calm and nice

Something different again from my last 'uplifting piece' [Moths to a Flame], this one slower,  more simple and gentle …… and in progress [I think!] hehe ….

The night was silent at the start of a another heatwave here in Australia, houses still warm despite the coming of relief and 'cool' air over the last few nights. The only sound was that of the portable air conditioner struggling to fill the room with cold air. On nights such as this, during the worst times, one dreads to leave that 'cold' room to enter into rooms where a furnace seems to envelope one.

Despite the silence, I couldn't sleep. Feeling unwell, drained from heat, worried about someone dear to me, I felt a strong urge to play the piano. A melody of sorts had formed in my mind, a melody to soothe the soul. So I pushed past that pain and mental barrier which was telling me  'I can't get up', and I got to the piano. Darkness surrounded me except for the gleam of lights from the street lamps outside my window, …..The only other light came from the glow of the computer screen spilling out onto my piano.

So I closed my eyes and just gently played in that silent warm night,… to my surprise it sounded soothing and delicate, my fingers seemed to hit the right notes and a gentle melody and harmony was created - after a difficult patch with my music, I was surprised at how my fingers effortlessly 'found' what I 'felt',….. I was so engrossed with what was happening, how calm it felt, how much joy I was gaining from playing, thinking that maybe things would be ok for the person I care for,  that I couldn't pull myself away to simply press the record button. 

My heart sank.

Could I play it again, play an improvisation, the way in which had just been created from nothing, or from within? To soothe my soul and the person I cared about so deeply, and hopefully others too.  I tried to forget that it was recording and ignore that darn metronome which I had forgotten to turn off - it throws me, hindering the free-flow nature and freedom of an improvisation

I continued to play, attempting to recapture this melody once again, and this is the result after several problems with my DAW and it not capturing the recording properly.  No, its not the same as my first attempt, no, it doesn't seem to flow as well, or find some of those harmonies that just 'came' so effortlessly from within the first time……  …..simple and imperfect though this piece may be, it still portrayed a sense of the gentleness I felt, ….. in playing ……. "quietly in the night" …. hoping that my dear friend would be alright ….

Improvisation/Composer: Megan McCarthy
Piano Solo: Megan McCarthy

I would also like to draw your attention to  David Ackerman, who surprised me by sending me a wonderful version and interpretation of this track, adding a new dimension of guitar and ambience which suited [playing] quietly in the night' so beautifully, so I most gratefully said yes for him to upload it …. You can find him and the track at: https://soundcloud.com/deephod/quietly-in-the-night-feat  :-)

If this piece [Quietly in the Night] speaks to you in anyway, I would love to hear your feedback, the more I continue on my 'journey' …..  I might also attempt a second version of this with added instruments, and/or if anyone is interested in a collab?  :)

Graphic Source:Julie Lueders  http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/walk-quietly-into-the-night-with-me-julie-lueders-.jpg  

Quietly In The Night - Megs McCarthy

A new piano piece from me. I tried to keep this simple, with just piano plus accompanying strings and electric bass. I hope you enjoy this piece - please let me know what you think :)

My debut album "Heart Strings" is now available on iTunes...https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/heart-strings/id989429326

calm and nice

ftm94_idol