I went to the band practice last night, expecting to sit and watch and listen and observe. Instead, the keyboard was set up and they handed me some chord charts. (!!!) After a brief introduction, they jumped right into the first song. I only knew one of the songs they handed me, but I listened for the "feel" and took off from there. I think they liked my contribution; during one song I started off on a Hornsby riff and the leader hollered up to the sound booth: "Turn that keyboard up right there!" and I smothered a smile. Oh, I take back my earlier statement -- I knew two of the songs. One was an old hymn (Holy, Holy, Holy) and it was just a chord chart. Without so much as a "would you like?", he just told me to take the transition and segue into it all by myself. I shrugged and took off, giving it a Wyndham-Hill twist, and he loved it. Get this: I AM PLAYING ON SUNDAY. Both services. I'm freakin' out!!! Now I need to spend some time practicing... which means I have to go over to Cindy's, because I don't have anything at home to practice on.
But I am happy-dancing! Three months ago I could not have predicted any of this... two months ago I never wanted to play in a band again... one month ago I never wanted to go to church again... but I visited this place and felt energized again, something I don't think I have ever really experienced other than the times that I have visited the African-American church up in Waterloo. Even after I visited, I never dreamed that I'd be invited to play with the band -- I had pretty much told God that I'd give up playing, since it kept seeming to get in the way of my relationship with him. Plus, the band was really GOOD and I assumed that there was a pretty lengthy process involved before they'd consider letting me in (becoming a member, for starters, which I can't do yet because of my contractual obligations with the publishing arm of my denomination).
Okay, I will stop raving and frothing.
God bless the USMC -- it's their birthday today! SEMPER FI!
No comments:
Post a Comment