CHARLES PETTINGLE, REVIVING THE DYING BREED OF LIVE CONCERT PIANIST
“The piano with its beauty and power is the perfect medium for expressing the performer’s art, drama and poetry.” - Van Cliburn
I met Charles Pettingle at a wedding, (the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Idun) slaving in obscurity with a classic piano under an elegant spiral stair ushering the bride, Nana Kay. Those who appreciate classical music will understand the wonder that every note generate in that simple moment. Charles is skillful with the piano, he has mastered the art of rendering sound to invoke an atmosphere induced with pleasant emotions and memories.
Live piano concert is a dying art, especially in Ghana. More so, it is uncommon to see a pianist performing live when a DJ is a favourable option. It was a rarity to find a decent pianist like Charles Pettingle.
There was this clarity and friendliness about his music as I eavesdropped on the conversation between the pianist and a piano. Truly, music has a way of communicating with the soul.
Most pianist (organists) in Ghana never had formal training in music. Mr. Pettingle will not be any different. “It is by God’s grace I am able to ‘flow’. But then it is a lot of practice and a lot of listening. " he explained.
“I play a bit of classical, I am not deep into jazz. Basically, anything with a good message and a good musical content. Anything at all whether it is Chinese, reggae or juju music. I am not really into dirty content music (all about sex, money, drugs).” he added.
Religion can hardly be detached from Ghana’s music circles. Churches are rather the nurseries for talents. This trend has become rather common since musical instruments could mostly be found in churches instead of schools. With the high rate of poverty up until the early 2000’s, parent could hardly afford the basic needs of food and cloths let alone a musical instrument like a piano. Most artist have to improvise and got better at it. That is how some muster their craft.
May be you have heard the song “KODA ft Nacee – Nkwa Abodoo (Bread of Life)” and you also may have heard the lead singer call the various instrumentalist to display close to the end of the song. Well, the pianist in that song happens to be Charles Pettingle, “I was the one who played the last piano; the last bit everybody keeps laughing about” he disclosed in our interview.
He performs in concerts for the likes Nii Okain, Koda Black and major church concerts in Takoradi. “I don’t like to indulge in circular music more because most of those who are leading in that genre are those whose messages I don’t really like," he explained when asks why he didn't mention circular music shows.
Has this all been worth it as a musician? This gentleman thinks the journey has been fulfilling. “To me work is not just about making wealth but doing what you enjoy doing and still getting paid for it." he answered.
The industry has it perks in the “gig economy” but some artist are struggling to keep up. In contrast, it is lucrative for Mr. Pettingle; one only need to attain a certain pedigree and recognition to make it. “It takes time and grace,” as he puts it.
Aside these benefits, music is a medium of expressing one’s thought, feelings and emotions. “It is like an outlet for heat or happiness.” ‘Heat’, (emotions) like passion, amour, pleasure, pain, anger, frustration and negative emotions. Charles admits he lets it all out once he starts playing the piano. When you are musically attune, you could get an insight into how he feels. “ It is like talking to this guy (pointing to the piano) and he is just there listening to you, when you need someone to listen.”
For that I dared to ask him what was the worse emotional state of mind he had ever played in, he had this to say:
“Anger! I was just angry at the whole world.”
“A lot of things were going wrong. I had a successive streak of misfortunes. So I was just mad at the whole world. I was just mad at God. Only a few people could tell that I was angry. [it was so intense that he got physical with the piano] and people thought it was the anointing. There were like, ‘The guy is up; there oh my God! Do it brother, Do can it’ ” he breaks off comically “It wasn’t anointing. I was mad, I was so mad. That was the worse emotion I have ever played in. But after playing the concert, I was fine; I was very fine.” he ended. He did not recollect the song he was playing.
We love good music. It makes us feel alive; the freedom to feel sounds like a million colors in your mind. It is what makes music liberating. More so, those who make music are liberated to hear the emotions they feel. It is for that reason we have to celebrate those you make great music. Don't you agree?
Aside:
It looks as if love flourishes where there is good music.
#In celebration of a friend.
I met Charles Pettingle at a wedding, (the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Idun) slaving in obscurity with a classic piano under an elegant spiral stair ushering the bride, Nana Kay. Those who appreciate classical music will understand the wonder that every note generate in that simple moment. Charles is skillful with the piano, he has mastered the art of rendering sound to invoke an atmosphere induced with pleasant emotions and memories.
Live piano concert is a dying art, especially in Ghana. More so, it is uncommon to see a pianist performing live when a DJ is a favourable option. It was a rarity to find a decent pianist like Charles Pettingle.
There was this clarity and friendliness about his music as I eavesdropped on the conversation between the pianist and a piano. Truly, music has a way of communicating with the soul.
Most pianist (organists) in Ghana never had formal training in music. Mr. Pettingle will not be any different. “It is by God’s grace I am able to ‘flow’. But then it is a lot of practice and a lot of listening. " he explained.
“I play a bit of classical, I am not deep into jazz. Basically, anything with a good message and a good musical content. Anything at all whether it is Chinese, reggae or juju music. I am not really into dirty content music (all about sex, money, drugs).” he added.
Religion can hardly be detached from Ghana’s music circles. Churches are rather the nurseries for talents. This trend has become rather common since musical instruments could mostly be found in churches instead of schools. With the high rate of poverty up until the early 2000’s, parent could hardly afford the basic needs of food and cloths let alone a musical instrument like a piano. Most artist have to improvise and got better at it. That is how some muster their craft.
May be you have heard the song “KODA ft Nacee – Nkwa Abodoo (Bread of Life)” and you also may have heard the lead singer call the various instrumentalist to display close to the end of the song. Well, the pianist in that song happens to be Charles Pettingle, “I was the one who played the last piano; the last bit everybody keeps laughing about” he disclosed in our interview.
He performs in concerts for the likes Nii Okain, Koda Black and major church concerts in Takoradi. “I don’t like to indulge in circular music more because most of those who are leading in that genre are those whose messages I don’t really like," he explained when asks why he didn't mention circular music shows.
Has this all been worth it as a musician? This gentleman thinks the journey has been fulfilling. “To me work is not just about making wealth but doing what you enjoy doing and still getting paid for it." he answered.
The industry has it perks in the “gig economy” but some artist are struggling to keep up. In contrast, it is lucrative for Mr. Pettingle; one only need to attain a certain pedigree and recognition to make it. “It takes time and grace,” as he puts it.
Aside these benefits, music is a medium of expressing one’s thought, feelings and emotions. “It is like an outlet for heat or happiness.” ‘Heat’, (emotions) like passion, amour, pleasure, pain, anger, frustration and negative emotions. Charles admits he lets it all out once he starts playing the piano. When you are musically attune, you could get an insight into how he feels. “ It is like talking to this guy (pointing to the piano) and he is just there listening to you, when you need someone to listen.”
For that I dared to ask him what was the worse emotional state of mind he had ever played in, he had this to say:
“Anger! I was just angry at the whole world.”
“A lot of things were going wrong. I had a successive streak of misfortunes. So I was just mad at the whole world. I was just mad at God. Only a few people could tell that I was angry. [it was so intense that he got physical with the piano] and people thought it was the anointing. There were like, ‘The guy is up; there oh my God! Do it brother, Do can it’ ” he breaks off comically “It wasn’t anointing. I was mad, I was so mad. That was the worse emotion I have ever played in. But after playing the concert, I was fine; I was very fine.” he ended. He did not recollect the song he was playing.
We love good music. It makes us feel alive; the freedom to feel sounds like a million colors in your mind. It is what makes music liberating. More so, those who make music are liberated to hear the emotions they feel. It is for that reason we have to celebrate those you make great music. Don't you agree?
Aside:
It looks as if love flourishes where there is good music.
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