Thursday
Nov112010
Music and Words
November 11, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: guest blogger 
I've been playing piano since I was 2 years old. My earliest memory is reaching up as high as I could and playing songs I’d heard, though I couldn't see the keyboard on the family piano. My parents labeled me a prodigy, leaving me a title I could never live up to. My favorite childhood hiding place was underneath this instrument, this massive piece of wood and strings that somehow always felt like a very safe cave. I never looked at the piano like furniture or decoration; it held secrets and adventures.
I'd spend hours listening to my mother's recordings of Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis and the Lennon Sisters, reading album covers thoroughly and staring at the pictures of the artists. I wondered how they ever wound up creating the wonderful music they did.
I've written in journals since I was 8 years old. When I couldn't find words to communicate, I could write a poem or a song that would 'magically’ encapsulate everything in my soul I couldn't say.
I studied piano in an ivy-covered school and studied violin, pushing the patience of a gentleman from the Cleveland orchestra. I wasn't a very good student in my younger years ~ it was always a challenge to correlate daily discipline with accomplishment!
Yet, music and words were interwoven in every chapter of my life. I never understood what to do with the gifts I had, but I continued to be pursued by the muse.
In my teen years, I discovered streams of consciousness. All it took was a pen & paper or later, a computer, to discover that “the journey of a thousand miles” really did begin with one step.
One doesn't even need to know where they’re going… just take the step and start writing! All kinds of unexpected thoughts, reflections, observations and conclusions would jell.
In my 20s, Bonnie, a dear friend who passed on recently, gave me my first guitar. I played my first song and life changed forever.
I began to perform and share innermost adventures. Initially, I tried to run from the music – never from the words. Over time I've seen it does no good to run anyway… your self, with baggage in hand, always turns up!
Through 26 years of marriage, two children, several careers, numerous apartments, homes, and countless dramas, music and words have been the constant companions I've grown to appreciate and adore.
This Christmas Eve, I'll turn 55 years old, much to my amazement! Lots of water under that bridge! I now write everyday and am truly blessed to be a music educator, performer and songwriter.
I teach voice and piano and sometimes a little guitar. Often I meet students, particularly children, who haven't yet constructed their defensive walls of logic. They already can make up melodies and just need a way to remember or record them. Sometimes people are looking for a way to share or perform, or just to sing in church without embarrassment.
Together, we battle the dragons of old memories and self-doubt.
Some people are simply longing for a way to speak the language of music as fluently as possible, so they can translate and communicate their experiences, dreams, emotions, wishes, failures and successes - every color of their mind, heart and spirit.
At this point in my life, to be of service, sharing all that I have and all that I am, is a privilege unparalleled by any other.
Many friends have passed on.
Yet I have this chance to age gracefully, ever richer with gratitude… accompanied by music and words.
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Special guest post today by Melissa Gordon Rhine who can be found over at 'New Territory'. Thank you for joining us here today, Melissa, and for your wonderfully inspiring story.
Reader Comments (20)
Beautiful and inspiring tale from the baby sister I never had the chance to really know.
Better late than never; after all, the story only gets better.
The angle makes this photo, the creativity of the composition is also very nice
My immediate thought in connecting your image and post, Melissa, is "what a haven!" I'm guessing my mother (may she rest in peace) could have written this story because it sounds familiar. The giftedness. I can imagine it for you. "To whom much has been given much is required." My guess is it is a bittersweet journey...a double-edged sword. But it sounds like you have used it all for good...with a smile on your face! Thanks for joining us today at V&V. It's a real pleasure to meet you.
Melissa, what a beautiful story! You have a lovely way with words and I really enjoyed reading about your experiences. You managed to verbalize many things I thought and felt. Lucky for our friendship, look forward to hearing more! P.S. You should blog more often! ;-)
your musical journey with words strung along is so inspiring .. I cannot even imagine my life without music in all forms..thank you for sharing here
Melissa, When we first met nearly 30 years ago,I remember thinking, "Who is this bohemian woman?". You were an enigma to this sheltered southern gal, but I grew to love you and appreciate your unique approach to life. Of all the people I've encountered over my lifetime, I've never met anyone who is as true to themselves as you are. It is indeed a priviledge to call you friend and, even though our paths in life have ebbed and flowed, you have always been on the horizon and we have kept coming back to reconnect, picking up right where we left off. Who knew when we met that long ago day that we would find ourselves still connected, though not necessarily in a way one would imagine. I really enjoyed learning yet another facet of your personality as revealed in this blog. And, I agree with Jeni, you should blog more often! Love ya friend!
This is beautiful. I love how you've found a way to artfully knit the parts and pieces and passions together in your life. The journey of one thousand miles really does begin with just one step!!!
And - the 'portrait' of you happily hiding under the piano is so playful and childlike. Even at 'our age' - it's nice to know we still have that.
Thank-you so much for joining us today!!!!
Your words reminded me of how I describe my musical journey. I have for as long as I can remember loved music and wanted to be able to make music, but never seemed to find an instrument that suited me. Then about 25 years ago I got my first Native American style flute, and the journey began. First it was me and the flute and occasionally music. Then it turned into me and the flute and music. After a while there was me and the music. After several years the final step of the magic spell fell into place and when I picked up the flute and began to play there was just the music.
Thanks for sharing your story, you are more than gifted, you are a gift.
this is truly inspiring however i have to confess that i was the non-prodigy child who would pretend to have forgotten to go to my piano lesson. I have no sense of rhythm whatsoever yet i can sit and listen to music for hours!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy life to sit and write this blog. As usual, you inspire me with your candor and honesty. Your willingness to share your life with others has helped me on many occations, and I'll be forever grateful. It is an honor to call you my friend and co-worker. When I grow up, I want to be just like YOU!
what a lovely guest blog! beautiful photo and what a life's path filled with pianos and lessons and wanderings and wondering all the way to the present with gratitude.
lovely.
What a beautiful happy picture and a wonderful story to go with it. Thanks for sharing that with us, Melissa
I think the things that we keep coming back to in our lives are the things that define us. And it is so perfect when we recognize and revel in those things. Great post, and a great smile!
Your story just proves that we cannot deny who we are, nor can we run from it - it follows us wherever we go, so we might as well embrace it. Well done! Thank you for joining us here today at V&V. :)
Melissa, thank you for sharing this journey with us. I loved reading it, how you found your way through music and word. Beautiful. Music is such a gift, I don't really know what life would look like without it.
hello melissa, i loved this post because you play the piano!!! I have just started again...after 24 years of not playing, had played quite seriously up until then. it's such a joy to have it back in my life - i recently acquired an old danish upright which is in surprisingly good condition (considering we're out here in tanzania!!)
i love the words you wrote "Some people are simply longing for a way to speak the language of music as fluently as possible, so they can translate and communicate their experiences, dreams, emotions, wishes, failures and successes – every color of their mind, heart and spirit."
I'm truly touched by the comments. It makes me so happy to feel my experiences might inspire even one person, to seek the spirit of their art (and their heart:-). Bless you on your journey- it's a privilege to meet here!
I'm a bit late in this conversation but you have written such a heartfelt story about embracing what's close to ones heart. Music, art and what ever it can be. It sure makes life more "happy" Thanks for being a part of V&V.
So very true. One of my biggest wishes was that my children learn a musical instrument. I had to give up that dream but hey, they're kids! Welcome to Vision and Verb!
As a retired music educator and professional musician myself, I totally can relate to this post.
Thank you for joining us at Vision and Verb. It is always a pleasure to "meet" new friends and learn of their experiences.