Now I have (or will have :) the time to devote to this. Once again I'm looking around to choose an instrument. Purely accidentally last night I ran into a video of an instrument that I had never seen or heard of before: an ocarina, which comes in many varieties. As I read about them, they look like a good choice for a beginner – and they sound a lot like one of my favorite of all instruments, the flute. Here are a couple of videos of ocarina music I ran across (there are many more on YouTube):
Sunday, February 17, 2013
I'm Going to Try for a Fifth Time...
One of the things on my retirement to-do list is to try (for the fifth time) to learn to play a musical interest. I love to listen to music, and have always envied those who could create it. Starting when I was quite young I've tried a recorder, a harmonica, a flute, and a guitar. To call my attempts disastrous would be overly kind. I never even learned how to read music.
Now I have (or will have :) the time to devote to this. Once again I'm looking around to choose an instrument. Purely accidentally last night I ran into a video of an instrument that I had never seen or heard of before: an ocarina, which comes in many varieties. As I read about them, they look like a good choice for a beginner – and they sound a lot like one of my favorite of all instruments, the flute. Here are a couple of videos of ocarina music I ran across (there are many more on YouTube):
Now I have (or will have :) the time to devote to this. Once again I'm looking around to choose an instrument. Purely accidentally last night I ran into a video of an instrument that I had never seen or heard of before: an ocarina, which comes in many varieties. As I read about them, they look like a good choice for a beginner – and they sound a lot like one of my favorite of all instruments, the flute. Here are a couple of videos of ocarina music I ran across (there are many more on YouTube):
I'm around your age, but I've been playing flute since junior high. Playing an instrument has been the source of a lot of pleasure over the years, and I encourage you to get started! It is never too late.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of suggestions. First, take lessons - you get some accountability and it prevents bad habits. Most of the music teachers I know love adult beginner students. Second, find a group to play with as soon as you can keep up (this means pick an instrument you can play in a group). I've been playing in my local community band for the last nine or ten years, and it has been a blast. I know of at least one retiree in our band that decided to pick up an instrument for something to do. He went to the pawnshop, bought a trombone, and joined the band.
If you do pick a band instrument, look for a "New Horizons" group in your area. This is an organization which encourages adult beginners with band programs just like the kids have in schools.
Good luck!