Eine Kleine Dinner Music

I love playing music. I absolutely love it. Recently I was reminded just how much I enjoy running my fingers up and down the silver flute keys, hammering melodies on the dulcimer, and tracing chords along the frets of the guitar. On Friday night, I played dinner music for our church's Valentine Banquet. Many families were in attendance, so I was a little nervous. Our family arrived fairly early, and I set up my music stand, hammered dulcimer, chair, etc. Fortunately, I was strategically positioned so I was in direct eye contact with Mom...she acted as my volume control for the evening! It was pretty evident what the cupped hand behind her ear meant.

I started by playing guitar while guests trickled in and took their seats. Nervousness kicked in and caused my fingers to be cold and shaky--not a good thing when playing the guitar! The funny thing was, NO ONE NOTICED MY MISTAKES! Unlike a normal "stage" performance, dinner music has a very forgiving quality to it. Since dinner music is meant to blend into the background, the music was not set in the spotlight with all my mistakes glaring in the open. It was very different than other performances I've done, where a missed note meant disaster.

However, my dulcimer repertoire is limited to a few tunes, and I played through them fairly quickly. But since no one was closely paying attention, I was free to start at the beginning. In fact, I played some of the same songs over and over and over and over again! But my family affirmed it all melded into a gentle, relaxing flow of music. I was a tad self-conscious when I brought out my flute. Compared to dulcimer and guitar, it seemed too loud and shrill, but I gradually became comfortable with it throughout the evening. Once a guest came up to me and said, "We've been enjoying your playing; you're so talented! Do you know 'Shenandoah?'" Fortunately, I did know it--it would have been rather embarrassing to live in the Shenandoah Valley and not be able to play "Shenandoah!" So I obliged him. 

Even through all the mistakes and glitches that were VERY apparent to me, I had an extremely enjoyable time and felt that God used my skill to provide a sweet sound for the guests. The only bad thing was I got a plate of cold mashed potatoes and cold roast beef and cold bread afterward.  *sigh* What we poor musicians have to endure! :)

One last note: Hannah encouraged me to put a recording of my playing on our blog so when people enter the site, it will start playing. Hmm...I don't know if it's possible with Typepad, but I will post a short clip if I find a way.

~Jonathan

Comments

[Chris]

Well Jonathan, it sounds like you did a GREAT job, and are ready for a few more opportunities to play! :) If you do figure out how to put a recording of your music on the blog, I would love to hear it! Too bad about the cold dinner...:)
Chris

[Bet]

There's a way, Jonnie.. I'm not sure exactly how, but I know you'll figure it out. If it were me, I'd just put a file that people can play if they want to hear it..... I'm not too keen on the sites where music plays constantly when you go to the site. Most of the time they choose the most annoying music :) Of course, we know that yours is wonderful and soothing and totally non-annoying. But still. I'd make it a click on this to hear the music sort of file. Just my two cents' worth.

[Courteny]

I get self-conscious too (mostly on the organ) when I play. The organ at our church used to make a very annoying static sound whenever you would turn it on so I would either turn it on before church or wait and turn it on when the choir would start singing so that no one would hear it. Sometimes the noise would stop soon after but other times it would keep sizzling and get even louder. It was so embarrassing! Several times I would have to turn it off while the choir was still up there and just sit there until the choir went down. Thankfully it doesn't do that anymore! :)

[Aunt Rhonda]

I would love to have heard your concert. I vote for getting that music on the blog! :)

[Jonathan]

Wow, it looks like there's an overwhelming clamor for Eine Kleine Blog Music! :) My hands are getting sweaty again... :)

I'll try to upload a small file in the near future!

~Jonathan