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Thursday, March 8, 2018

Tempo Rubato



Piano or forte, how does it matter? Or how does it feel?
Soft or loud?  Press down and the keys push back.
Resistance.
   God in the machine
   Good in the person
Press on.

The work gets harder.
The noise is harsh.
The keys hold the power.
In the center lies the music, that sweet spot - freedom.
Press on!

© Gay Reiser Cannon - 3-8-18
All Rights Reserved

22 comments:

  1. Love the divine inside the machine, wish I could play like that, but I'm powerless to the keys... love the jazzy feel of the poem

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  2. I agree with Bjorn. This is absolutely stunning!

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  3. Witty, delightful and says far more the more you read it. As someone who was never very good at piano playing, this brings back a lot of memories...

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  4. I like the play on words in
    'God in the machine
    Good in the person'
    and the resistance and power in the keys. That's what it felt like, learning to play!

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  5. Thank you. It's really a metaphor about resistance of all sorts. The clue is in the title. Tempo Rubato means playing freely without maintaining the marked tempo.

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  6. I like "the keys hold the power". God in you, overcoming the resistance of "the machine"

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  7. I love to hear that divine music ~ Press on! Good to see you, smiles!

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  8. Some of thee most beautiful music is made with plenty of rubato--you must play!

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    1. Ah yes, everyday .. though it is tougher the older I get. It takes two hours to accomplish what I once did in one. (smiles). Thank you!

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  9. I like the description of that sweet center with freedom and music.

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Love it! Yes God is in the Machine. And we have the keys to Freedom! Great poem! Thank you

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  11. I love the title. I didn't know it was a musical expression and I read it as stolen time. Stolen from the constraints and conventions of daily life, maybe. It's a great metaphor—that's how I read it anyway. I was useless at the piano too, to my great regret.

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  12. I like the idea that the instrument is "alive," and it is the combination of the player and the played, that make the music! Bravo!

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  13. I like your clever write.
    Freeing oneself from unnecessary restraints brings forth the sweet music of freedom.
    Anna :o]

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  14. I admit to be envious of those who play the piano. How wonderful to feel that resistance, to search for the center sweet spot specific to the instrument, to make MUSIC. Thanks for your contribution to OLN!

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  15. "Resistance.
    God in the machine
    Good in the person
    Press on."

    I don't know why, but I love this. My thoughts keep coming back to it.

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  16. God in the Machine. What a wonderful line and only a real musician would know that. glad to see you back, writing, Gay.

    Jane (Lady Nyo)

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  17. How true -- no music without the resistance. One must rubato -- keep calm and take the time. :)

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  18. In the center lies the music,
    that sweet spot - freedom.

    Let the music work out itself for it is the food of love with no hints of being impeded - play on!

    Hank

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  19. "In the center lies the music. Press on." - without action there is no music. Inspirational read.

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