tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23254997.post7527714048573526683..comments2023-09-23T03:23:06.597-06:00Comments on Banku, Pho and Fried Spiders: Legacy of a PianoA. Gillispiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867049082571384585noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23254997.post-2729329293092746572010-10-05T06:19:11.269-06:002010-10-05T06:19:11.269-06:00I am not particularly musical -- took piano lesson...I am not particularly musical -- took piano lessons for 3 years -- just enough to learn to read music. I have good musical appreciation genes though.<br /><br />Then Alex came along YEARS later via Russia. He hears music in his head. We had my piano which was in terrible shape. Ended up getting a digital piano (wish we had a baby grand). The benefit is headphones when he wants to play early in the morning. It is fun to play Bach with all the different instruments. Makes practice more fun. <br /><br />He started lessons at age 4 and he is still playing at 13 years old. He played violin for 3 years and trumpet for 2 years. Homeschooling allowed that happen. <br /><br />Ask him what his favorite music is and he'll say classical. And then fine tune that to Chopin. He chooses music camp in the summer instead of any other kind of camp. <br /><br />I am in awe of you musical types! Have fun with your piano Anita.Mary Ellynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14664486683390595886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23254997.post-32486797554269165382010-10-01T18:12:46.570-06:002010-10-01T18:12:46.570-06:00Ericka! Ha! I had totally forgotten you were in ...Ericka! Ha! I had totally forgotten you were in bell choir with me. I think that was the coolest thing! It was such a "team sport" and we were able to make such pretty music. I would love to to something like that with my kids' homeschool group, but the bells cost hundreds of dollars. Maybe some day!<br /><br />Laurel, it's funny we have such similar musical pasts! I bought a Conn 8D double horn before going to university, for $800. Little did I know it was a GREAT horn for the price--totally lucked out! When I got married, like you, I sold my horn. It went to buy furnifure for our house. My horn professor bought it from me for $3,500. Yep. Another big regret! You can buy a piano on the cheap way easier than a horn!A. Gillispiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05867049082571384585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23254997.post-56826302946411983372010-10-01T16:23:37.266-06:002010-10-01T16:23:37.266-06:00Oh my goodness! We have SO MUCH in common!
I sta...Oh my goodness! We have SO MUCH in common!<br /><br />I started piano lessons at age 4 ... and continued until Jr. High.<br /><br />In 5th grade, I started band ... playing the French Horn. By Jr. High, my parents had purchased me a Solid Nickel Silver Double Horn. Heaven on earth!<br /><br />In Jr. High, not only did I play in the band, but I sang in the choir, and accompanied the choir occasionally, on the piano.<br /><br />By High School, I was in the concert band (which was also the marching band) ... I sang in the concert choir ... I sang in the Jazz Choir ... I performed in the annual Musicals (sometimes accompanying on the piano). I still can't figure out how I got all of my college prep classes in my schedule, in between all of my music classes.<br /><br />Yes ... music was my life. Ahhh ...<br /><br />At 19 ... I was engaged to be married and needed a car. I sold my french horn. That, is definitely the biggest financial regret of my life. <br /><br />I only went 3 or 4 years without a piano ... before we bought a $400 1900's upright grand out of the classifieds. We drug that heavy thing to more houses than I can even count.<br /><br />By the time we had 5 kids taking piano lessons (and each one practicing an hour per day), we bought another $400 1900's upright grand ... and put it on the other side of the house. I could work in the kitchen and hear both pianos playing, many hours per day.<br /><br />Music is a BEAUTIFUL thing. Right now, we just cannot afford piano lessons for the 4 youngest children. And, as a homeschooling mama with 6 kids still at home, I just cannot add piano lessons to my "to-do list". So, I bought an amazing computer program, where the computer connects to a keyboard, and my young ones are gaining a new love for music. Makes my heart glad.<br /><br />Thanks for the memories ...<br /><br />Laurel :)Laurelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17253303288242135440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23254997.post-55155532999231012052010-10-01T15:41:19.457-06:002010-10-01T15:41:19.457-06:00Do you remember when you helped me get on Bell Cho...Do you remember when you helped me get on Bell Choir in middle school? You were the one to teach me how to really read music (I only knew the bare basics). I LOVED bell choir and I think we were pretty awesome. I was sad they didn't have it in high school. Music was never my thing, but I was glad to have a small taste of it. Thanks!!Erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01885915317893776731noreply@blogger.com