November 13, 2002
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Day 13 of Give Thanks
Wow…y’all are so encouraging!! Thanks for sharing your gifts and talents with me!! And Myki…you want me to do what? Do you have a song request? hehe
Btw…just so you know…you now have Jason entertaining the idea of having me actually do this!!
Okay…continuing on here…
Part II – Instruments
My grandpa (the one who passed away recently) started teaching me piano when I was about 3yrs old. He figured that since I loved to sing so much…I should be able to accompany myself as well! (he was a smart man…did I mention that? hehe)
I continued on with piano throughout my childhood…but never REALLY took lessons. I pretty much taught myself from books. I still play…but it has never been my passion.
When I was 9, music class in elementary school turned into band class. We were all asked to choose an instrument that we’d like to play…even if we really didn’t want to, we were asked to at least try.
Well, all of the girls wanted to play clarinet or flute…and I was no exception. I wanted to play clarinet…but my band director said, “no…I think you’d be better at alto saxophone”. What? That’s a boy’s instrument…no way!!
He was a very persistent man…he even brought the sax out to my house on a weekend to give it to me when the order of new instruments came in. I was not impressed nor did I want to play this instrument. However, as I stated…he was a very persistent man.
After spending over an hour with me, talking me into playing a few notes…he was astonished at how easily it all came to me. “You’re a natural Maria!”, he said. This is NOT what I wanted to hear.
I always have admired Dave (my band director) for never giving up on me and insisting that I stick with THIS instrument. As a result, I was first chair in every band that I was ever involved in all the way through school. I also learned how to play all of the other saxophones (along with quite a few other band instruments)…tenor, bass…and soprano. Soprano became a passion of mine and has always been my favorite of the saxophone family.
Of course by the time I reached teenage years…I wanted to learn how to play cooler instruments. You know, drums…guitar, etc. The COOL instruments!! Drums were easy for me…and well, I never did pick up a guitar or bass guitar until I was 16…but the day I did, I amazed even myself. We were having a band rehearsal and my bassist didn’t practice his part and so we had no one to play it. Well, I didn’t control my temper then as well then as I do now.
I took the bass from him and stated that I would just play it myself. 
I had never touched a bass guitar before…let alone play one. I had no clue as to what I was doing! I asked my guitarist to show me the basic riffs for the song we were rehearsing. He did, and about 30 seconds later…I was playing the whole thing! I still have no idea how I managed that one! 
So for today…I am thankful that I was blessed with the ability to pretty much just pick up almost any instrument and play it.
Which btw…has always been very annoying to other people and understandably so.
So…did you ever play an instrument? If so…which one?
Comments (20)
I played VERY BADLY the violin..can we say squeaky??? LOL!
It’s amazing to have a talent like that..I’m more of an drawer (I come from a long line of people who are able to draw really well, my son included
) or crafty kind of person.
I used to be able to play Disney songs on a keyboard… been to long to remember though
I have never a “major” instrument. When I was a wittle girl,
I played around on an organ all the time. I enjoyed that. But it has been years and years since I have touched one. Hope you are having a good day. 
I played the trumpet for a while when I was 12..Hated it though.
I’m a singer by nature. I love to sing, it’s my passion and my only creative escape.
My band experience was a total flop, I didn’t have the discipline or the talent. I played trombone, that’s a good guy instrument eh. Now I am picking up the guitar to play in our bible study meetings. It’s coming pretty easy to me. Now I just need to learn now to sing. lol
Brad
Wow…you surely are musical…do you mind if I call you ‘shirley’? (a little ‘Airplane’ humor)…
I play piano but I only took lessons for a year. I always wanted to play Classical pieces that were WAY above my level so I got frustrated and quit when my teacher would give me those ‘hokey’ modern pieces. We’re hoping to buy a piano when we settle in the new house and I’d like to start lessons again. And play Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin…but first, anyone for a little chopsticks?
Spot
Well, I felt obligated to stay offline this morning for obvious reasons… that’s my excuse for being 7th.
I took piano lessons for maybe a year total around 3rd-4th grade. For us, band didn’t start until 6th grade. I wanted to play drums… that would have been a laugh… but because all my friends were in the Woodwinds class and all the scummy people I didn’t want to be around were in the Brass & Percussion class, I chose the clarinet. I was one of two boys to play it… I definitely was not a natural. I probably could have got better with more practice, but by the end of that year I’d pretty much given up… I tried picking it back up in 7th, but only half-heartedly, and then I broke my leg, and the rest is history…
I would really like to re-learn piano though. One day…
(And you’re right honey– I’m sure many people would just about kill to have this talent… {v])
(And MyKi, I will get her to sing for the PC mic, despite her protests over the “quality.”
)
Wow…y’all are talented!!!
Greeneyes: wait until tomorrow’s post…you’ll see that what you’ve mentioned is another one my gifts…and it happens to be one of my favorite
C~ I was never able to play Disney…too bad you don’t remember…I’d ask ya to teach me!
Deej: I used to mess with the organ also…never did master that thing!! haha
SilverJune: Singing is a passion…and it seems that right now…you need that, so do it m’dear! {{hugs}}
Lube: Good for you! Hey…if ya need singing lessons…let me know!
Spot: ‘Shirley’ you jest!! And don’t call me Shirley!
haha…I couldn’t resist that! 
It sounds like you should be teaching me piano woman! 
M’dear…my love…you can use any excuse you’d like for posting in whatever order…I don’t mind, I’m just glad that I have you!
I use to play the piano . My brother is the muscial one in the family . Thanks for dropping by my site , you are welcome to host a hour of the party , or just join in during the day
I played your clairinet, I also played around with keyboards, saxophone, piano and the organ, oh and the oboe, however I really think the bass oboe is awesome. Have a great day and a wonderful tomorrow! ! ! Much love and hugs! ! ! !
Band directors can be cool. I am one myself. So, yes, I have played a few instruments in my time.
In high school, I converted from the trumpet to the tuba. I hated it at first too, but I was better off for giving it a try.
I’ve always been a mean Air Guitarist. Hope you had a great day..
too cool…..does the lil black flute count? probally only thing i ever played…
havent been round much lately…sorry, just been a week….to forget!
what a wonderful blog! I am still trying to get over the cannoli shock! you are a brave woman indeed..
I took Guitar lessons..I wanted to be a Bangle..thing is I wasn’t very good…I hope to get my kids involved with music..
Thanks for joining the crew.
I play the organ.. strictly by ear… never had a lesson, but i sure wish I did!
I have ZERO musical ability. I tried to sing in HS (by ear) but I can’t read music or play any instruments. I have a great amount of respect for all musicians… not just Rick Springfield!
Check Nov. 8th blog
I think Jason and I are right– you should sing a little for us here at xanga!
Sadly, the only instrument i can play very well (sometimes) is the … RADIO!
MykidzDad plays the piano AND the trumpet (with the trumpet he was good enough to be in a college jazz band–getting paid for gigs!).
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And of course you’re invited to my sleepover!!! You’re another one of my new bestest friends, silly. And yeah, Jason is invited too, but only if he puts on a wig– full make-up– babydoll jammies– and he’ll have to answer to Jacey… otherwise just us girls!