There are (5) Tinkering in The Keys. Bear with me as I explain. When I sit on my stool to play my piano, at nearly a standing position, usually the first thing I do is warm up, like a dancer has to stretch and warm up before they dance. I play a series of exercises to coordinate my hands from one end of the keyboard to the other, playing in every key, major and relative minor. My fingers are nimble and can play fast but what is the point of doing that. It is not my style. To prove what? I'm not trying to impress anyone with great technic. What is the point of the music being created? The point is for you to hear the story I'm telling and making it your own. Improvising the music I make, which is different from those who read and memorize music. ANYONE can learn how to read music. Not everyone can create music. It is not about how fast I can play but how much emotion I can create inside, for myself, playing my piano from the inside out, not striking the keys on the outside to make sound. It is about the vibration on the tones. I play for me. I let you listen.

These 5 pieces were all created inside 30 minutes. No redos, no fixes. They are clearly my style of playing cultivated over 60 years, and I'm not done yet. I usually play for an hour or two non-stop but I cut my playing this time into five pieces because no one will listen non-stop for that long. Most of it is played with my eyes closed, listening, knowing my keyboard that well. Feeling for chords that say what I feel. I don't care if I make mistakes. It's all part of the music. I don't practice music over and over until it's perfect. Life isn't perfect.

I'm not uploading the music in order but they will later be put in a playlist. My music is best listened to in the dark, eyes closed and go to sleep. In the next music descriptions I will explain what I think about improvised music and the players who play it, and what is happening to music in today's generation.

Tinkering on The Keys #5

Don’t message me i have anxietyvvasthill

My music pieces are all piano improvisations expressing emotions. It is music telling stories without the words. In my earIy years I sang and played piano in piano bars or fronted bands of different styles, from country to heavy metal and to 40. I've been composing, teaching and performing most of my life.  I'm getting old(er) now 😔 but the great thing about creating music is it gets better the longer you play, and you have more to write about! 

This is what I leave of me to my generations to come who wonder where their desire to make music comes from. My mother, grandmother and great grandmother were both accomplished pianists when they were young. My son is also exceptional.  My great grandmother and gr grandfather sang and danced in minstrel shows (vaudeville) in the early 1900's. Kids today have no idea what life was like before moving pictures.  I now have great-grandchildren. They will know who I am through my music. When I am gone my music will still be here. What a wonderful thought! 

Thomas O'Higgins Horna
Aspiring film composer.

I would be genuinely happy if my music could evoke your profound feelings.  Please use headphones if possible. 

I sincerely appreciate your interest and time.

Tinkering on The Keys #5

Sonni Quick