melody and it was amazing to witness. Last I heard he was working at a McDonalds… such a waste.
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The organist at the church I went to as a kid could play anything after hearing it only once. Not only that, he could change the key without having to even think about it. Dude was seriously talented.
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