Playing by heart

In the household of my childhood, piano lessons were a must! Music was more than entertainment or a pastime, and with an enormously gifted father the hope was his passion would carry on through one or more of his children. Although the pressure was overwhelming, the deep seeded love of music was given to all four of us.

I do not remember what the piano lessons were like for the oldest two, but for my sister, Sara, and me the experience was remarkably distinct. Sara paid close attention, practiced and learned to read music well. I, on the other hand, loved the instrument but could not (or would not) give the task the time and attention it deserved.  Longing to play, however, I often went to our piano when no one was around and pecked out the notes of familiar pieces. It was a slow, and sometimes frustrating, endeavor, but, in the end, I learned a few songs and was able to play without notes. In time, my sister was able to play pieces without notes as well. It’s called “playing by heart,” which is a phrase I love.

It has been years since I sat at a piano, but recently I tried and found my hands remembering the notes to a Bach piece I love, a Neil Young song of my youth, and the beginning of the Beatles’ Let It Be.

I write not to suggest my, or my sister’s, way of playing was superior, only that we sometimes find the music of faith in much the same way. There are those who sit and put in the time practicing and learning to read the “notes,” whether through Bible studies, church instruction, and authentic fellowship. There are also others who, like me, learn how to play without notes. Step by step, we peck out the melody of faith through a series of correct and incorrect notes. In time, we learn to play without the help of sharps, flats, quarter notes and treble clefs, but we do learn to play.

Like so many differences in life, we often look over at how the other person does something and wish we could do it that way as well. Sometimes our longing becomes judgment, of them or ourselves, but on a good day I hope we celebrate the gift of being able to play the song of faith in whatever way works for us.

The goal is to learn to play by heart. Who cares how we get there?