The first time I came across an acciaccatura in piano, I played the note as though whole. My piano teacher, a twenty-something-year-old man named Peter who would arrive at my childhood home on Thursdays at 4 p.m. in a haze of cigarette smoke, chewing a mint in tepid apology, tapped the eraser end of his Ticonderoga pencil on the page:
“That’s a grace note,” he explained. His eyes took on new light, as they always did when he found the opportunity to talk real music. I understood, because of this shift, that listening to me plunk around on the piano every week must have been a kind of hell, or penance, for him. I imagined him in the outside world, playing gigs and listening to jazz on an old record player, and begrudging the fact that his circumstances demanded he teach mediocre, dispassionate tweens the basics of piano forte. I could see the faint outline of his creative spirit through this one window: his passion about things like acciaccatura. It was like a candle in the midnight sill.
And so he taught me how to perform the ornamentation. How to lift my finger quickly to resolve the melodic irresolution and permit the principal note to shine. How to hear the difference between playing the grace note with a short time value, as intended, versus with a longer one, as I’d assumed. On the surface, I was studying piano, but these were lessons in nuance. In the finer-grained ways we communicate. In the straining attentiveness we must exercise to really read people, and their private devotions and devastations, through the unexpected throw of candlelight, or the quick maneuver between a sharp and a natural.
Post-Scripts.
+I was not a good piano student, but a some of its lessons have stuck with me.
+Life takes root around the perimeter.
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Shopping Break.
+ICYMI: Jenni Kayne is offering 20% off sitewide (no code required), which means their popular cashmere fishermen sweaters are on sale. I own and love this everyday sweater — it’s a great, non-bulky mid layer with a perfect fit. But how amazing is this cashmere beauty?
+I’ve been looking for a belt all season. I love this one from Nili Lotan and this one from Janessa Leone. For more of a statement, love this croc one!
+Another pretty option for Thanksgiving.
+These leather-effect Adidas gazelles are SO cool.
+I’ve been wearing this lounge set night after night after night. I have it in two colors so alternate when laundering one pair. I used to try to save it for days when I really needed the extra comfort (why?) but have been wearing consistently this season. Perfect with my Ugg slippers.
+The past few years, I’ve loved buying magnolia garlands for Thanksgiving through holidays. Looks so elegant twining down the middle of a dining table.
+Adorable canvas sneaker for a little one – under $20!
+Do you have a favorite running jacket? I’ve been using a Marmot Precip for years, but it’s looking a little long in the tooth after heavy wear in inclement weather for nearly a decade. What do we think about this Nike? Any other recs? I know some of you like the splurge-y Tracksmith NDO jacket…
+I love the printed turtlenecks from Little English — buy at least one or two each season for my children.
+Truly the best everyday dresses. Restraining myself from ordering a new fall print (I already own three, in more summery prints), but I just adore these.
+Retro style crew socks for your little one.
+I just chatted with the gals at Dorsey, and they mentioned that the cut-off for ordering one of their cocktail rings for Christmas is October 27. In case you want to, you know, drop a hint to a loved one…
+Doen’s velvet mules are perfection for the holiday season.
+Ideal quilted pullover.
+These snakeskin loafers are so chic!
How do you find the UGG Tazz slippers run size-wise? I’ve seen some reviews that say they run small.
Hi! SO, I ordered my Tazz slippers from Moda Operandi on pre-order two months ago because I couldn’t find them in a size 5 anywhere at the time, and have been waiting impatiently for them to arrive despite multiple delays. So I have YET to try them on. Will share as soon as they arrive!! If in question, I would size up though — I also find Ugg runs a tiny bit small and with slippers the exactness isn’t as important, especially if you might be layering with socks.
xx
You might look at Weston Farms in North Carolina for magnolia wreaths and garlands.
Oo – thanks for the tip! xx