Thursday, September 13, 2007

What about band? - Day Three

As I mentioned earlier, I've taken up playing the trumpet again. It has been 23 years since I've touched an instrument.

The first night was pretty scary. The sounds coming out of the trumpet did not resemble the sounds that are supposed to come out of a trumpet. The next day in a fit of optimism, I rented a trumpet. So, now I have a three month commitment.

Day two was pretty scary as well. Once in a while, I would get something that sounded like it was supposed to. However, I had no control of what note I played. I was just happy to get something that sounded like a note. I decided to not worry about it at this point and just played as much as I could. I've averaged about two hours a day of practicing. Any chance I get, I will stop and play for a few minutes.

While my daughters were at Violin lessons, I sat in the van trying to notes that sounded like notes. I can only imagine what the neighbors thought.

Day three is looking up. I can play notes and I can play the note I'm trying to play. I still get occasional weird sounds and stray notes, but it is starting to feel like what I remember. I can now play songs like "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Old MacDonald." I still have a long way to go, but considering where I started, things are looking up.

I've noticed that the kids are practicing more on their own now that I'm practicing every spare minute.

Continuing on with Music Lessons
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Technorati tags: homeschooling, Orchestra, Public School, Home School, home education, parenting, children, education,

7 comments:

Sandy said...

I realized last year that although my kids were improving in piano, they really didn't know how to practice effectively. I began playing again, working on some challenging peices that I had always meant to get around to "one day", in hopes of modeling for them what they ought to be doing... and I enjoyed it so much that I began taking lessons again with the kids! I've had to stop lessons now that the school year has begun again, but I thoroughly enjoyed my summer of playing, and I had several "eavesdroppers" on my lessons too. My husband said I was getting my money's worth :-) I am already looking forward to next summer!

BonnieJ said...

That's great that you've making an effort to start. There's a section for come back players at a forum I visit, www.trumpetherald.com/forum

Thanks for the link at the bottom of your page, btw :)

Janine Cate said...

Thanks for the comments and the link.

I've thought about taking piano lessons again (but now it will have to wait until I'm on my feet again with the trumpet.)

Anonymous said...

Another trumpet player here, trying to squeeze in moments of practice whenever I can. The kids love to jam along on percussion while I warm up and play scales : )

Janine Cate said...

I'm still a long way from "jamming" but I've made a lot of progress. I can now play comfortable almost everything in the Book 1 of the trumpet band book I'm using. I'm moving on to book two in the next few days.

Anonymous said...

That post is both funny and inspiring! I hate to think what a clarinet would sound like in my hands! DD is starting guitar lessons and has asked DH to learn along with her. I think he's going to give it a go.

Unknown said...

Good on you for bringing out your trumpet again! I've always wanted to play the cello, and I received one for my 40++ birthday!
It was so exciting for me! I have also noticed that when I play, it spurs on the rest of the family to get to their instruments. However, I do battle with finding the time.
Where there's a will... there's a way!

My other passion is writing a website- and that, too, takes a lot of time!

http://www.design-your-homeschool.com