When I was studying piano, age 11 to 15, the only person who complimented me was the drunk living next-door. The piano, which was quite beautiful but too large and heavy to get into the house, was in the basement (garage to everyone else). Many houses in San Francisco are right up against each other. Consequently, the piano was easily heard and boomed down the long basement. When I would leave the house, the man next-door, and he had a lovely Irish tenor voice, would catch me and tell me how much he enjoyed hearing me play. I think he stopped whatever he was doing, maybe not his drinking, to listen. I will always remember him for making me feel good about myself, and he taught me the importance of saying encouraging words to children and not judging people on account of their faults. Here is a piece I played.
I think Clarence even liked my exercises, which were done every day. I reached Advanced Level 8 and was getting close to Level 9 when I quit for sports. All the credit goes to Mrs. Shirley Bracco, my teacher. She made her debut at Carnegie Hall. Of course, I was in love with her … as much as a young boy can manage that!
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