I’ve mentioned a few times here that I used to take piano lessons from my mother. At a certain point, I started doing my own thing, just playing whatever I wanted by learning from ear rather than the “proper” way. Still, Mom loved that I was getting involved in music and always insisted that I play something for her yearly piano recitals. So long as I got to play a song I was passionate about, I was interested.
In my senior year of high school, I decided to play the Howl’s Moving Castle theme. I practiced and practiced until I had it down, but nothing can help you when it comes to nerves. I had played for my friends, but in front of an audience I hardly knew was a whole different story. I did fine for the most part, but I really botched up the ending.
My mom and I had modified the tune to be a little easier for me to play, so we simplified the ending for me to hit the final chord, bounce a little and hit the final chord again. I hit the final chord as practiced, hit the bass note to bounce, and then I somehow hit a completely wrong set of notes. I tried to fix it, but I was so embarrassed, I wound up hitting another wrong chord. I even had the nerve to try one more time, my fingers slipping, and creating another incorrect sound. I quickly stood up, shrugged, and left the stage.
I played it off like nothing, but I was so mortified. It didn’t help when people actually mentioned it to me after the recital — and not in a nice, consoling kind of way, but in a “you messed up” kind of way. It probably wasn’t intentionally mean-spirited, but it really hurt my feelings, and I was unsure if I ever wanted to take part in a recital again.
As time passed, I started to get over that night and I continued to play whenever I felt like it. I mostly stuck to Zelda songs as they were always my favorites to play. I always used to go from one song to the next, trying to piece together little medleys if I could. I eventually came up with a Majora’s Mask medley that I really liked and would play it over and over simply for my own pleasure.
The time came around again and while college was beginning to be a handful, my mom asked me if I would like to participate in the recital again. I was conflicted for many reasons, but in the end, I eventually said yes, the main reason being I already had a song prepared. The Majora’s Mask medley.
I continued to practice this piece, and I admit, I was a little nervous. I practiced the ending especially, over and over, drilling it into my head. If I slipped up on a few parts in the middle no one would notice, especially considering no one in the audience would know the original music. But if I butchered the ending, it would be noticed, and I was certain that people would make mention again. I was determined to not let that happen, not only for the people who didn’t realize that they were being incredibly rude but because the ending was one of my favorite parts as well.
Let me break down the medley for you so you get a good idea of what it sounded like: We’d first start with the introduction to the game with the “Clocktown Theme” slowly transitioning into “Majora’s Theme.” “Majora’s Theme” would then turn into one of my favorite pieces of all time, “Oath to Order.” My right hand would be playing the melody accompanied by harmonic chords to give it that full sound as my left hand would mimic the plucking of a harp playing up the scale of the chords. It was so fun to play and was soothing to my ears.
Before the song would come to a conclusion, I would slow down the music, and before hitting that final D minor, I would slip into the “Song of Double Time,” creeping my way up the piano to the high notes before bringing it back down with a powerful ending to the “Oath to Order,” using inspiration from the “Door of Time” to finish off my medley. If I still had a piano, I would play it for you myself, but until that time comes again, this description is the best I can offer.
The time came and I was called up to the stage. I took my seat, took a deep breath, and started playing. The slow start to the song and simple bass note transitions helped me calm my nerves before I started getting into the big part. In the back of my head, my self-doubts were making themselves present. What if you mess this up? What if people talk? No. I had to shut that down. Focus on the music. Remember why you’re playing. This music is what you love.
I kept a slow, steady beat throughout the song and when the ending finally arrived, I was totally in-sync with my mind and body, and I nailed it. That progression of chords that I loved so much was performed without a single hitch and I’m so glad people got to hear it. It was redemption for me, but not just in my playing ability — though that was certainly something to be grateful for. It was in my passion for music in general.
Zelda music has always been a big part of my life. To this day, I listen to it on a daily basis. It inspires me with its haunting tunes and memorable melodies. Music like this is worth listening to, and I wanted so badly to hear it played to its very best potential that it kept me focused and scared off all those nerves, at least at the moment. I’ve always had a passion for music, but to this day, nothing inspires me more than the songs of The Legend of Zelda.
