
You are Schroeder!
That's funny. I grew up playing piano. Lots, and lots of piano. If you ever asked me when I was a child, which Peanuts character I would identify with, it was Schroeder.

No, really. Lots of piano. Here's a picture from the elementary school production of either Peter Pan, Annie or Wizard of Oz. That's Mr. Guthrie in the background. He was an awesome and amazing teacher at Camarillo Heights Elementary School. He played his guitar and sang in class, and he had a parrot named Roots. I never had him as a teacher, but he directed all of the school plays. He had a beautiful voice, and was such a great teacher. I never acted in those elementary school plays (that came later in high school). I was the pianist. I know all of the words to every song. But I never sang them.
Damn, I wish I could sing. I've thought about taking singing lessons. But I could play them on the piano as an accompanist. I could play them in the third grade. And not the simplified versions.
(Note the shag carpet in the background. This same piano is currently in my living room.)Piano was "my thing" growing up. It defined me. Music was an integral part of me and my self identification.
I competed. I won competitions. Or at least placed in the Bach competitions (my least favorite). I hated technique. I didn't practice. I practiced like a fiend. But I won and kept playing in lots of contests.
"It" came naturally. Not by ear. From somewhere else. I could read anything. (I **almost** still can.) It was concentrated time with myself. With my inner self. It gave me something. Some sort of peace. Something personal. Something I was creating and feeling and in tune with, just me and the music. It was my art.
I could feel it.
Chopin? It moves me beyond words to this day.
My job in high school? I taught piano, and accompanied for a church. Yes, church, people. Covenant Evangelical. And I was baptised in that church at age 18. But that's another story....
I don't play much these days......I ventured beyond my comfort zone last month and played keyboard in a "jam session" with musicians who play by ear. It was really, really hard. And painful. Fortunately I had had a few drinks and they were all good people, and just went with it. I'm not sure where music is in my future. But I know it's a strong, emotive element for me, and I love me some iTunes. (Currently it's
Ry Cooder, and
Tegan and Sara.)
Thanks to
Blu for the heads up on that fine quiz that sparked my trip down memory lane.