a hollow waiting to bear music...

A thing that was lying ignored in my house for a long time had recently caught my attention. A six-inch cheap wooden flute. My brother had been fooling around with it for a long time. I took it and just started playing on my own. My first goal was to find the traditional do-re-me notes on it. It was harder than a casio and easier than a guitar. Co-ordinating the (un)covering of the flute's finger holes was difficult than I'd imagined ... because here, to produce one note, I had to use 1-6 finger holes at a time.

Also, the sound of the note produced was not always in key. It depended on how well I'd covered the finger holes and also, how well I blew. It required immense control of air. I looked for the seven notes and with that done, I hurried along to put together a familiar tune. My favorite with any instrument is Doe-a-deer. So I started playing it, with numerous repetitions, off-key sounds, and improper use of finger holes, I got close to playing the song. I say close because I couldn't get the notes right for the end of the song. My forced audience was my sister and brother :) I made them listen and be patient with me when I went off-key to get that one clap of appreciation! They were generous too, my brother was a bit more amused and laughed loudly when I went off key which in-turn made me laugh and produce some more off-key notes!

All in all I had a great time playing the flute. After a long patch of boredom and emptiness, I felt accomplished (however small) and alive.