Shortly after we go to bed, I hear his soft breathing and hope that’s how he’ll slumber throughout the night. Keith falls asleep almost as soon as his head hits the pillow, while I’m still searching for a comfortable sleeping position. Alas, tonight soft breathing progresses to nasal whistling then loud guttural snores. Silence in between snores sometimes last long enough for me to wonder if he’s still alive.
A loud snort tells me he is—alive, that is—and I’m grateful for that. But I’m also wide awake and unhappy. How am I going to get some rest?
#
Before practice sessions, I cover the mouthpiece on my flute, compress the keys, and blow straight into the flute to warm the entire instrument. After adjusting both the head and foot joints, I play the chromatic scale from the C above middle C down an octave then up two octaves plus until warmed up. I open a book of Eighteen Studies for the Flute, written by C.J. Andersen and edited by French flutist Georges Barrère.
Etudes mastered in high school and college.
Practicing and performing.
Then years of silence.
Today, I play the first etude, Moderato in the key of C major, the second, Animato in C major’s relative minor A, the third, Andantino in the key of G major, and the fourth, Allegro animato in G major’s relative minor E. My breath control is poor—I often run out of air before completing a phrase and gasp in awkward places. When my embouchure fails in the high octave, instead of sweet sounds, squeaks and squawks escape my flute. Nothing sounds when my embouchure fails to support the low notes.
I play the etudes slowly then gradually increase the tempo. Difficult phrases are isolated and repeated many times. Making the same mistakes over and over, I grunt then circle the trouble notes with a pencil.
At the end of my practice session, I look up at Keith, reading or writing in the loft above. I tell him I’m sorry he has to listen to my gasps, squawks, and grunts. He says he’s happy to hear me play, because he knows how much fun I’m having.
And he’s correct. I am having fun.
Good fun, recapturing what I loved and still love to do.
#
In bed at night, I place my hand on Keith’s arm. He rolls over and breathes softly.
Perhaps he’ll start snoring again. But his snores indicate he’s having a good sleep.
And that makes me happy—and restful.
Good for you picking it back up again! Keep playing! Beautiful post.
Thank you so much! A marriage lesson mirrored. Still practicing both gratitude and music.
I have so enjoyed catching up on your posts! What a wonderful perspective you continue to bring to me. Thank you, S
Thank you for your kind words, your friendship, and the Noontimes. -C.D.
This is nice
Thanks for reading! -C.D.
Well done. I’m relating to my piano and I. Someday I may play again. satisfying the rhythms of an off kilter life can be tricky.
Thank you for your comment. Some things we keep and others we leave. My piano got left behind. May you find satisfaction with yours. -C.D.