Lessons in the Key of Life
Viewing comments for Prologue "A New York State of Mind"A music and dance teacher's improvization
36 total reviews
Comment from Tedd Turton
Rachelle, You know I enjoy your writing, and when the subject is music....well...
Also, you mentioned Manhattan ! Is this my lucky day or what?
There's so much of me in this story I can hardly believe it. Anyway, I'm raving on here..thanks for posting and I look forward to more.
From one musician to another...I wish you luck and happiness,
Tedd Turton
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Rachelle, You know I enjoy your writing, and when the subject is music....well...
Also, you mentioned Manhattan ! Is this my lucky day or what?
There's so much of me in this story I can hardly believe it. Anyway, I'm raving on here..thanks for posting and I look forward to more.
From one musician to another...I wish you luck and happiness,
Tedd Turton
Comment Written 24-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Thank you, Tedd; I love this review! But you have to tell me more than that! What is the nature of your musicianship and story? Inquiring minds want to know!
Comment from Michele Harber
Very nice. The story itself is interesting, but what makes it more enjoyable to read are those little touches of humor ("my vast talent and I waited tables") and of you ("I was the musical equivalent of Mama Bunny") that you interject. I love your lesson about exchanging dreams if one doesn't fit. I did that myself in college. I was a drama major with a communications minor, but the only undergrad acting teacher thought I had no talent, and was making me feel the same. Rather than hate something I'd loved since I was in first grade, I made drama my minor (having already fulfilled the credit requirement), and graduated with a BA in communications. It took me a while to get my acting confidence back, but I eventually did and turned it into many successful years in community theater and even a little Off-Off-Broadway (yes, still in Manhattan, not Jersey). By the way, I love your father. He sounds like a very wise and loving man.
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Very nice. The story itself is interesting, but what makes it more enjoyable to read are those little touches of humor ("my vast talent and I waited tables") and of you ("I was the musical equivalent of Mama Bunny") that you interject. I love your lesson about exchanging dreams if one doesn't fit. I did that myself in college. I was a drama major with a communications minor, but the only undergrad acting teacher thought I had no talent, and was making me feel the same. Rather than hate something I'd loved since I was in first grade, I made drama my minor (having already fulfilled the credit requirement), and graduated with a BA in communications. It took me a while to get my acting confidence back, but I eventually did and turned it into many successful years in community theater and even a little Off-Off-Broadway (yes, still in Manhattan, not Jersey). By the way, I love your father. He sounds like a very wise and loving man.
Comment Written 24-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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My father is so (forgive me here, Michele) instrumental to my success that I honor him by holding the annual Recital on his Yahrzeit. He was just so smart and savvy with every aspect of my career in the early days!
Thank you for this review and for the vignette about your times and love of the creative and performing arts. (I wonder if I played piano for any of your gigs!) xo
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You're very welcome, so much so that I'll let you get away with "instrumental." In fact, you can even sing your father's praises. (One good pun deserves another.)
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Oy. I'm scaling down the laughter.
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You're in trouble. My uncle is a pun pundit, and my sister and I are his proud proteges.
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By the way, I know you were expecting a musical pun in my last note, rather than just alliteration, but I didn't feel the need to jump on the bandwagon.
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Okay, okay; I surrender! You win! But I'll be bach later. In fact, I'm Offenbach sooner...
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He's schooled you well! You seemed to have your PhD in punnery!
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I'm a carbon copy of my uncle when it comes to trying to make people laugh. In other words, I'm the class clone.
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Some art can be dull and boring, but Andy Warhol always took a lighter, more contemporary approach. Mozart is not nearly as much fun as his is.
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Mozart has never been a particular favorite of mine. A little too 'flitty'. But, ironically, that's the very reason I LIKE Warhol. Go figure.
Comment from Rikki66
Well written and to the point. You could be reminded of life and lemons. For every diva on stage, there are a thousand teaching waiting tables or working off off off Broadway. They could be writing waiting on a chance.
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Well written and to the point. You could be reminded of life and lemons. For every diva on stage, there are a thousand teaching waiting tables or working off off off Broadway. They could be writing waiting on a chance.
Comment Written 24-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Yes, you are exactly right about that! Thank you for the review.
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welcome
Comment from damommy
This was something you had to learn for yourself. No one could have told you what it would be like and have you believe it. Sometimes, we have to learn the hard way, but it's important that we try. You were lucky to have an understanding father to turn to.
I like the part of you were thinking of pianos, and he was thinking organs. HAHAHAH
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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This was something you had to learn for yourself. No one could have told you what it would be like and have you believe it. Sometimes, we have to learn the hard way, but it's important that we try. You were lucky to have an understanding father to turn to.
I like the part of you were thinking of pianos, and he was thinking organs. HAHAHAH
Comment Written 24-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Oh, damommy!! You are the first person to have commented on that. Thank goodness! I was afraid that gem was going to just be lost!! I love you forever for having found that funny. I always thought it was pretty hilarious - even when I first said it to my father. (He was too angry to find it funny...even YEARS later!) So thank you for the validation.
Also, you are exactly right: some lessons have to be self-taught. That way, they're seared into one's mind "never to be repeated."
I appreciate this review VERY much. xo
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I thought it was a great line. I've run into people like that. I play the piano and organ. I was embarrassed years ago when I was pregnant and telling a friend that someone had been messing around with my organ (I meant at church). She said, 'Apparently.' Was my face red!!!!!
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HAHAHAHAAHAH!! Classic.
Comment from Mark Valentine
Such a quintessential chasing-the-American-dream story. Did you walk out of Grand Central Station and turn around in a circle as you gazed skyward? I'm thinking Debra Messing could play you in the movie.
It truly is compelling, and you tell it so well. While many stories start as yours does, they all seem to take different paths once they leave Broadway - it'll be fun to tag along on your journey.
My son and his band have their first paying gig in a bar in the Village in a couple of weeks. They're dreaming they'll be discovered - I think my role in that story is the wise father.
Loved the Runaway Bunny allusion.
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Such a quintessential chasing-the-American-dream story. Did you walk out of Grand Central Station and turn around in a circle as you gazed skyward? I'm thinking Debra Messing could play you in the movie.
It truly is compelling, and you tell it so well. While many stories start as yours does, they all seem to take different paths once they leave Broadway - it'll be fun to tag along on your journey.
My son and his band have their first paying gig in a bar in the Village in a couple of weeks. They're dreaming they'll be discovered - I think my role in that story is the wise father.
Loved the Runaway Bunny allusion.
Comment Written 24-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Hahahaha. Yes, Debra Messing! That's me!
I appreciate all your kind words and encouragement.
Congratulations to your son! I hope his dream turns out positively for him. It really is SO very exciting. What a potential turning point!
And yes, I think your role is "Wise Father." It's so hard to parent adult children, though, isn't it? They have the audacity to have their own ideas of how they want their life to proceed, and if they do something of which we disapprove, we can't even give them a Time Out anymore. Where's the freaking justice?! All they want to hear from us, their ever-concerned parents, is, "Oh, yesssss! What a WONDERFUL idea! I just LOVE every last dream you're chasing!!" [And so WHAT if, at that same age, that's all I ever wanted to hear from my parents. That was different...]
Anyway, thank you for all your feedback. You know how I feel about your writing, so that makes this review especially appreciated. xo
Comment from LisaMay
Your chapter covering the accommodation of dream with reality is terrific. Such nice touches of self-mockery, parental wisdom (I like your father) and interesting details of a very different lifestyle. You couldn't have made that guy sound worse, but maybe he had bad teeth also.
Now for my nit-picking:
My father referred to it as "as lesson in humility," (a lesson in humility)
Finally, though, my voice healed, I resumed lessons with the same beloved voice teacher I'd had since eighth grade, a well-known NYC opera diva herself, who eventually got me the contact I needed to land an audition for the chorus of a big opera company in Manhattan. (bloody long sentence; I'm gasping for breath. Suggest you put a full stop after "since eighth grade." Then start the next sentence with: "She was a well-known etc."
Less is not just more; it's all you're hired to give. (this feels to me like it needs a different break; rather than a semi-colon perhaps a dash?)
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Your chapter covering the accommodation of dream with reality is terrific. Such nice touches of self-mockery, parental wisdom (I like your father) and interesting details of a very different lifestyle. You couldn't have made that guy sound worse, but maybe he had bad teeth also.
Now for my nit-picking:
My father referred to it as "as lesson in humility," (a lesson in humility)
Finally, though, my voice healed, I resumed lessons with the same beloved voice teacher I'd had since eighth grade, a well-known NYC opera diva herself, who eventually got me the contact I needed to land an audition for the chorus of a big opera company in Manhattan. (bloody long sentence; I'm gasping for breath. Suggest you put a full stop after "since eighth grade." Then start the next sentence with: "She was a well-known etc."
Less is not just more; it's all you're hired to give. (this feels to me like it needs a different break; rather than a semi-colon perhaps a dash?)
Comment Written 24-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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They're not 'nits' - they're you having my back, and I couldn't appreciate them more. Thanks, LisaMay. xo
Comment from Ulla
Hi Racelle, I liked this and I have to say that you have a very wise father. You had to learn the lesson yourself, but I can understand why you had to pursue your dreams first. Very well written. I really enjoyed it. All the best. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Hi Racelle, I liked this and I have to say that you have a very wise father. You had to learn the lesson yourself, but I can understand why you had to pursue your dreams first. Very well written. I really enjoyed it. All the best. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 24-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Thank you, Ulla. My dad was absolutely great - my fiercest fan, but also my toughest critic. I always knew I could trust his judgment.
Thank you for this lovely review, Ulla, and I especially like that you 'get' the part about needing to pursue the dream. It always feels good to be understood! xo
Comment from Mrs. KT
Hello Rachelle,
Your father was a very wise man...
It still amazes me how incredibly wise my own father was at various stages of my life as well...
But back to your writing: It is filled with self-deprecating humor and humility = hard earned. Incredibly humours descriptors that carry the reader along - feeling great empathy for your experiences as you struggle to follow your dream.
Looking forward to the next installment!
diane
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Hello Rachelle,
Your father was a very wise man...
It still amazes me how incredibly wise my own father was at various stages of my life as well...
But back to your writing: It is filled with self-deprecating humor and humility = hard earned. Incredibly humours descriptors that carry the reader along - feeling great empathy for your experiences as you struggle to follow your dream.
Looking forward to the next installment!
diane
Comment Written 24-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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That's why we love our dads; they run interference for us like no one else can. They see MILES in front of us!
Thank you for this really nice review, Diane. The next installment is where the teaching path begins - the never-ending fun, at last! Thanks for following this; it means a lot to me to know you're there for it. xo
Comment from meeshu
a very well written story, interesting and well paced. I really liked the 'parting phrase', really quite enlightening. I look forward to the next, Rachelle...............meeshu
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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a very well written story, interesting and well paced. I really liked the 'parting phrase', really quite enlightening. I look forward to the next, Rachelle...............meeshu
Comment Written 24-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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Thank you, Meeshu. The fun times are about to begin!! I appreciate the sweet review. xo
Comment from Louise Michelle
You certainly are multi-talented, Rachelle, because you also know how to write in a clear and engaging way.
Great description about the musical director. I hated him just based on his gross appearance that you described so well, haha.
I have to say that your father is wise and guided you well with his advice. Such a fascinating life you've lived, and you have such a good attitude. Some people never get over disappointments. I'm reminded of the line from "Streetcar Named Desire," which went something like: I could have been a contender. Some people spend their lives looking back and wishing things had been different. Hugs, Lou P.S. I think that line is from that movie. I haven't seen it for years.
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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You certainly are multi-talented, Rachelle, because you also know how to write in a clear and engaging way.
Great description about the musical director. I hated him just based on his gross appearance that you described so well, haha.
I have to say that your father is wise and guided you well with his advice. Such a fascinating life you've lived, and you have such a good attitude. Some people never get over disappointments. I'm reminded of the line from "Streetcar Named Desire," which went something like: I could have been a contender. Some people spend their lives looking back and wishing things had been different. Hugs, Lou P.S. I think that line is from that movie. I haven't seen it for years.
Comment Written 24-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019
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I remember that line. I was taught by my mentor, Ann, to "Always choose joy." For me, that works way better than a life of 'what ifs.'
Thank you for this lovely review, Lou. Coming from as talented a writer as you, I consider it quite the compliment. xo