little chickadee Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Aw Janty - if you lived closer I could teach you I can't really play any more as my fingers hurt too much if I try, but in my other life, I played Clarinet, Sax. recorder, guitar and had to learn the piano as I did music at uni (although I was always really rubbish at the piano!) I taught an adult the sax when I was at college and he really enjoyed it (although, bless him, I don't think he had a musical bone in his body) It's never too late to learn, as long as you are willing to dedicate a small amount of time to practising each day you will progress. My daughter is just learning the recorder (first 3 notes at the moment!) and finds it hard to comprehend that I am a qualified music teacher and that I know what I'm talking about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I forgot, I can play the harmonica too! Not to the level of Toots Thieleman or Larry Adler but I can puff out a tune It's harder than it looks! I've got a really good Lee Oskar Harmonica. This is what I aspire to! fat chance though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Rabbit Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I'm like ANH - I got to greade 4 piano and then stopped. The reason was the exams - after my grade 4 I had such a bad pain in my stomach that I thought I had appendicitis but it turned out to be just stress. I didn't touch a piano for years but then a few years ago I decided it was time to have another go so I saved up for an electric piano and just have fun - I love it. Both our children play and are doing well but DD really doesn't want to take any exams so after my experience, we're not pushing her and she just has a lovely time and practises every day. I think it adds another dimension to their lives - creative and immensely satisfying when you suddenly find you can play a piece that seemd impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I used to play trumpet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I used to play the piano pretty well, but haven't touched it for years. One of those 'when I retire' things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Son plays the trumpet, french horn and ocarina. I played the recorder at infant school, and now I play drums on the steering wheel when I listen to music in the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I used to play the guitar up to grade 4. Haven't touched it in over 30 yrs bought a clarinet as always wanted to play onea few years ago, started to teach myself and did for a while then things took over and its sat there for a year or so. I need to get back into playing it because i loved it at the time ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 .....I played the recorder at infant school, ... until my mum bought me my own, I had to use one out of the school music box. When I think about how many infants must have dribbled through it before me, it makes me shudder! I've had a go on virtually every instrument going but not mastered any yet! It's my lack of perserverance that lets me down. My violin teacher played in the orchestra that did the music for 'Chariots of Fire' and he in turn was taught by that Yahudi Menuin (sp?) fella! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Yehudi Menuhin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 played treble recorder at school and a bit and I say a bit of clarinet. But my teacher kept slapping my wrist, and he actually did slap them, so I didn't go back. Son is trying to learn electric guitar himself (all lessons in the area are booked at times he can make it seems, so he's learning through dvd and books) He's left handed so he's struggling, but not at the point of admitting he wants help.. Youngest wants an electric drum set for xmas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 No peace and quiet in your house then LL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 No peace and quiet in your house then LL! heaven help me is all I can say... I was thinking of soundproofing their rooms anyway.. Oldest suggested having his mates over for a 'jamming session', I said that's fine darling and winced! (I will be out in the garden I think!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 .... He's left handed so he's struggling, me too but I find (or should I say 'found') it easier being left handed as my left hand used to be more dextrous so it was easier to do the chord changes. I've now got a left handed guitar because I broke my left arm and can't move it enough to bend my wrist around the neck. Is he using a left handed guitar? That can be awkward as most books are written for right handed chords but there are some available for left handed guitars. Try abebooks.co.uk or musicroom.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 yes left handed guitar and left handed books.... but the dvd is shown in right unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I play clarinet, well used to anyway, and got to a decent standard. Also used to teach recorder and play in a recorder orchestra/band many years ago. Teaching recorder was a trade off with my music teacher who was also my sixth form tutor. She didn't want to do it so I took her class and she let me get away with murder in exchange I was told last week that I have arthritis in my hands (having blood tests soon to check it's not an aggressive type) which is slightly unusual as I've only just turned 30. I wonder whether practising clarinet every day from the age of 7 to 19 for an hour could have taken its toll? That would have been a fine excuse when I didn't want to practise "aaawww mum please don't make me play today......I'll get arthritis!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I played the recorder at infant school, and now I play drums on the steering wheel when I listen to music in the car I played the alto sax but sold it to pay for the insurance on my first motorbike However OH brought me one a few years ago but when I tried to play it would reduce DD2 to tears Any ideas what books are good that I can buy to start again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 yes left handed guitar and left handed books.... but the dvd is shown in right unfortunately. he might find it easier with a right handed guitar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I was forced to learn the piano when I was a child, hated it and was rubbish The saxaphone is my favourite instrument and I was delighted when ES decided to join his school jazz band and learn the sax. I got the opportunity to try it, but just didn't have the puff needed or maybe my lips were the wrong shape, anyway I did learn tp play Happy Birthday, really, really badly Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I was forced to learn the piano when I was a child, hated it and was rubbish The saxaphone is my favourite instrument and I was delighted when ES decided to join his school jazz band and learn the sax. I got the opportunity to try it, but just didn't have the puff needed or maybe my lips were the wrong shape, anyway I did learn tp play Happy Birthday, really, really badly Tessa The sax uses a reed mouthpiece, the same as the clarinet. You need to develop your lip muscles in order to get a good sound. I can't get a sound out of my clarinet if I haven't practiced for a while Sax/clarinet players are supposed to make good kissers though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 [quote name="Snowy Howells" Sax/clarinet players are supposed to make good kissers though! Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I played the recorder at infant school, and now I play drums on the steering wheel when I listen to music in the car I played the alto sax but sold it to pay for the insurance on my first motorbike However OH brought me one a few years ago but when I tried to play it would reduce DD2 to tears Any ideas what books are good that I can buy to start again? You could try Team Woodwind for alto sax - my daughter had that and I think you can get it with a play along dvd as well - it goes through all the easy stuff but progresses well and isn't babyish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Thank you Bellekatz, will look for that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 .....There was a thread a while back with Hillfamily when we discussed having an Omlet band! [/color] Yes and if that does happen - remember the drumming position has been taken! (by yours truly ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 yes left handed guitar and left handed books.... but the dvd is shown in right unfortunately. he might find it easier with a right handed guitar? no poet he's tried, he's a leftie through and through.. he's just 12, he'll get the hand of it.. he just needs to stick at it and not tear off around the park.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baby bears mum Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 My Dad tried to teach me the piano - not a very good idea. And I had a go at the guitar and violin (parents made me take that back because it sounded as though someone was killing the dog!!!!). Baby Bear plays the flute and is going for her Grade II exam tomorrow she is completely unfazed about it (she's laid back like her Dad) but I probably won't sleep tonight Fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...