Parkinson’s; seeing a friend at church; does it affect my ability to play the piano?

My wife and I enjoy attending our church, and make a point to worship there as frequently as we can. The music is terrific and the people are welcoming. Our pastor is an engaging speaker and we always come away from his sermons enriched. Such was the case this morning, although the most notable experience at church today was an exchange I had with a long-time friend and former colleague. As we visited, I felt inspired to share my 100 days of Parkinson’s writing project with him. He was not aware of my journey with Parkinson’s, but I felt comfortable sharing it with him. The story I told was a lot to process, especially with Parkinson’s disease wrapped up within the main theme of the writing discipline I had undertaken. Even though I was focused primarily on the writing itself, I gladly discussed my journey with Parkinson’s, as well. As we conversed, my friend posed a question that has become one of the most frequently-asked when friends and family learn of my Parkinson’s journey. “Does it interfere with your ability to play the piano?” This is a natural question from people who have known me as a concert pianist for most of our years together. After all, they have heard me perform concerts over the years, and know that music has been the cornerstone of my professional life for over 30 years. “Yes,” I answered. “It does affect my ability to play the piano. However, …”

With each day I live with Parkinson’s, a new thought emerges to complete this sentence. Some are incredibly positive: “It does affect my ability to play the piano. However, some days I play more musically than I used to play before Parkinson’s.” Or, “However, there are some technical skills that are difficult, but I can still play.” And some are heart-breaking: “It does affect my ability to play the piano. However, I try to focus my energies on walking well and exercising, so I don’t play much anymore.” Or, “However, I am desperately trying to regain some semblance of my former piano technique so I can play more than five minutes of slow music at a time.”

My current project within a project is “30 days of slow movements,” which I introduced yesterday. It is important for me to continue making music as long as I can, and at whatever level I can. For now, I need to meet my daily challenge to play one of the 15 slow movements I have chosen from the output of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. I know they contain some wildly difficult passages which will create stumbling blocks for me. However, I am committed to playing these pieces each day for the next month. Doing so will help me regain some of my former piano technique so I can achieve the goal of playing more than five minutes at a time. This body of slow movements represents my current pianistic mountain to climb. I plan to climb it one step, and movement, at a time. Next up…a slow movement by Beethoven!

493 words
Day 56: September 24, 2023
Success!