Playing a musical instrument is something that many do. Some can play a Piano, while others play a Guitar. I began playing a Trumpet in the 6th grade and moved on to a Baritone Horn in the 8th grade. I played in the school band through the 12th grade. For 7 years, playing music was a part of my daily life. I'm sorry to say that that was the last time that I was regularly playing a musical instrument.

Do you/have you play/ed a musical instrument? Please share your experience here with us.

[rock]

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Mom bought me a cherry red Fender Stratocaster guitar when I was 7.

Something like this:


I gave it up after about 6 months when it seemed more like work than fun. I could only practice in the basement. I couldn't crank the amp up. And worst of all my instructor asked me to learn the song "Jean".





There was a girl named Jean in my class. We weren't technically cousins but all the kids use to tease me that we were. (Her uncle was my uncle in law. My aunt, her aunt in law.) I hated her because of all the teasing and she hated me. I sure didn't want to play a song that had her name.

That guitar became worth real money when I was in high school and I was proud of it even if I didn't play it. My mom took it from my room and put it out on her garage sale for $100. By then I had turn down offers for over $1000. I didn't notice it was not in my closet for a while. When I did, I asked Mom what happened to it and she told me. I asked her if she realized what it was worth. She did. She was mad that I never used it so she sold it to someone who would. Funny thing was, she had a sax in the storage closet that she played when she was in the high school band. She didn't sell it. Just my guitar.

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Drums for me!!!

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As I posted earlier, I played music until I graduated HS. I needed sheet music to read and play the notes. I never had the talent or training to play music without written sheet music. I suppose one can practice a piece of music to the point that they can play it by memory, but I'd get sick of playing it.

It always fascinates me at Christmas to hear someone playing outside of a Walmart for the Salvation Army. They are playing most times without sheet music. I stop, listen, and drop money into the kettle. Some are just born with a talent that allows then to play without sheet music. [confused]

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My brother was self taught on the guitar. He couldn’t read sheet music, but taught himself that too when he got older. He could play a 12 string, and it was beautiful. Me? I could never get the hang of it. I do play a little harmonica, and I LOVE to sing! You can check me out on YouTube.
If you want to see/hear me, put in “ozaukee idol Alan smith” into the search. There must be a half dozen or so videos of me, including when I got to sing the national anthem at a Milwaukee Brewers game in 2010.
I always wished I could play a guitar, but I just couldn’t do it

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All too often our carriers, or relationships, or college, or some other valid reason consumes a greater portion of our time. Few will pick up a new challenge like learning to play the Piano or the Cello or the Guitar. Some do pick up a Harmonica or a Recorder or even a Jews Harp.

Has anyone been learning to play an instrument in the last few years? Tell your story.

[rock]

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Played guitar on and off for almost 30 yrs now. Started off learning Metallica ...AJFA and the Sweet Child of Mine intro. Probably peaked in the early 2000s with studying of some Dream Theater songs. Got married and had kids and the guitars mostly collect dust now. I occasionally pick them up to mess around and it feels a little like riding a bike. There are riffs or lead parts that I can still play but I see the practice that would be needed to get proficient again.

Surfing the web occasionally gets me motivated to practice again. I love the new generation of "you tube musicians" that are out there now. It is great that talented musicians can be more easily seen and heard thanks to the internet.

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https://www.guitareo.com/ ! I'm on their sister site Drumeo, and it has really helped get me back into serious drumming practice. My girlfriend encouraged me to sign up and it was a great decision. So much value.

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