j***@gmail.com
2017-01-23 15:10:47 UTC
I just turned 76. Several months ago I began piano lessons. I love practicing and would do it all day long if possible. At the age of 9, I begged my parents for a piano. They had a man come to the house to test our " musical ability". All I remember is that that I got 9 out of 10 correct.
My father was tight with money. My mother said, "You'll probably be like all the other kids who quit after 6 months." What does a child respond ? We went looking at old uprights that cost $50. They were willing to put one of these in our basement but it was too big to turn the corners in our small house.
Through the years, I memorized the lyrics to every Broadway musical, got a ukulele, traded it for a classical guitar and taught myself chords...became a folksinger. At age 19, after completing a piano class as a Sophomore at university, there was a piano sale at Hudson's, our local large department store in Detroit. I got my piano...and a teacher...With a full time college load, a full time boyfriend, sorority (where I directed the Pan-Hell Singing skits), I was able to squeeze in 10 lessons that first year. I quit.
My piano came with me when I married in 1968. I taught early elementary until our daughter was born in 1971. She took lessons for about 5 years, was a quick study but not interested in practicing. I wish I had given our son piano lessons also, but the trumpet seemed like a more "social" choice at the time because he could play in the school band. The poor kid suffered through braces on his teeth and hated every minute.
Meanwhile, I played guitar and sang...Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul and Mary...until the age of forty when I discovered Yiddish Folk Songs. I fell in love...taught myself using cassette tapes and was helped by my Bubbie (grandmother) with pronunciation. Then came Hebrew songs...Russian also and I started volunteering at our local Jewish Old Folks Home. By 1985, people began offering me money to entertain at parties, Jewish cultural events, etc. and I found myself with a second career as a professional Ethnic Folksinger. I traveled all over North America and to Israel. I did this until 1994 when my husband died of Acute Promylocytic Leukemia, a victim of the Benzine used in his father's dry cleaning plant. I had no choice but to return to teaching.
During all these years I cannot remember longing for the piano. It was obvious that music was essential for my wellbeing and I had found ways to compensate. Seven years ago, I made Aliyah to Israel and my piano came with me. A year ago, I joined a choir and was surrounded by people sight reading music. How envious I was! It was not until this past September that the light bulb went off in my head. I found a fabulous teacher and am finally on my way...I will have to live to a very old age if I am to become accomplished. This reminds me to recommend the 2014 Oscar winning documentary, The Lady in Number 6.
So happy playing to you all. If anyone is interested in making contact, I can be reached at ***@gmail.com
Blessings from Rehovot, Israel
My father was tight with money. My mother said, "You'll probably be like all the other kids who quit after 6 months." What does a child respond ? We went looking at old uprights that cost $50. They were willing to put one of these in our basement but it was too big to turn the corners in our small house.
Through the years, I memorized the lyrics to every Broadway musical, got a ukulele, traded it for a classical guitar and taught myself chords...became a folksinger. At age 19, after completing a piano class as a Sophomore at university, there was a piano sale at Hudson's, our local large department store in Detroit. I got my piano...and a teacher...With a full time college load, a full time boyfriend, sorority (where I directed the Pan-Hell Singing skits), I was able to squeeze in 10 lessons that first year. I quit.
My piano came with me when I married in 1968. I taught early elementary until our daughter was born in 1971. She took lessons for about 5 years, was a quick study but not interested in practicing. I wish I had given our son piano lessons also, but the trumpet seemed like a more "social" choice at the time because he could play in the school band. The poor kid suffered through braces on his teeth and hated every minute.
Meanwhile, I played guitar and sang...Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul and Mary...until the age of forty when I discovered Yiddish Folk Songs. I fell in love...taught myself using cassette tapes and was helped by my Bubbie (grandmother) with pronunciation. Then came Hebrew songs...Russian also and I started volunteering at our local Jewish Old Folks Home. By 1985, people began offering me money to entertain at parties, Jewish cultural events, etc. and I found myself with a second career as a professional Ethnic Folksinger. I traveled all over North America and to Israel. I did this until 1994 when my husband died of Acute Promylocytic Leukemia, a victim of the Benzine used in his father's dry cleaning plant. I had no choice but to return to teaching.
During all these years I cannot remember longing for the piano. It was obvious that music was essential for my wellbeing and I had found ways to compensate. Seven years ago, I made Aliyah to Israel and my piano came with me. A year ago, I joined a choir and was surrounded by people sight reading music. How envious I was! It was not until this past September that the light bulb went off in my head. I found a fabulous teacher and am finally on my way...I will have to live to a very old age if I am to become accomplished. This reminds me to recommend the 2014 Oscar winning documentary, The Lady in Number 6.
So happy playing to you all. If anyone is interested in making contact, I can be reached at ***@gmail.com
Blessings from Rehovot, Israel