Can you play a musical instrument?

@UK_Shree (3603)
June 13, 2009 10:02am CST
I can't. Wish I had learned when I was younger but wasn't really too interested back then. Can you play a musical instrument?
7 people like this
38 responses
• United States
13 Jun 09
Yeah I can. I play the guitar.
@UK_Shree (3603)
13 Jun 09
Cool, can you play it professionally or is it a hobbie?
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jun 09
Umm both
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
14 Jun 09
Wow that's brilliant!
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@AmbiePam (85313)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I can play the piano - although I never wanted to learn. My parents felt it was a good extracurricular activity for my sister and I to learn to play a musical instrument. Since my mom could already play the piano, that meant we also owned a piano. So that was what we learned to play. I don't play the piano ever now. I just don't like it, so I never play it. I'm not as good as my sister or mother anyway. I stopped learning after I reached level three. My sister though can play the piano and flute. She even won a national award for her performance on the flute.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85313)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I felt bad. All during the years I had lessons, I kept telling my parents they were wasting their money. That I never wanted to play the piano, even when I grew up. They kept telling me I'd change my mind when I was older. But I didn't!
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
13 Jun 09
I guess if it's not your thing, then it's not your thing.
2 people like this
@UK_Shree (3603)
14 Jun 09
It's never nice being pushed into something we know we really don't like!
2 people like this
@betlynfrnds (4060)
• United States
14 Jun 09
Yes, I play the guitar, flute, synthesizer and I sing. My synth is programable so I layer different sounds that I play on the keys, assign different sounds to them, mix the volumes and viola, it sounds like a full band is playing behind me. Then I sometimes play instruments with the arrangement. I haven't played for a while but really need to get back into it.
• United States
15 Jun 09
You have inspired me to do just that, thank you.
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
That sounds pretty awesome regarding what your synthesizer is capable of. Yes you should get back into it seeing as it is something that is enjoyed so much.
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@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
I'm really pleased to hear that
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@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I play horribly but I do play guitar and I enjoy it very much. I don't play when anyone is around, I just can't do that, but it provides me a lot of joy. It's also good therapy because I can express myself through music. Go to eBay or a thrift shop and pick up a flute or clarinet or some other instrument! You'll laugh at your efforts at first but just messing around with notes is so much fun and you'll be surprised at how musical you really are once you let yourself express it.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
14 Jun 09
Lumenmom and UKshree, I didn't start playing till I was 40! You don't learn as fast after your childhood but it's more satisfying when you do accomplish something! Go for it, you two. It's fun!
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
13 Jun 09
Thanks for the encouragement! Does sound like it does a lot for you!
2 people like this
@lumenmom (1986)
• United States
14 Jun 09
I love this idea, because I tend to think it is too late to learn a musical instrument but because I do think it is therapeutic maybe it would be good to just tinker around to see what can be accomplished.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (158727)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Jun 09
No. I can't play any musical instrument. I did play the piano for a couple of years when I was about 11 years old. I also played an instrument called a Tonette when I was in grade school for one year. When I married my last husband he was very musical and he and several friends would get together and play. Guitar and drums. Now this might be a normal thing, i am not sure but whenever one of them liked a song they would listen to it and thump it out on the guitar. I was amazed. I have no musical talent whatsoever and to me this was just amazing to see.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158727)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Jun 09
I thought so too.
@UK_Shree (3603)
18 Jun 09
To transfer a song like they did to an instrument is not easy I imagine and does take real talent. Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
14 Jun 09
No, I can't. Always wanted to learn the drums but no oppertunity. I did however used to play the spoons all the time. LOL!
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@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
Lol thanks for the humourous response. Not too late to still learn perhaps? I have been hearing many encouraging words to this dicussion so far?
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jun 09
I'm a pretty big believer that it's never too late to learn anything. If you want to then do it. I missed my oppertunity and now my priorities are different. If that still is a burning passion for your, then dive into it. It never hurts to try does it.
1 person likes this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
14 Jun 09
I had 5 years of organ lessons, but I don't play anymore. I used to play it at church on Sundays. I also used to play a smattering of guitar, more at the beginner stage, but well enough so you could identify the song I was trying lol. I don't play either anymore because of arthritis. I do miss it though!
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
That is a real shame about the arthritis affecting your playing. Great to hear that you have positive experiences of playing though.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I played the flute for 7 years in school. I'm not very good at it, but I can get by. Actually, I haven't played in eons... I might not ever be ok at it any more.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
14 Jun 09
Knowing HOW to play and BEING GOOD at it are a bit different. I can surely play the flute, but I don't do it well. I did enjoy it though!
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
13 Jun 09
Lol, if you played for seven years, I bet you'd be pretty good still! Just need to pick one up and try!
2 people like this
• United States
14 Jun 09
I cannot play anything too well. They say it is easier when you are younger, there is always time to learn though.
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
Yes I suppose things are a lot easier the younger we are. I don't think it is ever too late either though. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@wolveren (1586)
• Cebu, Philippines
14 Jun 09
I used to play in a band at a younger age. I sing, play the guitar and the drums. We had a variety of songs to play. I like heavy metal the most. cheers!
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
Cool I bet playing in a band was a lot of fun! Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@icesmile (7160)
• Romania
14 Jun 09
Hi, i play to violin and piano too, i was in musical school for 5 years when i was kid...is really great, and if i know play to violin ai can play almost alittle to all instruments. But i adore to play to piano, this was my dream, and now i am happy with this.
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
Oh thats fantastic, it's great to hear you got to fulfil this dream. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@punkincat (214)
• United States
15 Jun 09
I can play several. I started playing in school with the violin when we moved to a school that only had a band I took up the flute. I've added instruments along the way. I only play for myself, rarly letting anyone hear me but my niece seems to catch me playing a lot.
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
That's brilliant. Is there a reason that you prefer to play only for yourself?
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jun 09
Keyboard and piano, but my fingers are horribly short and not meant for such instruments. I can play a teeny, tiny bit of the acoustic guitar. I also can play a little harmonica.
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
Cool thanks for sharing with us.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
14 Jun 09
I can play the drums. I learned it while watching my cousin play for the church. I didnt realy like it but when Im already felling the beat, damn its nice. I also play guitar and bass. I love singing but singing doesnt like me. Its not too late to learn. Theres no harm in trying. You can still do it. Goodluck!
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
Lol, find it amusing that 'singing' doesn't like you. Thanks for your contribution to this discussion and welcome to myLot
1 person likes this
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
13 Jun 09
Like you I wish I had learned an instrument when i was younger .When I was in school they wanted us to learn the recorder but I wasnt interested back then because I felt the recorder was so boring ,maybe if they ahad the guitar ,I would have learned it as this is teh instrument that I am interested in. I think if they want someine to learn an instrument then they should choose something that a student sees being used to make current recordings .Very few professional recordings use a recorder but they almost alwaas use a guitar
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
13 Jun 09
I guess you are right ,would still be interesting to incorporate guitars in the music curriculum as well
@UK_Shree (3603)
13 Jun 09
I totally agree with you, don't get me wrong. They do need to have a bigger investment in a larger variety of instruments. That way, children who do have that interest will find it at school rather than too late, when they can finally get their hands on a guitar.
@UK_Shree (3603)
13 Jun 09
I guess the whole recorder thing is to do with school budgets. 50 recorders must cost so much less than 50 guitars hey?
@lumenmom (1986)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I am the same as you. When I was younger I use to play the recorder and I took piano lesson briefly but I did not have much interest. I never learned to play anything else over the years. I wish I had because I think music is not only artistic but very therapeutic. Maybe it's not too late?
@UK_Shree (3603)
13 Jun 09
Maybe! I guess if we really wanted, there would still be a way to pursue it, even as a hobbie.
1 person likes this
@jellymonty (2352)
13 Jun 09
you poor baby! try to learn the keyboard as I think its the easiest instrument to play. Its just like learning how to type. Well I can play the keyboard, piano, drums, flute and banjos! I would love to play the guitar but I find it so hard to do so. Every time I try to learn I get frustrated and give up because it just doesn't get in my head!! but I'm signing up to learn the violin as well. I only did learn how to play the instruments to impress the boys! But I hear the best instrument a girl can play to get a guy all turned on is a guitar so I'm still on the losing end on that one!
@UK_Shree (3603)
13 Jun 09
Lol, good luck with the efforts! I can play a tiny bit of keyboard. For some reason as soon as I learnt how to play happy birthday on the keyboard, it stuck and now its the only thing I can play!
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
15 Jun 09
Hi UK_Shree! Yes, I can play three musical instruments, as a matter of fact. I play the guitar, the piano, and the harmonica. I spend more time with the guitar, though. I haven't played the piano and the harmonica in quite a while. I've always liked the guitar the best, anyway. I also sing. I majored in music when I was in college. I didn't finish college, though. I majored in voice. I sing and play the guitar at one nursing home and one assisted living facility once a month. I also played the clarinet when I was in the marching band in high school. However, my clarinet got stolen when our house was robbed in 1983. I didn't have it replaced since I didn't play it much any more. Maybe it's not too late for you to learn a musical instrument. Surely you can find one that you will enjoy. Kathy.
@UK_Shree (3603)
15 Jun 09
Thanks for sharing all this lovely info with us Kathy. It does sound like you are a very serious musician! Such a shame someone went and stole the clarinet. But it's great to hear that you get to perform in front of audiences who I am sure enjoy your music very much.
1 person likes this
@UK_Shree (3603)
16 Jun 09
Thanks! It's a bird's-eye view of Niagara Falls.
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
16 Jun 09
You are quite welcome and I enjoy doing it, too. I went to sing and play at the assisted living facility today, as a matter of fact. I like your avatar, btw. That's a beautiful picture. Kathy.
• Philippines
13 Jun 09
I do play piano, i think it's one of the musical instrument that is easy to learn.
@UK_Shree (3603)
13 Jun 09
Yes I do not know much about playing instruments but I would assume that it is one of the easier ones.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jun 09
I play both the piano and violin. I've been playing the piano for over ten years and the violin for 8 years. So I'm very passionate about my music!!!
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@UK_Shree (3603)
13 Jun 09
That's really cool. I bet you play really well?
1 person likes this