snickle
Junior Member
Posts: 65 
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Post by snickle on Sept 25, 2021 20:56:15 GMT
I have spent a lot of time and money on my guitars and trying to learn to play. But in reality, I am just not good. At some point I think i should quit but I still enjoy playing it , even badly. Any other wannabe musicians here?
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MaryMary
Pearl Clutcher
Lazy
Posts: 2,975
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Post by MaryMary on Sept 25, 2021 21:00:14 GMT
I’ve been learning guitar since last Christmas. I’m not great, but good enough to play simple songs for my elementary students. I play ukulele better than guitar, and piano probably the best of the 3.
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Post by Patter on Sept 25, 2021 22:05:27 GMT
My girls and I have played for years. We were in an orchestra together for 3 years, and LOVED it!!! We all miss it so much. We play:
Myself: Flute/Alto Flute/Piccolo and dabble in Oboe and English Horn; I also sing
DD#1: Oboe and Bassoon
DD#2: Saxophone (all sizes), guitar, and bass guitar
DD#3: Clarinet and bass clarinet
We all took piano too but we are not very good at it. LOL!
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Post by lisae on Sept 25, 2021 22:19:18 GMT
I have no musical talent whatsoever. It's a shame we didn't know that before my parents wasted money on a used upright piano and 3 or 4 years of lessons. I tried again as an adult and was no better or interested enough to keep practicing.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,928
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Sept 25, 2021 22:20:13 GMT
Me: flute & piccolo (also sing)
DS: percussion
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Post by scrapmaven on Sept 25, 2021 22:26:36 GMT
My mother was a concert pianist and one of my nephews is a violinist in a world class symphony. I can play the piano, but my instrument of choice is my voice. I was a mezzo contralto back in my younger days. Now I'm a rusty saw.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,363
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Sept 25, 2021 22:31:46 GMT
I play clarinet. I haven’t played in several years, to be honest. I was in a community marching band for a bunch of years, which I really enjoyed. I also played in the high school fundraiser ‘play-a-thon’ one year, which was fun. I consider myself a mediocre player.
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,463
Location: Fergus, Ontario
Member is Online
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Post by cakediva on Sept 25, 2021 22:33:45 GMT
I started playing the flute in grade 6. I played all through high school and even though I haven’t touched it in over 10 years, I could pick it up and still play well.
But deep inside, my inner drummer SO wishes I had tried drums when I took music in high school.
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rgibson
Full Member
Posts: 467
Apr 26, 2021 22:49:21 GMT
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Post by rgibson on Sept 25, 2021 23:02:02 GMT
I have been teaching myself to play piano for about four years now. I get to page 49 in my Alfred's Adult learn to play book, get sidetracked for a few weeks and have to start all over again at page 1. One of these days I'll hit page 50!
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Post by Merge on Sept 25, 2021 23:02:26 GMT
I was a voice major - singing is my primary instrument. I also play piano, bass guitar, guitar, and mandolin. Of those instruments, I'm meh at piano and bass, and thoroughly suck at guitar and mandolin. (This is entirely because I'm not disciplined about practicing. My saving grace is that prior music training lets me fudge a lot of stuff. I can only consistently play 4 chords on guitar, but understanding rhythm well enough to recover quickly when I make a mistake lets me manage to accompany my K-1 classes.)
I strongly believe that if you enjoy making music, you should keep doing it, no matter how bad you might think it is. The same goes for painting, poetry writing, or any other artistic endeavor that you enjoy. Expressing yourself through the arts is good for emotional wellness, and continuing to learn new things as we get older is essential to keep the mind sharp.
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Post by Merge on Sept 25, 2021 23:03:27 GMT
I started playing the flute in grade 6. I played all through high school and even though I haven’t touched it in over 10 years, I could pick it up and still play well. But deep inside, my inner drummer SO wishes I had tried drums when I took music in high school. It's not too late. One of my friends (and co-bandmate) started playing drumset in her 40s. She's quite good. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 25, 2021 23:13:43 GMT
In my younger days I played the trumpet, french horn, tenor saxophone. All the way up through high school. When my kids were younger I learned how to play the bass guitar. I sold my bass when I was destitute and couldn't make rent. I often think about buying another and giving it another go. I very much enjoyed it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 1:14:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2021 23:14:47 GMT
I have played the clarinet since I was 8. Egan to play the piano when I was 4. Also can play the flute and trumpet.
I would like to learn how to play the drums.
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 25, 2021 23:19:34 GMT
I have spent a lot of time and money on my guitars and trying to learn to play. But in reality, I am just not good. At some point I think i should quit but I still enjoy playing it , even badly. Any other wannabe musicians here? If you enjoy playing then you should keep playing. Unless you plan to give concerts then it doesn't matter how good you are, if you enjoy it. I play the flute and I remember my pastor when he found that out... first thing he said was "oh really?? You should come play in church on Sunday." um... no I shouldn't. And I never did. lol. I'm not bad on the flute, but I just don't like public playing. Not at all. I play for me because I enjoy it. Some might say I'm being selfish by not "sharing my talent with everyone in church". But you know what? Their Sunday will go along just fine without hearing me play the flute.  |
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,463
Location: Fergus, Ontario
Member is Online
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Post by cakediva on Sept 25, 2021 23:22:23 GMT
I started playing the flute in grade 6. I played all through high school and even though I haven’t touched it in over 10 years, I could pick it up and still play well. But deep inside, my inner drummer SO wishes I had tried drums when I took music in high school. It's not too late. One of my friends (and co-bandmate) started playing drumset in her 40s. She's quite good. I’ve thought about it…but I honestly wouldn’t have the time to properly learn. And to be perfectly honest, the reason I didn’t pursue music in university? I love to play, but I hate practicing lol. but thank you for the encouragement! |
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Post by LisaDV on Sept 25, 2021 23:37:42 GMT
I took saxophone for a semester in 5th grade. I pleaded with my Dad to let me quit. I loved it, practiced daily, but the teacher gave all the accolades to the other student, and my low self esteemed self thought I really must suck. When grades came out, I had an A+. The other student did not. However, it was too late because I could not request a change back from my Dad.
My DD tried to learn violin but wasn't able to continue. I'm thinking of trying to start it if I can find youtube videos to start. If I keep it up, then I'll go take lessons for real.
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Post by drummergirl65 on Sept 25, 2021 23:49:11 GMT
As my username suggests I play drums. I love percussion! I have 2 drumsets (one an electric) a cajon, a bodrhan,shakers, tambourine, and recently sold my djembe. I love things that make noise  (I follow on Instagram taylor.dorothea, a grandmother who's a wicked drummer!) I say if you enjoy playing (even badly) then keep playing. Plus it's never too late to learn something for your own pleasure |
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Post by malibou on Sept 25, 2021 23:56:40 GMT
There is not a musical bone in my body, and I'm mad about it. As a kid of 8, they asked me to stop singing at church because I distracted others. I was crushed, and it took me zero days to ask enough obnoxious questions that my mom told me I no longer had to go to church. No problem, as I already didn't believe, I just liked singing the hymns. I still love hymns. My half sister is one of those that can pick up any instrument and make pretty sounds come out. All of my biological siblings are like me.
Ds tried trumpet, and he tried really hard. Eventually, the instructor came to me and offered our money back as he was "never going to get it." She swore it had never happened before and even said she thought perhaps his ears were made of clay! He was fine with it. We gave his trumpet to his best friend, who learned to seriously play the heck out of it.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,738
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Post by purplebee on Sept 26, 2021 0:23:48 GMT
First off, never give up playing an instrument because you think you will never be “good enough!” Most musicians I know think that, including myself, so don’t let that stop you. If it brings you joy, just keep playing! I play guitar and mandolin, neither very well, but I manage well enough to accompany myself singing in jams with music friends and have a good sense of timing. I cannot begin to tell you how much pleasure picking and singing have brought me over the last 25 years or so.
I love to sing, especially in the safety of a jam with friends, but sometimes I lack self-confidence and can be kind of insecure. Playing in a jam in July with a board member of a local small music show resulted in an invite to sing on stage in the country show where my son plays lead with the house band. At almost 70, I decided to fulfill a bucket list item, pushed myself and said yes. I was petrified, but evidently they liked what I did, (the half a Xanax before I went on gave me an additional shove!) and I’ve been asked to sing again a few more times. Last time no Xanax!
As a side note, I am very proud of my 26 year old’s talent. He sings and plays guitar (like me, by ear) and doesn’t have a nervous bone in his body! But he is really good. Anyway, all to say music can be such an uplifting, rewarding and lifelong experience, so keep on picking if you enjoy it!
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Post by leannec on Sept 26, 2021 0:31:38 GMT
Nope ... can't play a thing but I have a beautiful old upright piano that belonged to my MIL ... I'm now separated but the piano is still with me ... oldest dd will inherit it eventually but I guess I've got a nice piece of furniture for a few years  |
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Post by voltagain on Sept 26, 2021 0:44:05 GMT
If you enjoy playing an instrument do it! Doesn't matter if you or anyone else thinks you are good or not. Do it for fun.
I am tone deaf. I don't really even enjoy listening to a lot of music. If I do play I prefer the radio, or a cd. My ex, two of my kids and their spouses are/were professional musicians.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Sept 26, 2021 0:49:06 GMT
I took saxophone for a semester in 5th grade. I pleaded with my Dad to let me quit. I loved it, practiced daily, but the teacher gave all the accolades to the other student, and my low self esteemed self thought I really must suck. When grades came out, I had an A+. The other student did not. However, it was too late because I could not request a change back from my Dad. My DD tried to learn violin but wasn't able to continue. I'm thinking of trying to start it if I can find youtube videos to start. If I keep it up, then I'll go take lessons for real. How a teacher's wrong word or action can totally destroy a kid... |
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Post by whipea on Sept 26, 2021 1:03:54 GMT
Yes. In undergrad was an applied music major, french horn. I started when I was eight years old with clarinet, then switched to trumpet, then baritone when I got braces and on to french horn when the braces came off. As a music major you need to learn basic piano so I play that a little and started to play clarinet again. Also have messed around with bassoon, trombone and cello.
Some people play sports, I play instruments. It is fun and you do not have to be great either, just enjoy. Also, no matter what your skill level playing a musical instrument has some nice cognitive benefits too.
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Post by scrappintoee on Sept 26, 2021 1:46:11 GMT
* Singing since I was a teeny tiny tot.
* Flute....in junior and high school.
* Started in college as a voice major, but got sooo nervous when we had
to perform solos in front of our classmates. My professor encouraged
my singing, but I just hated the performances!
*Sang at 2 weddings...in rehearsal, I was fine.
At the actual weddings, my nerves took over and my voice
was shakey. I was SO embarrassed and felt bad for the couples
who asked me to sing, because they loved my voice.
* Took piano in college, but didn't stick with it.
I have sworn to myself I WILL learn piano somedayyyy !!!
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Post by scrappintoee on Sept 26, 2021 1:47:06 GMT
But in reality, I am just not good. At some point I think i should quit but I still enjoy playing it , even badly Please DO NOT give up !!! You say you still enjoy it, and that is ALL that matters !!!  |
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Post by scrappintoee on Sept 26, 2021 1:51:32 GMT
I loved it, practiced daily, but the teacher gave all the accolades to the other student, and my low self esteemed self thought I really must suck. When grades came out, I had an A+. The other student did not. That is SO sad! I'm sorry you weren't able to go back to it! How a teacher's wrong word or action can totally destroy a kid... Sooo true! |
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Post by peasapie on Sept 26, 2021 2:26:34 GMT
As my username suggests I play drums. I love percussion! I have 2 drumsets (one an electric) a cajon, a bodrhan,shakers, tambourine, and recently sold my djembe. I love things that make noise (I follow on Instagram taylor.dorothea, a grandmother who's a wicked drummer!) I say if you enjoy playing (even badly) then keep playing. Plus it's never too late to learn something for your own pleasure I do too! I used to play in a drum and bugle corps. My older brothers both played drums, and I learned all the street beats and rudiments from them. My son also plays drums, as well as bass. |
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snickle
Junior Member
Posts: 65
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Post by snickle on Sept 26, 2021 2:52:45 GMT
But in reality, I am just not good. At some point I think i should quit but I still enjoy playing it , even badly Please DO NOT give up !!! You say you still enjoy it, and that is ALL that matters !!! I have played on and off for years. I go thru times of playing a lot, then life happens and it gets put away for awhile and so forth. I really know a LOT about the guitar. I can name every note. I can play chords all the way up and down the neck. I understand basic music theory like the Circle of 5ths and all that. I can play scales. But, no matter how much I try I can't transmit to knowledge to my hands lol. I can strum chords well and do clean chord changes. But, other than strumming, down up up down up over and over and assorted strums there the guitar seems so elusive. I mostly play "clean" type songs like Mary Chapin Carpenter and oldies but trying to learn some power chords now with some distortion. So, that is kind of fun. I cannot sing and play. And, I really don't want to sing at all, but would love to play along for someone who wants to sing. I think that would be fun. Nice to see so many dabble in instruments. My daughter plays piano and clarinet. |
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Post by librarylady on Sept 26, 2021 3:11:38 GMT
I really, really wanted/want to play the piano. My birth family was too poor to have a piano or pay for lessons.
When I got to college, I signed up for lessons and practiced my heart out. The teacher, of course, thought anyone she would teach already knew something about playing. So, she didn't teach me anything about knowing the timing or meter. I decided to quit, when I had worked hard to learn a particular song in the beginners book. I went to the lesson to play it for her.
She listened to me abuse that song. When I finished, she said, "NO! It should sound like this" and played a lovely tune.
I realized then that I was hopeless, so abandoned that dream.
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Post by bc2ca on Sept 26, 2021 3:57:32 GMT
But deep inside, my inner drummer SO wishes I had tried drums when I took music in high school. We just watched Count Me In on Netflix and I told DH it left me wishing I'd taken up drumming. Find yourself a drum circle to join.  My love of Elton John and Billy Joel back in the day led to a few years of piano lessons as a teen. My teacher told me I was technically doing what I needed to do but had no feeling for the music. She was right.  |
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