I have been practicing the keyboard since I was five under teachers of all kinds–-keyboardists who play by note, by ear, by Suzuki style. But I still could not play an accompaniment for a singer. This is what most people who enroll in piano school basically want to learn. They want to be musicians–I want to be a musician. But somehow, I felt hopeless and was just about to give up–when my mom interfered.My mom is not a keyboardist but she does have some knowledge of chords; the little she had, she hoped to pass on to me. She began to teach me my first accompaniment, “Amazing Grace”, using only the chords D, G, and A. It was so hard then, transferring from one chord to another, and maintaining a beat. But it was enough to rekindle the desire to play, even without a formal teacher this time. On my own, I began researching chords of praise and worship songs in our church library. I compiled two clear books of songs we sing to God in church, complete with lyrics, chords, and sometimes, notes. I asked for tips from keyboardist ate’s and kuya’s [big sis and big bro] to polish my playing. And I started to play. I wasn’t that committed to practicing daily, but thanks to my mom and dad’s prodding, I did practice every now and then, looking from my piece to the piano chord chart and playing each chord on the keyboard. I soon slowly but surely learned how to transfer quick from chord to chord, and to maintain a 4/4 or 3/4 beat. This basic technique and many others I discovered along the way, I know I learned only from God.
Today, whenever I watch my hands playing, I still cannot believe what I’m seeing. I had prayed, upon my father’s influence and encouragement, that God would teach me how to play, so I can be used of Him to make music in accompaniment for God’s worshipers. I had asked God to teach me even just the very basics, just so I can play. But God went beyond my expectations of His answer to my prayer.
Since July 2006, and all praise to God’s faithfulness and grace, I have been playing every Sunday in the two Cebuano services of our church till this day. I cannot say that since I am now a keyboardist, I have stopped learning. On the contrary, I am learning so much now that I am actually playing medleys of songs and in front of people. I have learned to adjust with singers, whether young or old, solo or choir. I have also learned to adjust with fellow musicians–drummers, bassists, guitarists–even saxophone players [just once. hehe]. And whenever I learn something new, I realize there is still so much more to learn. There will always be room for growth and more growth, whether in music or any other area of life. But for all that God has done and is doing in my life, I return all the glory, praise, and thanks which rightfully belong to my best Teacher and Guide, God.




