[TPIN] Have you been there....

[Paul Kurtz]

This is one of the few areas in music where I've been blessed and have
an advantage. I've had to play so much by ear for so long that I simply
switch keys in my mind, pull the slide if the music's out of tune, and
trudge ahead. 
An organist who's gotten me a number of jobs and whom I think the world
of forgot to change at one wedding so, if I remember right, we were
playing Voluntary a 4th off. (or maybe a 5th) I switched keys
immediately when I realized it, had to play in the lower register which
certainly sounded drab, hoped she wouldn't then change on the next
stuff, went on, trudged through, relaxed and played when she didn't
change anything after that, and finished. Sometimes, you simply have to
finish the race and move on. If I'd had train wrecks like some of you
guys like changing pitch on the organ, etc., I'd be looking for an
escape route!! A blind person walking with cane, of course, is pretty
obvious so I'dve certainly had to find a back door! And since I don't
drive, I guess I'd've just had to find some bushes to hide in! :-) :-) 
It is funny, though, the aura of invincibility I've sort-of created in
my small world. I had a pastor come up to me yesterday at lunch and say,
"Well, I have --- song to do next Sunday for Mother's Day and you'd
better be there with the trumpet!" Not knowing the song (and not
remembering it right this minute, either although I'd better figure it
out!), I said, "And you figure I can just play this?!" he said, "Of
course!" Well, it's happened before so I guess, yet again, if I can't
get a copy of the CD or anything beforehand, I'll wing it! I know this,
though; as much music of different types as I listen to, this song must
be back there somewhere because I didn't come *close to recognizing the
title! It's some type of poem to somebody's mother (of course, being
Mother's Day) put to music. BTW, in my own church where this is, there's
a side door close and a shed to hide beind so I might make it on this
one! :-) :-) 
Paul Kurtz Jacksonville, FL