Chapter 12 - Piano

16th July 2022 - Windsor Square - 9:27AM

The next day as expected, Kai was wheeled to the biggest room located in the second floor of the villa. As soon as he entered, he saw a beautiful pure white grand piano and Jeffrey playing a soothing melody.

Kai couldn't describe it. It felt so ....raw. The melody seemed to awake emotions he didn't know existed and again he marveled at both the old man's skill as well as the ability of music to invoke such pure feelings in his mind.

Both Albert and Kai waited for Jeff to finish his piece before they resumed moving towards Jeff and Albert was the first one to greet the Maestro.

"Good morning Sir. As requested, I've escorted Mr. Kai here." "Ah, thank you old friend. Just close the door on the way out now. And don't let anyone disturb us until I call for you." "Of course sir" Albert lowered his head slightly and gently closed the door on his way out.

"Alright kid. Let's begin." Jeff declared. "Singing is not like any other art where I can show you how to do it and gradually teach you everything. Singing is an art form you need a genuine aptitude for and I can only refine it for you. So let's hear it. Select any song that you feel is right for you."

'Time to face the music' Kai thought nervously but steeled his nerves. Singing in front of Zephyr of all people was a nerve wracking task but he didn't let it deter him as he had decided that this was his career path now. He then took out his phone and played the instrumental of one of his favorite songs, Starry night by Olivia Smith.

The song was a slow paced song which conveyed themes of loneliness and wanting someone to share the joys of life with. It was a song that Kai related to and thus he really liked listening to it when he felt low.

He tried his best to show his singing skills. Singing the high notes at the crescendo, taking in the melody and trying his best to invoke empathy like Jeff said last evening. As the song came to a close, the young man opened his eyes and looked at the maestro in anticipation.

Jeff didn't say anything for a minute. But eventually, "Alright. Not bad kid. You aren't bad at all. You're not great but there are a few things that you possess that if we can polish, you can be a good singer. Maybe even a great one. It will be challenging though as there is a lot of work that needs to be done."

Kai felt down after hearing that but psyched himself up as the old man did mention that he had properties to be a good singer. So the possibility of him getting to level 3 in the next 10 days wasn't 0.

What he didn't understand is that how the system was quantifying his skills and what the levels meant. What was the highest level? Level 10?20?100? And what was the difference between Level 1 and not having the skill at all. After getting in his room last night he again tried singing one of the popular songs in this world and he did notice that without any rhyme or reason, his voice did sound noticeably better. It did not make him a singing prodigy overnight but the change was noticeable. The quality was like comparing a home cook cooking for the first time verses someone who has been in the kitchen for a few months and knew his way around. Not overnight success by any means but much better than before. Thinking about how the skill can help him become the best made Kai giddy with anticipation. But the Maestro's next sentence made his heart skip.

"Now come here kid. With singing I'll also be teaching the piano." he cleared his throat before continuing "You can't learn how to sing without understanding music notes and the piano is one of the best to compliment that. wheel your chair next to my seat. I'll show you the basics and we'll go from there."

"A piano?" Kai parroted. After thinking for a few seconds, Jeff's words did make sense and determined, he wheeled his wheelchair to the grand piano next to the old man.

Jeffrey lightly grasped the piano and pressed a few keys to understand their positioning as he couldn't see the keys. "I'll be playing a small melody. Just watch how my fingers roll off the keys and try to understand the mechanics. I'll give you my interpretation of this instrument after I play." And without hearing a response, Jeff, no Zephyr started playing the piano.

The melody was extremely simple but was so refreshing that Kai felt like he was on a mountain top feeling a calm breeze brushing against him. The sheer ease at which the Maestro danced his fingers through the piano was mesmerizing to watch. Without seeing a single key, to be able to handle it with such grace and efficiency made Kai's respect for the man grow even higher.

Eventually the piece came to an end and Jeff's voice cut through the air. "The piano is one of the easiest instruments to get the basics of but one of the hardest to master. The duality of the sentence shows it's complexity. Amateurs just learn the basics of the art and show off but a true master can create melodies that can mesmerize even the largest of critics."

"Every instrument needs a certain skill to show off it's full capabilities. For example, a guitar needs flair. If you lack flair, then a guitar is just a piece of wood with strings for you. For drums, it's energy. A good drummer needs boundless energy within him and that quality can energize even the most lethargic or lazy of audience. Similarly for piano, it's elegance. A good pianist needs to be elegant. A calm mind, steady hand and a good sense is instrumental for learning how to play the piano. So now before I teach you anything. Close your eyes and discard any and all useless thoughts. Steady your mind and only focus on what I tell you."

As instructed, Kai closed his eyes and tried to discard all useless thoughts and emotions. It took him a few minutes to do so but he achieved it. All his worries, aspirations, dreams were discarded in that moment. He stabilized his breathing and when he felt he was in the right state of mind, he opened his eyes.

Seeing the focus in his now pupil's eyes, Jeff showed a hint of satisfaction and started instructing on what the piano was, the intricacies about the instrument and different information about the keys.

As morning faded into afternoon which eventually elapsed into evening as the sun set, both Kai and Jeff were in their own bubble learning and relearning the joys of music respectively.

Kai was so engrossed in learning that he never paid attention of a few *DING* sounds made by the system throughout the entire ordeal.

*DING*

+1 INT

+1 INT

+1 CHA

New skill: Piano Level 1