3-Word Wisdom 16: Do the work

If life gave us do-over’s, I would have continued my piano lessons – and my cello lessons – and my guitar lessons! I am a music lesson drop-out. As a child, music practice was torture, and the beginner music selections were dreadful. I wanted to play the piano like my mother, who did not read music and simply kept a handwritten list of the song titles that were her repertoire.  In her youth, Mom also played the banjo in an all girl band – the Merry Melody Maids. Besides the piano, she would occasionally pick up a banjo or ukulele and strum some fun little ditties. It evoked scenes right out of the movie, “Some Like it Hot”! It was wonderful to hear Mom play. Music filled our house and Sunday dinners with Brother, Sister and their families were always punctuated with happy sing alongs. I didn’t have my mother’s musical ear, so I was relegated to tedious scales and boring lesson book tunes. It didn’t take long for the novelty to wear off, and piano lessons ended.

My next foray into music – a year and a half as a cellist - was not by choice. I had wanted to play the violin in our elementary school orchestra, but by the time they got to me, the only stringed instrument left in the music room closet was the cello. Mother assured me it was just like the violin, just bigger. My sister had played the cello, after all - I had to continue the family’s cello legacy. I remember lugging that clunky thing to and from school twice a week while my best friend easily toted her cute little violin case. Overweight Paula with her oversized violin! After one spring concert, I left the cello behind and had an instrument-free junior high school experience.

The folk music of the 60’s inspired me to take one more stab at finding my inner musician – I got a guitar. No lessons required. No music to read. Simply follow the patterns in a chord book. How hard could it be? I strummed along to Peter, Paul and Mary. I mastered the chords in Simon and Garfunkel’s songbook. But strumming chords had limitations, and before long I lost interest in yet another instrument.

Two good friends did not give up on their love of music – these two guitarists have music coursing through their veins. One of them just returned from New Zealand where he played to 15,000 fans – his guitar is his livelihood. I watch their fingers fly on acoustic and electric guitars, and I imagine myself making music of my own– if I had kept playing. For them, like my mom, the music comes from within – and with practice. I know that I lack the innate talent of true musicians, but in my do-over scenario, I will power through the necessary basics in order to take my music to a new level. I think I'll find a new instrument to play into retirement!

Today’s 3-word wisdom: Do the work. If you really want to master something, take the time to lay the groundwork. As tedious as the preparation may be, your reward will be the sweet music of a job well done.



Mom (on her banjo) with the Merry Melody Maids, 1925

Dad listening to Nieces and Nephew - Sunday night sing-along, 1965

Son entertains the crowd with Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater - at Grandma's piano - 1983.

Paula and Brother - dueling Ukeleles!