Page 52 of Arranging Ayra
She followed me and stood by the piano as I sat down to play.
I began the opening sequence. “This is the overriding melody for the movie. These notes...” I played as I’d written. “Come back again and again.”
“Very hummable,” she said. “I like that. It’s the sort of melody that can stay in your head a long time.”
Then I came to the portion she’d doubted. “This is when the tension builds up.” I played the unusual passage. My fingers laid on the keys with the same tension the scene evoked. I felt Lizzy’s angst. I felt her disdain for Mr. Darcy all while understanding her growing interest in him.
A faint smile came to Keely’s lips as she nodded. “Yes,” she whispered. “I get it now. It works. It really works. You’re a genius, Ayra.”
“There you guys are,” Jai said as he entered the room. “I thought I heard pretty music coming from somewhere.”
“We’re having a little listen of Ayra’s music for the movie.”
“Yes,” he said. “Sounds good... even from a distance... and even though I know little to nothing about music, I know what I like.”
Other crew members also entered the room.
“You finally have the music down?” one of them said.
“Play the part that you just played for me,” Keely said. “Listen to this part, guys.”
Everyone was silent as I once again played the part.
“There’s something so powerful and poignant about that one strained note,” Jai said.
Keely looked at him. “For someone who knows little about music, you certainly do capture the essence of it.”
“All the makings of a great arranger/composer,” another crew member said.
I felt the heat of a blush rush to my cheeks and suddenly my fingers were unsteady on the keys. But it wasn’t because of the praise of the crew members. I suddenly noticed the way Barnaby looked at me.
He’d come in as I’d played and now stood behind Keely, his eyes riveted to me. The gleam in his eye was unmistakable. He was surprised by my talent and impressed.
Barnaby... impressed... by me. Now, that was a first. Perhaps a first in a long line of opportunities to impress him.
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