Oh yeah….the clue in the New York Times Crossword today, “Take Two” Sunday title, was 104 down, “musical miscue.” It’s a “blat.” I did not know that, However, I managed to achieve it!
As most of you know, I play for Mass every Sunday evening, and have played the same hymns, psalms, parts of the Mass, for years! Years! Years! Years! I’m not sure I can emphasize “years” enough? Today, some part of my subconscious decided a musical miscue was in order.
An F# (F sharp) does not sound the same as an F flat….(How do I write that?) See the problem? Apparently, I am musically challenged. The same part I had played for years was subverted by either a misplacement of my hands, or a BLAT! I suddenly gave a huge miscue to an entire congregation. Oh, that it had only been once! I did it twice!!!!!!!!
Sigh. The real issue came with me trying not to laugh as I lead the entire congregation in song, commenced in the wrong key and switched to the correct one in a manner of one measure. This was the true test of restraint, as I physically face everyone with the current position of the piano. There is no doubt as to who made the glaring errors. Even though I felt like the epitome of an old church organist, I smiled and reminded myself I was playing a piano.