Hello everybody! I just want to start off by giving you my sincerest and deepest apologies. I know it has been, what seems like forever, since I last uploaded a blog post for all of you, and I’m truly sorry. It was not an intentional break, but it was nice. Anyway, here I am. I’m back. Today I will be sharing my music journey.
My music journey began when I was about 10 or 11 years old. I was in 5th grade when I joined the school band. I originally wanted to play the alto saxophone. However, my dad, being a music teacher, suggested that I try playing the trumpet. If I wasn’t good at it or didn’t like it, I could switch over and play the saxophone. Well, needless to say, I was decent on trumpet, and I enjoyed it. My very first instrument was the trumpet. Although, I was about 4 years old when I first held a trombone and couldn’t reach 5th or 6th slide position. I don’t remember how old I was when I first held a pair of drumsticks.
I played the trumpet for about 3 years. When I was in 6th or 7th grade, my dad bought trumpet books for me. Books of music that I would enjoy playing, all while practicing and improving my skills. Of course, I would practice the school music first. Once I was done practicing the music for school, I would switch over to one of my trumpet books my dad bought. There were a couple of times during the week where I would practice for about 2 or 3 hours, in one sitting.
At the end of my 7th grade year, my band teacher (no, not my dad) came up to me asking if I would be willing to learn a new instrument, in preparation for the 8th grade school year. I accepted, but I think I was slightly hesitant, but I can’t remember. My new instrument was the trombone. I was able to borrow a trombone for the summer. I took it home over the summer so I could learn how to play it and practice. By the end of summer, I was ready for the school year to begin, as I was in the Advanced Band. I can’t remember if my dad helped me with some tips for playing the trombone, or if I taught myself by using a beginner’s practice book. I was better at the trombone within one year, than my 3 years on trumpet.
By the end of my 8th grade year, it was decided that trombone was going to be my instrument. Over the summer, between 8th grade and freshman year, my parents got me my own trombone. I started my freshman year of high school playing trombone in the concert band. During my sophomore year, I was in the Symphony Orchestra. Long story short, I played trombone during all four years of high school. However, during my senior year, I added a new instrument. Well, it was kind of a new instrument. During my senior year of high school, in the Wind Ensemble, I played the baritone/euphonium. Where did I play my trombone, you ask? Well, I played my trombone during Symphony Orchestra (which was my first class of the day) and then played baritone in Wind Ensemble (which was my last class of the day). My favorite instrument to play now is the baritone. Why? Because it combines my two instruments together. I play it like a trumpet, but it has the low sound like the trombone.
My music journey doesn’t end with high school. I went on to play in a community band in a retirement community in my hometown. I started playing in the band while I was in high school and continued to play after. I went on to community college where I learned a couple more instruments and participated in the school band there. While in community college I learned how to play the alto saxophone and the flute. When I was in the community band, I switched sections. I started in the trombone section, where I was for a few years, then I switched over to percussion.
I don’t remember when I stopped being in the community band, but my journey doesn’t stop there. I was also in my church’s praise band. When I originally started in the church band, I was a vocalist, while occasionally playing acoustic guitar. After I while, I continued to do vocals, but then I started playing the electric bass. It has been a long time since I’ve been part of a band. There are times where I do miss it, but there are times where I just like being able to play music on my own. Yes, I still have my trombone, trumpet, and bass.
I find that I play my bass more often than any other instruments, but I still enjoy playing from time to time. Playing and listening to music is good therapy. I like to say I have an old soul, so I like listening to music from the 1940s all the way up to the 1980s. There are some groups and songs from the 1990s and later that I do enjoy listening to. But I always find myself listening to the oldies (but goodies). So, grab your iPod, CDs, or however you listen to music and rock on!
Hanging with Kristina 