brings back a painful memory....
in middle school I joined the middle school Band and was given the ability to choose from 3 instruments which I wanted to learn. I gave the 3 choices and my mom chose Trombone. Trombone, wasn't any of my 3 choices.
The reason I was forced to learn the Trombone IF I wanted to be in the band was that one of my older stepsisters had one, in a closet, under the stairs. Later I found out that my mom didn't believe I'd stick with it and so, she didn't want to make the effort to procure me one of the instruments I had chosen. This way, if I bailed... which she so predicted... she'd have had no expense in it. I took band for 3 years.. longer than she expected.
My younger sister followed and she also got that old Trombone. Only she ended up becoming a Middle School Band teacher. Mom devoted quite a bit of energy and effort into supporting her... "she is going places." she used to tell me.
So... few years ago I asked my Band Teacher younger sister to teach me to play the Flute or Clarinet IF I went to the trouble of purchasing and/or leasing one for myself? She teaches 9 and 10 year olds... surely she could teach me.
"No. You will most likely not stick with it and I don't have the time or energy to teach you. You'd do it for maybe 2 or 3 lessons, you'll not practice, and you'll quit. So, no.. I don't want to teach you even if you bought the instrument."
How so very little does she really know me?
Still on my "bucket list" to learn to play another instrument. One that I really want to learn.
I love music and quite often it's the only "medication" I ingest to calm my mind at night. To lay and listen to beautiful classical music. Doesn't always work but when it does... it's simply beautiful.
Hey, Tabby. I don't know how many parents killed their kids' passion for music this way. I used to play the trombone, myself. I got pretty good at it, but I retired it more than 30 years ago. I came upon the didgeridoo quite by accident, but it turned out to be a perfect match for me. I got some instructional CDs plus some recordings by various didge artists and just learned it on my own. Later on, I took it out in public, which is immensely satisfying. So I go along with Dee - teach yourself. We don't need adult supervision the way kids do. When you get better, then maybe you can find a teacher - maybe even your sisterm but don't worry about her.
Yup, I agree. Where there's a will, there's a way.
My instrument isn't guitar, but I did want to learn (when I put my main instrument
away when I went to college). I got a Beatles book with the fingerings and that
was all that was necessary.
Keep at it and don't demand too much of yourself at the beginning and one day
you might discover that you're pround of your music.
Two trombone players on the same thread. How cool is that! :)
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I took piano lessons from age 5 to 17. I started when I was 5 playing my own music for the National Piano Guild. But what I really remember is learning some difficult Chopin pieces and playing one in competition. I almost backed out at the last minute, but I had practiced so many loooooong hours. My sister was about ready to kill me if I played one more scale at 6am, but I had to get my time in before and after school. It was very, very rewarding. I was never really that good, but I sure enjoyed it. My mom still has that old piano. Maybe I should give it a try again. I told her once that I want the piano when she is gone some day, but it is kind of impractical for an apartment. Maybe I will have my own home some day...? This brings back good memories. Thank you.
I've been a musician since age 12 -- played professionally since age 23 or so. I'd say it saved my life because for one, I love playing and secondly because I got to hang out with other musicians as an adult even though I had a day job.
Currently, I'm recording music at home and have sound clips online, but I'm using an A.K.A. here because I'm not to thrilled about admitting to others that I'm bipolar.
I also think that I'm able to play as I do because I can put a lot of emotion in
my music, being bipolar. We have a lot to say and we can say anything we
want via music and not get in trouble. lol
When I was unable to play music at certain times in my life I was sketching
which is harder (at least for me) because the subject matter and emotions
are more direct and easier to understand which isn't always "pretty".
Lastly, I recently saw a man wearing a tee-shirt that said, "Music Saves
Lives". He was walking out of a store. I stopped him and said, "I love your
shirt and it's TRUE!" He said, "What do you play". I found his response
quite interesting -- he made the correct assumption that I was a musician,
too.
Hey, Donna. After playing Chopin, I don't know if an electronic keyboard (you can get them with foot pedals) will satisfy your needs. But it is the solution for an apartment - compact with volume control. A piano teacher I know does recommend keyboards with foot pedals for her students where real pianos are not practical. In my apartment, I practice my didges by placing the bell end on the sofa. Keeps the volume down.
The piano at my parent's house used to be like a sanctuary for me, the one thing my mother would let me do to procrastinate doing my homework and let out all my stress after school. Tonight, my new band is playing its first gig at a pretty well known place. Music has always been my safe arena to lose all sense of control and I love that my talent entertains and brings joy to others.
I'm so happy for you! You must be proud of being allowed the chance to make others happy with your music.