Played trumpet from age 14 till about 21. High school band was the best time. I went to Bishop Bradley H.S. (now Trinity). We had 120 members in our marching band, played all over in parades and football games. Highlight was a week in Washington DC, We were invited to represent NH in the Cherry Blossom Parade, an experience I'll never forget! Also my aunt taught me to read music while taking piano lessons so I was ahead of others by high school time.
When I was 6, I had a small piano. Sitting at it it looked like a baby grand. At 7 my folks purchase a full size piano and I took lessons till I was 14. Due to a deform in my hand I gave it up. At 26 I tried the banjo but again after trying for a year had to stop. After Lyn & I were married I tried again. Oh well, Lyn plays guitar very well. And I am happy
When I was a kid, I visited at a friend’s house and fell madly in love with her piano. I don’t know how she managed to afford it, but my mother found a delightful old upright piano for me, with the understanding that I would take lessons and stick with it. I stayed with it all through high school, and even accompanied the senior choir for two years. Got to college, and suddenly found there was no time for music, so dropped it. In my early 40s, I picked up a mandolin… and then a bass guitar… and then a mountain dulcimer… and then a ukulele! I have always sung, but started taking voice lessons a number of years ago, which opened up and strengthened my singing. My only regret is that gap between high school and my 40s!
We had a piano very much like your moms. I took lessons for years, but unfortunately not too much “stuck”! The piano now resides at one of my daughter’s homes…but unfortunately her kids are not very musical. My piano playing granddaughter is stuck with a keyboard for the time being because of space issues. It is AWESOME that Uma may have a big piano…can’t help but think this will really inspire her to continue!!!
My first instrument was piano. I enjoyed taking lessons until I was forced into doing theory worksheets. Sucked all the joy out of it, and I quit the lessons.
Always wanted to play the trombone (after seeing the Music Man) but did not have enough lung power. Ended up with a flute a phone. Then, took up guitar. Played for years, never really great at it. It now sits in guest room. I think I will pick it up again. Little Bean has inspired me.
I regret never have taken any musical lessons as a child. My parents couldn't afford it back then. Then someone in high school chorus told me I was singing "flat" and that was the end of my musical career! Criticism does NOT help!
When my husband and I got our first house, we were thrilled to purchase a used piano and I started teaching myself. But then, one of our daughters - the music major - took it when she got her first house and there went my piano playing days.
It’s never too late to start! Maybe not piano, but consider a ukulele? They’re small, inexpensive for a decent instrument, and easy to start with. And depending on where you’re located, there may be adult education programs for beginning voice lessons. A friend of ours who used to teach music in an adult education program in Cambridge, MA told me she considers telling a child they can’t sing to be child abuse, and she took great delight in teaching those now-adults to sing!
Played trumpet from age 14 till about 21. High school band was the best time. I went to Bishop Bradley H.S. (now Trinity). We had 120 members in our marching band, played all over in parades and football games. Highlight was a week in Washington DC, We were invited to represent NH in the Cherry Blossom Parade, an experience I'll never forget! Also my aunt taught me to read music while taking piano lessons so I was ahead of others by high school time.
I forget if you mentioned this but do you still play?
No, don't play now. Instruments with a mouthpiece require very strong jaw/lip muscles, not something you can acquire overnight.
When I was 6, I had a small piano. Sitting at it it looked like a baby grand. At 7 my folks purchase a full size piano and I took lessons till I was 14. Due to a deform in my hand I gave it up. At 26 I tried the banjo but again after trying for a year had to stop. After Lyn & I were married I tried again. Oh well, Lyn plays guitar very well. And I am happy
Uma's piano teacher said that once she had a shoulder injury and had to learn how to play piano completely one-handed!
When I was a kid, I visited at a friend’s house and fell madly in love with her piano. I don’t know how she managed to afford it, but my mother found a delightful old upright piano for me, with the understanding that I would take lessons and stick with it. I stayed with it all through high school, and even accompanied the senior choir for two years. Got to college, and suddenly found there was no time for music, so dropped it. In my early 40s, I picked up a mandolin… and then a bass guitar… and then a mountain dulcimer… and then a ukulele! I have always sung, but started taking voice lessons a number of years ago, which opened up and strengthened my singing. My only regret is that gap between high school and my 40s!
I think that's going to be our deal with Little Bean - we'll make the leap but you have to stick with it!
We had a piano very much like your moms. I took lessons for years, but unfortunately not too much “stuck”! The piano now resides at one of my daughter’s homes…but unfortunately her kids are not very musical. My piano playing granddaughter is stuck with a keyboard for the time being because of space issues. It is AWESOME that Uma may have a big piano…can’t help but think this will really inspire her to continue!!!
We hope so!
My first instrument was piano. I enjoyed taking lessons until I was forced into doing theory worksheets. Sucked all the joy out of it, and I quit the lessons.
What is a theory worksheet?
These things: https://www.musictheoryacademy.com/music-theory-worksheets/
Always wanted to play the trombone (after seeing the Music Man) but did not have enough lung power. Ended up with a flute a phone. Then, took up guitar. Played for years, never really great at it. It now sits in guest room. I think I will pick it up again. Little Bean has inspired me.
I regret never have taken any musical lessons as a child. My parents couldn't afford it back then. Then someone in high school chorus told me I was singing "flat" and that was the end of my musical career! Criticism does NOT help!
When my husband and I got our first house, we were thrilled to purchase a used piano and I started teaching myself. But then, one of our daughters - the music major - took it when she got her first house and there went my piano playing days.
I wish I were more musical.
It’s never too late to start! Maybe not piano, but consider a ukulele? They’re small, inexpensive for a decent instrument, and easy to start with. And depending on where you’re located, there may be adult education programs for beginning voice lessons. A friend of ours who used to teach music in an adult education program in Cambridge, MA told me she considers telling a child they can’t sing to be child abuse, and she took great delight in teaching those now-adults to sing!
Thanks - definitely things to consider. I still want a piano though!!!
I agree with Faith! Many libraries including ours allow you to loan out a ukulele! Give it a go!