A project

Two summers ago I’d assigned myself the project of learning to play Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” on the piano and, as many of my self-assigned self-improvement projects do, it fell by the wayside.

Today I was listening to Janelle Monáe, who samples it in my favorite song of hers.  I dug out the old dusty sheet music and the old dusty keyboard and spent a good two hours struggling to play the first two pages of it.

The fruits of my labor:

A pretty pathetic attempt with a suspect tempo.  But it’s fun to have a project.

11 Responses to A project

  1. How wonderful to read and listen to this entry! You really do very well, Isaac. It takes time. You have a good feel for this piece. I never learned Claire de Lune, because it was too hard technically and not my style of playing. It fits you. Go for it. So glad you are using the keyboard. Music feeds our spirits. I am sure it will help your creative writing. Love, Dad

  2. Anonymous Lover of Blogs

    I love this.
    so much.

  3. This is awesome! I loved it SO MUCH even before you mocked yourself at the end. It was beautiful.

  4. I think you did really good! Keep at it! I love your blog by the way….it brightens up a dull day here in Dublin to hear of your adventures!

  5. Good start, Isaac! Keep practicing, work on the chords slowly, don’t be discouraged. This is a difficult piece. You can play it for me in October.

  6. caustically aggressive

    i think you should start vlogging more

  7. Isaac, this is lovely! I can’t wait to hear the finished product!

  8. Amazing, you should be proud!
    My coworkers came over to listen too :)

  9. I loved it. I think you have a real feel for the tone of the piece. And like Howard from Dublin, I love reading your blog every day. Your writing style is fresh and sense of humour brilliant.
    Keep up both the writing and the playing.
    Alan
    Sydney Australia

  10. I was feeling that, Isaac. That was lovely… made my day.

    Hey! Another reader from Syd city…

  11. YEY, Isaac!!

    How great!!

    You’ve inspired me to sit back down at the keys. That was so beautiful, really.

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