MINOR CONCERTO

~ Iain Kelly

He scanned the musical notes on the page, hearing the flowing melody in his mind, the various sections of the orchestra taking the lead as his concerto ebbed and flowed, rose and fell, insisted and reserved.

Reaching the thunderous crescendo, he took the standing ovation.

He glanced at the clock. Five minutes until the client would be calling to hear their first demo.

He tucked away his undiscovered masterpiece and picked up the guitar.

He strummed out the catchy jingle for ‘Doggies Snack’ems: Sweetie Treaties,’ corrected a couple of notes, and waited for the irritating executive to call.

music-room
Copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Published by Iain Kelly

39 year old writer, avid film viewer and book reader, employed in the media industry as a television editor.

97 thoughts on “MINOR CONCERTO”

  12. His day job pays the bills and his true passion will be exposed for all to hear when he is good and ready…
    I like being optimistic.
    Very well done, Iain.

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  19. If only there where more ways to allow more musicians the opportunity to inspire. I love hearing good street musicians, much as I enjoy seeing how we all interrupt the picture prompts

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  23. Such a sadly common story, the artist who stoops to doing crap work to pay the bills while working on their true masterpieces. But this feels hopeful to me, because he really is writing his true love work in his spare time, and not just pining and wishing he were while his days slip away.

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  25. Maybe not that concerto, maybe not the opera, maybe not the six string quartets that he composed feeling sure he could persuade some friends to perform them…
    Experts reckon it takes at least 10,000 hours to fully master the craft; that’s an awful lot to find in your spare time, but not impossible. He needs to persevere, then start networking like crazy. Are any of his irritating employers patrons of the arts, I wonder?
    BTW boring technical detail, a crescendo is not a point that you reach, it is the process of getting louder over a musical phrase.
    I enjoyed your story, Iain. I felt your main character accepted his fate with a degree of good humour that was rather endearing.

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  26. I’ve written some damn good songs that never got to tickle a recording executives ear, but then my writing hasn’t made it too far either. Oh well, we keep doing what we love and hope that someday it will find acceptance. How many artist didn’t become recognized until after they were dead?

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  31. Hey, at least he’s earning a living via his passion in one way or another! Great story. I loved the contrast between the beautiful, lyrical description of his music in the beginning and the plain ridiculousness of “Doggies Snack’ems: Sweetie Treaties” at the end – it really sums up the the double life the musician must feel like he’s living.

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  37. I hope this dreamer realises his dreams. The jingles must be soul-destroying, but will get him to where he wants to be, eventually.

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  40. I really enjoyed how you started the story, as he imagined himself onstage and taking the standing ovation. Then, reality crashes in. You painted well a picture of real life and fantasy. But sometimes fantasy can become real life. Hopefully, he will have his day! =)

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  41. and the greatest catchy tune ever was unleashed to the world making dog owners everywhere pause to think about the quality of food they gave their pets.

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  48. They say if you work at what you love you are never working but for most of us, including your protagonist, it’s not possible. Not yet anyway. You have told his story neatly, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

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