learn to play an instrument

But it’s just a matter of practice now. The uke is such an approachable, friendly little instrument for someone with no musical training. You can take it with you anywhere, it’s never too big for your hands, and you can learn three chords and play a song. And it’s charming!

So I called to find out when I could take lessons and . . . he’s not giving uke lessons right now. But I got on a waiting list. Which is fine for now, because I’m busy with other things.

I made it as far as walking into the music center, looking around, talking to a woman who works there. It’s big! They have a rock band workshop, a theatre department, and instructors in everything from bassoon to ukulele. I may have to wait until after that painting class I want to take is over with, but then I’m on it. Still haven’t settled on what I want to play. But anything you blow on is expensive! I saw brass instruments from $1,600 to $6,000! But they rent them out too, at reasonable prices.

At the same time! Yeah yeah, I know, that doesn’t really count. But I played them while dancing! With a cute little girl, too. Do I get points for that?

I think I found the right sequence to play this tune I was listening to today. I could have it wrong as *&%#, but I think I figured out seven notes by ear! :)

I probably won’t remember them tomorrow! I tried yesterday and was completely discouraged within about five minutes – couldn’t get the C held down right. But tonight it was much easier. You know why? I cut my finger nails down all the way. Duh! Seems obvious, but it’s not like they were long to begin with. Still, even that little bit helped. And my husband tells me I could quickly learn some songs from my favorite album in the whole wide world because the music is very simple. Yay!

Actual songs that people recognized when I played them!
_{okay, baby songs, but still!}

I bought my husband a harmonica with an instruction booklet a couple of years ago and it’s been sitting in his drawer all this time. So now it’s mine! I’m reclaiming it. Except that I have to share it with my daughter, because she really likes it too. (I don’t mind sharing spit with her.)

It sounds so pretty. And it’s easy! Well, I admit I was looking at the little numbers that show you where to blow or suck. I can’t read music very well yet, but I’m picking up some of it from my daughter’s piano book.

And I had no idea I’d be learning with her. Even though the teacher seems really nice and good with children, I didn’t want to leave her alone at her age, so I’m taking in everything she is learning in her class. I have to know it anyway in order to help her practice on her keyboard at home. (And to my relief, at her age she is only expected to practice 15 minutes a few times a week, and she enjoys it.) But I actually want to take a class for myself, at an adult’s pace. The instruments I thought of first (bassoon and drums) aren’t really practical, so I think I’ll learn guitar. I already have two at home, plus it’s more versatile than the bassoon or the drums, and less likely to drive my family out of the house than the drums would.