"So Talented, Man, Said One Guy. Such A God Given Gift!”

Chopin not Chopsticks...

 Good "tickle-tickle" Saturday Morning, y'all.

As often as I've been to this coffeehouse, very few people come, sit down to the piano ( yes, Frank brought in a baby grand! ) and "tickle the ivories."

"Chop Sticks" on occasion.

I think it was last Saturday having my back to the instrument, I heard the opening notes of Beethoven's "Fur Elise". The piano was sounding real good and as the pianist switched to another very familiar classical introduction, Erik Satie's, "Pictures At An Exhibition", I was forced to turn around and see who the artist was.

It was a kid who could not be older than twenty or twenty five. Ten minutes of frittering about familiar musical passages, he decided to dive into Beethoven once again. This time, he began those all too recognizable notes to "Moonlight Sonata."

I was amazed to see and hear this guy play so adeptly. His name, I believe, is Tyler and he’s been playing the piano for about three years and seems to take prided in being self taught.

“Wait, I said, you say that you can read music pretty well, but aside from the tinkling of introductory of opening sonatas and phrases, you practically completed the entire “Moonlight Sonata” without any music!”

“Not that I’m overly familiar with the song, but I know it is over five minutes long and you’ve been playing it for at least that long!”

He replied, “Yeh, I’ve been practicing that song for years, so I should know how to play it in its entirety, with or without sheet music.”

It was pretty empty coffeehouse by the late afternoon with the exception of me, Tyler and two other men seated in awe with “front row” seats.

“You are so talented, man, said one guy. Such a God given gift!”

I turned from his comments to see Tyler’s response. With a polite wince Tyler acknowledged the man’s statement by by commenting about talent and choosing to leave God out of the equation, if for only a moment.

Looking my way as if inviting some backup, he said, “Well, it’s been me alone in my closet for the last three years, so I can’t say all the much about talent.”

“I just enjoy playing the piano!”

Days later, I was still discussing the concept of talent with anyone willing to listen. So funny!

Second cup while enjoying the last uncloudy day for awhile.

Copyright 2021/Ben Bensen III