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From Our Kitchen
We Took Piano in the Depression
by Jean Loesch Krauklin
(Continued from page 1)

Practicing could be dull sometimes, but it had its advantages. If we sat down at the piano right after supper, we could sometimes get out of washing the dishes. Likewise, on a Saturday morning, diligent scale-playing would often help us avoid our weekly dusting chore. Actually, it seems Mother knew what she was doing when she allowed these subterfuges.
By 1935 Ruth and I were both in junior high. Our music teacher there was outstanding, both as a pianist and a magnetic personality. We both fell in love with Mr. Ward Steady right away and joined the junior high orchestra, which he conducted. Mother said that he could have been a Paul Whiteman if only he had enough ambition. It was enough to us that he instilled a lifetime love of good music. Not only did he force-feed our class definitions of "sonata" and "oratorio"--we also had the thrill of singing "Shortnin' Bread" and "Red Sails in the Sunset." Mr. Steady also knew what he was doing.
In the orchestra it was wonderful playing the piano part along with the strings, brass, woodwinds and drums, but the trouble was that there were too many pianists; we had to take turns. One day Mr. Steady pointed out that since we could already read music, some of us should take up other instruments. We were to pick the instruments that we really liked the sound of. I picked flute, Ruth chose the cello.
Where to obtain a flute? In the Depression there were very few school-owned instruments (no gym or art classes either). I borrowed Beverly Johnson's flute; she allowed me to take it home for a weekend, having shown me how to take it apart in three pieces to fit in the case.
In my room with the door closed I confronted this beautiful silvery tube with its mysterious row of keys, trying this way and that to hold my lips and wiggle my fingers. On the second day I produced a note, then two notes, and I was on my way. Most of the flute scale keys were in a logical position, but it took me a month to find out how to get F sharp! By then I had borrowed an instruction book.
Having returned Beverly's flute, without telling anyone I went downtown after school and entered Mr. Steady's father's music store. There was a dusty flute in an open case in the window. Old Mr. Steady demonstrated it to me, and upon learning who this 12-year-old was (he was in the Kiwanis Club with my dad), he offered to let me take the flute home and rent it for $2 a month. I accepted and didn't worry too much about how I was going to pay. My only income was at report card time, when I received 25 cents per A.
I never even thought of asking for lessons, but I progressed quite well. In a couple of months I was playing in the orchestra, right under Mr. Steady's elbow as he conducted. In "Selections from Faust" I was thrilled to be able to play an arpeggio solo all the way up to high G! As for my rental fee on the flute, I heard nothing from the music store, and they heard nothing from me.
(Continued on page 3)

Any comments or questions? Contact
louise@loesch.net
S i t e d e s i g n b y W e b f a i r

Home Family History Family Tree Photo Album Reminiscing Reunion Info Family News Address Book From Our Kitchen		We Took Piano in the Depression by Jean Loesch Krauklin (Continued from page 1) Practicing could be dull sometimes, but it had its advantages. If we sat down at the piano right after supper, we could sometimes get out of washing the dishes. Likewise, on a Saturday morning, diligent scale-playing would often help us avoid our weekly dusting chore. Actually, it seems Mother knew what she was doing when she allowed these subterfuges. By 1935 Ruth and I were both in junior high. Our music teacher there was outstanding, both as a pianist and a magnetic personality. We both fell in love with Mr. Ward Steady right away and joined the junior high orchestra, which he conducted. Mother said that he could have been a Paul Whiteman if only he had enough ambition. It was enough to us that he instilled a lifetime love of good music. Not only did he force-feed our class definitions of "sonata" and "oratorio"--we also had the thrill of singing "Shortnin' Bread" and "Red Sails in the Sunset." Mr. Steady also knew what he was doing. In the orchestra it was wonderful playing the piano part along with the strings, brass, woodwinds and drums, but the trouble was that there were too many pianists; we had to take turns. One day Mr. Steady pointed out that since we could already read music, some of us should take up other instruments. We were to pick the instruments that we really liked the sound of. I picked flute, Ruth chose the cello. Where to obtain a flute? In the Depression there were very few school-owned instruments (no gym or art classes either). I borrowed Beverly Johnson's flute; she allowed me to take it home for a weekend, having shown me how to take it apart in three pieces to fit in the case. In my room with the door closed I confronted this beautiful silvery tube with its mysterious row of keys, trying this way and that to hold my lips and wiggle my fingers. On the second day I produced a note, then two notes, and I was on my way. Most of the flute scale keys were in a logical position, but it took me a month to find out how to get F sharp! By then I had borrowed an instruction book. Having returned Beverly's flute, without telling anyone I went downtown after school and entered Mr. Steady's father's music store. There was a dusty flute in an open case in the window. Old Mr. Steady demonstrated it to me, and upon learning who this 12-year-old was (he was in the Kiwanis Club with my dad), he offered to let me take the flute home and rent it for $2 a month. I accepted and didn't worry too much about how I was going to pay. My only income was at report card time, when I received 25 cents per A. I never even thought of asking for lessons, but I progressed quite well. In a couple of months I was playing in the orchestra, right under Mr. Steady's elbow as he conducted. In "Selections from Faust" I was thrilled to be able to play an arpeggio solo all the way up to high G! As for my rental fee on the flute, I heard nothing from the music store, and they heard nothing from me. (Continued on page 3)
		Any comments or questions? Contact louise@loesch.net S i t e d e s i g n b y W e b f a i r