[pcrepairman]

Now there's a thread title I bet you didn't think you'd see here.

I play piano & bassoon semi pro. Didn't take up music as a profession. Not sure I would have liked it had I done so.

Mostly play jazz on the keyboards and classical on the bassoon. Bit of composition work now and again but time doesn't allow me much leeway for that these days, sorry to say.

[GasDad]

Originally Posted by pcrepairman

Now there's a thread title I bet you didn't think you'd see here.

I play piano & bassoon semi pro. Didn't take up music as a profession. Not sure I would have liked it had I done so.

Mostly play jazz on the keyboards and classical on the bassoon. Bit of composition work now and again but time doesn't allow me much leeway for that these days, sorry to say.

Two years ago, my then 8 year old daughter was given the option of learning a musical instrument by our local primary (as a way of moving beyond the recorder) - for some reason she chose the bassoon - 15 minutes for her little hands to put it together, ten minutes impersonating a foghorn, and ten minutes to take it apart. Not a success - it surely must be an instrument you move on to, not start with.

[pcrepairman]

You're probably right, GasDad. I certainty moved on to it.

I started the bassoon after playing piano for several years up to AB grade 6. Trouble was , then, as you say, it was very difficult for little fingers to get round the barrel of the instrument.

Nowadays there are child friendly small versions. Sort of "mini" bassoons. Makes it much easier for little 'uns to get a proper feel for it. Examples .....

Google Image Result for http://www.millermarketingco.com/bassetto/images/bassetto%20%20davey%20mceuen.jpg

Did your daughter take up any other instrument instead?

[GasDad]

Originally Posted by pcrepairman

Did your daughter take up any other instrument instead?

Yes - the acoustic guitar - though she is after an electric guitar now

Thanks for the link - as someone with zero musical talent, I'm finding the musical progression of my two younger children very stimulating.

I think the real reason she gave up the bassoon (apart from the physical problems) was her primary school harvest festival - typical school show with small children playing recorders, violins etc - but a bad note on a recorder just makes you wince slightly - unfortunately a bad note on a bassoon just sounds funny (at least to other primary school children) and totally destroyed her confidence.

[pcrepairman]

Originally Posted by GasDad

Yes - the acoustic guitar - though she is after an electric guitar now

A common occurrence. The acoustic guitar is wonderful and a totally different technique to the electric. Get your daughter to check out these for fun .......

Andy McKee > StumbleVideo

YouTube - Tommy Emmanuel - Guitar Boogie (this is sometimes referred to as the "youtube boogie")

I love the Rodriguez guitar concerto.

I can play the guitar a little but I'm never happy playing anything with strings. That's my nemesis.

I feel more at home blowing or hitting something. Keyboards/wind/brass/percussion.

Shame about the bassoon. I suppose the situation you describe would be a problem, confidence wise.

Sounds like you have a musical household. I refuse to believe you don't have some musical talent, however latent. If you can't play anything I bet you can sing. Even if maybe you don't want others to know.

[GasDad]

Originally Posted by pcrepairman

Sounds like you have a musical household. I refuse to believe you don't have some musical talent, however latent. If you can't play anything I bet you can sing. Even if maybe you don't want others to know.

My singing is so bad I used to be asked to stop by the rest of the lads on rugby tour.

My wife has a degree of musical talent that I find amazing. She can hear a tune. remember it, sing it, and with a little thought play it on the piano. Ok that's not that unusual - but I can't do any of those things - much as I'd love to.

Out two youngest children can both sing, my youngest son (12) is in two theatre groups, both of which do musicals. But he is learning the drums (grade 3 at the moment) - so I guess he isn't a musician, just turning into one of those people who hang out with musicians.

Daughter (11) is still in the early days of the guitar - but has started to develop a fairly reasonable voice.

Thanks for the interesting posts - music really is a mystery to me - I can just about read music (at least the right hand on the piano) - and understand the science behind it. I can quite happily spend a couple of hours trying to play the right hand of 'The Sting' - and know when I've got it wrong - but it is purely mechanical on my part.


GasDad

[pcrepairman]

Originally Posted by GasDad

I can just about read music (at least the right hand on the piano) - and understand the science behind it. I can quite happily spend a couple of hours trying to play the right hand of 'The Sting' - and know when I've got it wrong - but it is purely mechanical on my part.

See? Told you. Latent musical talent.

I have a theory. Most musicians can get on with 3 out of the 4 musical "groups" - wind/brass/strings/percussion. As I say I am OK with all but strings. I play piano/keyboards and bassoon to a fairly high degree and percussion / brass moderately so.

My guess is that maybe you haven't found your niche yet. you've tried singing and piano. What about brass (e.g. trumpet?) and/or percussion like your lad?

[GasDad]

Originally Posted by pcrepairman

See? Told you. Latent musical talent.

Oh I wish - my lack of musical skills are such that I don't even think to check this forum very oftern.

My guess is that maybe you haven't found your niche yet. you've tried singing and piano. What about brass (e.g. trumpet?) and/or percussion like your lad?

Just in case your right, I will look into this.

Thanks,

James

[pcrepairman]

Good luck. Let us know how you get on and good luck to the offspring too with their music.