A new addition to my Musical Treasures!

Sep 30, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Oct 16, 2021

Oh, the excitement of being in a Music Store, surrounded by Musical Instruments, and buying a new Keyboards! Indeed, my version of heaven 😊❤️!

Sam and I, love visiting a Music Store, especially one that also stocks interesting Books on Music. We looked at various Keyboards, and decided on the Yamaha I-400.

We bought it with excitement, and left hurriedly, knowing very well that we would surely be tempted to look and want more instruments! We were keen to unwrap the I-400 and start exploring it. But, this post is not about the I-400!

It is in-fact, about one of my existing instruments, that has matured in time and character, with me - my Yamaha Keyboard (E-403), a humble, yet, sturdy, durable, reliable and dependable instrument, in Yamaha's portable category.

Of course, it was discontinued, and new versions of it are available, as Yamaha keeps upgrading their Keyboards' models.

I have had many Keyboards before the E-403. But, the E-403 has been one that I have had the longest.

For personal reasons (which now in retrospect feel silly, and deeply regretful), I had given up playing Keyboards in 2003, after having played for about 16 years. Every time I sat at a Keyboards, I would feel immense anger and hurt, and would cry like a baby! So, I gave away the Keyboards that I had, to a child who was interested in learning.

But, I could not stay away from something that is in my DNA; I could not ignore my soul's calling, not for long! And the pull that I have always felt towards a Keyboard / Piano, is palpable and undeniable!

In 2007, I was living in Delhi, and one day, inspired to resume playing Keyboards, and my music studies, I approached a reputed Music School, and met with a young Music Teacher. He seemed rather sceptical about my Keyboards' skills, and asked me to prepare a couple of pieces, and come for an audition, in a few days. I felt a little taken aback, but, at the same time doggedly determined to crack that audition.

So, I went directly to a Music Store, and purchased an E-403. When I unwrapped it, the emotions of anger and upset, hit me again! But, the drive to prove myself, felt stronger, and helped me push back the other emotions.

I also fell sick that night, and practiced 2 pieces, whilst by body was burning up. But, I got it done; I went back to the Music Teacher after a few days, cracked the audition, and resumed my studies. The E-403 is a vivid reminder of that episode!

It has travelled with me to so many places; it has been banged on by some who have played on it, it has had foods and liquids dropped on it by my Sam when he was little, and what not!

Many beautiful and sometimes restless souls, have played on it, have learned music on it, and with it. It has survived a lot! And I believe, it has character! A character that resonates tenacity, fortitude, and resilience, much like my own character that fate has shaped over the years.

It represents a challenging period of my life, and has seen me through a seemingly never-ending emotional roller-coaster. I returned to music, after a haitus of 14 years, with this instrument, and started a music teaching endeavour with it. It is my inspiration, an extension to me, through whom my musical expression, as a Musician and Teacher, flows with passion and ease.

It has been behaving wonky this past week. And I have to get it serviced, but, I cannot teach without a Keyboards (as I am very selective of who can play on my piano 🙈!), so, Sam and I went and got the Yamaha I-400. I can now send the E-403 for repairs.

I have had many instruments, in the past, and even today, I have many different instruments at home. But, I have realised, I don't emotionally connect with every instrument that I own.

I feel such connect, probably, with my Yamaha acoustic upright Piano ❤️, the E-403, another Yamaha Keyboards, a Violin, which a dear friend, Shirish Malhotra (whom I musically deeply respect), had helped me select.

I love musical instruments, of all kinds. I would probably love to be lost in a Musical Instruments' Museum, and live there forever, exploring it all, and probably teaching emphatically about it.

I especially love my instruments, as I believe these are an extension to my sensitive, yet, passionate, musical soul!

Pianistically yours!

Larissa