Curt Siffert's Piano Musings

Leonard with the Limp (5/26/07 #3)

Curt Siffert — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 08:25:35 GMT

That guy Leonard, down by the corner. Ratty clothes. Always making quips. Funny guy. Has a limp. He's not a beggar; he just... holds court. He's not a bum, seems he has someplace to go at night. But the next day, back at the corner, joking around... I guess he's just part of the neighborhood.

Communal Chime (2/8/07 #2)

Curt Siffert — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 05:13:36 GMT

This morning, the bells rang again, each on their own. But then it seemed they listened, and connected, and rang together before softening.

Waters, Colored (12/6/06 #2)

Curt Siffert — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 04:44:43 GMT

At that time, the painting was the waters. An unseen hand splashed color across the surf of waves, the splash of falls, the stillness of ponds, the murk of swamps. No one was around to see it, but it didn't matter.

Stalactites and Stalagmites (7/19/07 #4)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 07:07:43 +0000

The scaffolding from where treasures are stored and later forgotten.

Her Worry Dolls (7/19/07 #3)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:30:05 +0000

She got them in Guatemala, and kept them next to her matryoshka dolls. At night, the worry dolls would dance and try to offer comfort to their counterparts.

Swamp and Sand (7/19/07 #2)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:53:25 +0000

Think of the opposite of erosion. Sand and swamp, to soil, rock, and clay, and finally vegetation and peaceful structure.

Empty Sanctuary (7/19/07 #1)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:55:51 +0000

That church is always humming to itself a bit. It comes from deep inside the walls. But you can only really hear it after the congregants all leave.

Last Message (5/26/07 #2)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:53:48 +0000

It was a young planet, taken too quickly.

Ignorant Meadow (5/26/07 #1)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:06:48 +0000

Something horrible happened the night before. Can the meadow not acknowledge that? Sometimes when morning breaks, there is a rudeness to the peace.

After The Rain (4/12/07 #2)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 08:19:27 +0000

The rush of the storm has passed. The only things that got washed away were those things you can do without.

Tie Down For The Storm (4/12/07 #1)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:22:26 +0000

Some kind of storm is coming. You have to tie down everything that is loose. Because you don't know what will happen. Something. Might as well tie yourself down, too. Then just wait.

Unbond (3/22/07 #2)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:31:57 +0000

Sometimes we get pulled apart slowly. We might not notice it at first.

Kingdom (3/22/07 #1)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:57:41 +0000

The kingdom was mighty. Great gates, wide courtyards, and deadly intrigue... but falling into disrepair.

Junkyard Robot (3/17/07 #2)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:12:26 +0000

Rusted metal and twisted gears, but still kinda cheery - he limps around the junkyard helping other contraptions to better themselves.

Broken Frost (3/17/07 #1)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:08:46 +0000

A dark bird is flying, testing the cold air just before spring. Some life might emerge from the still-frozen ground, but it might be too early to survive.

Glass and Steel (3/7/07)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:27:58 +0000

There is a stillness after destruction that is peaceful and stunning.

Metal Knotted (2/28/07)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 09:53:35 +0000

Start with a loose tangle. Find two ends, and start pulling them in opposite directions. Make them want different things. Force through the tangle, fight against it. Turn it into a knot, make it harder, as hard as metal. Then remember, how could metal ever become a knot? To untangle, remember where it started. With softness.

Dancing About Architecture (2/8/07 #1)

Curt Siffert — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:16:17 +0000

It's a strange structure, new. She moves around it tentatively, slowly assembling the pieces in her understanding and movements. It's a careful embrace, but ultimately whole and secure.

Baby Naiad (1/5/07 #4)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:27:27 +0000

She's there to protect the spring and the lake. She moves smoothly, gracefully, arranges the moss and lilypads just so, makes sure the moonlight glints at the right angle, keeps the water clear. The problem is, she got knocked up. And her daughter, who just hit the terrible twos, is running around trying to "help".

Matchbox Traffic (1/5/07 #3)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 08:29:00 +0000

I'm trying to drive this car, but it doesn't steer, it has no brakes, and the doors don't even open. There are wrecks all around me, cars and trucks turned upside-down, but none of them appear damaged. The traffic rules don't make any sense. And just when I think I'm getting somewhere, this giant toddler reaches down and grabs me.

Old Meadow (1/5/07 #2)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 03:01:54 +0000

It had a good run, but it'll probably turn into a swamp soon.

Choir Rehearsal (1/5/07 #1)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:36:25 +0000

It's Monday night. Sunday's service went well. But it's halfway through rehearsal, the break was too short, shoulders are slumped, people are leaning back in their chairs. The sopranos are giggling about something unholy. Time to focus for one more runthrough.

Lost Village (12/7/06)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:10:32 +0000

We had to hack through the brush to get there. It wasn't mist that hid it, just miles of desolation and occasional thickets.

Homeless Ghost (12/6/06 #1)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 05:47:17 +0000

He needs no food and is not rooted to a spot. But he also has no place to go, and cannot enjoy the warmth of the sun or the touch of a stranger. The world's beauty is only an apparition to him.

Tinkerbell's Little Brother (10/31/06 #3)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:00:00 +0000

He's clumsy - graceless with his flying, always spilling things. Takes some wrong turns. Sometimes he just makes a real mess of things. It probably frustrates him that he'll never live up to his sister.

A Merry-Go-Round In Rain (10/31/06 #2)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Thu, 31 May 2007 23:13:21 +0000

The kids are stuck inside, waiting out the rain. But the merry-go-round slowly moves as the puddles grow.

Eidolon (10/31/06 #1)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sun, 27 May 2007 00:01:54 +0000

You've forgotten something. It's important. It's about yourself. It's buried in yourself, and you've forgotten. But you'll be reminded. You'll hear hints of it from time to time. You'll hear more when you're ready. You'll remember when you're ready.

The Interrupting Sister (8/28/06)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Wed, 23 May 2007 09:11:56 +0000

Tommy and I keep trying to sneak up on the swamp monsters. We have to be really careful because they're sleeping. We have to be quiet. But Chrissy keeps asking us questions! We didn't want to bring her along, she keeps ruining everything!

A New Steeple (8/26/06 #2)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 01:40:08 +0000

It was over two tons. The pastor worried it was too big. It moved slowly through the air, helped by cables and the crane. It was impossible. But then it fit.

She Owns A Boat (8/26/06)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 09:28:50 +0000

She owns it herself. Sometimes she feels a little out of her element, but it's still hers. It rocks her gently. And sometimes it's a little intense. But it's hers.

Driving Away (7/20/06)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 02:00:00 +0000

It is night. It had rained. You're leaving, and it doesn't matter what comes next.

Phoenix Grace (7/17/06)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 02:00:00 +0000

The second chance, bestowed to those that don't expect it and don't realize they deserve it.

A Young Church (7/5/06 #2)

siffert@museworld.com (Curt Siffert) — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 02:00:00 +0000

It starts with a gathering. Healthy ideals. A gentle church is formed, and it grows - hopefully not too quickly.

Ice Cream Bully (7/5/06 #1)

Curt Siffert — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 02:00:00 +0000

He's seven, and tough. He might take your ice cream. Or maybe he'll make you swallow your bubble gum.

Small Town Sunday (7/4/06 #2)

Curt Siffert — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 02:00:00 +0000

It's Sunday afternoon. That period of time between chapel and dinner, that mental space between doing chores and doing nothing. A town's memories are created.

An Elusive Sweetness (7/4/06 #1)

Curt Siffert — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 02:00:00 +0000

It's the slightly sweeter life - the poetry of stillness and destination from the slightly different path.

Rundown Playground (7/2/06 #4)

Curt Siffert — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 02:00:00 +0000

It used to be a nice playground. But the teeter totter's rusty. The swings have broken chains. There's probably broken glass somewhere.

Camel Boogie (7/2/06 #3)

Curt Siffert — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Despite popular belief, camels have been known to shimmy. It is a rare occurrence because camels are apt to conserve their energy. But with enough of a water source, they'll shimmy, stoop, and strut. They're better than you might think, although not by a lot.

The Forbidden Belfry (7/2/06 #2)

Curt Siffert — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 02:00:00 +0000

A bunch of kids got into that belfry tower by that abandoned church over by the cemetery yard. They don't know what they're getting into.

Before A Kiss (7/2/06 #1)

Curt Siffert — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 02:00:00 +0000

You consider, removed from the moment, and then time stops as the breeze still blows.

Abandoned Mansion (6/3/06 #8)

Curt Siffert — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 02:00:00 +0000

How would the mansion feel if it were alone, forgotten, and hungry? A mixture of creaking, dignity, and paralysis.

Insects Crossing Ice (6/3/06 #7)

Curt Siffert — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Small creepy creatures trying desperately to cross something slick. They flail about, but eventually succeed with pride.

Emotional Giant (6/3/06 #6)

Curt Siffert — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Giants get emotional too. They stomp around and kick at trees and punch clouds and wipe their noses on handfuls of shrubbery... but they eventually feel better.

Secret Treehouse Gang (6/3/06 #5)

Curt Siffert — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

The meetings are planned by writing messages inside of paper throwing stars. No girls allowed.

Creating Lilypads (6/3/06 #4)

Curt Siffert — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

You're a God. You wake up one morning and discover that you can create lilypads. You endeavor to scatter them out to every body of water on the planet.

Weightless Temple (6/3/06 #3)

Curt Siffert — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Cathedrals are peaceful, but imposing. What if you could find one that rose from the water or floated in the air?

Dirty Water (6/3/06 #2)

Curt Siffert — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

It's creepy and there are things in it that might grab you, or at least stick to you in an unpleasant way.

Planning Shenanigans (6/3/06 #1)

Curt Siffert — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

When one takes oneself too seriously, it's up to the subversive creatures to restore balance.

Possessed Saloon (5/29/06 #7)

Curt Siffert — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Listening to this one, I just couldn't help but think of it as a saloon piano that might have been trying to play itself. Saloon pianos are kind of oddball.

Empty Circus Fields (5/29/06 #6)

Curt Siffert — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Small town circuses set up in big fields... when they leave, they take everything with them, but the fields remain.

Glass Moth (5/29/06 #5)

Curt Siffert — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

This one didn't really solidify into a concept until about 90 seconds in, but it made me think of something that fluidly flies around but is also kind of brittle.

Slacker Fairies (5/29/06 #4)

Curt Siffert — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

You'd think that fairies are all about flying around in the forest carrying around tree sap and dewdrops and repairing lily pads and throwing surprise parties for baby animals. But really, some of them just want to sit around and smoke bark.

Stalking Toddler (5/29/06 #3)

Curt Siffert — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

You ever notice how toddlers are really bad at hide and seek? And chase? They think they're being all sneaky and scary, and they're just not. They're really bad at it.

Rude Phrygian (5/29/06 #2)

Curt Siffert — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Well, I learned about Phrygian chords recently, and they often sound pretty cool in jazz. So I tried throwing one in the middle of this more new-agey improv, and wow, was it awful. So, what if a Phrygian was actually a guy from some strange culture that walked in the room and offended everyone? Well, maybe this is what it would sound like.

Busted Lemonade Stand (5/29/06 #1)

Curt Siffert — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Lemonade stands always sound like such a good idea. Although sometimes there's splinters in the plywood, or the ice melts too fast, or you realize you don't have enough dixie cups, so you start reusing them. And the day stretches on.

Slow Rain (5/23/06 #2)

Curt Siffert — Fri, 26 May 2006 02:00:00 +0000

It's gentler than a drizzle, but more than a mist... is it rain if the droplets feel like they are floating?

March Of The Caterpillars (5/23/06 #1)

Curt Siffert — Thu, 25 May 2006 02:00:00 +0000

It actually seems a tad Latin, but just a tad. So, maybe they're caterpillars in Ernesto Lecuona's garden. Either way, these caterpillars are a bit full of themselves. This is take #8.

Drunk On A Porch Swing (5/16/06 #4)

Curt Siffert — Sat, 20 May 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Sitting on a porch swing, swinging back and forth, looking at a sun-drenched field with dandelions and breezes, except your lemonade is spiked and you're completely soused.

Stubbing Toes (5/16/06 #3)

Curt Siffert — Fri, 19 May 2006 02:00:00 +0000

I almost didn't include this one because it's weird and because I completely gave up in the middle. But then I listened to it and it made me crack up. So, "Stubbing Toes" it is.

Strumming Lost Threads (5/16/06 #2)

Curt Siffert — Thu, 18 May 2006 02:00:00 +0000

That occasional state of mind of when you're trying to remember an old memory but don't really mind when you can't. Maybe because you're drunk on a porch swing.

Old Toy Soldier (5/16/06 #1)

Curt Siffert — Wed, 17 May 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Listening to this made me think of an old toy soldier marching around, long since forgotten by his owner.

Calliope Raglet (5/15/06)

Curt Siffert — Tue, 16 May 2006 02:00:00 +0000

A weird little rag-ish thing in C minor. Well, it's sort of C major, too. Mostly improvised, but I cheated a bit on this one, too - the first two bars have been playing in my head for a while now.

Dusty Mirrors (5/9/06)

Curt Siffert — Fri, 12 May 2006 04:00:00 +0000

This improvisation was done on a Tuesday, a day spent recharging after a difficult three-day stretch. My thoughts about life while playing: back to the drawing board. It takes a few seconds for the music to start.

Forgotten Alley (4/29/06)

Curt Siffert — Fri, 12 May 2006 02:00:00 +0000

Originally titled "Improvisation in X minor"... I suppose it could be in F... this improv isn't too good, so you're allowed to laugh at me. But it's still a good reflection of how that day felt to me - one of those days where it just seemed like nothing was working quite right. Like the day, this one just doesn't hold together very well, but other than that, it's kind of weird and eerie.

Comet Jam (5/6/06)

Curt Siffert — Sun, 07 May 2006 02:00:00 +0000

I kind of cheated on this one, in that it isn't a true improvisation. Rather, I improvised some of the material and then realized it was way too hard to be able to play without stuttering all over the place. So I actually practiced the material for about a half hour to get a better feel for the material and the form. This is the end result - still a couple of bobbles, but much better than it would have been otherwise.

First Night (4/28/06)

Curt Siffert — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 00:00:00 +0000

After getting home from some low-key social plans with a friend of mine - lots of talking about relationships and attitudes with which to approach life - I improvised this into my microtrack.