Do you play an instrument? – Poll
We know that many of you here in the MLT Club are musicians yourself, some even play professionally and we’d love to hear more about that!
The forum rules usually don’t allow self-promotion but in today’s poll we’d love for you all to share your own musical stories and experiences with instruments.
Whether you’ve only just started, it’s been a life-long hobby or you’re a seasoned professional … we’d love to hear about your story!
And even if you’ve never touched an instrument in your life … we’re interested in the reason for that as well. Music can be so incredibly enriching to one’s life, whether you’re enjoying it “from afar” or creating it yourself.
Let’s hear about it!
[wpforms id=”141473″ title=”true” description=”false”]
Stay groovy,
Mona & Lisa
I’ve played guitar for about 55 years but haven’t got much better in the last 40. I’m strictly rhythm, mostly to accompany myself singing – a mixed repertoire of songs from early Rock ‘n’ Roll, through 60s pop to a few later classics. I sing and play congas in a band here. We have rotating lead singers with three part harmonies most of the time. As a Brit in Canada, there’s a conversation I’d like to have with Mona & Lisa sometime about singing in other than your own accent. We sing mostly covers and my band mates are all Canadians and sing in their natural voices, regardless of how the original version was sung and I mimic their accents to harmonize. It seems to come naturally to me (I fake accents in normal speech for jokes etc.anyway). I am often asked why Brits “lose their accents when they sing”. We don’t, of course; we fake one, usually subconsciously. I am interested in how two Austrians whose English, while excellent and fluent is still quite strongly accented, manage to sound so natural when singing in English. Your version of “Lazy Sunday” from the Cavern Club got me wondering how hard it was because that’s a song originally sung in “Londonese”.
I started playing the trumpet in sixth grade, then picked up French horn in high school. When I got to junior college, I began learning to play the guitar, then played it for 30 years for my fifth and sixth grade students in my classroom. Along the way, I picked up mandolin, built an Appalachian dulcimer, played harmonicas, messed around with banjo. When I retired from the classroom, I got my first ukulele… And found my instrument. I was always Mr. Capo on the guitar, playing cowboy chords and avoiding barre chords at all costs. But the ukulele, with its four strings, has always made more sense to me, and I’ve spent the last 13 years teaching and performing. There is this phenomenon in the ukulele world called UAS — “ukulele acquisition syndrome“, which basically says that if one ukulele is good, 12 MUST be better…LOL. I was up to three, when I found my green semi solid body, 8-string Tahitian uke — which looks a lot like a green Tele with a black pickguard — and I’ve never looked back; “when you find The One, you’re done.” I never want to play anything else. My banjo uke and tenor uke were sulking, unplayed, in the closet, so I sold them off, keeping my first concert and the green Tahitian in an antique West German double case for a viola and violin — “the Heir, and the spare.” So there ya go. 😎
I started playing the guitar when I was 15. Since I started with the guitar books of Peter Bursch, I stuck with the fingerstyle guitar. I am also a member of Adam Rafferty’s online school “Study With Adam”.
I learned to play guitar with the help of some friends when I was 14 y.o. and in about a year I was asked to play lead guitar in a band. We were pretty bad but we got gigs in bowling alleys of all places. When I was 17 y.o. a band called “The Vikings” asked me to play lead guitar and after winning 2nd place in a huge “battle of the bands”, we got a record contract and with the help of a talent agency got booked all over the Southeast U.S. We were the opening band for the “Shower Of Stars” which included “The Animals”, “Herman’s Hermits”, “The Cyrcle”, “Lou Christie”, “Jerry Lee Lewis” and others.
After a few years of doing what I loved, I had to have an operation and because of medical issues I was not able to continue my dream. But, all is well because my late wife, Jessica, bought me a Les Paul Studio guitar and a fender amplifier in 1998 and encouraged me to learn to play again. We bought recording software which was easy for me to learn, because I was a computer programmer, and we spent 2 years learning and recording 13 Christian songs that Jessica wrote and sang. She also, like the “MonaLisa Twins”, could play several instruments and I just played all the guitar parts. Our CD was called “Answered Prayers” and was finished in 2005, but we never published it.
I have acquired 8 more guitars🎸 (3 Taylor acoustic 6 strings and 1 Taylor acoustic 12 string, Fender Stratocaster and Ultra Telecaster, Hoffner Bass, and an electric 12 string). I also have a home recording studio where I spend most of my time and I play guitar🎸 at church.
Bass Guitar and Rhythm Guitar-mainly electric, occasionally acoustic
I’ve played piano for as long as I can remember, and guitar since high school. We used to play some of the same music that you do, the Beatles, Cat Stevens and Simon and Garfunkel, for example, as far back as the early ’70s.
Over the years I played with local bands, but the last couple times I was asked to join a band, I had to say no. I was working with startups in my day gig and had no time for it.
My living room has a bunch of keyboards and guitars in it. When I first heard “If You Raise Your Head”, I popped my keyboard on and played along. I retired recently, so I have the time to get back into it now. I’m not sure I will, but I’ve been putting together a new solo setlist, so we’ll see.
I played the bass drum in a school band then changed to trumpet in a brass band for many years before a Guitar which I can no no longer hold but to honest I was not very good at any of them
I would use the term “play” very loosely. I can pick the notes to a few songs and know some chords. I only play by myself when I’m bored. I have picked “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and a couple others using my fabulous MonaLisa Twins pick. Lol
I started organ lessons in 1971 at the age of 11. Later also classical piano, but only for one year. In search of the legendary Hammond B3 sound, my father bought one house organ after another without success. When I was 18 years old I was able to buy the first orign Hammond organ X10 with Leslie carbinet (not bad but also without B3 sound).
At the age of 19 I joined a band (my instruments: Hammond X10, Fender Rhodes, Solina String and later first affordable Synthy Roland Juno 6, unfortunately without any memory function.
At the beginning of the 1980s we toured semi-professional next to our actual job for several years mainly in NRW. At the end of the 80s our lead singer and myself decided
to leave the band and continue only in pairs. That is also the current status today.
I’ve tried to learn keyboards a few times, but after breaking a finger during my last attempt (it was an unrelated accident!) I think it’s going to be a while before I try again.
Started to play the guitar when I was nine, studying with the Mel Bay (shudder) and the Ronnie Lee methods. Spent my adolescent years howling and strumming to the Beatles songbook.
Stopped when my wife and I adopted our first beagle, who would make these awful noises when I played. Guess she didn’t appreciate good music, lol.
Starting to pick it up again with my Fender Montera acoustic and my Minstrel 12-string. Have an old Fender Mustang in my basement and am thinking about purchasing a new electric guitar. I was thinking about a Telecaster, but after watching so many MonaLisa Twins videos, have started leaning towards a Ricky or a Gretsch. Have to see what feels right.
I play bass, and I attempt to play guitar (apparently the worship team only needs one bass, and the other guy only plays bass). Funny thing is I currently own more guitars than basses (not that I have a large quantity of either).
I never knew how much I sucked until I got recording goodies! lol
I have about 20 guitars and basses, some of which I built myself. I write and record songs in my home studio. I never had the time to join a group when I was working, but now I’m retired I really enjoy my studio time. Here are photos of the guitar I built last year, from mahogany, using hand tools. My most recent album was a CD of surf and Shadows instrumentals. My favourite music is from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Of course, as an old Beatles fan I love the Mona Lisa Twins!
Your guitars look great. I love the shadows instrumentals as well.
Cheers Tony!
I love seeing all the comments here. Started playing guitar at 4. In my teens joined a band then learned bass to join a better band. Wanted to play piano, but didn’t have access to one. I now have a Yamaha keyboard with weighted keys (P515) and hack my way through.
I have a few guitars, a couple of basses and a Ukulele. I enjoy pulling them off the wall and playing. It’s a great de-stressor.
When I was in 3rd grade (maybe 4th), I would watch my brother (8 years older than me.)play his guitar, when he put it down I would imitate what he did. Eventually he showed me how to tune the guitar, beginning and end of guitar lessons, I just watched and played after he put the guitar down. Eventually he got a better guitar and I kept his old one. At some point I played a 12 string and something in my brain and hands clicked, I worked saved my money, looked for over a year, and 2 weeks before my senior year of high school I bought a Taylor 555. A jumbo body, mahogany sides and back, with a solid spruce top, by far and away the best sounding 12 string guitar I’ve ever heard.
My instrumental journey started when I was nine taking lessons on a steel(Hawaiian) guitar. In grade 9, I took music and began playing saxophone. Unfortunately, I did not follow the test lessons and received “0” for playing “Stranger on the Shore” (quite well) instead of a marching tune. So I then turned my attentions to acoustic guitar playing folk
music and by grade 11, I took up electric guitar playing in a group called “The Trolls” around Oakville, ON, Canada and area.(guitars included Hofner, Mustang and Gretsch). I had to sell them and my Fender twin pro-reverb amp to go back to school. Forty plus years have passed and I do not play as much now as I would like but have an acoustic Ovation and a Fender electric Stratocaster. And for my 74th Birthday my son got me a Fender 65 twin reverb amp to spur me on.
I believe that Music and Laughter are two of the best ways to keep you young.
I truly thank Mona & Lisa for their hard work and fantastic music both for keeping the oldies alive and for the great original songs (and videos) they do.
Stay Groovy
Tony
When I was 4 or 5 years old I got a harmonica. In a short time I could play some songs on it. In 1962 I became a member of a Skiffle band playing a Hofner guitar. So I started my “career” in music as a hobby. I did dance music, German Schlager, oldies, pop music and Irish folk. Therefore I learned to play the mandolin. In 1989 I let build myself a western guitar by a professional guitar builder. I still play that instrument. To make music is like a drug for me. So I can understand you well that music makes you happy. With love Frank
You already know my story 😉 But I have acquired a number of new guitars since we last met, the most significant being my PRS 😀
Does the paper comb count?
I started out at 6 playing an Accordion, I guess because my mother liked Lawrence Welk but she was a believer in the Arts. The only thing was it was heavy, hard to pull apart but I tried. Then lessons on the Violin, piano. Started playing drums in the 4th grade band and finally got an old Stella guitar because a friend got one. Next, had to have a Silvertone electric with the amp in the case. I felt I had arrived. I play a few different Taylor’s, 12 string and 6, Yamaha’s, Martins, Strats, PRS, and a Gretsch to name a few. At my age I figured after all those years I deserved to collect a few. I love the guitar. I have played in a few bands over the course of a lifetime.
I used to have a Yamaha DX7 keyboard in my teens, but found that I wasn’t playing it as much as I used to in my Twenties, so I sold it, but wished that I hadn’t.
I have 2 Rickenbacker basses (4001 & 4003), a Ric 330 and Ric 1993 Plus. Also have indonesian-made Hofner 500 and club ignition basses and a Fender FD55 12 string acoustic. And a Bach 42T trombone.
I have two Gretsch guitars, a Fender Strat, Fender Bass, and Gretsch Catalina 5 piece drum set. I don’t get to play like I used to. But, I plan on getting back into my music.
My main instruments are drums and accordion. As a drummer, I come from the Levon Helm/Ringo Starr school, rather than anything really flashy. I’ve also played classical percussion such as timpani. I even studied conducting.
Good grief, you all wrote autobiographies! It took an hour just to read the comments. But I appreciate all of them; it’s so great getting to know such interesting aspects of people.
In 8th grade I had a teacher I couldn’t stand any more of, and my only option was to transfer to band for the last half the year. So I picked up a French Horn and joined the band, all of whom had been playing for years. By the end of that year I was the best in the band, but in high school next year I was not experienced enough to make “show band” and the band teacher put all his time and focus into that and the rest of us were an afterthought. So I dropped that and switched to Spanish, which has since changed my life in many great ways, but that’s another story.
I had been noodling around on an ukelele I’d gotten for Christmas as a kid, and for high school graduation my parents got me a Martin DM4. That lasted me for many years until I finally replaced it recently with a nice Breedlove. I also now have a nice Breedlove Uke.
I also play recorder. Mostly Alto and Tenor, although I do like to take the Soprano along if I’m hiking or backpacking just because of the size.
This dog is getting too old to learn new tricks, but I’ve always wanted to learn banjo. Maybe someday.
Back in my younger days I tried out a variety of instruments Trumpet organ, autoharp (I noticed one in one of your videos) and settled on beating on the skins (drums) When my daughter was 12 I bought her a used upright piano that is now about 150 years old. I still
mess around on it. It is built from Rosewood and looks about as old as you ladies. That means it holds up very well. It was re keyed when I bought it and runs about a half octave deep but for .
the less than gifted it more than I deserve. My daughter is now 39 and when she comes back home we really have a time with it. Maybe when they put me in the funny farm she will take it with her to Mississippi. If not I should probably ship it to you ladies. It may be wood but I’m not sure it would float. Thank you for doing what you do and doing it so well. Jack
6 and 12 string acoustic and electric, some bass, some drums.
I started playing guitar when I returned from the first Gulf War in 1991. I usually pick up and play at least 5 to 10 minutes every day. Self taught, more of a rhythm guitarist, played in some churches either as part of a band or solo over the years. Never was much of a vocalist, feel like my voice goes between great and strangling a bullfrog at times. Music is my go to in dealing with PTSD, and the guitar is the main tool that keeps me sane.Overall, I perfer playing acoustic guitars, but I love them all. I used to think I had a crush on Mona, but I realized that it was really one of her Rickenbacker’s that I was in love with. Currently just have an Alvarez 6 string electric/acoustic (in my bio pic) and a ruby red Squire Strat to play around with. The one guitar I wish I still had was a Guild 12 string acoustic, it had the most incredible rich sound. Biggest influences for picking up a guitar was the Beatles, and the Beach Boys, and a lot of singer/songwriters like the Eagles/Don Henley, James Taylor, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Harry Chapin, and Gordon Lightfoot. Playing for me is more of a therapy session, I never got into it to make it “big” or to pick up women, it’s just something that I enjoy that makes me feel great.
Sounds a lot like me, Alan! No PTSD here, but Harry Chapin inspired me to get started. My parents gave me a Martin DM4 when I graduated from high school. It was pretty cheap and the neck warped fairly soon, but I struggled along with it for years before finally replacing it recently with a nice Breedlove. For many years my most beloved poster was one of Susanna Hoffs with her Rickenbacker, but now Mona has my heart, although Lisa looks just as great playing it!
Years ago, I tried playing the Guitar, and Trombone. With my perception issues, I couldn’t grasp the playing with two hands at once. Something I still struggle with.
I do like to play the Air Guitar and Air Drums though. ???? The lack of beat knocks me out of percussion.
Thanks for the poll.
Hope all are amazingly well
Best
Rick Ross
I started off as a drummer WAY back in the day. Early 1970’s. But I also was interested in learning rhythm guitar so I bought a chord book and taught myself open chords. Then had my guitar friend teach me barre chords. I haven’t played drums in many year but still mess around on the guitar with my 2006 Tele. I’m not as good as Mona & Lisa but not too bad either. The days of wanting to make it big are LONG gone but I still have lots of fun! Oh, I also play a baritone Uke which is LOADS of fun!
I used to play cornet, trumpet and e flat alto horn. I still have a Getzen cornet, a Conn trumpet, both made in Elkhart, Indiana. The trumpet is about 100 years old and has beautiful etching on the bell. I wanted one from the era of Bix Beiderbecke.
The taliban bans music? They must be boring, miserable people.
I played something in grade school but have not picked that up since then.
Yes I play the guitar and I write my own songs I also perform at open mic nights
I learned the recorder many, many years ago at Primary school and so also learned to read music. In recent years I self taught myself to play harmonica and saxophone and was found fine with both also having a few lessons on the harp to bend the notes for the “blues wailing” and had reached the stage where I wanted to find a guitar player for a bit of jamming. Still have a little play on that from time to time but I developed some breathing problems and so stopped playing seriously. Unfortunate but life’s like that. Would have liked to have had a chance to see where things went but wasn’t to be.
I’ve played the piano since early childhood, clarinet and flute since about age 10, baritone ukulele and 12-string guitar (Silvertone!) by about age 14, Ovation guitars exclusively since about age 19, Fender-Rhodes and Moog Satellite from my early 20s, and various other instruments along the way (autoharp, banjo, even the balalaika) — all still in rather constant use.
My music journey began when I was 10 years old after seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. I was determined to learn how to play the drums. I began by making a set of large cans, one thin pot lid and a real set of sticks I bought at a Pawn Shop. After a year or so my dad bought me a kid’s set; really cheap. Then when I was twelve he bought me a different cheap, but real trap set from the Pawn Shop. When I was fourteen I hooked up with an older girl who played piano very well. When I was fifteen she entered us in a talent contest for local bands. Out of twelve or fourteen bands we finished dead last. But the band that won was looking for a new drummer because the wife of their current drummer was in a bad car accident, and he had to quit to take care of her.
They asked me to join them, so at fifteen I was in my first real band. After I began to earn some money playing I bought a set of Ludwig Super Classic drums. I got married when I was nineteen, but continued to play. When I was fifteen, and in my first band, I bought a Fender Mustang from one of the guitarist who was getting a new guitar. I began to teach myself, with his occasional help, how to play guitar. Later in life working, playing drums and being a husband and father was getting difficult and stressful. Finally, my wife said either she or the drums had to go. I was young and foolish. I made the wrong choice and quit music, sold my drums and guitar/amp and kept my wife. Five years later she had an affair with her boss, divorced me and married him. It took several years for me to get back on my feet financially, and I bought an acoustic guitar made in Japan for Fender. I still have it. I never played in a band again and for fifteen or twenty years didn’t touch the guitar. I was working and going to school to get a degree in Business. I ended up going on to graduate school and getting my MBA. After I finished school I got my guitar out and started learning again. I had access to a piano at my church and would take my acoustic over and pick out chords. I never learned to play the piano, but figured out some simple songs I could play chords and a few notes well enough for the song to be recognizable. I enjoyed messing around and writing songs of my own. I had mostly quit playing until I stumbled across the MonaLisa Twins! My interest in music was renewed. Thank you both so much!! I got sick in 2009 and music is about the only thing I can still enjoy pursuing. I used to be in a kayaking club, a running club, biking and weight training. All of that was taken from me in 2009. I still love the outdoors and taking pictures, but music brings me the most joy thanks to the MonaLisa Twins. Stay Groovy and never stop making music!!
You have a great story, Jerry. Yoko stories never get old. “the drums or me” When I met my wife(second marriage for both of us) I let her know that music was a big part of my life. It worked out great, because she was not familiar with a lot of great music. I was able to introduce her to a new world. Plus, she doesn’t tire of hearing me practice the same song over and over.
I too go through long periods of not picking a guitar up. Life gets in the way sometimes. Then I put it off even more thinking I have forgotten how to play. It’s always a nice surprise when muscle memory kicks in and I can lose myself in a song.
Though your activities have been reduced, I am glad you are able to get outside. I find walks in the woods very enlightening, especially accompanied with a pair of earbuds and my phone. Walking anywhere is always better with a soundtrack.???????? Holy crap, can you believe how much music can be stored on a phone?!
Thanks for sharing your story and stay groovy
JP
Thanks JP! Glad your second wife is more tolerable. My second Wife (For almost 36 years.) is as well. Stay Groovy and never stop playing!!
On some occasion I tried to learn to play acoustic guitar, I bought one and in a very, very few days my patience ran out.
So, I consider myself one of those who have never played an instrument
Yes I started playing drums at 10 years old and was in a drum and baton marching band and went to competitions. And taught myself to play on a set, my parents did not have money for me to have private lessons so I played records and played along with the records. Have been in and out of bands for many years. Back in the 90’s i was in a band that did 50 and 60 and 70 music for about 7 years and played a lot of weddings , partys etc and get together with a couple of guys from work and jam a few times a month and hope to get out and play live someday.
I have told this story a few times here but it has been awhile since I last told it. Prior to Christmas 1965 when I was 12 years old I would go to the only music store in town and stare at a Black Pearl Ludwig drum kit. It was the same kit that Ringo had when the Beatles were on Ed Sullivan in Feb. 1964. I would go to the store and stare at it several times between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I told no one about it because I thought my parents would not be able to afford it. But, when Christmas day rolled around my parents told me that morning I would only be getting one gift. Usually us kids would get several small gifts to play with or wear, etc. So, hearing I would get only one gift, I was disappointed. They told me the gift was in another room away from the Christmas tree. So, they walked me into the other room and there it was……the Black Pearl Ludwig kit. I couldn’t believe it. The music store owner was a friend of my Dad’s and he tipped Dad off about how often I was there staring at the kit. So, from there in the late 1960s to early 1970s I was in a garage/cover band and played the drums for them. I was also in the junior high and high school marching band and orchestra. During that time I learned how to play other percussion instruments: tamborine, quiero, maracas, claves, etc. During the early 1970s the other members in the garage/cover band discovered I could also sing, but could not sing over the drums. So, they brought me out front and I learned to play rhythm electric guitar. Soon after I left the band and joined with another guy to play in an acoustic guitar duo. During the early 1970s folk-rock and country-rock was growing in popularity and I went with it. After a few years off I joined another acoustic duo in the late 1970s. After that I got a ‘grown-up’ job and the guitar was dormant for many years. Then in 2005 a friend of mine noticed I had a guitar in the corner of one my rooms in the house and he pestered me until he and I started playing together and eventually we joined others to form a group. Since then, I learned more about playing the acoustic and electric guitar and also learned how to play the mandolin. So…..all told: drums, other percussion instruments, guitar (acoustic and electric), and mandolin. Mike.
Hi Mike, loved your story about your parents and the Christmas gift. What a wonderful way to start off your musical journey in life.
Hi Jung; It was really a surprise when I got the kit. I wish I still had it but I sold them some years ago when I was a starving young grad student and never thought I would get back into music again. So, glad I did return to music, though. I still play drums once in awhile, but I have three electronic drum kits. The only draw-back of the electronic kits are that you can’t make that sound when you hit the “bell-part” of the cymbals. But, you can control the volume of the drums a little better since it feeds through an amp.
I have enjoyed playing the guitar since I was a freshman in college, but sadly I just did not have the talent to be really good musician like some of my close relatives. I still have the first good acoustic guitar I got one Christmas when I was a freshman in college. Ive had some electrics come and go over time but Ive kept the my acoustic for over 45 years. I played a little with friends just jamming, but only once did I get drunk enough to play in public. A friend was playing solo in local bar and restaurant so I went to hear him sing and play and he was really good. When he took a break, I walked up to the little stage and picked up his guitar and started playing Stairway to Heaven. He came back to see who was playing and he started to sing and he got half the bar to sing with him. Although it turned out good, when that song was over I was too terrified to ever play in front of anyone again. Now I just play a little in a spare room just for my own enjoyment. But just so all of you know, Im a world champion playing songs on youtube!!!
I took guitar lessons as a teenager. I was never a virtuoso, but I managed to learn enough that could play along to a lot of my favorite songs. I played pretty regularly when I was younger, but this past decade has kept me very busy, so I don’t pick it up as much anymore. When I do, it’s usually playing along with the stereo to my cats. They do like when I play along with the Wish You We’re Here Duo Session. They used to leave the room when I played along with Pink Floyd. Maybe it’s the capo.
I feel that learning to play, and then struggling to learn those kool songs helps me recognize real talent. I may not be able to play a certain song, but when someone can, I love to be in the audience. I know how much time and dedication goes into a performance, and seeing and hearing the end product is amazing. Guitarists are like well trained athletes in my eyes. They both require dedication, skills, training, practice, time. Music is my sports.
I just remembered I was in this weird garage band when I was sixteen, and we actually got to play onstage at the local shopping mall during some weekend event. We played three original songs. We thought we sounded like the cars since our keyboard player was Ok. oh ya, one song was Just What I Needed by the Cars. The drummer was always changing tempo during the song. It was terrible, but fun. I didn’t invite anyone I knew, and thank God there are no pictures. Thanks for opening that Pandora’s Box. I sense a dream about teenage insecurity tonight. ????
I like Jung’s carefully placed Mona Lisa Twins insignia on his piano. I have a picture of my guitars in my profile with a similar carefully placed insignia.
I have been thinking that if I get a new toy like an amp, or some new effects, it might inspire me to play more. Perhaps one of those kool Orange amps, or even an Orange capo. Santa baby…????
JP
Hi JP. I’m visualizing you playing the guitar to Wish You Were Here in front of your cats, and what a wonderful priceless image! 🙂
I played the clarinet in my school band class from ages 9 to 14. I chose it because it looked the most similar to the flutophone that we all started out with, and I had pretty much mastered that. The clarinet turned out to be a bit harder, though, and I ended up somewhere in the middle of the pack talentwise.
Toward the end of that run I bought an electric keyboard (a Bontempi, like Jacki) and taught myself how to play my band songs, using three or four fingers at a time to play the parts of several instruments simultaneously. I also figured out how to play chords, but I never really advanced beyond that.
My next musical breakthrough was two years ago, when I Don’t Know Birds That Well inspired me to learn the ukulele. I ended up making a lap instrument out of it so that I could see what I was doing, and I can only strum in one direction, but I can play well enough to satisfy myself. I’ve learned about two dozen Beatles songs, a few MLT originals, and a couple of miscellaneous ones.
Hey Mona and Lisa, what a fun assignment for this Tuesday.
Music has always been a big part of my life from early on, but growing up in an immigrant Asian family in the 70s in Canada, my “what I can be when I grow up” destiny was sealed from the beginning. With my parents it had to be something along the lines of being a doctor, engineer, or lawyer without room for anything else. Reality would set in that I would have to deal with in a hard way later on in my early adulthood after 3 years of university and college and burnout and spending a ton of money as to whether that approach for me was a mistake or not. It all worked out in the end and I know my parents were only looking out for my best interest. Fortunately the elementary and secondary school curriculum enabled me to experience music and art through it’s music classes growing up.
My most memorable times in elementary school was music class and singing beautiful songs like “Blowin In The Wind”, “One Tin Soldier” and so many more, and In grade 8 I took a band class and learned the basics of playing the trumpet. I chose the trumpet at the time because it was loud and felt like a cool instrument, but I struggled with the numb lips. In hindsight I think I would have done better with one of the stringed instruments, perhaps violin.
After I started working in my career, I dated this girl who was really into classical music and got me hooked. I remember we went to see the movie about Beethoven, “Immortal Beloved”, and I think my piano lessons started soon after that. I really got passionate about piano and even had aspirations of being a good pianist. I first got a keyboard, but soon enough bought myself a proper acoustic Baldwin upright piano. I took lessons for about 3 or 4 years from 1994 to about 1998. Demands of work and a relationship and lack of time had me make the mistake of stopping the lessons for a year or two with a promise to myself to resume, but unfortunately I never did. I picked it up again last year after the pandemic started and have been doing DIY lessons from Youtube on and off ever since. Picked up a new digital piano that seems to mimic a real acoustic piano pretty good, and been practicing on it. It felt like I returned to an old friend when I resumed my piano practice again after nearly 20 years. My long term plan/dream is to take up piano full time when I retire, maybe even take music classes at a local college. In my lifetime I would like to be able to play a full Beethoven Sonata proficiently. I’ve focused so far on classical piano, but I think I would like to diversity into pop and even some jazz. I would also like to take up guitar as well once I get on top of my piano. Will see how it goes.
Below is a picture of my shiny black Baldwin mini upright acoustic piano, and my current Casio digital piano I practice on.
https://youtu.be/GXjhc8EbY4I
I do ènjoy playing basic tambourine , though singing is right up there too, and have sung in choirs in my elementary/Middle School years , and have sung/played tambourine in my church ‘s music group/choir up until Covid hit and hope to resume when safe to do so.
Also been brave and have sung out in public at Karaoke and at a few open mic jams .
The Public Library here at a few of its local branches, have Pre-Covid/maybe still do despite Covid offer a Musical Instrument Lian Program that you can borrow a certain musical instrument that they have ( limited selection offerings ) and I have tried a banjo, a African type bongo drum (proper name escapes me now for it ) , another type of bongo drums and a xylophone type instrument from the program. I cannot read music, but rather play by ear or hum what I wish to play til it sounds right. I have dabbled on piano, organ ( an Aunt of mine is the puanist/organist at her church) so whenever at her place, I’d happily mess around on her puano/organ. I do own a tambourine, basic harmonica, tin whistle, basic uke, exotic tong percussion instruments (again, proper names for them escape me) a Casio basic mini keyboard. In my childhood home for awhile we had a Bontempi basic keyboard. My 2nd oldest bro plays guitar and I would crank up amp, fiddle on his guitar when no one was home….lol…
I cannot properly pkay guitar because I have a perception/hand/eye/brain issue of coordination that where I cannot process to play guitar… I can watch how you play, see diagrams but my brain won’t allow my hands/eyes/hands to come together to do their thing, also my hands are super tiny . I can air drum/guitar no problem…
Oh yes, at one point my 2nd oldest brother would have wknd jams at tge house and I dabbled on his buddy’s drum ps and he was impressed one day when he came home and heard /saw me play, said I have a natural sense of rhythm…. I have a photo somewheres of all my instruments I mentioned here, if I can find it, I’ll post separately.
That sums up my forray into musical instruments…????????
Here’s the photo of all my musical instruments that I posess …
I took piano lessons from 1st through 6th grade. Then I quit, (a decision I still regret today). Then I took drum lessons for about a year. My next door neighbor made me a picture for my bass drum. It was based on Yellow Submarine, ( It was 1968). I wish I still had that. My brother was in a band, he played bass guitar. Sadly, he is no longer with us. Still think about playing keyboards now & then. Maybe some day I will.
I play the flute. When I was in school, I was classically trained and took many private lessons. I also did several solos. Our orchestra even recorded an album. Unfortunately, I stopped pursuing my education. I still play it at home every now and then. My real fantasy has always been to play the drums and I plan to make it a reality!!!
In middle school, I wanted to play ???? in the school band(???? Michaela), but my folks couldn’t swing the expense. I never wanted for food, clothing or shelter growing up, but extras were at a premium. Now I have an urge to take up the blues harp. I’d love to know what model you, Mona, and now you, too, Lisa use most, and if it would be appropriate for a beginner. It’d be beyond groovy to play the same model harp as my musical idols!