Friday, February 20, 2009

tickle the ivories

...

Here's my Aloha Friday question for this week...

Do you play any kind of instrument or did you ever play one?
If so, what?

I used to play the piano. I took a few years worth of lessons when I was young, like somewhere around 4th and 5th grade and then again in 7th grade. I didn't have any real talent at it (like my sister did) and I didn't practice as much as I should have. But I did enjoy playing the little bit that I did.

And then when I was a young married adult, we were given an old upright piano (nearly an antique). I found myself sitting down every once in a while and plucking out a few tunes. I then went out and bought some piano music. The more I played, the more I wanted to play. It became my therapy and I'd come home on my lunch hour and play to my heart's content, with no one around to hear me. I never felt very comfortable playing in front of anyone, and that meant Don, too.

We brought the piano with us to Colorado but there was no where to put it in our first home here. It stayed covered out in the garage. And then one day our neighbor offered to buy it from us and it made sense to sell it. The last time I played the piano in any capacity was back in California. I think about it every once in a while and wish I had the opportunity to tickle the ivories again.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Growing up in Hawaii I took ukulele lessons. When I was in high school, signed up for band to learn to play the drums.

Cat@3KidsandUs said...

I've never been a fan of the music arts, I just never understood reading music, so I never got into any instruments.

Jennifer said...

Oh! I always wanted to play piano. People that play the piano have lovely hands.

I played Trumpet and a little flute. I was in band in middle school...and loved it. I never realized I was being labeled a 'band geek' until way later! LOL

Sarah said...

I played piano. Then in elementary school I played the trumpet, which I quickly found out was too heavey for me to carry to school so I switched it for the clarinet. I didn't like the clarinet so I played purcussion in niddle school band for a while. So i've always liked music but can't stick with one thing for very long to be good. I do appreciate that I can still read music, so it was all worth it!

Anonymous said...

I played the piano for years and I played clarinet for 2 weeks.

Anonymous said...

I played tenor sax in 5th and 6th grade but it was too big and heavy so I traded it in for the clarinet, which I played up until my first quarter of college. I took piano for a quarter of college too.

Christine said...

I did take some piano and when I was a teen thought that I would like to learn to play the guitar. I would rate my skill level at about somewhere below mediocre. LOL Hey! Does anybody want to form a band?

Margo said...

I'd love to play the piano. Both of my daughters play and are quite good. My husband and look at each other and go, "huh"? It's like they have my sense of music and his mathematical mind. My 70 yr old mom went back a few years ago for lessons and she loves it!

Tara said...

I took piano, flute, and violin growing up..but now.. I just continue with the piano.

Beth @ TheAngelForever said...

I played piano growing up. I was never really serious about it and wish I had tried more.

Gem said...

I took ukulele lessons too...and does the flutophone and recorder count in elementary school? LOL!

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, no. I can't even read music notes.

Nina said...

I have never played an instrument but I always wanted to learn how to play the piano.

Heidi Jo Comes said...

my piano history is much like yours, only i really think i did have 'talent' just not the motivation or right teacher. i play by ear, or had the inclination to do so. and my teacher was having none of it, strict following of the music, even if mine sounded the same or better. so i burned out quickly, now i do sit down and play every once in a while. it has a great relaxation benefit. even though i am NO GOOD, i bang out my frustrations on it and i feel calm...for at least 5-10 minutes.

as for other band type instruments, never did it. band seemed lame to me in high school, but i was pretty narrow minded:0)

Anonymous said...

Got to say no to this one. I have no musical ability whatsoever. My husband and kids are all musical though.

annies home said...

played clarinet in highschool

Jenni said...

I have no musical talent to speak of. BUT, I can clap along proficiently.

Joyful Noise said...

I am musically illiterate! I tried sax for band in eighth grade but got a C for the quarter and was not really encouraged to continue. I definately cannot carry a tune!

MightyMom said...

OKay, I'm betting that you KNOW my answer to this...so I'm not gonna answer.

If you don't know then say so and I'll answer later.

You know, there are very good keyboards avail not terribly expensive and can set up and then be stored ANYWHERE....you do know that right??!!!! (hint, HINT!)

Funny you should ask this question. I was just sitting on my pal earlier today in an empty house thinking....how long's it been??? Next time I'll move the bench over and open the poor old girl up. She's probably lonely.

Kris said...

None. I tried playing the piano and guitars but they wouldn't cooperate with me :P

Tena said...

I use to play the guitar, but never got really good at it

Susan said...

I played the piano seriously for years. Played in church for a number of years. My parents bought me a used upright when I was in the 4th grade and I took lessons through highschool. I bought myself a new spinet piano in 1955 an ebony Wurlitzer and I still have it although I seldom play any more. I still can play though. It's kind of like riding a bike or skating, you get rustry but you can still play.
Susan

Mrs4444 said...

When I was in 5th grade, I had a paper route. When I got the the Slightham's house, I went inside and pade one of their daughters (can't remember her name) a quarter for a lesson on their piano. I got what I paid for, but it was fun!