As a kid, I loved visiting my Aunt Joan for many reasons, but one of the highlights was her Baldwin Fun Machine, which we all affectionately referred to as an organ. It was so much fun to play. The neighbors a few doors down from us, the Richardsons, had a piano that I loved to bang away on whenever I was over at their house. The mom, Karen, who played the organ at our church, promised one day that she would teach me how to play properly. From the age of 5, an organ or piano was always at the top of my wishlist to Santa.
When I was in the 1st grade, my mama told me that if I wanted a piano, I needed to commit to lessons before I could get one. I promised that I would and said Miss Karen would be the perfect teacher—and she might very well have been. However, I didn't get a piano or organ in the 1st grade. During my 2nd grade year, Mama said Santa was looking for a piano for me, and I believed her. But instead, I ended up with a new Huffy bike, just like my sister did.
We moved to Florida, and our house was slightly smaller, so we didn't have room for an organ or piano. But I still managed to keep them both on my wishlists. That year, I hoped once again for a piano-like gift from Santa. When Christmas morning came, I found a Casio PT-80 keyboard with a ROM-pack that had four pre-programmed MIDI-like songs under the Christmas tree. I was excited at first, until I tried to play it, or at least a few weeks later when the novelty wore off.
The Casio PT-80, while a thoughtful gift, didn't quite match my dreams. Its compact size and limited capabilities left me wanting more. The keys were perfectly sized for my fingers, but the keyboard was designed to be monophonic, meaning it could only play one note at a time. I couldn't create the rich, layered music I longed for. The pre-programmed songs were fun for a while, but they quickly became repetitive and dull, even after mama bought me a few more ROM-packs at Panhandle Music in Pensacola.
Though I tried to make the best of it, my disappointment was hard to hide. The Casio PT-80 was no match for the Baldwin Fun Machine or the Richardsons' piano. I yearned for a full-sized keyboard or piano, something that would allow me to truly explore my musical potential. My parents promised that one day I would get a full-sized instrument, but deep down, I knew it was unlikely.
Despite my initial disappointment, the Casio PT-80 played a significant role in my musical journey. It was my first real introduction to making music, and it sparked a lifelong passion for musical instruments. Every time I hear the electronic chirp of an old-school keyboard, I'm transported back to that Christmas morning in the 3rd grade, unwrapping my Casio PT-80 with a mix of excitement and longing.
So while my journey to a full-sized piano or organ took a few detours, the Casio PT-80 was an important stop along the way. It taught me the joy of music and the importance of improvisation, not just in melodies, but in life as well.
As the holidays roll around each year, I can't help but remember those childhood wishes. If you're ever thinking of the perfect gift, musical instruments, and gear hold a special place in my heart, especially an upright piano or perhaps a Baldwin Fun Machine in decent condition. Sometimes, the simplest sounds can spark the most profound joy.
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