Logbook Of A Reluctant Dog-Sitter

Four o'clock, the pup's awake,
Piano dreams I yearn to take.
Fingers poised with hope so bright -
First note played? Oh dear, not right!

No music school? No teacher near? 
"When in doubt, YouTube’s it out!" 
Keys I fumbled, lamp aglow, 
Power out? Ha! Still let’s go! 

Sore fingers tapped, the tune took shape, 
Puppy swayed—no escape!
Dinner called, my pride intact, 
Turns out beginners can play.

It’s four p.m. now. My nephew’s puppy has just woken up from his nap and is exploring the room. Meanwhile, my eyes are fixed on the mahogany piano sitting in the corner. Maybe I should... Maybe...

Okay, I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to learn a new song by dinnertime. In a few strides, I’m standing in front of the piano, rifling through sheets of music. I pick one randomly—it seems far less complicated than the others. 

Now, keep in mind, I don’t know much about music, and I went to a school that didn’t offer music classes—so no judging! Testing the waters, I press Middle C. Not a fan. Then I remember an important saying: "When in doubt, YouTube it out."

After watching a few videos, I give it a try—this is harder than it looks! But I don’t give up. I focus completely on the task, even when the power goes out. I keep practicing with my trusty lamp. 

My fingers are sore, but I’ve made progress. Running through the keys once more... Hey, I’m actually doing it! Now, for the final test: I play the song for my audience, who sways along to the music. You guessed it—it’s my nephew’s puppy. But since he approves, I’m sure I’m not too bad. Sure, it’s a basic song, but still... 

Final verdict? You might not become a pro in a few hours, but you can definitely start. 

Stretching to get the blood flowing, I head to the kitchen for dinner—and maybe some dessert. I think I’ve totally earned it. What about you? 

Did your campus have music classes?