The Number Eight

Somehow, eight has a special significance to many people. It's auspicious to the Chinese. Flip it 90 degrees and it's mystifying to mathematicians, the question of infinity stumps so many. The 'Eight' Wonders of the world...the examples are plenty. But to pianists, it takes on a totally new signifcance, Grade Eight exam marks the final lap for pianists (except for diploma), the final culmination of all the hard work put in over the years.

Final laps are never easy, if the difficulty of pieces doesn't get you, the nerves will. Sweaty palms, racing heartbeat, inevitable, the question is how much you'll allow the nerve to control you. Over the years I have realised the importance of practice, practice does make perfect, even if it means packing the whole two weeks before exam with 2 hours of practice everyday. Practice reduces anxiety, but it can't eliminate it. God can.

Philippians 4:6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

And so i entrusted the whole exam into the everlasting arms of God. He was with me in that hall. As those fingers caressed the slippery keyboard, as i struggled to get into the right emotions for playing, as i carelessly missed a few bars, as i mistook a staccato for a legato. Sure, there were slip-ups, but by God's grace, everything went quite well. The sight-reading and singing was fantastic (ironic since these were the 2 worst sections for me...). Of course it was a tad bit embarassing that i had no idea who wrote Rhapsody in Blue (well now i do, the examiner gave me a queer look and told me it was Gherkin)

So on to theory now, a relief from the usual piano performances, was always better with the mind than with my cumbersome hands :D. And until the next piano exam, Will continue trusting in God, and glory be to Him from whom comes all good things as well.