13 Comments
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Kathi Foy's avatar

Thanks Patricia. I enjoyed your written and played pieces. I once had a conversation with a musician friend and lamented my lack of sophisticated knowledge of music. I know what moves me, what lifts me up and what I go back to over and over again. She said that I was the perfect audience. I listened, I felt and then let it go. Your music reminded me of my role as audience. Bravo.

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Patricia Ross's avatar

Thanks Kathi!

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A Keyboard Warmed Up in Hell's avatar

I had such a fear of public speaking, and for the same reasons: fear of being judged.

Your friend’s dream interpretation sounds astute.

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Patricia Ross's avatar

Thanks! I thought so too.

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Elizabeth's avatar

This is a gorgeous piece, and what an amazing performance of it.

Your friend's interpretation of you dream feels spot on and comforting (my recurring nightmares have to do with poetry workshops or forgetting to go to a class).

My daughter started piano lessons when she was 5 and didn't feel recital nerves until she hit about 11. Performance anxiety was one of the reasons she chose visual art over music. Now that she's 30 and works in a visual arts field, she goes to the keyboard for comfort.

Thank you for sharing these vulnerable moments. I hope you can feel your friend Katie in the music now and then.

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Patricia Ross's avatar

Thanks so much for your kind words Elizabeth. I too went into visual arts - photography - which was one of the three "P" professions I've had. Easier to hang something on the wall that I've already done am OK with than the fear of not knowing how it's going to turn out because of the unexpected. Thanks for reading!

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Cynthia Vaughn's avatar

As a classical singer and teacher, I can relate to what you wrote. Thank you for sharing your story and the beautiful recording of you playing Chopin. My recurring anxiety dreams were rarely about performing. Usually, they were about showing up to teach a university course completely unprepared or with no knowledge of the subject and not knowing which room to go to. Of course, those dreams stopped when I retired from academia!

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Patricia Ross's avatar

Ah yes. The anxiety dreams. I also have the dreams of going for an exam in graduate school and not having taken the course. Thanks for reading Cynthia~

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Melinda Blau's avatar

I love this piece, especially your friends interpretation of the dream. I’m also thrilled that you attached a recording of your playing. For your fans, I must attach this link to a podcast, which also features you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crows-feet-life-as-we-age/id1629856339?i=1000622355453

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Patricia Ross's avatar

Am on the phone with you now! Thanks so much for your kind words and support! They’ve really kept me going when I thought about quitting . . .

xoxo

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Intoobus's avatar

Hey! I saw your post pop up on my homepage and wanted to show some support. If you get a chance, I’d really appreciate a little love on my latest newsletter too always happy to boost each other!

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Stephanie M Leong's avatar

Beautiful, Patricia! Thank you for sharing!

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Jenny Skoog's avatar

My sister was a pianist. It’s my favorite instrument. Someone once lied to her when they said you can’t make money at the piano. It ruined her. Thank you for sharing!

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