Best Time at Work

This is what Mr. Dachshund usually does at work!

There are many kinds of musicians and not until two months ago that I realize that I am more attracted by the talent than the skill. I've been going to the lobby at work almost every day to listen to volunteers playing piano. Soon I've noticed there’s a lady’s playing makes me want to spend my entire lunch time there in the lobby…and then I've also noticed, many people would stop and chat with her. What are the differences between her and other volunteer pianists?

                

She doesn't look at music sheet (later on I found out that she doesn't read music, and she plays by ears).
She always asks people whether they have favorite song(s) that she can play for them.
She can be talking to someone and playing at the same time (I guess this is a perk from not looking at music).

From my perspective, skill(s) can be trained, but talent(s) cannot – one either was born with the talent(s) or not. The other volunteers may be more skillful in playing some pieces, but this lady has her own interpretations and arrangements of every song that really makes people slow down to enjoy her playing.

One day she asked me whether I have a favorite song for her to play, and I couldn't think of any at that point since I usually listen to some foreign songs anyway. The following Wednesday, I wrote down the names of two songs that are written by a Korean pianist and gave it to the lady. The next week, the lady played the songs for me – she has combined two songs into one in her own arrangement with a beautiful flow. Now she plays the song for me every week. Each week, it’s a little bit different, but it’s beautiful in in its own way. I would say that two or three minutes are definitely the best time while I am at work.