Piano Education Page Forums

by **73-1078374881** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 11:31 am

Ever curious, I'd like to know: how did you get started on your other instrument(s)? Did you learn piano first?
I played piano for a couple years until one day, sometime before Christmas, I was listening to a violinist on the radio with my mom. Being eight, and suffering from severe "gimmies",

I declared to my mom that I wanted a violin for Christmas. My folks asked me repeatedly, "Will you practice? Will you be responsible?" "Oh, yes! Yes!" I cried.
Three weeks after Christmas: I hate the violin, and my mom is just short of locking me up in a room with the violin to make me practice. That first half year, everyone was miserable: me, my parents, and my poor teacher. But things have gone uphill since then!! Now it's just my parents and teacher who are miserable! :p
Over the years, I've picked up other instruments like guitar and flute, but that's another story...
So anyways. How did you start your other instrument? Were you a kid when you started, or did you start as an adult?

by **Mins Music** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 6:02 pm

My first instrument was voice. Sang before I could put a sentence together.
My next instrument was the recorder. Played it every day when I was eight, despite my mother hiding it from me.
Then it was the organ, you know, split keyboards, pedals - whoohoo was that fun, little feet going for it!
Then it was the guitar.
Then the flute.
Then the clarinet.
Then the PIANO for my 15th birthday!!! I had NO idea! They wheeled it into my house and I went a total mess. Tears flying everywhere, shaking uncontrollably. I couldn't even go near it to begin with I was just so overwhelmed! I still vividlyremember that moment and those feelings now that its almost 20 years later. I still have that piano, and it's the one I teach with. Need a new one soon, but I'm not giving up MY piano that my wonderful parents surprised me with that day.
Anyway...
Then the zither.
Then the irish whistle.
Then the harmonica.
Now the violin.

I have always had a dream of being a cellist. Maybe one day ...

Ooh, forgot to mention the drum kit! Hubby plays that and the bass guitar - I play too, but he's better.

Edited By Mins Music on 1079136196

by **81-1074658942** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 10:41 pm

HEY! I play the zither and the recorder! I'm not the only one! *happy dance*

by **73-1078374881** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 11:33 am

Hehehehe.... okay, I'm going to sound terribly uncultured... What's a zither?

by **Dr. Bill Leland** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 11:43 am

A zither is something you zith with.

(Try saying that 10 times fast.)

Dr. B.

by **73-1078374881** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 3:49 pm

Dr. Bill Leland wrote:A zither is something you zith with.

(Try saying that 10 times fast.)

Dr. B.

Mega LOLs!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

by **81-1074658942** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:02 am

It's kind of similar to a small harp. but it's something that can lie horizontal on the table, it's not just open strings on both sides.... shoot. i don't quite know how to explain it. I'll send you a pic sometime.

by **73-1078374881** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 10:51 pm

^ Kewl. How did you ever hear of a zither? And how did you get ahold of one? Are they very expensive?

by **81-1074658942** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 11:48 am

Can't help you on where to get one. It belonged to my great grandmother, and it came from Germany.

by **Mins Music** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 5:58 pm

My zither is also very old. Got it from a second hand shop. However, I first came in contact with a zither when I was only 5 or 6. My older next door neighbour played one, and I was VERY impressed. (Little did I know that all you do is press a key that say C chord, and dampers hold the strings down that don't belong to that chord, and then you just "ZITH" across the strings. They're not a solo instrument, they're used as an accompaniment to singing, or other solo instruments. I have NEVER seen one for sale in a store.

Anyway, I can now add the ocarina to my list. Bought one the other day, took it home and started playing tunes straight away. I'd recommend this little instrument for kiddies. I find it even easier to play than the recorder, and it has a more mellow, pleasant sound.

For those who have never met an ocarina, it's a small shell shaped wind instrument no bigger than most people's hands. It's fingering is similar (but not the same) as for the recorder. It's fun and easy to play!

by **73-1078374881** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 6:15 pm

OOOOO!!!! I think I may have a zither!!! ::trying to remember what it looks like:: About 15 inches long with lots of strings and dampers with chord names on them? I've wanted to play it, but I don't have anything to tune it with!

by **69-1080625173** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:54 am

My first instrument was keyboard which I started in year 5 and did for....2 years I think. Then I started piano in grade 8 and have been doing it since then (i'm in grade 12 now). I started to learn guitar just over a year ago as well.

by **Dr. Bill Leland** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 9:33 am

Dear I.P.V.S.T.:

I think what you have is probably an autoharp. They used to be used a lot in schools and colleges.

Dr. Bill.

by **Mins Music** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 6:51 pm

Here's some pictures of zithers!

http://images.google.com.au/images?....+Search

by **Mins Music** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 6:53 pm

here's some pictures of autoharps!

http://images.google.com.au/images?....=Search

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