music learning and composition

@Qaeyious (2357)
United States
January 19, 2007 3:29pm CST
Greetings~ When I was about six years old, my mother asked me what musical instrument I wanted to play. Immediately I answered, "organ," but in the early sixties there were no portable organs, and we didn't have room in the house for one. My sister suggested accordian, saying it was kind of like an organ, so I agreed. I gradually lost interest during adolescence, teaching myself guitar, harmonica and recorder in its place, but eventually by early adulthood I nearly stopped all music activity except an occasional song on recorder. When I was actively doing music, I would spend time putting different notes and chords together, sometimes with lyrics but mostly small instrumental phrases that I liked. I remember many times preferring playing these original snippets than doing my official lessons, or songs written by others. About September before my 49th birthday I was walking through a Target store and there, in the electronics department (where they also sell instruments,) was a violin for only $100. Only one left, but I took several days to think about it. I was curious about them ever since I stopped being involved, but the prices had always been intimidating. I knew it was going to be a challenge to learn, and I decided to go for it. Now that I am learning to play an instrument again, I have that same desire to create my own tunes developing again, so I started looking at resources to help me do an actual work, a complete piece, not just little pieces scattered everywhere. My first exercise is displayed in the My Photos section of my profile page. I am still working on several other melodies to accompany it, but this all by itself satisfies me presently. I am curious if this desire happens to most people learning an instrument, or when learning to sing, that they want to break away from the books and lessons and etudes and just cut loose with their own creativity.
2 responses
• United States
22 Jan 07
Yes I remember as a child wanting to learn the guitar and piano two of which I never did learn. I use to play other people guitars and pianos as a child wanting to learn but the opportunity never presented itself to me. Music is an art and I think that is great they you have started back up and finding it enjoyable. I wish you all the luck in the world since you already are musically inclined I bet you are moving along fast.
1 person likes this
@Qaeyious (2357)
• United States
22 Jan 07
Thank you. Actually all I have is stored up book knowledge and a beginning knowledge of the mechanics of playing violin. My teacher said it will be a special challenge for me because my upper arm is shorter than my forearm, but I am getting better with each week. It's not too late to start - I'm starting violin, of all instruments, at the age of 49. People who started younger and played all their lives most likely would always be better than me, but, such is life. And thank you for being my first response to my first discussion! I hope you don't mind me adding you on my friend list? (I hear that's one of the ways to get the big bucks :D)
• United States
23 Jan 07
I didn't know adding people added to your money. I'm sure you will do just fine with the violin you also have an advantage over others who would of started at your age because you have done music before in the past.
1 person likes this
@magarboyz (568)
• Nepal
24 Jan 07
well as a child i also wanted to learn guitar.. my first interest on guitar started at age of 8 yrs...i had a music class in my school...i had to choose a intrument to play and to learn..i simply choose guitar coz i used to see many people playing it...and from then i just wanna play it more and more...
1 person likes this
@Qaeyious (2357)
• United States
24 Jan 07
I LOVE the sound of a twelve string guitar. There is nothing in the world like it, nine or ten different notes at a time (at least one set of strings are set to the same pitch if I remember correctly) in one grand chord after another. Years ago I was thinking of starting classical guitar, where the upper strings are synthetic instead of metal, to play more intricate melodies, but the finances never provided for it at the time. When I had the finances, I didn't have the time. But then, I am making time for my current pursuit, though I arrive late at home one day a week after lessons and I spend a part of my lunch hour each day practicing, and a couple of hours during my weekend. Heh, I didn't know I was learning time management with this :)