I was wondering what instruments you all play. I have played piano for 8 1/2 years and violin/fiddle for 1 1/2. I'm working towards becoming a music teacher, (besides mothering and farming :o) So what do you all play in your 'spare time'?

-- Abigail F. (treeoflife@sws.nb.ca), July 17, 2000

Answers

Hi! Although i don't have ANY natural musical ability, I began piano lessons when I was 8 and then majored in keyboard in college for about two years before switching my major (but a music scholarship did help out a lot!)

I taught music lessons off and on from the time I was 15 until about 8 years ago. I taught piano, keyboard, beginning organ, and beginning guitar...It was a great way to supplement our income and I could work at home!!!!

I don't teach any now because my time is too full of my two jobs writing for newspapers....plus I don't think I have the PATIENCE now! I used to have a lot of patience while teaching but I don't anymore...

What kind of music do you like to play??? I have cousins that can play "by ear" and they just astound me!!!! I have played for churches, both paid positions and volunteer but don't do that anymore either...and back years ago I played for a lot of weddings and such but not anymore on that either....now I generally play for fun and relazation...I like songs by the Eagles and songs from the late 60's and early 70's, some country music, some traditional church arrangements and some southern gospel...I love some classical...I especially like to pound on something like the Bach Interventions when I just want to play something "mechanical" to relax!!!

-- Suzy in "Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), July 17, 2000.

Used to sing professionally on the nightclub circuit..(those WERE the days)..now I sing in church...roof-raising country gospel..LOVE IT !!!I play a little piano, but no more than any three year old could manage....God bless

-- Lesley (martchas@gateway.net), July 17, 2000.

Abigail, have you choosen your college yet? We are going through that right now with daughter number 2, and believe me you can't start preparing early enough! How exciting a music teacher, the great thing about your teaching certificate is that you can teach nearly everywhere! Might want to think about a school like Sam Houston State University in Huntsville Texas, if you teach 1 year in a low income school district or with challenged children they will zero out your student loans! Now that's appealing! You could eaisly major in music and minor in education, work a year, and really have gone to school for free with two degrees. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), July 17, 2000.

Bluegrass and Country Gospel--on an ODE 5 sting banjer. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot, banjer pik'n gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), July 17, 2000.

Panio, Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Sax, and vocals. I made my living with my music for 14 years. Then burnt out. Tearing down equipment at 3:30 in the morning is not for me anymore. mostly clasic rock Grant

-- Grant Eversoll (thegrange@earthlink.net), July 17, 2000.

My hubby can play almost any instrument--as he once worked in a music store---& sold instruments--he, in his long before gray hair days, had a rock band. He use to do special music in church--but we are in a very conservative church now---& they aren't ready for us yet! So I keep my tambourne tuned up/ for if & when our church is ever ready for us!ha--I have played percussion over the years--& I play a washboard with a bluegrass group when I can---we go to every bluegrass festival or event in our area! Music is very important to us--we bought our grandsons instruments--wish all of us could get together & have a jam session! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), July 18, 2000.

Recorder, and (one-handed!!) an old pump organ, plus the violin I just got and have to start learning to play again. I don't have very high expectations for that, but it will be fun to try! I like old- fashioned Christian hymns, some Gospel choruses, old folk music, and for listening (not playing!) most classical music. Other than when I was in school (a long time ago) I've never had any lessons, so I don't play anything well, but I do love music, especially if it is praising the Lord music.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), July 18, 2000.

I have played the flute and bass violin in orchestras throughout Washington and Oregon for over thrity years, also have done a lot of theatre jobs. Never did finish " the degree "--got married instead, seemed more important at the time- gosh, how I wish I had done that differently now! But I teach a fair amount of lessons,and I also love playing in church. The schooling is important--but it seems there are always opportunities to play if you really want too. Lynn

-- Lynn Royal (homesteadmama@aol.com), July 18, 2000.

Bass, drums, xylophone, all percussion.....plinky piano.

-- Doreen (livinginskin@yahoo.com), July 18, 2000.

Thanks for the responses. No, I haven't chosen a university yet. I'm going into grade 12, but am going to wait a year and do some extra courses. I think that Texas is too far away :o) I play mostly classical, celtic, Maritime fiddlin' and hymns. I play the hymns every Sunday evening, (Mom plays in the morning). I'm not really into Jazz, country or gospel music. In the winter I get together with 4, (sometimes 5), string players and I'm going to begin to play 2nd violin in an orchestra. Keep posting!

-- Abigail F. (treeoflife@sws.nb.ca), July 18, 2000.

I am a music major and play piano, pipes, saxophone and guitar. My hus band says he plays harmonica, handsaw and the radio

-- Susie Stretton (nightsong@beci.net), July 20, 2000.

i play the radio but its usually satic to bad to listen to.he he

-- bob condry (bobco@hit.net), July 23, 2000.

Piano (play in church, but never practice...they have to take what they get each Sunday. Since no one else in our church can play they are thankful just to have me), Trumpet and oboe. Quite the combination isn't it?

-- Jennifer (KY) (acornfork@hotmail.com), July 24, 2000.