88 Keys, 10 Fingers, No Problem
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
Canada
May 27, 2016 9:32pm CST
My mother thought every child should learn how to play an instrument. She played the violin and the piano. I got piano lessons.
I was a whiner and hated my lessons. I didn’t like practicing, I didn’t think I liked my teacher and I grumbled a lot. My back did not like sitting on a bench in front of a piano and I was in pain most of the time I sat there. It might have been fun for about three weeks but by the time I had lessons for a year I was miserable. My mother gave up and said I didn’t need to learn to play an instrument. She was not happy with me but I was delighted it was over.
What I did learn that year was how to read music. I sang in the children’s choir and adult choir at church and by the time I got into High School I was my music teacher’s star alto. I loved singing. With art and music in a school that pushed the arts, I bloomed.
Thanks Mom for making me take those darn lessons because being able to read music put a lot of joy into my life.
Did you sing or play an instrument ?
The photo: I collect Occupied Japan figurines, this one is a Colonial man playing a fancy piano...
19 people like this
20 responses
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
Do you know the definition of perfect pitch? ...Tossing an accordion into a trash can from 10 paces and not hitting the sides... I had a friend who played and it was interesting to see him work the accordion . It was very loud... I have always loved to sing too...
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 May 16
@PainsOnSlate @CRK That's a great joke. There are dozens of viola jokes too. I guess you can use whichever instrument you like for some of these jokes. For instance, what's the difference between a trampoline and a viola? You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 May 16
My Mum pushed me to learn piano and I ended up teaching privately so the profession was good to me although I didn't think I was particularly musical. I never play now. I did all the exams, practical and theory, and was later able to arrange hymns for a (very) mixed group of teenage musicians which included guitars, saxophones, flutes and voices. All because I learnt to read music! :)
4 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
Good for you for using your music in your life. My love has always been painting and I still do that. I think your teaching and your work with teens must have been so internally satisfying. Good Job!
3 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
@JudyEv I don't agree, I think we are both gifted with talent and if we need it or want it, it is there for us to use.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 May 16
@PainsOnSlate I think you are much more talented with your painting than I am with my music. 
I never play any more. We played in brass bands before and after we were married and that was a lot of fun.
I never play any more. We played in brass bands before and after we were married and that was a lot of fun.1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
28 May 16
I played the flute for a year. I really enjoyed it, but we didn't have the money to buy or rent an instrument so I borrowed one from the school, and during my last concert it broke. I was so afraid that I'd broken it that I just quit playing, never told them it was broken, and never went back to music class.
I did chorus all through high school.. until I realized that I can't actually sing!
My kids are all into music now. They're in band and chorus, and they're all stars at both. Especially my 13 year old son. His future is in music or theater, that's for sure!
3 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
28 May 16
@PainsOnSlate I moved a lot as a kid too.. we lived in a large city with hundreds of schools and although we stayed in that same city, I moved to a different school almost every year. My last move was the summer between 10th and 11th grade and I went to a whole new high school out in the "boonies".
My oldest has been to 3 different school districts, but we moved to this district when he was in 3rd grade and here we stayed. He graduated a year ago. My other kids have only ever gone to one school.
It's a small district with 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high school, so you're with the same kids from start to finish.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
I just wasn't interested, I couldn't be bothered. My kids never showed any interest but we moved them a lot, they rarely spent more than a year in a school until we moved to Canada, then I put my foot down and the kids stayed in the same schools.
@silvermist (19702)
• India
28 May 16
I somehow find it difficult to picture you as a whiner.I did not study any musical instrument.At one stage,I did want to learn Guitar.It never happened.Though I love music,I could not sing.
2 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
31 May 16
@PainsOnSlate Yes,I know painting makes profit for you.But apart from the profit,
which type of painting gives you more happiness?
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
31 May 16
@silvermist I love what I do. It was something I decided to do because I knew it would sell. It was not only fun but profitable. I paint on slate and my style is Folk art or Primitive. I started on recycled wood. I used old wood grape boxes to paint on at first and switched to slate when I realized how much fun painting on slate can be.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
I was a diva whiner when I was a kid but I grew up and grew out of it. I love to sing, instruments bore me... ( but I am an artist and painting makes me happy and puts money in my bank)
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
28 May 16
no ma'am, i'm ferbidden to sing, don't play any instrument 'n can't read a lick'f music. my dad leaned towards the more "practical" side 'n such "frivolous endeavors" were ferbidden. the hubs,'n the other hand, took piano lessons, tap 'n e'en ballet. the latter 2 which he swears aided him'n his sportin' adventures.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
29 May 16
@PainsOnSlate he believes so, anyhow 
. no frettin', 'twas'n the past. once i flew the nest, i'd thought'f takin' some lessons, though not with a piano. jest ne'er seemed to be'n the cards (procrastination). then the young'uns came 'long 'n life got really busy. now, i've the time but not the physical ability. the hands jest don't wish to cooperate't times fer e'en the simplest'f tasks.
. no frettin', 'twas'n the past. once i flew the nest, i'd thought'f takin' some lessons, though not with a piano. jest ne'er seemed to be'n the cards (procrastination). then the young'uns came 'long 'n life got really busy. now, i've the time but not the physical ability. the hands jest don't wish to cooperate't times fer e'en the simplest'f tasks.1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
30 May 16
Don't give up, we all think you will get better and be able to do what ever you want!@crazyhorseladycx
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
29 May 16
He must be really good on his feet. I'm sorry your Dad was so practical but if you were like me you would have hated the lessons and wasted time at the piano...
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 May 16
I do not play an instrument, but I insisted that all four of our daughters learn to play the piano. I am glad that I did. One went on to play the flute. The others still play the piano at least a little.
3 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
I really didn't want to play the piano, I'm not sorry I quit, I really enjoye painting. @DeborahDiane
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 May 16
@PainsOnSlate - Painting is another wonderful skill to have!
1 person likes this
@glenniah (1197)
• Mandurah, Australia
28 May 16
I learned the mandolin and the piano. I didn't have much of an ear for music at that time. My piano teacher was a lovely old lady, she had pekinese dogs that ran around the room. She also had a long stick like a knitting needle, she never used it on my fingers I think because she thought there really was much hope for me anyway. Then Mum sold the piano and brought a television. What more can I say?
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
29 May 16
I think the piano for a TV is a wonderful choice! What more is there to say?
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 May 16
I played the accordion and then sang in choir in high school. I am always grateful that I learned to read music.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
29 May 16
@PainsOnSlate lol My singing is not great to say the least. I am very average.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
29 May 16
@BelleStarr That is so cool, I loved singing in High School Our art teacher who was wonderful got together with the music teacher who was wonderful and they made up plays with beautiful sets and clothing (art), and musicals sung by all of us, it was awesome.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 May 16
The accordion is an instrument you don't hear about very much. Very cool.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48445)
• Canada
29 May 16
@PainsOnSlate I remember my mother would make me sit on the piano bench like I was playing, and have my older brother stand beside me with his guitar and our baby brother with his accordion and our other brother, who didn't have to play an instrument, just stand there and they'd take posed pictures of us like that and send them out in the Christmas cards.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
29 May 16
@Juliaacv I have a photo of my brother and I sitting on the piano bench all dressed up for a Christmas card... It was popular in the 1950 I guess.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
It was the only uncomfortable experience that I remember from my childhood...so glad I got out...
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
Yes you do need to read music, I am an alto so as an alto I sing the alto part while the bass sings his part, and the tenor sings his part and the soprano hits the high notes. My high school music teacher took us all over the state for compositions and we often won. I sang in our country church too but the music is easier in church (usually) i have collected Occupied Japan pieces since I was a child. I have hundreds...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
Just not interested. My sister plays the piano and a couple more instruments. But she can't draw or paint or sing and I was good at all three and still am...
2 people like this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
28 May 16
@PainsOnSlate
Then it`s one up for you.Im sure you enjoy painting.
1 person likes this
@theBlock (2657)
• United States
28 May 16
@PainsOnSlate
I whole heartedly agree with your mother. I play the piano and guitar---so soothing.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
I sometimes think I should have continued but I still have my voice.
1 person likes this
@theBlock (2657)
• United States
28 May 16
@PainsOnSlate Oh, singing gives one the same satisfaction as playing an instrument.
2 people like this
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
28 May 16
well, that is true, you might not be good to other but you are best to something
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 May 16
I loved and still do love music but really was unhappy playing a piano...
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
25 Feb 17
I sang my way through school too, I loved it! Glad to know you do too...
@rebelann (111178)
• El Paso, Texas
31 May 16
I think as kids we rarely like what our parents make us do @PainsOnSlate but eventually it pays off.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
31 May 16
I didn't think so, I hated practicing! But I've always loved music.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9036)
• United States
1 Jun 16
It is so funny how that kind of thing work @PainsOnSlate Have a wonderful day
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
1 Jun 16
My kids never played because I hated it when I was a child. I guess we are all different... And that is OK!
I guess we are all different... And that is OK!1 person likes this
@Fleura (29128)
• United Kingdom
28 May 16
I wish I was better at it! I too had piano lessons as a child/teenager but gave up when I was 14. I also had some violin lessons but then lost my teacher when I moved school; I did try again in my twenties for a while. Now I have taken up the recorder with my daughter and am doing better! My main problem is that I want to be able to do it straight away, I hate the practicing and struggling.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
29 May 16
I'm with you, practice is not in my vocabulary. Good luck with the recorder. I got pretty good on it when my kids were younger.
1 person likes this
@Elizaby (6901)
• Pensacola, Florida
29 May 16
I learned to read music in school and tried to learn to play the guitar since we didn't have a piano growing up, but can play tunes with my right hand on the piano. I also sung in chorus in middle and highscholl along with choirs at church
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
30 May 16
Music makes the world go around, and it is delightful to listen too. I can do a mean chop sticks on the piano.
1 person likes this
@williamjisir66 (594)
• Hangzhou, China
11 Sep 16
First, thank you for your discussion. When I was a child, I learned to play the violin, the flute, and the mouth organ and a kind of old Chinese musical instrument called Country Teachers, but I have never learned how to play the piano for it was too difficult for me with two hands pressing the keys simultaneously. I learned to play these instruments by myself. It was fun to me, but sorry to say that I do not play with them now because of the busy life we are leading and the ways of life that has been changed in the past years when the Internet started to influence us in almost every respect. Thank you again for the nice discussion. Take care.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
12 Sep 16
Thank you for your kind words, you taught yourself how to play all those instruments. That's a big undertaking, I am impressed. I hope you find some time to re introduce yourself with your childhood.
