Bluesy Silent Night

Once upon a time, almost a year ago, I wrote about feeling like I was locked in a "gray little room," worlds away from feeling freedom at the piano. I'd had many years of lessons and could play, but I was tied to the sheet music. Or if I was improvising, I would fall into the same old pattern in the left hand and could hardly advance beyond the actual tune in the right hand. I felt trapped, and I'd felt trapped for nearly all of my piano life.

I wanted to play jazz. I wanted to play blues. I wanted to be able to "ragtimify" any song. I could hear the arrangements in my head, but I didn't know how to play them.

Last night, I started picking through "Silent Night" with a blues shuffle in the bass. And ... I improvised. I riffed. I rocked. I had so much fun.

I hated having to go to work today because all I wanted to do was stay home and play this bluesy, boogie-style Silent Night.

I feel like I am walking on air. That rusty lock has broken, and the door has flown open. I'm in that world now--that world where I can improvise and sound good. It has taken nearly a year of diligent work in various Piano With Jonny blues courses, but I'm there. And I'm going to keep getting even more there in the months and years to come.

I am so happy.

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Picking Up the Pieces

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