te putiputi o tetahi atu

 

Lock Down 2020

 Magic Hands

A keyboard is a really hard instrument to play, but thanks to the lockdown I learned how to play dance monkey. Even though it’s a popular song, it was long and difficult.  That’s what I love about youtube - you can search up anything. That’s how I came across  Fur Elise, by some old dude called Beethoven.  It was a beautiful tune, so I started to learn it. 

One day during class I was playing the intro part.  Whaea Pare heard it and was surprised. She asked me if I wanted to enter Roscommon’s Got Talent. I said no, but Whaea put me in anyway. I was nervous just thinking about the talent quest. Whaea told Mr. Rungan that I was entering, so there was no getting out of it.  Mr Rungan would come into our classroom and give me advice about my playing.  

After the second lockdown, Whaea appeared out of nowhere telling me I got into Roscommon’s Got Talent.  I couldn’t believe it, I didn’t even audition.   But I didn’t want to let her down. Gees, I didn’t even get a golden ticket, so  I was like ‘aye’ talk about being forced. I didn't get much time to learn all of Fur Elise and because I had only practiced up to a minute, I had to repeat the segment to make up time. 

I like black clothes, so I decided to wear black.  I didn't really care about what style I wore because the piano was my focus, not what I was wearing.   I'm not really a fancy person, I dress for comfort. 

Walking onto the stage was scary. The hall was really dark and I thought I wouldnt be able to see my keyboard.  I was shaking really bad. My hands were shivering so much that they were blurring up. I was trying to stop them but I couldn’t. We didn't have the right equipment for the keyboard so they had to put a microphone over the keyboard speaker.  I kept thinking I might make a mistake. That would have been the worst thing ever.  The lights were bright, I couldn’t see the audience, but I could hear them. I couldn't see uncle and aunty recording - thank goodness. So I just took a deep breath and started playing.   

After the show aunty posted my performance on facebook.  A lot of family and friends  commented and some family even cried - but that's how family is. I was so happy that people loved my playing.  Mrs Johnston told me I was really good, and that I should carry on playing the keyboard.   Even though I didn't win, I,m still happy that I had the opportunity to go on stage and the only reason I did it was because Whaea Pare encouraged (forced) me to show people what I can do with my hands. Now I'm confident to play in front of a lot of people and I’m onto my next song. 

Ko Wai Au

 

Nau mai, haere mai

 Welcome to my blog for learning.

I look forward to sharing my learning with my school,

my whānau and friends anywhere.