I have a one-hour piano repertoire of well-rehearsed oldies which I perform at local retirement centers. Not wishing to lug around a stack of books and never having seen the need to purchase print music for old folk songs; I play by ear, make up my own arrangements – or perhaps put in a little research as to what a particular chord progression might be.  (FYI, Moon River is a bit of a doozy). Consequently, most pieces end up in my keys of choice: C and F.

The other day, I was absentmindedly idling my fingers about the ivories at home and letting my thoughts wander out the window and slide down a few clouds. Suddenly, I found myself in the middle of an Elvis Presley song and playing an E major chord.  (You know, the one that belongs deep in “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” as part of the harmonic cadence before the final phrase?)

“I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” has been a staple on my playlist for a couple of months. Yet, I could not remember camping out on an E major chord before. So I worked it around a few times, ferreted out the sequence to verify. Yes, that chord really belongs there. I was puzzled and played through the song again. Then palmed my forehead.  Duh.  “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” may be my well-worn standard, but “Love Me Tender Love Me True” had not been on my playlist – until that day.

That is how we discover new things.  We travel down a well-worn trail of routine, something new and different catches our eye.  We follow up on it, do a little research and experience and find we have a new hobby, a new favorite activity or a additional item on the bucket list. Sometimes you need to follow the inner musician.