An Important Update on My Violin Lessons
Assuming that many of my dear readers are champing at the bit to learn of my progress with my violin lessons, I humbly offer this report:
First, I want to say that anytime I tell someone — anyone — that I just started taking violin lessons, I get a super-positive, over-the-top response. I am certain this is because I’m 51 and just starting out. I don’t think much about my age, but others are always amazed — even thrilled. I think, for some, my violin lessons mean that, “Gee, if you can do that, then I could do [fill in the blank].” I get to feel like an inspiration.
- Being an older violin student, my teacher is about 20 years younger.
- Being an older violin student, my teacher mostly teaches children, so my best songs right now are Camptown Races, Frere Jacques and Jingle Bells.
- Being an older violin teacher, I get looks when I carry around my violin case (I am certain onlookers think I am a pro, when in fact I am just a gosling).
While I am at it, my wonderfully talented violin teacher is performing with the Jamaica Plain-based orchestra A Far Cry this weekend. If you are in the Boston area, there are concerts on Friday and Saturday. I will be going.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I see nothing wrong with any of those songs, a new violinist has to start out somewhere, right? I never really thought about “Camptown Races” being a piece of music for violin though! “Doo-dah, doo-dah” has to be quite interesting played with a bow!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Keep up the good work, Rhea! I played trumpet in high school and college and still take it out sometimes. Each time, had to start back with the old exercises (a few old doo-dahs!) Even played a couple times in the local high school musical pit orchestra because the school didn’t have an instrumental program. My fellow pit musician were my friendly letter carrier woman on clarinet, a professional drummer who’d played in the Marine Corps. jazz band, an octogenarian who’d played in a circus band(another trumpeter), an ex-rock band bass player, and several aspiring kids who were taking private lessons. Later, they asked me and a couple other adults to beef up the elementary school band for their spring concert, so there we sat next to seven to eleven year olds playing the Rocky theme song! Also played with a senior band of elders once to beef up their horn section. Who knows. If one keeps at in and stays serious one could join all sorts of more sophisticated groups too. Keep practicing and you never know what comes along!
October 29th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Rob, thank you for your reminiscences. I am looking forward to perhaps one day playing in an orchestra. Community one, probably!
October 30th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Perhaps, rather than thinking you are a professional violin player, they think you are a 1920’s-era gangster packing a tommy gun!
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
[...] When you tell people you’re 51 and just starting violin lessons, you get some interesting reactions. Check out this fun post at The Boomer Chronicles [...]
November 13th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Congratulations! I’ve played the violin and viola most of my life. Countless friends and acquaintances tell me they want to learn but are afraid to take the plunge. So I think this is great, especially in this economy when many people see music lessons as a luxury, which I wrote about on my blog just today.