My Story Through Strings
I love music! Growing up I thought you could only do one thing. I believed if you played sports you could not play an instrument. Now, after watching so many amazing musicians and athletes in our high school, I now realize that is not true. Fortunately, my kids have been given a gift by our band directors of realizing that music and sports coexist.
It was on my goal list for 2022. Learn to Play the Violin. Of course, violin lessons have been on my goal list for a few years. Learning to play an instrument has been something I have wanted to do for a long time, but many times felt near impossible, when I would think about taking action on it. II was not planning to take lessons before the summer, but my running took a turn that I did not expect. In early March, I went from running an average of 60 miles a week to feeling fatigue and soreness after only a few miles. I actually thought that I was severely injured. At the time, I was lost and did not know how to approach a break that had been enforced on me.
The Obstacle is the Way
What initially devastated me and seemed like an obstacle became the path and the opportunity to begin learning the violin. I used to think that I did not have time to practice, but by reducing the amount of mileage I was running, I was able to take action on a goal and pursue learning the violin.
March 31, 2022
It was time. I listened to a podcast on my run, and realized that today was the day to get started. My husband and I had talked about my interest in learning the violin before, but I had not done anything to pursue it. Since I was motivated to get started, I sent him a text that said, ¨I have checked into the monthly rental cost, done the research and I am ready to get started. I want to go and rent the violin today¨. Almost immediately, he replied, “Yes. Do it¨.
My daughter and I went into our local music center, and we rented the violin. At first the guy thought it was for her or a student, but I proudly said that it was for me, and that I was highly motivated to learn. I gave my name and number to be contacted as soon as possible about lessons. I was so excited to bring the violin home. I knew that I needed to take live lessons for my best shot at learning the instrument and sticking with it.
My First Lesson
April 16, 2022
June 18, 2022
New Music
On Saturday, the 18th of June, my instructor said I was ready for New Music! She placed in front of me, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! ” I have been working on it a lot, and I am doing really well with it! I love playing it!
It is really good to put myself in the position of being the learner again. I am learning a lot about how to teach as well.
July 2, 2022
I practiced a lot before this lesson. I have been working on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as well as a few other songs. I realized that no matter what I am learning, I still need to go back to earlier songs and quickly review them. I get so used to playing new music, that I forget some of the earlier notes when I havent´t reviewed them.
Today, I also was able to identify several notes. She got me started with Old Mac Donald Had a Farm, and now I am excited that I can play it!