Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Thursday 13 v. 27

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Thirteen Things about Musical Carmen
  1. The first instrument I learned was the piano. We didn't have one, so I had to go to church to practice. Which meant I hated to practice.
  2. When I was in the 4th grade, we all learned to play the recorder. It's hell on the ears, a bunch of 9 year olds tooting that thing. :)
  3. When I was in the 5th grade, we got to pick an instrument to play in the 6th grade band. I wanted to play the flute, but I didn't have the "dip" in my lip I needed, so I took home a trombone. My mom had a cow, and we went back and exchanged it for a saxaphone. So I played the sax for 3 years in band.
  4. Not only did I play the sax, I was FIRST CHAIR in the band.
  5. I got bored easily, so my band teacher would teach me other things. She taught me to play the bassoon. The bassoon never got any solos, so I wasn't happy. The only time I've ever heard a bassoon since is in Peter and the Wolf.
  6. She also taught me to direct a band. A talent I've not used yet.
  7. It was mandatory in the 9th grade to be in the marching band if you were to continue in the band. I wanted to be a cheerleader, so no more band.
  8. My mom saw in me a musical talent, so she and Dad bought me a guitar.
  9. My guitar teacher was a very talented player, but not a great teacher. I'd bring him tapes of what I wanted to learn, and he'd sound it out and teach me. So if anyone wants to hear "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi or "The Final Countdown" or other 80s songs, I can rock out. Otherwise, I'm self taught, and play by ear.
  10. When I was in my mid-2os, I had this grand idea that I'd go to Nashville, TN and be a songwriter. I have two songs that I know are hits, if someone would just listen to the tapes.
  11. On my way to make an official demo of one of these hit songs, I had a car accident. I never made it to the studio - a lost opportunity - and a perfect country song - ha. (A guy at church was going to record it for free, but he was leaving the next day). I took it as a sign from God to go home.
  12. I still occasionally write songs, but mostly I've accepted that I'm not the next Phil Vassar.
  13. I love to sing - especially harmony. I've been told my voice is beautiful, but it has a distinct sound to it. It's very bluegrass-y. But now I just lend my musical talents at church, and I'm ok with that. Unless you're a producer (Call me!). Or they decide to start letting you audition for American Idol even if you're over 28 (the current age limit).
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    53 comments:

    twiga92 said...

    Oh, the fun of piano lessons. Had lots of those. I wish now that I'd kept up with it better, but oh well. I did play the flute and hated it.

    Anonymous said...

    Very cool list.

    I'm self-taught on the guitar too, and tried teaching a friend once and couldn't do it. I think teaching and playing are 2 distinctly different skills.

    Can't be over 28 for AI? How did that Taylor Hicks get in?

    I got hit in the throat with a softball and it ruined my upper register. I used to be able to sing "Face Yourself" (Michael Hedges), but after the tragedy, couldn't do it.

    Why is it called a recorder?

    Anonymous said...

    I played clarinet in band. I tried to learn sax, but it was kind of hard. I didn't like to play it as much as the clarinet. I also was in orchestra. I played cello and violin (self-taught). I took piano lessons, but don't play much anymore.

    choir was my thing. sure, band was great but I hated marching. choir was awesome!

    great list Carmen!

    Heather said...

    I didn't know you were musical! I can play the flute, I've been playing since 4th grade. We should make music together ;)

    Anonymous said...

    I was never very musical and I cant sing (as Rob keeps telling me!) but I do LOVE music. I think without music I would go nuts (opps to late! hehe)

    Will do my tt soon. Gotta clean the spare room first!

    K said...

    Wow. I am impressed! I took piano lessons and flute way back when... and oh yeah, that awful recorder... but those days are but a memory now.

    Have a great Thursday!!

    Wendy Ann Edwina D'Cunha e Pereira said...

    Greatlist... Reminds me of music leesons we had in school. Learnt to play something called the melodica (heard of it? _besides the recorder. Also learnt the Piano ... We had these music cells (tiny rooms) which each had a piano... Wish I had kept it up

    Twisted Cinderella said...

    Great TT! I love music but I am much less talented than you are.

    Mama Duck said...

    Great list! I have a music degree (keyboards) but rarely use it anymore either. Ours is up - 13 things I'm doing once we recover from this sickness!!

    FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

    That is great! I too, took piano lessons when I was a kid but didn't push through with it. When I became an adult I shifted to playing the organ and till now it is one of my hubbies. I can play at least 200 pieces.
    My TT13 is up too.

    Anonymous said...

    Great list. :) I took piano lessons, but had to give it up because my fingers are too short (to this day, I still can't span an octave!) I did play flute all through Jr High and High School. Thanks for sharing. :)

    Knitting Maniac said...

    Would love to hear that bluegrass twang!

    Raggedy said...

    That was a great list!
    Congratulations on number 4!
    I am sorry you got in an accident..
    I would love to hear you sing.
    Do a podcast for us?
    Have a wonderful day!
    My list is up

    Darla said...

    Oh, you'd fit in my family so much better than I do. *sigh* My dad and brother can (& do) play any instrument you put in front of them. Me? Seven years of piano lessons, and I can just get by if I've got sheet music in front of me.

    Anonymous said...

    I played a sax, too!!! you can play 80's guitar for me anytime. very cool that you write songs..

    Amy said...

    i don't do instruments and try not to sing in front of other people! you should try out for nashville star or whatever that country one is where you write your own music!

    Southern Girl said...

    Wow, cool list! I have so much admiration for anyone who is musical. I don't have a musical bone in my body. ;)

    Thanks for visiting my TT!

    Froggie Mama said...

    Wow! You're just a girl of MANY talents, huh?? :) I played the clarinet 6th-11th grade. I was also in the Marching Band - and was okay with it until I got in HS and then I was just way *too cool* for it! ha! I could also play the Sax alittle, too.

    Fun list! Maybe we will hear one of your songs on the radio someday! ♥

    Tug said...

    HATED piano lessons, too....but I love sax music - & guitars just make me melt!

    Mine's up!

    Lisa said...

    I wish I was more musical. My musical talents stop at singing. I also love a harmony though, probably from singing 2nd Soprano for so long...we got all the cool harmonies in choir!

    Thanks for stopping by my 13!

    -R- said...

    I would love to hear the bluegrass version of "Wanted Dead or Alive"!

    Red said...

    Simon Cowell has a programme here called The X Factor, in which contestants are divided into three groups: aged 16-24, over 24, and groups (bands). I'm sure he'll take the format to the US, so we might well see you on our TV screens soon!

    Anonymous said...

    I can completely relate to you, Carmen. I started playing in fourth grade thanks to my parents' persuasion, and I didn't stop until I graduated from high school. I did flute and piccolo. Oh the band years....

    I don't think you should give up on your dreams. I think you should still pursue them in some capacity. It sounds to me like you might just be waiting for the right opportunity to come along, but I think you could make it happen just with yourself.

    Happy Thursday to you, and thanks for coming by today!

    Kukka-Maria said...

    My agent wanted to play flute in sixth grade band, too (partly due to the fact she was 5 when her aunt started teaching her to play, so she banked on having a huuuuuge advantage over the rest of the kids).

    She came home with a trumpet because her band teacher told her she had "brass lips" and shouldn't waste them on a woodwind.

    I think "brass balls" are better.

    Anonymous said...

    The woman plays the flute and the oboe (fascinating that that wasn't on your list!). I however, just use my WONDERFUL voice!

    Bone said...

    Very interesting, Carmen.

    Maybe you should go on Nashville Star instead.

    And I for one would be very interested in an audio post of "Wanted Dead or Alive" :)

    Renee Nefe said...

    I played clarinette in Jr High School, but I didn't have the drive to make it go anywhere. It probably didn't help that our Band director who took all the HS kids to state every year quit right as I started. So we had subs for a long time and then got a new director who was like just out of college and a whimp.
    And every time I wore high heels he decided that we should do marching practice instead of playing.
    I would have to re-learn how to read music...but I can play a few songs. I taught myself "Ode to Joy"

    Shannon said...

    Loved your list this week. I posted eighties love songs I miss. I spent the better part of the morning over at YouTube.

    We are truly kindred spirits. Thank you.

    Anonymous said...

    If you love writing songs keep on doing it! I'd give them a listen, if you'd like to MP3 them to me. I work in the Canadian music industry so I could offer you some feedback.

    Candy Minx said...

    Wow I wish I had taken music lessons when I was a kid. I love all the memories associated with your music personal history.

    I will look forward to hearing if you get out there and record...I think the bluegrass market could use some sprucing up!!! Go get em Carmen!!

    My TT is here..

    http://gnosticminx.blogspot.com/2006/09/thirteen-things-i-can-do-to-save-world_14.html

    Anonymous said...

    do you still play the piano. I've played for 16 years!

    I also love to sing, but am shy about it.

    Anonymous said...

    wow, you're so talented!!! Maybe something will come of this post, you never know!

    YellowRose said...

    I took piano too, my lessons were at a church. I miss the lessons now, didn't then. I also remember that horrid recorder! UGH! Both my kids had to learn it also, I hated hearing that thing in the house! LOL

    Who says you can't be a star still? Send in your songs to producers, who knows, you could be the next big thing!! ;)

    Happy Thursday!

    Anonymous said...

    You go girl!
    My parents and brother are all very musical and play all sorts of instruments...I took piano for a couple years but I still can't carry a tune! I have no ear for music and my dad says cause I'm more visual so that's while I paint! hehee
    I'm always jealous of guitar players the hubby is really good too and I wish I could just pick it up and play!
    Great list!

    Anonymous said...

    In 5th grade I learned how to play the viola; I stopped in 8th grade & now wish I had continued. I sometimes wonder if I ever picked one up if I could still play.

    Why not start a band?? My sister & her band are pretty popular in the east coast. Stephaniesid I betcha you'd be a hit!

    Thanks for stopping by my TT & commenting. Hope you are having a terrific Thursday.

    Maribeth said...

    I love music and always have sung. But the "fear factor" keeps me from singing in public.

    Anonymous said...

    I was in the marching band in high school. I was a flag girl! LOL! I don't have an ounce of musical talent in me!

    Anonymous said...

    I wanted to play the flute in elementary school, but we lived in an apartment at the time and my parents did not want the people below us to have to endure my practice sessions. Oh well.

    Happy Mama to Three said...

    Great thirteen. Music makes the world go round.

    C

    Anonymous said...

    I enjoyed your list :) I wish I was musical. (Thank you for dropping by my TT :) )

    Natsthename said...

    A good thing to read just as I send my son off to the world of musical instruction. He decided on the cello. God help my ears. (He already did recorder in 3rd grade and YOU ARE SO RIGHT about the sound of that thing!) He taught himself harmonica last year, too. Oh well. At least it's not drums (got two drummers around here, too!)

    And you should keep writing songs. You never know! You just never know.

    Buttercup said...

    1st Chair! Omg! I was lucky to be third clarinet for years in high school, and so relieved when I finally could stop playing.

    Anonymous said...

    I never played a musical intrument but was in the chorus for a while and marched in a drill team. I've always admired those who do play something.

    Dane Bramage said...

    I am so jealous. All I can play is the stereo. I started learning Coronet in 4th grade but Moms gave away my horn to a musician boyfriend she dated for a minute and I never took up another instrument. Like you said; lost opputunity I guess.

    My T13 is up. It is The Daydream Edition!

    Lynn said...

    I played the piano too and some guitar. Right now I have a hammered dulcimer that needs my time and attention;-) I always wanted to play the flute but was told I had perfect lips for the clarinet....and it was free from my aunt, so I never made it too marching band....like you I got bored quickly. It's funny 'cause now my DD1 plays flute in the marching band and is also a cheerleader!

    Anonymous said...

    I played the piano and the flute. I miss the time that I used to have for music. Grading papers has taken over! lol Thanks for stopping by my TT!

    BlondeBrony said...

    You sound very talented. I'd love to hear you one day.
    Happy TT!

    Pink Chihuahua Princess said...

    "very bluegrassy?" Girl, you're in the wrong part of the nation for that talent. I bet you sound just beautiful.

    What do you mean you haven't used your band directing talent yet? hehe

    Anonymous said...

    I cannot sing or play anything....

    you are so lucky!!

    having a shin-dig at my place, come sing for us!!!

    Geggie said...

    I have NO musical talent at all! And I'm tone deaf. Lovely.

    Don said...

    Hey Carmen,
    The Bassoon is a beautiful instrument and has many solos. One famous solo is at the beginning of "Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky. It's haunting. There's a nice one in Bartok's Dance Suite, too.

    I'll bet you can search the Media Player and find them. There are sooo many others but they aren't in the front of my brain. Most bassoon solos are passages in orchestral pieces like Mozart and Bach. I hear them alot, but I'm a symphonic bassist and am exposed to that kind of thing.

    There are solos for Bassoon and piano as well as concertos and sonoatas.

    You should continue your song writing if only for your enjoyment. I'll bet your photos could inspire some tunes.

    I've just finished arranging a couple of tunes for string quartet that a guy wants played at his wedding.

    It's a living.

    Anonymous said...

    Ha! Just like my first guitar teacher. I didn't know you needed special lips to play flute, I thought you just learnt how to purse them together right.
    I've ended up at the same place as you, playing and singing at church. It's good.

    angela said...

    Missed this Thursday...sorrya bout that. Carmen, don't give up! Keep writing songs and playing your instruments...you never know when something might drop right in your lap and you want to be ready for it...