Briefly: Support me on Patreon | I do not want to play the trumpet | Things I’ve been getting up to in my spare time | Live dates & workshops Hello, I’ve been learning to play the trumpet. This is not the fulfilment of a lifelong yearning. No, it’s something like the opposite of that. I do not want to play the trumpet. But Bert did, once, a long time ago. So I am playing the trumpet because I am nothing if not pragmatic.
To say that this is brilliant is an understatement. To say that it is incredibly familiar (and spot on accurate) is another understatement. Mr. Blow? Say it ain't so.
I am a longtime guitarist, a fact that I used to keep hidden (I don't anymore). In third grade, I was asked to choose an instrument to play in band, and I chose the clarinet. My father went out and bought me an inexpensive one, and I still have it here, in my office, the reed still in the mouthpiece from my high school graduation in 1981. So adept was I at hopping from instrument to instrument that, as an aficionado of string band (British, American, etc) I took a shine to fiddle. I was so bad at it -- so witheringly horrible --- that our Airedale used to go out onto the terrace and bay for HELP every time I took it out and tucked it under my chin. I was forbidden from playing it, and my father wisely replaced it with a mandolin (same tuning, but strummed). My best friend, however, played trumpet from the time he was eight and is now a professional. There ARE harder things to play, Katherine, although very few of them. Maybe a 21 string sitar. What is Bert's preference?
I think I had that same clarinet before your parents found it, though I’ve no idea how it swam the Atlantic! Our ancient school music teacher thought it would be my perfect instrument, when all I really wanted was a guitar and piano. My father loved the organ, so that’s what we owned. Lessons at the nearby convent on Saturday mornings with the world’s oldest nun. I eventually got a really basic guitar for Christmas, probably from the Sears Roebuck Wishbook and learned a few halting tunes. I also learned that a cheap guitar, carelessly forgotten in the rain, is a goner. The piano didn’t materialize until decades later when my daughter was six and wanted to play. She is far more accomplished than I, but it still gives me pleasure to slowly plink through a song or two from time to time or put together random chords...keep riffing on the jazz, the memories will be worth every note, flat or not!
Oh dear. This reminds me of my dinged-up 22 year old French horn that currently sits covered in dust in my garage. I've been reluctant to sell it because, who knows, I might take it up again...
It really is so funny, I’m taking voice lessons and my teacher told me that all of her adult students have the same story: a bad lesson or two as a kid so we gave up. Those first few lessons (and a good teacher!) are important!
This so made me smile. Your description is priceless.
I’ve never learnt an instrument - no musical ability at all
My daughter has CP and goes to inclusive music making events at the Midlands Art Centre, which has taught me so much about the joy and ability of music making. You don’t have to be perfect at it to make a wonderful sound.
I too learnt the clarinet at school and didn't stick it but these days very much wish I had. I didn't have my own clarinet though - had to borrow the school one which meant practising between lessons was harder. I also yearn for a piano.
I meant to add: we have, sitting in the guest room closet, Susan's full-size mother of pearl accordion from 1958, which her parents bought her when she was about five. I can barely lift it. Why do we do these things?
I too am learning to play the trumpet! I *love* jazz trumpet but my god it’s a tricky instrument, isn’t it? 😆 My incredibly musical offspring think I’m hilariously bad at it. Which is erm, character/confidence-building! 😏
To say that this is brilliant is an understatement. To say that it is incredibly familiar (and spot on accurate) is another understatement. Mr. Blow? Say it ain't so.
I am a longtime guitarist, a fact that I used to keep hidden (I don't anymore). In third grade, I was asked to choose an instrument to play in band, and I chose the clarinet. My father went out and bought me an inexpensive one, and I still have it here, in my office, the reed still in the mouthpiece from my high school graduation in 1981. So adept was I at hopping from instrument to instrument that, as an aficionado of string band (British, American, etc) I took a shine to fiddle. I was so bad at it -- so witheringly horrible --- that our Airedale used to go out onto the terrace and bay for HELP every time I took it out and tucked it under my chin. I was forbidden from playing it, and my father wisely replaced it with a mandolin (same tuning, but strummed). My best friend, however, played trumpet from the time he was eight and is now a professional. There ARE harder things to play, Katherine, although very few of them. Maybe a 21 string sitar. What is Bert's preference?
I think I had that same clarinet before your parents found it, though I’ve no idea how it swam the Atlantic! Our ancient school music teacher thought it would be my perfect instrument, when all I really wanted was a guitar and piano. My father loved the organ, so that’s what we owned. Lessons at the nearby convent on Saturday mornings with the world’s oldest nun. I eventually got a really basic guitar for Christmas, probably from the Sears Roebuck Wishbook and learned a few halting tunes. I also learned that a cheap guitar, carelessly forgotten in the rain, is a goner. The piano didn’t materialize until decades later when my daughter was six and wanted to play. She is far more accomplished than I, but it still gives me pleasure to slowly plink through a song or two from time to time or put together random chords...keep riffing on the jazz, the memories will be worth every note, flat or not!
Oh dear. This reminds me of my dinged-up 22 year old French horn that currently sits covered in dust in my garage. I've been reluctant to sell it because, who knows, I might take it up again...
It really is so funny, I’m taking voice lessons and my teacher told me that all of her adult students have the same story: a bad lesson or two as a kid so we gave up. Those first few lessons (and a good teacher!) are important!
This so made me smile. Your description is priceless.
I’ve never learnt an instrument - no musical ability at all
My daughter has CP and goes to inclusive music making events at the Midlands Art Centre, which has taught me so much about the joy and ability of music making. You don’t have to be perfect at it to make a wonderful sound.
I too learnt the clarinet at school and didn't stick it but these days very much wish I had. I didn't have my own clarinet though - had to borrow the school one which meant practising between lessons was harder. I also yearn for a piano.
I meant to add: we have, sitting in the guest room closet, Susan's full-size mother of pearl accordion from 1958, which her parents bought her when she was about five. I can barely lift it. Why do we do these things?
I too am learning to play the trumpet! I *love* jazz trumpet but my god it’s a tricky instrument, isn’t it? 😆 My incredibly musical offspring think I’m hilariously bad at it. Which is erm, character/confidence-building! 😏
Sending good embouchure vibes! Anj