Chapter 237 – Master’s Performance and Guidance
TN: To give a perspective/visualization of how good this teacher is, here’s a video of Lang Lang which was said in the last chapter he was on par with: HERE. That’s what Yang Yi and others were seeing/listening at this chapter. (Close to it at least)
“Desert Camel Caravan” Yang Yi has heard this piano piece. On the shelves of his coffee shop, the most abundant collection was not pop music albums, but rather CDs of pure piano or violin instrumental music. Usually, this pure instrumental music was often played in the shop!
Of course, Yang Yi was still only at the stage of appreciation for this world-renowned piece and has not yet started playing it himself, but he recognized it by listening to the prelude.
This was the first time Yang Yi has heard a live performance by a master-level pianist. Jian Yifan’s playing seemed to be no worse than the recordings Yang Yi has heard.
Closing his eyes and listening, the beautiful notes seemed to be living beings jumping around. The rhythm at the beginning was a bit slow, as if entering the desert. Emotions of concern and worry were brewing and a slightly tense secondary melody was also urging like a clock, pushing the main melody faster.
Slowly, it seemed as if the camel caravan was growing stronger and stronger. The heavy notes struck by the piano keys seemed to foreshadow their firm footsteps as they slowly walked towards the distance.
Of course, these artistic conceptions were purely imaginative, but the beautiful piano playing triggered and brought forth these imaginations.
“Papa, Papa!” The little girl thought it sounded good and wanted to whisper to her father. She tugged at her father’s clothes and whispered.
“Shh!” Yang Yi lowered his head, raised his finger, and then rubbed the little girl’s head to signal her that she should listen carefully.
The movement was very long, with gusts of winds and sandstorms in between, but the camel herd fearlessly challenged all difficulties. The melody became more and more impassioned, with Jian Yifan’s playing. The fingers rise and fall, becoming faster and faster, and the rhythm became more and more obvious.
Finally, it was like a celebration. After a burst of excitement, it returned to a brisk finale, gradually calming down.
Yang Yi slowly opened his eyes and saw Jian Yifan’s gesture of putting away his hands1refers to the pianist gradually moving their hands away from the keys of the piano or ceasing their playing motion. like a real performer. He was really professional!
Ding Xiang took the lead in applauding. She actually didn’t have a particularly high appreciation ability, but even someone who didn’t understand music could tell the difference between good and bad. Ding Xiang also thought that this old gentleman played very smoothly and should be quite skilled.
Xixi also joined in applauding. The little girl really thought it was nice to listen to, even better than her mother’s piano playing.
“Thank you, thank you. I saw a good piano and couldn’t control myself so I played for a while longer. I hope the boss doesn’t mind?” Jian Yifan clasped his hand together and smiled. He was still very polite and gentlemanly. Perhaps it was because he had been abroad for many years.
“Not at all, Teacher Jian is definitely a master performer!” Yang Yi said with a smile. “To have a performance in our small shop is an honor for us.”
In fact, after one musical movement2 The term “乐章” refers to a musical movement or section within a larger musical composition, such as a symphony or a sonata. It represents a distinct and cohesive portion of the piece with its own musical characteristics, structure, and themes., quite some time had passed. The freshly brewed hot coffee that Ding Xiang prepared earlier was no longer emitting white steam.
Yang Yi noticed this detail and pushed the cup on the bar inward, saying, “Ding Xiang, please brew another cup. This one has cooled down.”
Jian Yifan came over to the bar and sat down, intending to tease the cute little girl, Xixi, again. However, he quickly waved his hand and said, “No need, no need. It’s not this young lady’s fault. It’s all because I took too long. It’s my fault. Don’t blame her.”
Yang Yi was stunned for a moment but then smiled and said, “Teacher Jian misunderstood. I didn’t blame Ding Xiang. I just asked her to brew you another hot cup.”
“Then let me pay for two cups of coffee!” Jian Yifan felt sorry in his heart and wanted to reach for his pocket.
“How can that be? We are so lucky to hear your performance of ‘Desert Camel Caravan’. Let me treat you to this cup of coffee.” Yang Yi quickly held him down and persuaded him for a while before finally letting this honest Teacher Jian give up on this idea.
However, Teacher Jian still left the money, saying it was a tip for Ding Xiang. Yang Yi did not stop him and smiled warmly, allowing the blushing Ding Xiang to accept it.
After some exchange, Jian Yifan also learned Yang Yi’s name and understood Yang Yi’s love for classical music.
“Do I have the honor of hearing Boss Yang’s playing?” Jian Yifan said humorously, with a touch of elegance. ” Thank you for your treat of this delicious freshly brewed coffee. Although I have no special talents, I do have a little experience in teaching students. Perhaps this is the only way I can repay your generosity, Boss Yang.”
Jian Yifan sincerely wanted to give some guidance to Yang Yi. Although he didn’t know Yang Yi’s level yet, from his standpoint, there would be no problem in guiding most piano performers.
Yang Yi was taken aback for a moment, and was overjoyed in his heart. He stood up confidently and said, “If Teacher Jian is willing to offer guidance, then that would be great.”
In his previous life, he wasn’t someone who liked to work behind closed doors either. He was obsessed with swords and had traveled all over China to visit famous masters from different schools for advice. When he came to this world, Yang Yi’s greatest hobby became music. Although he did not have the intention of becoming a performer. How could Yang Yi not be happy if he could receive guidance from a master performer and improve his personal abilities?
Sitting in front of the piano, Yang Yi was still in a daze for a moment, hesitating whether to play a classic piece from his previous life.
But Yang Yi gave up on this idea. He was receiving guidance from Jian Yifan, not showing off his “creative ability”.
Yang Yi no longer concealed anything, using all his skills to play one of the pieces he had practiced before.
Ding Xiang watched from the side and couldn’t help but cover her mouth in surprise. Big Brother Yang still has this skill?
Yang Yi had never played the piano in front of her before. This guy was too low-key. Ding Xiang foolishly thought that Yang Yi had simply bought the piano for Mo Fei to play, and never expected that Yang Yi could actually play the piano!
At this time, Ding Xiang’s clothes was pulled and she looked down. Xixi had somehow got into the bar and the little girl whispered proudly to Sister Ding Xiang: “My Papa is very powerful!”
“Achoo!” After speaking Xixi sneezed again.
“Xixi, why did you sneeze?” Ding Xiang noticed and quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe the little girl’s nose.
Jian Yifan, who was sitting in front of the bar, also heard the lovely little girl’s word, and he smiled warmly.
Jian Yifan didn’t expect Yang Yi to have such a level, almost on par with the professional students he taught. Moreover, what Jian Yifan found interesting was that the smooth piano sound and agile finger movements were in sharp contrast with Yang Yi’s burly figure. Yet, somehow, they blended together perfectly!
This made Jian Yifan marvel at the mystery of the Creator!
Of course, if it was to pick faults, Jian Yifan could still identify many problems.
After Yang Yi finished playing the piece, and the excited applause from Ding Xiang and Xixi subsided, Jian Yifan said to Yang Yi, “Boss Yang, I may be a bit blunt in my speech, as I’m used to being a teacher. I’ll discuss with you about the performance just now, and my words may be somewhat unpleasant. I hope you won’t mind.”
The purpose was to point out the flaws and help oneself improve! Yang Yi wasn’t some young man in his teens or twenties. Where would he have so much vanity?
So, Yang Yi smiled calmly and said, “Teacher Jian, please rest assured. Feel free to speak your mind! I am well aware of my poor skills, so I am prepared for any criticism.”
“No, no, you actually played pretty well, just in some places…” Jian Yifan enthusiastically began guiding Yang Yi.
This rain trapped Jian Yifan and Yang Yi in a coffee shop. Although they only met by chance and the guidance was a spontaneous act, their friendship was quietly established due to their shared love for the piano.
TN: I tried looking for the song, but couldn’t find it or it was just the author’s made-up music.
TN: If you like my translations support me in ko-fi: Here.
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