The Porch Light copyright by Revka (2006-2010). All rights reserved.

Friday, April 09, 2010

Reality Check Brings Humility


Have you ever thought you were really good at something? Then you had the opportunity to step back and see or hear yourself doing that thing and realized that you weren't as good as you thought.

My church started streaming our services on Ustream. I play the piano nearly every Sunday and sing specials almost as often. So I've spent a good portion of the morning trying to find my clips in the new video archives. I found myself on several of the videos, and I have now gotten a good dose of humility.

As a piano major in college, I had no illusions about my skills. I was average in the realm of pianists and often listened with awe and a touch of envy as the more talented pianists played. If I had ever practiced, I think I would have been a step above where I was, but I never did dedicate myself as I should have.

I can honestly say that I have learned a lot since I left college. I am a better pianist today than I was then and am much more able to communicate through the songs I play. However, I still know that I am not anything special as a pianist.

Singing, however, is a bit different. I never had formal voice training, although that's one of the things I desperately want to do. I think I'll have to wait a few more years. But people still compliment me on my singing and tell me I have a beautiful voice.

While I knew my voice was not professional quality by any means, I did think it was pretty good. Then I found the special I sang just this past Sunday night.

Oh, boy!!! Listening to and watching that was humbling! Shaky notes, pitch problems, thin quality on the higher notes. I cringed. And I have now gotten a good dose of reality. I'm not "all that" when it comes to singing!

Will I quit singing? No. But I will be aware of my weaknesses and work to improve them. I'll also be quicker to give the glory to God for using me in spite of me.

I have a feeling some of you might ask for the links, so here are two.

Sunday night 4/4/10: singing and playing "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name" - wait for the commercial to finish and then click the progress bar until it gets close to 25:10
Sunday morning 3/14/10: playing "He Hideth My Soul" - wait for the commercial to finish and then click the progress bar until it gets close to 9:25

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

awww! I love the way you sing! Just more breath control which I forgot to ask you. I really, really want to go through the entire sight singing book, do you want to do it with me?!
your little sister