Piano

The melody that drew me to the piano in the first grade still lingers in my memory. Though the exact spark escapes me, the piano became my first musical love, and to this day, its keys hold a melody of memories. It's not just an instrument - it's a chronicle of my musical journey, and letting go would be like silencing a chorus of countless practice sessions, triumphant scales, and whispered late-night improvisations.

My speed in controlling my fingers' movements in those skinny keys was in a heartbeat. I was able to come to the level "Sonatine" in third grade and prepared for the piano competition that I was attending in fourth grade. It was the first piano performance I had publicly, and I believed first impressions were the most important.

The weirdest, funniest moment I had with the piano that I remember is that while I was preparing for the performance, it was postponed to about eight months later since the COVID pandemic was going viral again. But, I have to say, it was also a saver from having to do a music piece that I always made so many mistakes on while playing. My teacher suggested that I try something new since we had a huge amount of time before the competition, I brought my concentration back again and prepared for the Clementi piece, "Clementi Sonatine Op. 36 No. 6". When I always look back at the pages again, I see all those red and black pen marks all over the notes, those stars and arrows that I can never ignore.

The piano is probably the instrument that I wouldn't want to ever forget how to play it, because half of my childhood was filled with music, and piano was the biggest part that led me to my music journey.