Younger Days

Last week I called the Conservatory to schedule this week’s hour-long guitar lesson (a long lesson but a portion of it was Q and A) and talked to a voice instructor.  She told me she just took a trip to a competition with several of her students.  I asked how old they were, and said that they’d remember it all their lives.

Forty-two years ago I competed in choir in the State finals at Chautauqua Institution, my first time there and the beginning of a family history of “three taps.”  I was eight.  The students from fourth to sixth grades sang Panis Angelicus.  I know the bench and section I sat in to this day.  We had an LP of it but years later, after college, I found that my then boyfriend’s roommate was there as well and lent it to him.  We broke up and I never got it back.

It’s always interesting getting together with my siblings (it happens rarely) and hearing our selective childhood memories and how we each view things differently.

At my age it is joy to have music in my life once again.  It was ingrained in childhood.  Violin at age six, piano at age eight.  And Mom fit in ballet so my sister and I wouldn’t “walk like a truck driver.”  My fingers hurt, and guitar is something I don’t immediately “see,” like a piano.

Dad was taught violin at an early age by his father, and he still plays.  My brother played trumpet in elementary school but his talent lay in when he decided to practice, 1/2 hour before we had to get up for school.  At 6:30 a.m. we all yelled “SHUT UP” so he stopped then said he tried to practice but we wouldn’t let him.  Perhaps he thought it was “strumpet” lessons?  He could have been good at any instrument, I’m speaking of the trumpet here.

I think I told you the last time I played guitar was at age 12.  Today I showed off several new chords I learned without prompting, the best of which was B7.  So now I can play “Yesterday” and my instructor also walked me through “Folsom Prison.”  Not literally, of course.  Upon stating that he might like teaching someone like me who has actually heard of Johnny Cash, he said a few students asked for his songs when the movie came out, but not today.

He liked the 1964 Peter, Paul and Mary songbook and the fact that may have garnered him two new students.  It’s very interesting being a student again, but the one with the checkbook and knowing what I’d like to accomplish.

I wanted to make pizza tonight but probably don’t have time for dough to rise et al.  And it’s pouring outside.  Whole Foods has pre-made dough but I’d rather just order in from the best place in town.  Yep, that’s the ticket.  Cheers!  Dee