Musically Inclined ! Pad Patter 2.9.17

[bellbird]

Do you play an instrument/s ? Did you ask to learn it or were you basically made to and either way, did you like it & keep itup after a year or so?

As part of her new schools music program requirements, DD was given a list of instruments to learn to play for the year... More from process of elimination its looking like clarinet. (Even she understands lugging a double bass around is a con rather than a pro for that option ) She was over the piano keyboard after a few months and chose that herself but its not an option now anyway.
Interested to hear others experiences as we aren't musically inclined

 

[Karen]

Ugh, this is sore subject with me right now. I LOVED band as a kid all the way through high school, so I wanted my boys to love it to and they just don't. My oldest started in fourth grade and was in his 4th year on the trumpet. He didn't ever want to practice and just hated going to the band rehearsals. Part of that hatred was that they have them after school on Fridays. Seriously? what kid wants to get out of school for the week and then go to band practice. Our school is private and small, so we don't have our own band director anymore, so we combine with several other schools. Long story short, we had some other issues and scheduling problems, so I finally caved and let him quit in December. It makes me sad to close that door. BUT, our school does have a middle school choir and he's doing that still. He has a lovely singing voice, so at least he's still getting music in his life. I just wish that our school would have been able to keep band AT our school and as part of their day instead of an after school extra.

I never did choir as a kid, but as an adult was convinced to try singing in the choir at my church. I was so timid because I was afraid I was the tone deaf person in the choir and they were just too nice to say anything. Lol. (because you know the tone deaf ones don't realize they are tone deaf). Anyway, they then asked me to be in a small group choir, so I finally have a little confidence that I don't stink too bad! and I really love singing in harmonies, so fun!

 

[StefanieS]

I sang in High School and we were even on tv, back in the day.
No other instrument for me, only playing the fool.
I always thought my children would play something. DS1 wanted to learn the violin and I veto-ed that. My nerves! DS2 thought drums would be nice and again, I said no. Yuck. Maybe I am the reason my children don't play?

 

[QuiltyMom]

I played the violin, the same instrument that my great-grandfather, Dad, and both my kids played. I tried taking it up again in my 20's, but with my work schedule I really didn't have the time. I'd love to take up Bluegrass fiddling, though. Again, no time for it. My son played through elementary school, but stopped when his private school didn't offer music (it was a small school for special needs kids). My daughter played through middle school, then stopped when she entered high school (she also gave up girl scouts and drama to spend more time on skating).

I also have my FiL's grandfather's violin which needs $650 in repair. I'd love to get it fixed, but I have no idea where the $$ will come from. It's a beautiful piece, one that the strings expert at our local music store went nuts over. He said it's a perfect example of a folk instrument that was made from parts from Europe and the US.

I used to sing a lot. I love to sing. I've done a lot of solo work for weddings and church, and have sung in community and church choirs since I was a kid. Unfortunately, since becoming a Mom that also has gone away. I did sing in church choirs when the kids were young, but once they reached their teens I needed the evenings free to schlep them around. And now I'm just too tired. Maybe again when we become empty nesters.

 

[dawnmarch]

I come from a musical family. My grandmother and uncle were both church organists and in the choir and my Dad could play the organ really well even though he never took formal lessons. My sister and I were in the school choir in high school, we both played piano, I played the flute in school band and my sister played the french horn. I stayed in choir through college. By contrast, my hubby can't carry a tune and dropped out of guitar lessons after a month when he was a kid. I don't do much music now other than play the piano from time to time -- and I'm really rusty.

My son, fortunately, seems to have gotten the musical genes. He actually wants to be a professional musician and can play the piano, trombone, baritone, french horn, trumpet and all the variations of the trumpet. He was first chair trombone at All State last year. This year, he's edge me out at being better at piano. I am not sure whether he actually will be able to make a career out of music, since it's such a tough way to make a living, but I know he'll have music in his life no matter what.

 

[LeeAndra]

I played the flute from 5th through 8th grade, and I played handbells at my church from 2nd grade through 12th grade. I haven't played anything since, unfortunately.

I want to take singing lessons this year or next. I want to be good enough to sing as one of the worship leaders at church. Although I'm not the worst singer ever, I'm definitely not one of the best, either.

 

[busywoman139]

I did choir in middle and high school, through grade 11. DS has played the alto sax for 3 years now and as a high school freshman has participated in marching band/concert band this year. We are in the midst of scheduling his next year and he really wants to take an aviation class but that would mean he would have to drop band due to the classes being offered at the same time. I haven't decided which way to go yet - I really want him to continue with band but, I don't want to be in the way of his other interests either.

On the other hand, DD loves, loves, loves music and I can see her both playing something and singing as she gets older (she's just 6 now).

 

[michelepixels]

One of my friends growing up who I visited regularly was made to take piano lessons. I recall her piano practice seemed kind of like another chore that sometimes interfered with whatever we wanted to do. I don't think she plays piano much as an adult.

My parents didn't offer my siblings and me music lessons. My brother got to learn a little clarinet in school. I asked to take piano lessons in 8th grade but had to stop after 3 years when my parents no longer wanted to pay for them. I enjoyed playing but wasn't all that great, especially at making myself practice regularly. I remember crying at my last lesson, my teacher consolingly telling me I can keep practicing in my own. But I didn't.

However, the piano my parents bought for me to learn on came with me when I moved into my own house (3000 miles, from CA to VA!) and played a part, probably, in my oldest daughter's musical development. She has made singing her main occupation.

I like to say it started with me singing to her in the car when she was a baby. It was the only thing that settled her when she got fussy on car rides. But I can't actually sing so she didn't get her ability from me! My husband can sing and play guitar and piano, so she got that from him. Even my other daughter and my son can sing well. I'm the odd one.

Anyway, she progressed from picking out tunes in my old piano to taking lessons in voice and piano. She has been in several homeschool drama club musicals. She was invited to sing at some special performances including two nights singing the Star Spangled Banner in front of tens of thousands at a Hank Williams Jr concert. Later this month she's going to have her first solo show at a cafe near us where she has spent many hours doing karaoke and open mic nights over the last few years.

My second daughter likes to sing a little and does it well, but her passion is acting. All 3 of my kids sometimes sing together; my oldest, the singer, loves that her brother can do harmonies with her. His interests lie elsewhere though. I love that our unschooling lifestyle has allowed each of my kids to focus on their interests, delving deep and becoming experts. They're still kids - 15, 13, and 10 - so I've yet to see what they'll do as adults but I feel like they have had great starts.

Thanks! You just inspired journaling for another scrapbook page.

 

[Lor]

I played the trumpet from middle school thru high school. I also played the piano/took lessons from elementary school thru middle school. I loved both and practiced without being told or forced. Although, I know longer play either. But, when I come across a piano somewhere, I can't help but sit down an play my favorite tune.

My daughter chose to play the clarinet and bass clarinet in middle school and is still playing as a senior in high school. She has attended summer band camps at a local college and really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. At this point, she is not sure if she will be playing in college, so... we shall see. She is a great musician, way better then I ever was, so I do hope she chooses to play in college.

 

[Chippi]

My family is very musically inclined. My mum, myself, one brother and my sister can all sing. Mum, me and one brother can play piano. Mum, other brother, and sister (currently learning) can play guitar.

I (and one of my brothers) was made to learn piano and we were both pretty good, but we HATED practicing. Mum would trick us into practicing by saying, "Hmm, can you go play me a song while I fold the washing?" Darn that clever woman!! I do appreciate that she made us though, I love being able to play, even though I am way out of practice.
I was also one of the lead singers in our Church Youth Band, and for a short time in the school band (I joined about 4 months before the end of school, lol). I loved and still love singing, but I never had lessons except impromptu ones for band.
My kids... well Melody hasn't had lessons for anything, but she loves singing, and isn't too bad, and my mum gave her a violin (at her request) for her 3rd birthday, and she loves getting that thing out and making "lovely" music with it.
Bellamy is only almost-2, but he carries tunes pretty well and loves making noise with percussion instruments, or spoons, or blocks, or whatever can bang loudly, haha!!

 

[IntenseMagic]

I played flute in 5th grade, as well as a 5th grader can play lol. I am not musically inclined at all. When I was in high school, I was in the flag corps with the band and someone got the bright idea my senior year that if you were in the flag corps during marching season, you had to be in the band during concert season. I dusted off my flute, sat in a chair, and wiggled my fingers during the songs hahaha. I could play my tuning note, which was the only one we ever had to play solo.
My daughter was in chorus all the way through school and my youngest just started with drums in middle school. We'll see if he sticks with it. He's not entirely gung-ho about it at this point.

 

[bellbird]

after school on Fridays. Seriously? what kid wants to get out of school for the week and then go to band practice.

yeah that seems like a bad idea from the start - glad he's happy to do choir

(because you know the tone deaf ones don't realize they are tone deaf).

yep - seeing those people on Idol and those sorts of shows is a real eye opener and makes ya think! I wonder if they watch the show back and end up with a bit of a reality check!? DD seems to me to be a tad tone deaf and very flat with singing but doesnt realise and it's hard to say 'you're better at other things' but i also dont want to be the mum that says 'yeah you're fantastic and have natural talent etc' when um, well it's painful to listen to!

they then asked me to be in a small group choir, so I finally have a little confidence that I don't stink too bad!

Way to go! That's validation!

 

[Iowan]

People pay me NOT to sing.

 

[corsicar]

My mom made me and my 3 siblings all take piano lessons starting in elementary school. My brother quit first, after maybe 3 years. My sisters made it to junior high and high school before quitting. I did it for several years because I had to. But around age 12 I decided piano really was fun and I enjoyed playing pieces on my own and kept with it because I wanted to. I ended up going to college to major in music. It seems amazing to me that my childhood hobby is now my livelihood as a piano teacher and choir accompanist.

I never learned another instrument, although I learned to sing and harmonize in choir during college. When my piano students get to 4th grade or so, when band and orchestra start, I always encourage them to join. They have a head start in knowing the basics of music, it makes their note reading skills better for piano, and being in a group can be so much more fun than the constant solitariness of piano. Also I'm a tiny bit jealous that they're more well-rounded as a musician.

As a piano teacher, I've learned a few things about the kids (and parents) that I work with. If the kid is strongly interested in the instrument for a LONG time before the parent gives in, they are more likely to stick with it. If the parent is making the kid do it, it's 50-50. Depends on the kid at that point. If the parent is involved, especially for young beginners, following up on practicing etc (even if the parent is not musical), it makes a positive difference. Siblings are variable - they could be competitive, one could be doing it only because big sibling wants piano so mom decided both will do it, one decides the other is too good and wants to quit to get out of the shadow (I suspect that's what happened with my younger sisters - piano was "my thing" so they found their own thing). Keeping my students through elementary school is relatively easy as they have fewer extracurriculars. Middle school is when many tend to stop piano due to sports, or other interests. If they truly enjoy it and want to keep going during high school, they find a way to make it work even if it's not as convenient.

 

[Juliestcyr]

Bottom Line: When you get the instrument that is right for you, you will feel it. The only way to know is by picking it up.

I played Violin from the age of 4, Piano from 9 and Guitar from 11. In high school, I was in a string orchestra that placed in international competitions. We travelled to the US every two years, I got to go to Cincinatti, Chicago and Philidelphia. (High school in Ontario at the time was 5 years, it's now only 4.) Despite all my musical training, and that my Dad taught band and I had access to all those instruments as a kid, I cannot play a wind instrument to save my life. If she hasn't tried a clarinet, see if she gets how to blow into it properly. It will come pretty easily, or not at all, according to my Dad.
Naomi, my Oldest is the same age as your daughter. I tried violin lessons with her when she was 6. It was a total no go (for various reasons). But, this year (she's also 11 and in Grade 6), they had to pick an instrument in school. She chose bass guitar. Part of why she chose it was because we have a bass at home, and she doesn't have to lug her instrument between school and home. Also, because the other instrument she was offered was the trombone. Of the two choices, my husband and I emphatically threw our support behind the bass.
Is she good at the bass? Well, she is tone deaf. Seriously. She doesn't clearly hear the differences between the strings (let alone the notes) on the bass. But, she has figured out which note translates to which finger on the bass and is muddling through with that. And already, her results are way better than we had ever expected. The actual music for double bass will be easier to learn than the clarinet, just by the nature of what they do in the band. If your daughter is really set on a double bass, see if you can rent one from somewhere and keep it at home so she doesn't have to lug it back and forth.