Music is a wonderful thing.
It seems like I’ve played an instrument of one sort or another all my life, mostly the piano and brass instruments like the trumpet and baritone. But as I got older and started living in apartments, I realized 1) The piano is not very portable and 2) Neighbors hate the trumpet.
So I bought an acoustic guitar. It’s relatively quiet and very portable. In fact, when I moved to Idaho I just handed the post office clerk my guitar case, she stamped it and away it went.
I write all this to say that lately I’ve been more diligent about practicing my guitar, and diligent practice inevitably involves a metronome. What is a metronome? No, it’s not a gnome who lives in the city. It’s a device, mechanical or electronic, that precisely marks the beats per measure.
When I fired up a metronome this week for the first time in 20 years, its rhythmic ticktock took me back in memory to my old piano teacher, Mrs. Burris, and her stick.
Yes, she carried a stick. She’d tap the back of your hands if she didn’t like their position, she’d turn pages with it, she’d keep time with it. She liked that stick.
Mrs. Burris retired before Angie’s List made it to my hometown of Oklahoma City, but I’d like to think she would have earned an A, stick and all.
I’m sorry, Matthew, but I don’t think Mrs. Burris would receive an A.
Since Mrs. Burris’ time, people have developed a new science, called “psychology.” Well, these psychologists have determined that corporal punishment is actually counterproductive and barbaric. I know, who would’ve ever guessed that hitting could teach bad behavior?
i don’t know if mrs. burris sounds quirky or just scary. i’m leaning toward scary.
and i’ll expect a recital next time i see you.