I can play the sax and clarinet. I cannot sing at all - children cry and birds die when I try. Remember that scene in Elf when Zooey was singing Christmas carols in the shower? When I did that, no one in the dorm was charmed, they were too busy laughing like mad.
I could play the piano really well when I was about 9. Probably could have done something with it, but we couldn't pay for lessons. I can't play shit now.
I am a classically trained pianist who runs a piano studio from my home. I teach 51 students. Currently all are kids, age 5 to 18. My 18-year-old is graduating this year and will be a field hockey star at Princeton in September!
I double majored in music and journalism at Carnegie Mellon University. I worked in newspapers for a million years. The worst hours and pay in the world. No joke. My Armenian piano teacher, who taught me when I moved back to Jersey after college, was like, "Susan. You really need to be a piano teacher." And, honestly, my Moms - who was a public school art teacher for a thousand years - always encouraged me to be a music teacher but my snobby teenage self was like, "Mom - you crazy." So, while doing my shitty newspaper thing at age 22 I took a whole bunch of pedagogy courses and started my business. I had one student for three months. Then I had 12. Then 25. Then a wait list because being a newspaper editor and teaching 25 people was a bit insane in the membrane. My amazing husband helped me cut the cord from newspapers, and for a good seven years I have been teaching piano as my one and only job. I considered teaching in the public schools in Jersey. I took the Praxis exam and observed all the music teachers in the public schools. I even got some job offers. So, not my cup of tea. I LOVE teaching private piano lessons. For the most part, my kids want to be here. I get all of my business from word of mouth. And I am completely booked from 9 to 5:30 on Sundays and 2:30 to 9 Monday to Thursdays. I have another waitlist. LOL.
Not all of my kids are maestros, of course. But, I do think music lessons are a great benefit to people - no matter the age! You learn how to persevere, solve problems and accomplish a task on your own.
I have had many adults throughout my years, but they never stick with it. Too busy with their kids and jobs, etc. And for some reason, some adults think they won't be able to get it because they are old but that's bullshit!!! You just need to be positive and work really hard at it. I don't think many parents or kids realize how difficult it is to master an instrument. In this day and age when kids are involved in 30 after-school activities, you need to think long and hard if enrolling in a private lesson is truly worth your time and money. You need to practice daily to succeed! And have an open mind and a positive attitude.
Due to my busy teaching schedule and being a momma, I do not perform as much as I would like. My students think I should start a YouTube channel. Maybe. I post many videos on my Facebook.
Currently, I'm organizing my recital and we have a performance coming up in March at a school fund-raiser.
One of my students is an amazing composer. And he's only 11! We're going to start competing this year.
The whole piano competition circuit is intense. I did that as a kid, too.
I have been a part of many many choruses and choirs. All you peeps who think you can't sing - Yes, you can!!! Anybody can sing. And for all of you who think you forgot how to read music - If you try again and start to play again, you will remember. Trust me!!
Thank you. You are too sweet! I love that music was the topic. It's my most favorite thing. I have to figure out what I'm going to play in my next recital. I focus way more on my students than myself. I would love to brush up one of my Rachmaninoff pieces, but my 4-year-old son kinda cuts into my practice time. He totally wants a piano lesson tomorrow. Yay!
I play a little Ukulele and and a trained singer although I'm betting Sophie Helene is better. Played piano for a while.
And Karen, I didn't take piano lessons until I was 19 because our family was so poor we couldn't even afford to pay attention. In fact all my music lessons have been as an adult and I've enjoyed them immensely. Sadly I am lazy and never practice and that's key apparently..
But singing has always been my love even though I don't do it as often as I used to.
My skill is singing badly. Pther than that, cant read music or play any instrument. Sad really. But my poor vocal skills do prevent me from inflicting my voice on friends and family!
I took guitar for several years back in highschool and college. My first guitar teacher was this really cool old guy who was good friends with and used to jam with Les Paul, when they were in the army together. He was a great teacher but suffered a severe stroke and obviously couldn't teach anymore. I had much better skill at dating musicians. Was married to one for 15 yrs. and then dated several more. Happily Mr. Min Pin doesn't play a goddamn thing (musical instrument wise). I still have a few guitars & a bass but don't play anymore.
Im told i can sing. Used to write songs, had a band, but no confidence. You kinda need that, & the ability to perform (sober). Also play piano, guitar, a little drums & 6 string bass (both of my bro's are professional musos). My instrument of choice is my g-string, & i do a mean paper and comb solo. I am also one of the most brilliant belching artistes. People get weepy when they hear my reverberating, dulcette burpy tones.
I have a degree in piano performance, but unlike @Susan I don't teach. I did some, but it was definitely not my calling. I work in arts administration and use my knowledge of music that way, and I occasionally accompany, particularly in the summer, when I have a regular gig during a camp.
I can play the sax and clarinet. I cannot sing at all - children cry and birds die when I try. Remember that scene in Elf when Zooey was singing Christmas carols in the shower? When I did that, no one in the dorm was charmed, they were too busy laughing like mad.
ReplyDeleteSadly, only in my mind.
ReplyDeleteI could play the piano really well when I was about 9. Probably could have done something with it, but we couldn't pay for lessons. I can't play shit now.
ReplyDeleteI can sing and used to play the piano. I can't read music now. I think I blocked it out after hating all the hours of piano practice.
ReplyDeleteI am quite proficient with the skin flute!
ReplyDeleteRusty trombone, Lady H?
DeleteI play piano and used to play viola. Can't sing to save my life.
ReplyDeleteI am a classically trained pianist who runs a piano studio from my home. I teach 51 students. Currently all are kids, age 5 to 18. My 18-year-old is graduating this year and will be a field hockey star at Princeton in September!
ReplyDeleteI double majored in music and journalism at Carnegie Mellon University. I worked in newspapers for a million years. The worst hours and pay in the world. No joke. My Armenian piano teacher, who taught me when I moved back to Jersey after college, was like, "Susan. You really need to be a piano teacher." And, honestly, my Moms - who was a public school art teacher for a thousand years - always encouraged me to be a music teacher but my snobby teenage self was like, "Mom - you crazy." So, while doing my shitty newspaper thing at age 22 I took a whole bunch of pedagogy courses and started my business. I had one student for three months. Then I had 12. Then 25. Then a wait list because being a newspaper editor and teaching 25 people was a bit insane in the membrane. My amazing husband helped me cut the cord from newspapers, and for a good seven years I have been teaching piano as my one and only job. I considered teaching in the public schools in Jersey. I took the Praxis exam and observed all the music teachers in the public schools. I even got some job offers. So, not my cup of tea. I LOVE teaching private piano lessons. For the most part, my kids want to be here. I get all of my business from word of mouth. And I am completely booked from 9 to 5:30 on Sundays and 2:30 to 9 Monday to Thursdays. I have another waitlist. LOL.
Not all of my kids are maestros, of course. But, I do think music lessons are a great benefit to people - no matter the age! You learn how to persevere, solve problems and accomplish a task on your own.
I have had many adults throughout my years, but they never stick with it. Too busy with their kids and jobs, etc. And for some reason, some adults think they won't be able to get it because they are old but that's bullshit!!! You just need to be positive and work really hard at it. I don't think many parents or kids realize how difficult it is to master an instrument. In this day and age when kids are involved in 30 after-school activities, you need to think long and hard if enrolling in a private lesson is truly worth your time and money. You need to practice daily to succeed! And have an open mind and a positive attitude.
Due to my busy teaching schedule and being a momma, I do not perform as much as I would like. My students think I should start a YouTube channel. Maybe. I post many videos on my Facebook.
Currently, I'm organizing my recital and we have a performance coming up in March at a school fund-raiser.
One of my students is an amazing composer. And he's only 11! We're going to start competing this year.
The whole piano competition circuit is intense. I did that as a kid, too.
I have been a part of many many choruses and choirs. All you peeps who think you can't sing - Yes, you can!!! Anybody can sing. And for all of you who think you forgot how to read music - If you try again and start to play again, you will remember. Trust me!!
Love this post, @Susan.
Delete+100,000 to you, you talented thang, you! :)
Thank you. You are too sweet! I love that music was the topic. It's my most favorite thing. I have to figure out what I'm going to play in my next recital. I focus way more on my students than myself. I would love to brush up one of my Rachmaninoff pieces, but my 4-year-old son kinda cuts into my practice time. He totally wants a piano lesson tomorrow. Yay!
DeleteI have been taking classical singing lessons for years.
ReplyDeleteI play a little Ukulele and and a trained singer although I'm betting Sophie Helene is better. Played piano for a while.
ReplyDeleteAnd Karen, I didn't take piano lessons until I was 19 because our family was so poor we couldn't even afford to pay attention. In fact all my music lessons have been as an adult and I've enjoyed them immensely. Sadly I am lazy and never practice and that's key apparently..
But singing has always been my love even though I don't do it as often as I used to.
Moonlight sonata,fur elise and chopsticks on the piano(thanks mum!).The first few bars of smoke on the the water on guitar(thanks bruv!)
ReplyDeleteI play guitar. Not great, not terrible. A basement picker mostly.
ReplyDeleteMy skill is singing badly. Pther than that, cant read music or play any instrument. Sad really. But my poor vocal skills do prevent me from inflicting my voice on friends and family!
ReplyDeleteMeant if course my poor skills DO NOT prevent me from inflicting...
DeleteI took guitar for several years back in highschool and college. My first guitar teacher was this really cool old guy who was good friends with and used to jam with Les Paul, when they were in the army together. He was a great teacher but suffered a severe stroke and obviously couldn't teach anymore. I had much better skill at dating musicians. Was married to one for 15 yrs. and then dated several more. Happily Mr. Min Pin doesn't play a goddamn thing (musical instrument wise). I still have a few guitars & a bass but don't play anymore.
ReplyDeleteYour teacher sounds so cool. I would love a teacher like that. Your thoughts about relationships with musicians made me laugh.
DeleteZip in the musical talent.
ReplyDeleteIm told i can sing. Used to write songs, had a band, but no confidence. You kinda need that, & the ability to perform (sober). Also play piano, guitar, a little drums & 6 string bass (both of my bro's are professional musos). My instrument of choice is my g-string, & i do a mean paper and comb solo. I am also one of the most brilliant belching artistes. People get weepy when they hear my reverberating, dulcette burpy tones.
ReplyDeleteI have a degree in piano performance, but unlike @Susan I don't teach. I did some, but it was definitely not my calling. I work in arts administration and use my knowledge of music that way, and I occasionally accompany, particularly in the summer, when I have a regular gig during a camp.
ReplyDeleteThat rocks!
Delete