What a wonderful story. I love hearing about the musical success and of finding that inner song that has developed into an external success in front of audiences.
My story - I was in band in junior high and high school. It was my favorite class. Especially marching band. While I loved it I wasn’t all that good and my parents did not have the resources for private lessons. Thankfully we had inspiring band directors who encouraged everyone even if they were like me only average.
When high school was over so was my musical career - well other than listening to the stereo as the requirements of college and a career took priority.
Well 45 years later as I was approaching retirement I expressed that I’d always harbored a fantasy of being able to play the piano. Both our kids had lessons and one had become a music education major in college. We’d had a piano in the house that had sat untouched for over 20 years because I’d never acted on that fantasy.
With retirement nearing additional hobbies were needed. My wife actually called me on that expressed fantasy by buying an inexpensive keyboard. And my music major daughter gave me a gift of some lessons with a school colleague. Ok now I had to put up or shut up.
I called the teacher, scheduled the trial lessons. And I absolutely loved it. She told me I practice more than any other students. The difference is I’m doing this because I want to not because like many new students, their parents are making them.
My early thought was that success would be defined by being able to play a decent rendition of Mary Had A Little Lamb.
Well a few years in and I have continued advancing to the point that a keyboard with 60 keys and not foot pedal wasn’t sufficient. So I purchased a full piano.
It’s been a little over 4 years, I’m still taking lessons, still love it, practice every day and yes I have advanced well beyond Mary Had A Little Lamb.
Listen to that song in your head. If you’ve always wanted to try playing, what’s holding you back? And being near retirement is not and excuse to not do it, it is the perfect opportunity to start and to help keep an aging brain working and an aging body coordinated.
That left had doing one thing, the right hand another, the the feet yet something else really is good mental exercise.
Great article Erin. I saw so much of my own musical journey in there. Being frustrated with my slow learning progress, finding the ukulele later in life by complete accident and realizing that I loved playing this instrument, discovering an accepting community of amazing and encouraging ukulele musicians, that had always been there, but that I hadn't known about, even well after I began learning and playing and now hoping that I can help propagate this same interest in others and help bring them into this almost unlimited world of musical and community experiences. My journey continues and I'm excited about its possibilities for self-improvement and for helping others achieve their goals and maybe even join in world out there that I've found and love. Thanks for sharing this article and your friend's story with us.
What a wonderful story. I love hearing about the musical success and of finding that inner song that has developed into an external success in front of audiences.
My story - I was in band in junior high and high school. It was my favorite class. Especially marching band. While I loved it I wasn’t all that good and my parents did not have the resources for private lessons. Thankfully we had inspiring band directors who encouraged everyone even if they were like me only average.
When high school was over so was my musical career - well other than listening to the stereo as the requirements of college and a career took priority.
Well 45 years later as I was approaching retirement I expressed that I’d always harbored a fantasy of being able to play the piano. Both our kids had lessons and one had become a music education major in college. We’d had a piano in the house that had sat untouched for over 20 years because I’d never acted on that fantasy.
With retirement nearing additional hobbies were needed. My wife actually called me on that expressed fantasy by buying an inexpensive keyboard. And my music major daughter gave me a gift of some lessons with a school colleague. Ok now I had to put up or shut up.
I called the teacher, scheduled the trial lessons. And I absolutely loved it. She told me I practice more than any other students. The difference is I’m doing this because I want to not because like many new students, their parents are making them.
My early thought was that success would be defined by being able to play a decent rendition of Mary Had A Little Lamb.
Well a few years in and I have continued advancing to the point that a keyboard with 60 keys and not foot pedal wasn’t sufficient. So I purchased a full piano.
It’s been a little over 4 years, I’m still taking lessons, still love it, practice every day and yes I have advanced well beyond Mary Had A Little Lamb.
Listen to that song in your head. If you’ve always wanted to try playing, what’s holding you back? And being near retirement is not and excuse to not do it, it is the perfect opportunity to start and to help keep an aging brain working and an aging body coordinated.
That left had doing one thing, the right hand another, the the feet yet something else really is good mental exercise.
Great article Erin. I saw so much of my own musical journey in there. Being frustrated with my slow learning progress, finding the ukulele later in life by complete accident and realizing that I loved playing this instrument, discovering an accepting community of amazing and encouraging ukulele musicians, that had always been there, but that I hadn't known about, even well after I began learning and playing and now hoping that I can help propagate this same interest in others and help bring them into this almost unlimited world of musical and community experiences. My journey continues and I'm excited about its possibilities for self-improvement and for helping others achieve their goals and maybe even join in world out there that I've found and love. Thanks for sharing this article and your friend's story with us.
Great job Erin. This is very interesting. Thank you.