Do you play a musical instrument?

[Marla]

I took piano lessons when I was younger (just for a couple of years). I didn't mind it, but hated that the instructor always told me to "cut my nails" .

Both dks take it now, and I love to hear them play...I hope they keep it up.

I would love to learn the guitar or something, I think it's great to be able to be really good at an instrument.

[RCT]

I played the flute in Grammar school and Jr. High Marching Band for 2 years...EEEWWWHHH...then in High School I played in the Jazz Band for a semester...then thought I was too cool8) for that....so I haven't played in years....

[AnnW]

I took piano for years, I hated it! LOL I am a very mechanical player.
My brother is quite gifted at it.
DS has been taking for a couple of years, and he is really quite good. He is also taking violin in school, and is pretty good at that too.
If dd wants to take piano next year, she can.

[Marla]

I forgot, I also played the clarinet for 3 years for school :rolleyes: definately not my favourite instrument.

[SMB]

I play the guitar and the piano, I've always loved music and often consider learning the violin.
Sheryl:)

[KarlaB]

I played violin and piano until like 9th grade? I still play the piano occasionally at home (stress reliever!) and a few months ago we got the violin out...you'd never know I ever played it in the past - it felt awkward to even hold it.

My mil gave us the piano that dh's gpa gave them when he was little....one of her conditions was that we would *make* our dks take 5 years of lessons. I would love them to play, but know ultimately it has to be their decision and they have to have an interest. It has nothing to do with the fact that I can't stand her telling us what we/they have to do! :rolleyes:

[MaryL]

I played the clarinet for MANY years....5th grade until college! WOW! I still have it~and my kids think it's a riot when I take it out. LOL I can read music, and can "plunk" out tunes on the piano. That's something I'd love to learn to do. For my next birthday, I told Dh that I'd like one of those piano/keyboards where the keys light up! That'd be so much fun.

[RCT]

Originally posted by AnnW
I took piano for years, I hated it! LOL I am a very mechanical player.
My brother is quite gifted at it.



OMG 8o did I write that? I still can't play very well..took it for several years too...my brother who is older has been playing since he was 3.....he too is rather gifted....I think my parents learned a hard lesson that just because one child is gifted at something...DON'T force the other child to follow behind....I could never have gotten to his level...and I didn't want to....

:p :p :p :p

[Lynda-WA]

I played the piano accordian for more years then I care to remember. HATED IT! Both of my parents wanted to play it so when I said I wanted to learn the violin they made a deal with me. If I showed them I was interested in playing music by seriously playing the piano accordian then I could get violin lessons. Unfortunately for me they reniged. Every year they'd say just a little longer. Finally they said they didn't see the sense in outlaying money for another peice of music equipment when I already had one, and I'd have to start all over if I switched intruments, and piano accordian player could more easily earn extra money in our area (all wedding bands had one in it)., etc, etc. I finally said I would rather play no intrument then the piano accordian any longer. And then to throw salt on the wound they let my brother and sister each choose their own intrument. My brother had a very short lived life with the guitar and my sister is an excellant flute player.

Because of that I've never pushed music for my kids. DS loved singing when he was little then quit when he found sports. Now in school they are doing the recorder. He's really, really good! I always thought of the recorder as a childs musical intrument before. He also asked about taking either the violin or guitar. We've agreed to guitar after we move. DS was a guitar player (bass) in a band so we already have some expensive *axes*.

[Lynda-WA]

That should have said *DH* was a guitar player in a band, not DS. DD has shown little interest in music.

[Diane]

My oldest sister took violin lessons for YEARS... my parents had such high hopes for her because my grandfather was evidently quite talented at it and wanted the same for her. SHE on the other hand... didn't and never tried very hard to be good at it. Anyway... by the time the rest of us kids got to the point where we could pick/choose an instrument to play my parents wouldn't LET us because they felt we'd do the same thing my sister did. :( I literally BEGGED for piano lessons but they never gave in... They DID tell me that I could have my sisters violin :rolleyes: but that's not where my heart was. I still wish I could play the piano and envy anyone who can. I could sit and listen to piano music forever...

When my dd's got into the 6th grade they were able to pick/choose IF they wanted to play an instrument and if they did... which one. My first dd started out with the French horn and did horribly. 8o I dreaded her practicing at home but still encouraged it. Halfway through the year she decided she wanted to play the flute... and did much better. (but far from perfect) Dd #2 decided on the flute and played beautifully. She could pick up any piece of music and play it perfect the first time around. When she no longer wanted to play/take lessons though... dh got pretty angry (because he felt she should use her talent) and pretty much made her take it one year longer than she wanted to 8o so that pretty much did it for her... She grew to hate it and hasn't picked it up since. :bigcry: Maybe some day but I won't hold my breath. Dd #3 also played the flute and although wasn't the best... did fairly well on it. When she got into the 10th grade she decided it wasn't for her and quit and jointed choir instead. By that time dh had learned a hard lesson and let her do what she wanted. Every once in a while she'll pick it up and play... because she never grew to hate/resent it. I never believed in PUSHING or MAKING any of my kids do anything they really didn't want to do. Not a good idea. :)

diane... :wave:

[Mickey]

I'm taking piano lessons now--a few months so far. MB takes them, too--since November, I believe. So far, so good...always wanted to take lessons and ds has always been interested. Dh plays guitar a bit...and bass. No lessons, just messes around and figures out songs and makes up his own.

[Diane]

Originally posted by Mickey
I'm taking piano lessons now--a few months so far. MB takes them, too--since November, I believe. So far, so good...always wanted to take lessons and ds has always been interested. Dh plays guitar a bit...and bass. No lessons, just messes around and figures out songs and makes up his own.

Wow... 8o that's awesome that you and MK are taking piano lessons. I'm SO envious of you. I'm sorry I can't remember but... how old is MK?

Diane... :wave:

[kacee]

Dd and I are currently taking piano lessons together. Diane - I say go for it. If I can learn it; you can to!!

We are doing pretty well. I am at a plateau, but keep trying. DD is doing great, too. I just hope she doesn't lose interest in it. We need players at our Church very badly. I know she would love to play for others. When I worked with the children's group and had to get there early, she loved to take her books and play for anyone who would listen. Now, I don't have to be there early. :( . Our teacher doesn't do recitals. I would love for her to get practice playing for others. This is something we may switch to later if she continues doing so well.

[Mickey]

Originally posted by Diane P.


Wow... 8o that's awesome that you and MK are taking piano lessons. I'm SO envious of you. I'm sorry I can't remember but... how old is MK?

Diane... :wave:

Do it, Diane! It's great!

MonkeyBoy will be 6 in eight days.

[Diane]

Originally posted by Mickey


Do it, Diane! It's great!

MonkeyBoy will be 6 in eight days.

Wow, he started out pretty young then... how good is he?

Diane... :wave:

[Koala]

I played b-flat clarinet 7 years in school, (pep band, marching band, concerts) and e-flat clarinet for about 3 years. I loved pep band but HATED marching. My oldest DD is in 5th grade and has been learning the violin in school. She has been having a hard time keeping up with the class and is also taking private lessons.