The Piano Solo

Text 1: The First Note, by Lena Morrow

An original short story extract.

At the side of the school hall, Mina waited behind the curtain. Applause for the previous performer rolled towards her and faded. The programme in her hands had become a damp, crumpled square. Beneath her ribs, her heart beat like a trapped moth.

Her name was announced. For one second, Mina considered remaining where she was and letting the curtain close without her. Then her music teacher touched her shoulder. ‘Find the first bar,’ she whispered.

Mina stepped on to the stage. The piano stood beneath the lights, black and enormous, its raised lid like a wing. Beyond it, the audience was a pale blur. Too many eyes. Too much silence. Too far to walk. She kept moving until she reached the stool.

She sat. She placed her fingers on the keys and found the first bar. The opening note trembled, but it was there. Then came the next note, and the next. The familiar melody carried her forwards. Her shoulders lowered. The hall seemed to move further away, until there was only the music and the quiet certainty of her hands.

By the final page, Mina was no longer counting her breaths. She struck the last chord and let it ring. The silence held for a heartbeat; then applause broke over her, warm and sudden. Mina stood. Her knees were still shaking, but her hands were steady.

How does Lena Morrow use language and structure to show Mina becoming more confident during the performance?

You should use relevant subject terminology to support your answer.

You could consider:

• the words and phrases used to describe Mina’s feelings
• how Mina’s behaviour changes from the beginning to the end of the extract.