Regarding the cello, go for it. I'm coming down the homestretch of life. I always wanted to learn how to play the piano (25 years ago, in middle age, I started guitar lessons to the point where I sing and play my favorite pop/blues/country songs).
A neighbor of mine was a retired Juilliard department head. In 2018, I asked him if he could recommend a piano instructor willing to take an adult learner. Bingo! He introduced me to his star Ph.D student and, until Covid lockdowns shuttered the school, I was taking lessons in the practice rooms of Juilliard. What a treat.
Long story short, for years now I've been working with this musical genius every week, over FaceTime (he's now running the master class for top pianists at a leading conservatory abroad. He appreciates my efforts. I've come a long way, but compared to his students, I'm kind of his comic relief).
Here's the thing: learning the nuances of the instrument, learning theory, diving into the intentions of the composers, all bring me joy, keep me sane, and keep my mind supple. Sometimes I curse the fact that my family could not provide music lessons for me as a child. But, you know: "woulda/coulda/shoulda". I can almost play Chopin's Raindrop Prelude. Almost.
Sometimes during my lessons, it feels as if my brain is on fire -- overloaded neurons without enough mental RAM. But I persist.
And I do it because the endeavor is a total immersion experience. All the noise of life -- politics, health issues, etc etc -- fade away as I try to master difficult measures in whatever piece I'm learning. It's frustrating. It's demanding. I curse when I screw up.
It's heaven.
So, go to the luthier and check out cellos. If you like, it turns out my instructor recently married a cello professor in a northeastern conservatory. If you're interested, I can make an introduction -- maybe she's taking new students. You can do it remotely, or maybe she could introduce you to her colleagues or former students at Juilliard.
Hello old friend! This photo is even earlier than our elementary school choir days!
I, too, have been seeking refuge in making music. Back to singing, and a women’s a capella vocal ensemble, 15 voices, primarily Renaissance and medieval repertoire.
It’s an imperfect escape, yet the moments of transcendence are much more frequent and if I were on social media during those two hours a week.
My proxy for your violin experience is all the years I spent on the piano. For a long time, I could only hear all the wrong notes.
What I found was, if I changed instruments and repertoire, I could bypass all the internal judgment “ too many wrong notes, too slow, not enough phrasing, blah blah blah”
So I will tootle on the recorder and try to play things like the Harry Potter theme by ear, so it becomes more playful than effortful.
I was in a fabulous dance band class at Pinewood’s dance camp years ago, where we would do things like play “Ode to Joy” in the style of a tango or “Amazing Grace” like a polka. No accident that our teacher was an amazing fiddle player who battled depression. He was a genius at helping us “paper trained musicians” bypass our rigidity and move into play.
I’ve often thought it would be great fun to pick up the fiddle and just work my way through the fiddlers fake book of Irish tunes. So much less pressure to make each note beautiful! And you can dance and play at the same time!
I, too, find the cello compelling. Not many instruments allow you to hug them while you play and feel their resonance throughout your body.
Because I love early music, I encourage you to try the viola da gamba as well. There’s a movie from the 80s(?) called “Tous Les Matins du Monde” with Girard Depardieu. It’ll give you a taste of the sound.
Or perhaps get one of those amazing plastic trombones, they make a great sound and once again it feels like play rather than effort.
Thank you for your thoughtful and provocative writing! You help me reconnect to why I’m lucky to still be alive despite all the challenges.
Hi Patti! And yes, this photo predates our move to California. You've hit the nail on the head. I'm thinking that with the cello I'll feel free to make all the mistakes. But I envy your choir experience. I've also been toying with the idea of singing. A couple of years ago I got the name of a teacher, but have yet to send that message. Maybe now is the moment to revisit that idea as well.
Thanks, Martin. That sounds heavenly--and exactly the kind of experience I'm looking for. And yes, I would love an introduction to your instructor's cellist wife! Thank you.
Regarding the cello, go for it. I'm coming down the homestretch of life. I always wanted to learn how to play the piano (25 years ago, in middle age, I started guitar lessons to the point where I sing and play my favorite pop/blues/country songs).
A neighbor of mine was a retired Juilliard department head. In 2018, I asked him if he could recommend a piano instructor willing to take an adult learner. Bingo! He introduced me to his star Ph.D student and, until Covid lockdowns shuttered the school, I was taking lessons in the practice rooms of Juilliard. What a treat.
Long story short, for years now I've been working with this musical genius every week, over FaceTime (he's now running the master class for top pianists at a leading conservatory abroad. He appreciates my efforts. I've come a long way, but compared to his students, I'm kind of his comic relief).
Here's the thing: learning the nuances of the instrument, learning theory, diving into the intentions of the composers, all bring me joy, keep me sane, and keep my mind supple. Sometimes I curse the fact that my family could not provide music lessons for me as a child. But, you know: "woulda/coulda/shoulda". I can almost play Chopin's Raindrop Prelude. Almost.
Sometimes during my lessons, it feels as if my brain is on fire -- overloaded neurons without enough mental RAM. But I persist.
And I do it because the endeavor is a total immersion experience. All the noise of life -- politics, health issues, etc etc -- fade away as I try to master difficult measures in whatever piece I'm learning. It's frustrating. It's demanding. I curse when I screw up.
It's heaven.
So, go to the luthier and check out cellos. If you like, it turns out my instructor recently married a cello professor in a northeastern conservatory. If you're interested, I can make an introduction -- maybe she's taking new students. You can do it remotely, or maybe she could introduce you to her colleagues or former students at Juilliard.
Do it! And LMK if I can help.
Hello old friend! This photo is even earlier than our elementary school choir days!
I, too, have been seeking refuge in making music. Back to singing, and a women’s a capella vocal ensemble, 15 voices, primarily Renaissance and medieval repertoire.
It’s an imperfect escape, yet the moments of transcendence are much more frequent and if I were on social media during those two hours a week.
My proxy for your violin experience is all the years I spent on the piano. For a long time, I could only hear all the wrong notes.
What I found was, if I changed instruments and repertoire, I could bypass all the internal judgment “ too many wrong notes, too slow, not enough phrasing, blah blah blah”
So I will tootle on the recorder and try to play things like the Harry Potter theme by ear, so it becomes more playful than effortful.
I was in a fabulous dance band class at Pinewood’s dance camp years ago, where we would do things like play “Ode to Joy” in the style of a tango or “Amazing Grace” like a polka. No accident that our teacher was an amazing fiddle player who battled depression. He was a genius at helping us “paper trained musicians” bypass our rigidity and move into play.
I’ve often thought it would be great fun to pick up the fiddle and just work my way through the fiddlers fake book of Irish tunes. So much less pressure to make each note beautiful! And you can dance and play at the same time!
I, too, find the cello compelling. Not many instruments allow you to hug them while you play and feel their resonance throughout your body.
Because I love early music, I encourage you to try the viola da gamba as well. There’s a movie from the 80s(?) called “Tous Les Matins du Monde” with Girard Depardieu. It’ll give you a taste of the sound.
Or perhaps get one of those amazing plastic trombones, they make a great sound and once again it feels like play rather than effort.
Thank you for your thoughtful and provocative writing! You help me reconnect to why I’m lucky to still be alive despite all the challenges.
Hi Patti! And yes, this photo predates our move to California. You've hit the nail on the head. I'm thinking that with the cello I'll feel free to make all the mistakes. But I envy your choir experience. I've also been toying with the idea of singing. A couple of years ago I got the name of a teacher, but have yet to send that message. Maybe now is the moment to revisit that idea as well.
Thanks, Martin. That sounds heavenly--and exactly the kind of experience I'm looking for. And yes, I would love an introduction to your instructor's cellist wife! Thank you.