INTRODUCTION TO ACT I
Today on TUNING IN THE U.S.A., we are in the living room at the Stewart hoe. Mr. Biondi, a piano tuner, is tuning Ellen’s piano. She tells him that she will be playing the piano more often. She may even be teaching piano again soon. When Philip comes home, he is happy to hear of her plans.
ACT I
Mr. Biondi: [He plays musical notes on the piano.] Mrs. Stewart, next time, don’t wait so long to tune your piano.
Ellen: It has been over a year since you were here.
Mr. Biondi: It’s been almost two years. That’s not good for a piano. Hear that?
Ellen: Ooh, it’s flat.
Mr. Biondi: Right. I’ll sharpen it. Now it’s in tune. [He stops tuning the piano.] Are you teaching piano these days, Mrs. Stewart?
Ellen: No, I haven’t been teaching much recently.
Mr. Biondi: You know, it’s too bad you’re not teaching anymore.
Ellen: What makes you say that?
Mr. Biondi: It’s hard to find a teacher as good as you are, Mrs. Stewart. My daughter Anna learned a lot from you.
Ellen: Oh, thank you, Mr. Biondi. I enjoyed giving Anna piano lessons.
Mr. Biondi: You have a way of making music lessons fun.
Ellen: Thank you. I think children practice more if they enjoy their lessons.
Mr. Biondi: That’s true. That’s true. Are you planning on giving lessons again? [He starts to tune the piano again.]
Ellen: Well, actually, I am thinking about teaching again.
Mr. Biondi: Now, I call that good news.
Philip: [He enters the house.] Hello, honey. I’m home!
Ellen: And that’s good news for me. My husband’s home. [calling] We’re in the living room, Philip. Mr. Biondi is here.
Philip: [He enters the living room.] Hello, Mr. Biondi. Nice to see you again.
Mr. Biondi: Hi, Dr. Stewart.
Philip: How’s the piano?
Mr. Biondi: Now it’s fine. But this piano was badly in need of tuning.
Philip: Well, Ellen hasn’t been playing much recently.
Mr. Biondi: Yes, she told me. But now one of Riverdale’s best piano teachers has decided to go back to teaching.
Philip: What’s this?
Ellen: Oh, Philip, I was going to talk to you about it tonight.
Mr. Biondi: I think she deserves a well-turned piano, don’t you? [He finishes tuning the piano.] All done! Mrs. Stewart, would you care to try it out?
Philip: Go on, Ellen. I think it’s great that you want to teach piano again.
Ellen: I’m glad you think so, Philip. [She begins to play.]
Philip: Could I ask a favor? [Ellen stops playing.]
Ph: Will you play my favorite piano piece for me?
El: [joking] Do I know it?
Ph: Well, I don’t remember the name. But it goes something like this. Let me try. [He plays a simple tune on the piano.]
Mr: There’s your first student, Mrs. Stewart.
El: Philip, I think I know that piece.
Ph: Would you play it for me?
INTRODUCTION TO ACT II
This time on Tuning in the U.S.A., we are at the Stewart home. Ellen is giving a piano lesson to a young girl. Her name is Jane. Ellen teaches her to play with more feeling, and Jane shares a secret with Ellen. When she grows up, she wants to be a musician. Ellen invites Jane to join an after-school music program. The young girl is unsure at first, but she changes her mind.
ACT II
Jane: [She plays a tune at the piano.] How’s that, Mrs. Stewart? Did I do al right?
Ellen: Yes, Jane. You hit all the correct notes.
Jane: I didn’t make a single mistake?
Ellen: No, you didn’t. But let’s try it again.
Jane: OK. [She begins to play the tune again.]
Ellen: Wait a minute. Let’s do it another way.
Jane: Different notes?
Ellen: No, the same notes. But let’s pretend that we have to play very quietly.
Jane: Why do we have to be quiet?
Ellen: Because there is a sleeping baby in the room.
Jane: There is?
Ellen: [She laughs.] We’re only pretending. So play very quietly.
Jane: Ok. [she plays again.]
El: Very nice, Jane.
Ja: You know what, Mrs. Stewart? I think it sounded better that way.
El: It did sound better. You’ve had a good lesson today. I can tell that you practiced this week.
Jane: You can? I must be getting better.
El: You are. Come in the kitchen, Jane. I’ll give you a nice glass of lemonade.
Ja: Thank you, Mrs. Stewart. I’m thirsty. [They go into the kitchen.]
El: There you go, Jane. Is that enough ice?
Ja: Yes, thank you. That’s just right.
El: Do you listen to much music at home?
Ja: Not really. I have four little brothers and sisters. They make noise all the time.
El: Mmm. That’s a lot of brothers and sisters.
Ja: And that’s a lot of noise. [Ellen laughs.]
Ja: Can I tell you a secret, Mrs. Stewart?
El: Of course. You can trust me.
Ja: When I grow up, I’m going to be a musician.
El: Is that so? Jane, do you know about the after-school programs next fall?
Ja: I heard my mom and dad say something about them.
El: Well, there’s going to be a music program. Twice a week.
Jane: There is? After school? Really?
El: Maybe your parents should know about it. I can suggest it to them.
Ja: Well, I don’t know…
El: I thought you wanted to be a musician.
Ja: I do. I really do, but…
El: But what?
Ja: Well, who’s the music teacher in the after-school program? Maybe he won’t like me.
El: Oh, she likes you already.
Ja: she does?
El: Yes, she does. You see, I’m the teacher.
Ja: You are? Oh, that’s great! |