Closer to the Ivories
by
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Freshman Theory, 1974
I am a thirty-four-year-old adult trying to be a musician. The class has been offered free tickets to Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Sir Georg Solti is conducting the Chicago Symphony.
With timidity and anxiety, I raise my hand; I have never been to a symphony before.
At the performance, I am surprised to have a front-row seat, even if it is the space that can be raised or lowered to accommodate the grand piano for a soloist. As I gaze up, two things pull me into the heart of the music. One is the hole in the sole of Sir Georg Solti’s shoe. The other magnet is the emotion on his craggy, lined face, a window into his soul. As my eyes alternate between his face and feet, I become engulfed in the music. Little did I realize how Pictures at an Exhibition would be woven through my life.
January 5, 1991
Dear Mrs. Rotti:
Welcome back from your Florida vacation! I hope the new van proved to be road ready, or did you fly to save time? I know you were so anxious to move into your new estate on Lake Wanago Shores.
You’ll probably want to find a teacher closer to home now. Don’t worry; there are many teachers out there who will accept Ricci. As her ear is very strong, she’ll also be able to plunk out songs by listening to the radio. This will save her time and energy, so she doesn’t have to count or read notes.
I understand there is a teacher in your area that even does manicures, for an additional charge, of course. The students can let their nails grow as long as they wish. She just loves to do nails.
Balance due: $50
Sincerely,
Mrs. Buston NCTM
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About the Book
Teaching techniques, ways to motivate students, and scholarly presentations are not in this book. Instead you will find stories of the seamy, steamy side of piano teaching. If you want the lowdown about the frustration, humor, satisfaction, and low pay that comes with being an independent teacher of piano, then you are in the right place. This piano teacher tells all--the tension of working with demanding parents, students overloaded with activities and homework--and the peculiarities of us all. And yes, you will read of the joys of living a life in music. The reader will occupy a front-row seat next to the piano bench. Just when the student considers not going through one more piano lesson, one more correction, or practicing one more time and the teacher is having the same thoughts, a miracle occurs. At the most unexpected moment, the teacher will hear a beautiful sound of music coming from the very soul of her student. They will look at each other and smile; bonded in the realization they have just become Closer to the Ivories.
About the Author
Iris Douglas Bulson began her serious music studies at age thirty-two when she summoned courage to walk to the corner mailbox. In her hand was an application for Beginning Group Piano for Adults at Alverno College. She cried all the way home. That was the first of many crying sessions as she struggled through years of piano study, theory, and solo piano recitals. To say that she became a great pianist because she studied so long would be misleading. Truthfully, she just didn’t know when to stop; there was always one more piece, one more teacher, and one more lesson. While the world is filled with more skilled and naturally gifted pianists, Iris brings her own unique gifts. Her love for all the arts has overflowed into the lives of her students. For the last several years she has pursued writing nonfiction and poetry. She continues to teach piano in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where she resides with her husband, Gil.
Illustrator Ryan Lancour, of San Ramon, California, shares his sense of humor with the reader. Ryan is also a musician, recording technician, and former piano student of the author. Despite the fact that he also loves snowboarding, he still manages a "day job." Being related to the author has absolutely nothing to do with contributing his artistic talents for this book.
Artbud Publications
P.O. Box 153
Okauchee, WI 53069-0153