FANTASIA – A Dream of Musical Mastery

I’ve had the common dreams: stepping on the school bus and realizing I’d forgotten my pants; facing a final exam without having opened a book all term; discovering I can fly… Some of them reveal deep-seated fears; others celebrate potential.

The other night I had another of the latter.

I dreamt I’d taken guitar lessons secretly for a couple of decades. (As cover I’d also taken on a second quest, one which everyone knew about, to explain my twice-weekly absences. I decided on cooking school—so I became about half as good a cook as folks expected.)

But the ruse worked. I waited until I knew I was ready. And for the right audience, the right moment. That moment came when Sally and I joined my brother, his wife and two other couples—as we’d been doing for many years—for our annual New Years Eve party. 

The hosts always came up with a theme, and then each of us was to share some-
thing we’d created that spoke to that theme. Some made handcrafts; others wrote something or compiled photo essays; one couple composed and performed music.

                Oh, great…a fourth grader’s 
                first screeching violin recital.

OUT OF THE BOX
In my dream, that year’s theme was “surprise.” So, when it came time for my offering, I made everyone wait while I ran out to the car and brought in the large, repurposed Amazon box containing my guitar. (Do you know how hard it is to hide something that size—including from your wife—for twenty years?)

Imagine the expressions on everyone’s faces when I lifted my instrument out of the box. Some reflected simple curiosity: Jeff…guitar? Others, dread: Oh, great, steel yourself for the equivalent of a fourth grader’s first screeching violin recital.

Believe me, I milked the skepticism for all it was worth. I feigned awkwardness holding the instrument; made a couple of false starts; regained my composure and then started haltingly playing A Horse With No Name—the 1972 hit by America that requires just two chords.

And then the wit hit the fan. Finally, after my third feigned false start, I launched immaculately into In My Life, by the Beatles—a selection I’d played hundreds of times and perfected.

                      

             When I finished there was nothing 
             but awestruck silence.

CHANGED THEIR TUNE
As I played, the dream’s focus turned from my hands to my audience. You can imagine, as I have frequently since, the new expressions now on their faces. 

          

When I finished, instead of applause or even approving smiles, there was nothing but awestruck silence…and then, gradually, the applause.

I awakened from the dream reveling in the adulation. And having to give myself a little pep talk. Hey, self, people already love and admire you for who you are. Even if you’re no virtuoso. 

Have you dreamt of having a superpower? Was it something you could actually do if you put your mind to it? Did you put your mind to it? Won’t you please share it with me and the rest of the OMW family in the comments? 

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