Bring Home Setsuko!

Setsuko had her total knee replacement surgery last Tuesday. The operation was successful and she is recovering very well. She will be coming home from the hospital this Thursday. Yeah!

The pictures were taken with my iPhone 15 Pro Max, and are all from the Tama Cemetery, which is  very close to our house. I do not know the name of the person in the first picture. The engraving is part of a beautiful tombstone.

I made this recording of "Bring Him Home" on my Yamaha P-515. I am very proud of this recording as I think it is the best recording I have ever made. I think the reason is simple. I practiced and practiced this piece! 

My plan was to play this song at an "Open Mike" event at the school where I work. I also offered to play background music as people were arriving. I thought I would be playing "Bring Him Home" later in the evening. However, with other performances and karaoke songs, I never got the chance. Here is my replacement!

With these recordings and my preparation for the "Open Mike" event, I have changed my approach to playing the keyboard. For years, I have focused on playing whatever I felt like playing, thereby playing a variety of songs in one sitting. It has been a long time since I have consistently worked on one piece. I am now doing exactly that in order to play a given piece up to my expectations. 

I am enjoying this new approach as it is pushing me to improve my skills. I am pleased with the improved quality of my playing. 

I wish all of you the very best as we head into spring,

Bob