Taber Gable is passionate about jazz music. Before he learned how to formally play piano, he was playing by ear.
"The first song I ever created is a jazz song," Taber remembers.
At only 13, Gable has composed 7 of his own pieces at the piano and recorded 2 of them.
That's probably not a surprise, since Taber started playing piano when he was a toddler.
"I would pick him up from the baby sitter and she would say he would sit on the ground and just move his fingers like he was playing the piano," Taber's mother Ronda Gable says. "After that he would go to the piano and just hit the keys."
Over time, those random keys started becoming music.
"It's like math, just putting two and two together and just adding stuff," Taber explains.
Taber makes composing and playing the piano look easy, but when your dream is to become a jazz musician there's always room to perfect your gift.
"My mom always told me to practice," Taber says.
Every week he meets with is piano teacher to sharpen his musical skills. His teacher reminds him to emphasize his notes and to curve his fingers. When Taber isn't learning, he's teaching. He spends a lot of time helping children at the Joy of Music School in Knoxville. The school is a place where disadvantaged children in the community can learn music.
"I think the kids really see a talent in him and say they want to play like Taber someday," Joy of Music School Director Jennifer Crake says.
At 13, Taber already has a niche for reaching people through his music.
"He's a good influence on me," Taber's mentor Mark Whitaker says. "He's created brightness in my life."
Taber hopes his music will inspire people. After all, he says playing the piano is the assignment he's been chosen to do.
"I just think God's given me a gift with it so I'm gonna use it."
Taber plans to release a CD later this year. He says he'll use the money he earns to help kids living in the inner city.
http://www.wbir.com/printfullstory.aspx?storyid=25210
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